https://www.metv.com/stories/hugh-beaumont-and-barbara-billingsley-didnt-get-along-at-first

They were lifelong friends, but not at first!

I don't think Hugh liked being second billed under Barbara, but we as fans understand that she more widely known and recognized than he was. Having said that, I can see Hugh having strong male chauvinistic views which were toned down as Ward.

I consider myself a big fan of LITB, but there are times when the adult conversation between Ward and June feels forced and contrived. I think both Barbara and Hugh were highly professional and it definitely shows.

I don't think Hugh liked being second billed under Barbara, but we as fans understand that she more widely known and recognized than he was. Having said that, I can see Hugh having strong male chauvinistic views which were toned down as Ward.

I consider myself a big fan of LITB, but there are times when the adult conversation between Ward and June feels forced and contrived. I think both Barbara and Hugh were highly professional and it definitely shows.

Ward is a little too full of "when I was a boy" anecdotes, and wartime stories. So much so that it becomes a running gag when June leaves the room in the midst of his stories, to his chagrin later.

Virtually all conversation about the present time involves the boys; thus, we discover very little about their interests, to the point of not even knowing Ward's exact occupation. One of Wally's dates asks Ward if he's an attorney, to which he answers no. It would have been an opportunity to reveal his profession; alas, no.

It's strange that Ward's occupation wasn't revealed during the course of the series. In the Tire Trouble episode, there's a scene with Ward on the job at work, he worked in an office and neighbor Fred Rutherford was employed there too. I'm guessing that maybe Ward worked in advertising or marketing doing some type of research work for the company he was employed with.

I don't think Hugh liked being second billed under Barbara, but we as fans understand that she more widely known and recognized than he was. Having said that, I can see Hugh having strong male chauvinistic views which were toned down as Ward.

I consider myself a big fan of LITB, but there are times when the adult conversation between Ward and June feels forced and contrived. I think both Barbara and Hugh were highly professional and it definitely shows.

I don't agree that Barbara going into the series was more widely known and recognized than he was. The credits are remarkably similar, I'd give the edge to Hugh. In reality neither was a household name. The reason she gets top billing is the fact that she was in the pilot, Hugh wasn't. Max Showalter (billed as Casey Adams) played Ward. Barbara was able to negotiate billing prior to Hugh being hired.

I don't agree that Barbara going into the series was more widely known and recognized than he was. The credits are remarkably similar, I'd give the edge to Hugh. In reality neither was a household name. The reason she gets top billing is the fact that she was in the pilot, Hugh wasn't. Max Showalter (billed as Casey Adams) played Ward. Barbara was able to negotiate billing prior to Hugh being hired.

Verrry interesting!

cd