Bever's Composition

[Cx]

That is, the one his whole class had to write about their mothers.

The first time I saw this episode, about a half a dozen years ago, I let out a loud involuntary laugh when I heard read his mother was "dancing in dives" and "beer joints" in front of the class. I still laugh heartily every time I see that. He said it so innocently, without even the slightest bit of intentional shock value, which made it funnier yet.

In the context of a squeaky-clean 3rd or 4th grade class in the Eisenhower era, it must of raised more than a few eyebrows. I imagine the impact would be like hearing an "F-bomb" in a 3rd grade class today.

[stevea]

When the other kids laughed, he looked around and kind of smiled. Larry said, Your mother? He should have picked up on impending trouble.

But he really didn't know he was in trouble until he got home and Ward told him June was at the school. I'm actually surprised Mrs. Rayburn didn't keep him after school.

[CosmicCharlie]

So why was Ms Landers not there that day ?

Beav's Mom
She ran away at 17
Tried to be a chorus girl, (that's a girl who dances in her bare feet) but couldn't
so she got a job dancing in dives, also beer parlor joints
one day a big gangster put my mother in a show and she was a big success
then the gangster got arrested but my mother didn't
she was in 5 mores shows
she quit when she met my father who was a tap dancer !

now that's edgy entertainment for it's day ! +-

Imagine if the June Cleaver's history was actually "that" or even a former barfly !

Who would guess it would be like 35 years later Fox TV would actually be doing it ...

[stevea]

...ran away at 17.

Aunt Martha would have disowned her!

As far as Miss Landers absence goes, I think MeTV deletes the beginning where Beaver explains where she is--sick or something.

[Scrabjan1]

That’s right that’s the scene at the breakfast table when Wally says Eddie was acting like Jerry Lewis. Beaver asks for some money to get a gift for Miss Landers who is sick. You can always tell they edited the beginning when they show Mrs. Rayburn at the desk.

[MichaelMartinD]

Watched this one last night, in honor of Mothers' Day. A very memorable episode. One of the few ones where you see characters watching TV.

[Scrabjan1]

There’s another episode where Ward and June are watching TV but we don’t get to see it. The same as when Beaver and Gilbert are watching the three musketeers we just get to hear about it.

[MichaelMartinD]

That's right. The only two times I can think of where we actually see a TV program is Mothers' Day Composition and the one where Beaver and Larry play hooky and Wally is watching the Marshal Moran show in his room.

[Scrabjan1]

Also when Beaver is on Teenage Forum we see Beaver on the show and everyone is watching. Wally says that little goof is wearing my tie.

[Cx]

Originally Posted by Scrabjan1

Also when Beaver is on Teenage Forum we see Beaver on the show and everyone is watching. Wally says that little goof is wearing my tie.

And on Teenage Forum I noticed on the "bumper" music used for the intro for the show was that same corny tune they used on the episode 'Beaver, the Hero', intro to the scene at 'Robert's Malt Shop'.

Typical horn-based music that producers thought was hip music teens listened to in the early 60s. Sounds more like Lawrence Welk.

[CosmicCharlie]

Originally Posted by Cx

And on Teenage Forum I noticed on the "bumper" music used for the intro for the show was that same corny tune they used on the episode 'Beaver, the Hero', intro to the scene at 'Robert's Malt Shop'.

Typical horn-based music that producers thought was hip music teens listened to in the early 60s. Sounds more like Lawrence Welk.

Other shows in that era had some lame music as well - Patty Duke in the Shake Shop ... Dick van Dyke - the Twizzle ... I Dream of Jeannie & Bev Hillbillies & Dragnet and Adam 12 > in the Hippy episodes ... probably a long list could be made

[stevea]

There's an episode where W & J are watching TV, and Ward falls asleep. He mentions something that happened and June says that was the commercial.

[stevea]

Originally Posted by Cx

And on Teenage Forum I noticed on the "bumper" music used for the intro for the show was that same corny tune they used on the episode 'Beaver, the Hero', intro to the scene at 'Robert's Malt Shop'.

Typical horn-based music that producers thought was hip music teens listened to in the early 60s. Sounds more like Lawrence Welk.

Also right before Teen Forum, as Fred and Ward are watching, we hear the Revue Studios theme--the same one that plays at the end of their programs.

[Cx]

Originally Posted by stevea

Also right before Teen Forum, as Fred and Ward are watching, we hear the Revue Studios theme--the same one that plays at the end of their programs.

I noticed that too! It seemed common on TV shows throughout the 60s.

[Cx]

Originally Posted by CosmicCharlie

Other shows in that era had some lame music as well - Patty Duke in the Shake Shop ... Dick van Dyke - the Twizzle ... I Dream of Jeannie & Bev Hillbillies & Dragnet and Adam 12 > in the Hippy episodes ... probably a long list could be made

No doubt a long list could be made. Makes you wonder if they did it due to ignorance or "tone deafness" of the emerging rock culture, out of generational chauvanism, or economy measures ( copyright concerns )