Through the years LITB has been mocked for how June dresses when she's home being a mother. Ward seemed to get a pass for keeping his work suit & tie on through supper (notice never any gravy in meals). I've read all the show trivia about June's attire. Pearls were to cover a scar. Heels were to keep up with the boys height growth. But the pearls are always a lightning rod for comments putting down the show.

In the one tv per family days my family would gather by the tv after supper, and homework. I remember my mom always commenting on June's pearls if LITB was on. Even to the point she demanded the show be turned off. I'm sure today's do too. But, 50s - 60s moms really had to bust their asses keeping the family running. I don't think she was the only mother offended by June's attire. Especially the pearls. I wonder if Barbara Billingsley could of did it over, she would lose the pearls?

Then, it's really hard to find a LITB era picture, or later without BB's lower neck not covered. So there had to be truth to the scar thing. Or, she was overly self conscience, and the scar was nothing no one would even notice. I'm leaning towards the latter.

Yes, I think the pearls did harm the show. I know my grandmother mentioned them disparagingly when we watched the show together.

I don't think that the pearls "damaged" the show so much as they provide (as does Wards suit) undeniable proof that the show is craft, built for the intended purpose of conveying a higher set of standards that all Americans were supposed to strive for.

Setting the bar for all those viewers obsessed with "keeping up with the Jonses".

Couple personal observations: They probably had to do this to maximize sponsor appeal. Would Chase and Sanborn in the 1950s prefer their product associated with a family like the Verduccis (Married with Children ) or the highly polished Cleavers?

Secondly, I believe the real question here is, was this portrayal ostentatious, or pretentious?

I believe most critics suspect the latter to be the case.

Could not have damaged the show too much. It was and still is very popular.

They probably didn't draw too much attention till she wore them while vacuuming.

I wonder if her use of them on the show inspired many "copy-cat" purchases among viewers? Not necessarily for wearing while viewers performed house work, but just to acquire the look?

The pearls were unrealistic as was the rest of the show. Everything was too perfect. It was a TV show, not real life.

I wonder if her use of them on the show inspired many "copy-cat" purchases among viewers? Not necessarily for wearing while viewers performed house work, but just to acquire the look?

It's possible. I know our family watched it on the original run and I can't remember my mother having any reaction.

They sure have been noticed over the years but I doubt too much originally. It was on weekly over 6 years, not like we see for a 3 or 4 month full run. You pick up a lot more with 10 episodes a week.

Not here. Posters delve deeper in LITB. But, "June's Pearls" has to a top topic casual viewers discuss, or media writes about LITB in all possible topics concerning the show through the years..

I somehow doubt that the pearls and high heels were entirely Miss Billingsley's ideas.

I've never understood the obsession with June's jewelry. She wore pearls....who cares??

I've never understood the obsession with June's jewelry. She wore pearls....who cares??

I think it's customary for people to identify common benchmarks when comparing disparate data sets?

IE "How does LITB compare to my world?" Gee, adults didn't wear jewelry when doing house work in my universe, but did do so on LITB...

Or wow, Ward wears his suits past meal time while my dad just sits around in his underwear and belches ....stuff like that.

The Cleavers blend a white collar middle class bank account, and upper class ideals. I think that's what stokes the discussion about them. A middle class housewife always wearing pearls around the house is ripe for discussion. It's very odd. I don't think it's a deep psychological event to discuss it.

I've never understood the obsession with June's jewelry. She wore pearls....who cares??

As I said in another post above, back during the original run, I doubt there was widespread media or press discussion of her pearls.

But over the years it did become a "hot" topic--June wearing of them while doing housework, and why the actress wore them all the time.

Some of the commentary probably went along with the themes of "unrealistic portrayal of family life." As though any sitcom is a totally realistic portrayal. For many families back in the day, the daily grind was probably close to what GJ said--Dad gets home, sheds the suit, and walks around in his shorts, smoking a cigar, belching and scratching. Mom comes to the breakfast table with hair in curlers, no makeup, and ragged old bathrobe.

You're just not gonna see that on any sitcom--but on some you might come closer than LITB.

Dad gets home, sheds the suit, and walks around in his shorts, smoking a cigar, belching and scratching. Mom comes to the breakfast table with hair in curlers, no makeup, and ragged old bathrobe.

I don't want to watch that show! :lol:

Sponsors likely wouldn't want their products associated with such a show, either.

Perhaps that's part of the "hook"? Status conscious viewers might believe they are attaining a higher stature by buying the products associated with the show?

Sort of an abstract "coffee with the Cleavers" sort of thing?

As I said in another post above, back during the original run, I doubt there was widespread media or press discussion of her pearls.

I think that's true: the earliest I can find mention of June's unrealistic wearing of pearls is a 1977 article (see below).


But over the years it did become a "hot" topic--June wearing of them while doing housework, and why the actress wore them all the time.

Some of the commentary probably went along with the themes of "unrealistic portrayal of family life." As though any sitcom is a totally realistic portrayal.

Well, many sitcoms have come closer to a realistic portrayal of life at home. You don't need "totally realistic" to beat "wearing a pearl necklace to vacuum".

Parodies with pearls. SCTV got the color wrong, but didn't forget the pearls.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M9dKYxkYYXM

George Lopez
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=sHjFwPwpbFo

Well, many sitcoms have come closer to a realistic portrayal of life at home. You don't need "totally realistic" to beat "wearing a pearl necklace to vacuum".

Or wearing a suit and tie to a baseball game.

As I probably mentioned earlier, in Father Knows Best, an even earlier sitcom, Margaret always dresses casually around the house. And when she's cleaning, she wear a bandanna on her mussed up hair and a house dress (or whatever you call it) and shoves furniture around. She looks like she's really working.

While June looks like she just stepped out of a fashion magazine of 1961.

Of more recent vintage, Debra on Everybody Loves Raymond usually looks kind of frumpy, like she's been working and dealing with kids all day.

That 1977 blurb is already perpetrating the "mythology" about LITB that persists to this day. Wally and Beaver never left their room? June was never shown working? Ward is "not worth mentioning"? And the writer can't spell "Metzger"? Typical drivel from someone who probably never watched the show or maybe saw at most one or two episodes. They call LITB "a classic" and then disparage it.

That 1977 blurb is already perpetrating the "mythology" about LITB that persists to this day. Wally and Beaver never left their room? June was never shown working? Ward is "not worth mentioning"? And the writer can't spell "Metzger"? Typical drivel from someone who probably never watched the show or maybe saw at most one or two episodes. They call LITB "a classic" and then disparage it.

Yeah, I didn't think it was a great article, either, but I thought it was worth showing as the earliest mention I can find of June's pearls feeling unrealistic.

Might as well make a list +- lol

Upward Mobile they call it ?

Pile On

the pearls / and her heals / and usually dressed very nice 99% of the time
June was a member of the local Bridge Club
Ward's suits are dominate
having a cleaning lady whereas June was tired lol
Junes family had alma mater from a prestigious school / the Bronson's (?)
Ward's cars got better with the seasons
the 2nd house was nicer

though they missed an episode of taking the family on a vacation to some nice place like Hawaii (see Brady Bunch ...)

though they missed an episode of taking the family on a vacation to some nice place like Hawaii (see Brady Bunch ...)

Ward's suit and tie would have been a bit warm on the beach. :lol:

I was wondering? When Ward & June got woke up in the middle of the night by their boys. Like when Larry was sick, cat up the tree. W & J come out of bed to see what W & B wanted. Were June's pearls ever still on wearing her robe?

I was wondering? When Ward & June got woke up in the middle of the night by their boys. Like when Larry was sick, cat up the tree. W & J come out of bed to see what W & B wanted. Were June's pearls ever still on wearing her robe?

I did not see them, but I think I saw June gather her robe around her neck with her hand. The one where they catch the rabbit.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QFLkUwNesJM/VWO4HzdJ5xI/AAAAAAAAFy4/Mj17EOPpMgQ/s1600/Robe%2Band%2Bpearls.jpgó

LOL x 10, so funny - your the best !
does a shorty teddy go with the pearls ?

Caption: "Dear, you forgot your matching earrings."

"While I'm upstairs, I'll grab your sleeping tie, Ward."

:rofl:

Ward takes a shower in his suit & tie? Ever notice the Cleavers when eating never put a napkin on their lap, or tuck one in their collars as a bib? But they never get food stained without one.

Ward: "June, I don't think I've ever seen you downstairs in a robe."

Ward takes a shower in his suit & tie? Ever notice the Cleavers when eating never put a napkin on their lap, or tuck one in their collars as a bib? But they never get food stained without one.

Ward adjusting his tie clasp before dragging the trash can to the curb.

Through the years LITB has been mocked for how June dresses when she's home being a mother. Ward seemed to get a pass for keeping his work suit & tie on through supper (notice never any gravy in meals). I've read all the show trivia about June's attire. Pearls were to cover a scar. Heels were to keep up with the boys height growth. But the pearls are always a lightning rod for comments putting down the show.

In the one tv per family days my family would gather by the tv after supper, and homework. I remember my mom always commenting on June's pearls if LITB was on. Even to the point she demanded the show be turned off. I'm sure today's do too. But, 50s - 60s moms really had to bust their asses keeping the family running. I don't think she was the only mother offended by June's attire. Especially the pearls. I wonder if Barbara Billingsley could of did it over, she would lose the pearls?

Then, it's really hard to find a LITB era picture, or later without BB's lower neck not covered. So there had to be truth to the scar thing. Or, she was overly self conscience, and the scar was nothing no one would even notice. I'm leaning towards the latter.

This is the goofiest post in the history of this board.

This is the goofiest post in the history of this board.
Dig deeper... I've got even goofier.

Dig deeper... I've got even goofier.

Yep. Why people want to rip the show instead of enjoy it? I dunno. Perhaps they think it makes them intellectuals

Yep. Why people want to rip the show instead of enjoy it? I dunno. Perhaps they think it makes them intellectuals
Everybody here has got it together enough where they can talk freely, and analyze a show that they love. Without their whole world tumbling down if someone disagrees with them.

Everybody here has got it together enough where they can talk freely, and analyze a show that they love. Without their whole world tumbling down if someone disagrees with them.

Worlds don't tumble over the Beaver that's what you got right. See, I think some posters look for inconsistencies and the shows message and consistently funny dialog is overlooked. June and her pearls...honestly. Beat a dead horse.

This clip is from 2000 making BB 85. 85! Boy she looks great. And, her mind is so sharp. Notice when pearls are brought up. BB seems a bit perturbed. "I'm going to say this one more time!" Then, Oprah asking about the pearls seemed to ruffle her feathers a little. She also seemed to want to emphasize June's clothes were all moderately priced some from JC Pennys. Wow! She could wear clothes stylishly. Glammed up going to a ladies meeting, or out with Ward she could really turn some heads. Maybe the fact June looked so great in heels, stylish dresses, and pearls is what stokes conversation. If June was a hag, no one would give her wardrobe a 2nd thought.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=E4j1dGrdo4E

She also seemed to want to emphasize June's clothes were all moderately priced some from JC Pennys.

This should be a bigger conversation than the pearls themselves. The quality of clothing has fallen so much over the years. We used to shop JCP. No longer though. It's mostly junk.

I have turned to sew for myself and I watch the older shows to find ideas for nice clothing to make for myself.

Would be nice if LITB was shot in color to see the color of
June's outfits. Also, I really like the cut of Wards suits. He and Andy Griffith from tags wore their suits well. Big fan of Andy's navy blue suit & tie with a white shirt.

I find June's clothes form fitting and sexy, but then again many tv shows of that era accentuated the female figure - (see 50's Dagmars as the extreme)

I was surprised that they had June buying slips when Beaver needed a present for Miss Landers ... Beaver was so embarrassed ... is that the closest we see of her or anyone's undergarments (?) No laundry line hanging out ... we do see Richard's (?) dads shorts when the dog runs away with them (?) lol

Worlds don't tumble over the Beaver that's what you got right. See, I think some posters look for inconsistencies and the shows message and consistently funny dialog is overlooked. June and her pearls...honestly. Beat a dead horse.

You have a point about beating dead horses, particularly about the pearls, but if you think we're bad on this board, you ought to see Facebook. Over there they're still obsessing over where Mayfield is, the missing rear window when the Cleaver car is backing out of the driveway in the 6th season opener, and who closes the door when June brings the lemonade out in the 5th season opener. The Mayfield thing is so bad there that the moderators are always removing new threads about it.

I've made the point before that inconsistencies are much easier to notice over a three or four month run, 10 episodes a week, than 1 episode per week over 39 weeks in a year, for six years. Nobody back then would have noticed that Gilbert's last name changed three times over the series run (speaking of dead horses--I remember a lot of talk about that on the old TV Land message boards!)

There are threads here with funny quotes from the show, alternate titles for episodes, some of which are pretty imaginative and funny, and wrong answer games that some like and some don't. There was also a right answer game that was fun for awhile, but I had to "un-stick" it because no one was posting to it (I lied--I didn't un-stick it yet).

You have a point about beating dead horses, particularly about the pearls, but if you think we're bad on this board, you ought to see Facebook. Over there they're still obsessing over where Mayfield is, the missing rear window when the Cleaver car is backing out of the driveway in the 6th season opener, and who closes the door when June brings the lemonade out in the 5th season opener. The Mayfield thing is so bad there that the moderators are always removing new threads about it.

I've made the point before that inconsistencies are much easier to notice over a three or four month run, 10 episodes a week, than 1 episode per week over 39 weeks in a year, for six years. Nobody back then would have noticed that Gilbert's last name changed three times over the series run (speaking of dead horses--I remember a lot of talk about that on the old TV Land message boards!)

There are threads here with funny quotes from the show, alternate titles for episodes, some of which are pretty imaginative and funny, and wrong answer games that some like and some don't. There was also a right answer game that was fun for awhile, but I had to "un-stick" it because no one was posting to it (I lied--I didn't un-stick it yet).

If people (who've watched at least 50 episodes of LITB in their lifetime) were asked what's the first thing that comes to your mind about the show? A very high % would say "June's pearls". That's just reality.

It's a great show. Wonderful cast. Wonderful wholesome message. But it's highly flawed how it's inundated with inconsistencies. It has some of the laziest writers for a show that's lasted 200+ episodes. It gets a lot of ribbing for how corny it is. It's just reality. It's still a great show.

Every TV show has aspects and quirks that fans can laugh affectionately about. In a way, it's proof that the show has stood the test of time and created a rich imaginative world that fans love to revisit and talk about.

Every TV show has aspects and quirks that fans can laugh affectionately about. In a way, it's proof that the show has stood the test of time and created a rich imaginative world that fans love to revisit and talk about.

Yes. If you're laughing about an unrealistic aspect of a classic TV show, the fact that you're discussing it shows that it's affected you: you're thinking about the fictional world and its characters. It resonated with you in some way. Not all discussion of a TV series is, or should be, positive, and there should be room to discuss negative aspects, or show blunders, as well.

I think all the commentary about June's pearls over the years has added to the show's mystique.