Sad they got get rid of Larry Mondello - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

CosmicCharlie · 02-28-2019, 07:23 PM

Rusty Stevens - 1957-1960

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050032...=tt_cl_sm#cast

Actor Stevens left the show when his family moved from Burbank, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a move which brought Stevens's acting career to an end. According to Barbara Billingsley (in her TV Archive interview), his character was written out because of his overly ambitious stage mother causing grief with the producers. Stevens reprised his role of Larry Mondello in the 1983 reunion telemovie, Still the Beaver.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Mondello

stevea · 03-01-2019, 01:50 PM

If it wasn't for his over-demanding real-life mother, he probably would have lasted for all 6 seasons.

AB · 03-01-2019, 03:31 PM

I liked his character, he could be very funny at times. Too bad he couldn't stay on the show.

getsmartbeaver · 03-01-2019, 07:23 PM

I liked the interactions between Larry and Mrs. Mondello, not so much the times when Larry tempts Beaver and then he says, "You shouldn't have..." or something like that.

Torgo · 03-01-2019, 07:32 PM

My favorite of Beaver's friends. Some of the Larry-centric episodes are my favorites.

1960'sTVfan · 03-01-2019, 08:16 PM

Larry was a great character but I don't really miss him in the episodes once he's gone. Beaver's other friends, Whitey, Richard, and Gilbert capably fill the void left by Larry's absence. But for example if Ken Osmond/Eddie Haskell had left the show, that for sure would have been a noticeable loss and a difficult void to fill.

CosmicCharlie · 03-01-2019, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

Larry was a great character but I don't really miss him in the episodes once he's gone. Beaver's other friends, Whitey, Richard, and Gilbert capably fill the void left by Larry's absence. But for example if Ken Osmond/Eddie Haskell had left the show, that for sure would have been a difficult void to fill.

FWIW - In real life I think Wally would NOT have been friends with Eddie (I hope anyway)

stevea · 03-01-2019, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getsmartbeaver

I liked the interactions between Larry and Mrs. Mondello, not so much the times when Larry tempts Beaver and then he says, "You shouldn't have..." or something like that.

I liked it when, after Ward lectured him after he ran away, Mrs. Mondello shoved him when they were leaving. Not real noticeable--it's quick and you really have to be on the lookout for it.

CosmicCharlie · 03-01-2019, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

I liked it when, after Ward lectured him after he ran away, Mrs. Mondello shoved him when they were leaving. Not real noticeable--it's quick and you really have to be on the lookout for it.

and "Just Wait For Your Father to Get Home !"

also when Larry make fun of his sister - so many references LOL

PhoenixAcres · 03-01-2019, 10:00 PM

Larry was by far my favorite of Beaver's friends. Rusty Stevens had great delivery.

stevea · 03-01-2019, 10:01 PM

"Why do you always do these things when your father is in Cincinnati?"

OH Nuts! · 03-02-2019, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicCharlie

Rusty Stevens - 1957-1960

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050032...=tt_cl_sm#cast

Actor Stevens left the show when his family moved from Burbank, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a move which brought Stevens's acting career to an end. According to Barbara Billingsley (in her TV Archive interview), his character was written out because of his overly ambitious stage mother causing grief with the producers. Stevens reprised his role of Larry Mondello in the 1983 reunion telemovie, Still the Beaver.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Mondello

Larry was a great character. Shame he left the series-esp. if it was for this reason.

stevea · 03-02-2019, 08:10 AM

It was a shame to lose the Larry character, as well as losing Madge Blake as his mother.

He didn't leave acting in the 60s, after LITB. I remember him in a later Rifleman episode.

Schmoopie · 03-12-2019, 02:29 AM

I liked Larry as well. Just reading his name makes me want to watch the show again! It's been way too long!

Bonniegirl · 03-12-2019, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

It was a shame to lose the Larry character, as well as losing Madge Blake as his mother.

He didn't leave acting in the 60s, after LITB. I remember him in a later Rifleman episode.

Totally !! Besides losing Larry we also lost Mrs. Mondello.

She was my favorite character in LITB ! I liked Larry too, he was my favorite of Beavers friends !

02-28-2019, 07:23 PM	#1
CosmicCharlie Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2019 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,450	Sad they got get rid of Larry Mondello Rusty Stevens - 1957-1960 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050032...=tt_cl_sm#cast Actor Stevens left the show when his family moved from Burbank, California, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a move which brought Stevens's acting career to an end. According to Barbara Billingsley (in her TV Archive interview), his character was written out because of his overly ambitious stage mother causing grief with the producers. Stevens reprised his role of Larry Mondello in the 1983 reunion telemovie, Still the Beaver. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Mondello

03-01-2019, 01:50 PM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,860	If it wasn't for his over-demanding real-life mother, he probably would have lasted for all 6 seasons.
	Last edited by stevea; 03-01-2019 at 09:32 PM. Reason: clarification

03-01-2019, 07:32 PM	#5
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,037	My favorite of Beaver's friends. Some of the Larry-centric episodes are my favorites.
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

03-12-2019, 02:29 AM	#14
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I liked Larry as well. Just reading his name makes me want to watch the show again! It's been way too long!
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

03-01-2019, 03:31 PM	#3
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	I liked his character, he could be very funny at times. Too bad he couldn't stay on the show.

03-01-2019, 07:23 PM	#4
getsmartbeaver Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 07, 2014 Location: United States Posts: 133	I liked the interactions between Larry and Mrs. Mondello, not so much the times when Larry tempts Beaver and then he says, "You shouldn't have..." or something like that.

03-01-2019, 08:16 PM	#6
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,126	Larry was a great character but I don't really miss him in the episodes once he's gone. Beaver's other friends, Whitey, Richard, and Gilbert capably fill the void left by Larry's absence. But for example if Ken Osmond/Eddie Haskell had left the show, that for sure would have been a noticeable loss and a difficult void to fill.

03-01-2019, 10:00 PM	#10
PhoenixAcres Member Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 26, 2016 Location: United States Posts: 6,824	Larry was by far my favorite of Beaver's friends. Rusty Stevens had great delivery.

03-01-2019, 10:01 PM	#11
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,860	"Why do you always do these things when your father is in Cincinnati?"

03-02-2019, 08:10 AM	#13
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,860	It was a shame to lose the Larry character, as well as losing Madge Blake as his mother. He didn't leave acting in the 60s, after LITB. I remember him in a later Rifleman episode.