Episode Reviews - First 4 episodes produced - season 6

[stevea]

Season 6 has an updated theme, a music score, and a generally more modern feel.

Production no. 16151 - "Wally's License"

Wally's request to get his license of course produces some angst for June. But his parents relent, and Wally takes the school's driving course, along with pretty Shirley Fletcher. Wally has some problems, mostly caused by Shirley's back seat commentary.

Things smooth out for Wally, who passes his test, while Shirley needs to come back another day.

Production no. 16153 - "Wally Buys a Car"

Wally wants to buy Frank's car but is slightly short on dough. Ward eventually makes a deal with Wally, offering to pay the insurance, but he wants to see the car. As Frank is demonstrating it, its performance takes a nosedive.

After seeing a car and dealing with a shady salesman, Ward and Wally eventually find a good car at a reputable dealer. When June sees it, she is less than enthusiastic until some coaching from Ward.

Production no. 16154 - "Wally's Dinner Date"

This episode opened the sixth season on ABC. Wally has been eating quite a bit at Julie Foster's house, and his parents suggest he ask her out on a dinner date. She accepts, and wants to go to the White Fox.

In the living room, the boys tell Eddie about this plan, and he advises it's the most expensive place in town. A phone call ensues and the high prices are confirmed. Later, Ward loans Wally $15.

But, after some of June's usual snooping, she finds Wally has left his wallet behind. Since Ward frequents the restaurant with clients, he arranges credit for Wally, who doesn't understand what's going on when he's permitted to sign for the bill--he only misses his wallet.

Later, Beaver tells Wally June was snooping around, and he figures out what Ward did.

Production no. 16155 - "The Clothing Drive"

Beaver hopes to win a citizenship award for bringing in the most clothes for the clothing drive at school, but a mistake by Ward adds three unintended suits of his. Ward, after discovering the mistake, wants June to go to the school and explain. In a funny Perry Mason style questioning at the dinner table, she renders a judgment that he should do that deed. So he sheepishly approaches Mrs. Rayburn, wanting the suits back.

Beaver ends up sharing the award with two other students.

One of two appearances by a young Tim Matheson as Beaver's friend Mike Harmon. His name at the time was spelled in the credits as it really is, Matthieson

Comments on any of these episodes?

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[MichaelMartinD]

"Wally's Dinner Date" (which I always call "the White Fox episode") is a favorite. Very heartwarming scene in the White Fox Restaurant with the very non-snobby maitre d who bails Wally out. The actor, Than Wyenn, also popped up in other series.

[cd637299]

Sitcom rules: For the purpose of creating more episodes/plots, an “unforgettable date” becomes forgettable in a short time. To wit, the guy with the mustache….

cd

[stevea]

Rendering that episode more "striking":

Wally goes up to mustache guy, in front of Julie: "I'm gonna punch your lights out." And does.

Julie swoons, mustache guy has a black eye, and Wally? No need for him to grow his own mustache, thus not becoming a laughing stock.

[biffbronson]

I have no memory of "Wally's License," so I'll need to check that out. My own high school driver's ed from the summer of '80 has become a vague memory in itself; in addition to the instructor, there were 4 of us in the car: a boy named Kerry, a girl, myself, and another boy. With 3 of us packed in the back seat of a Chevy Malibu, that was an interesting experience sitting so close to the girl at times. When I was behind the wheel once, the instructor was dozing off and I took advantage by getting the car up to 90 mph plus on the highway...

The other 3 episodes all were memorable to me. "Wally's Dinner Date" brings to mind the early My Three Sons episode where Jean passes some paper money with her shoe to Mike under a restaurant table.

"Wally Buys a Car" is not really relatable as far as Ward's involvement because my first car was simply a hand-me-down from my brother -- however, since it was a 13-year-old car I can relate to Wally not having a new one.

My schools never held a "clothing drive." Until recent years neither did my church. We did have paper drives though in grade school, carting in big stacks of newspapers. The thing about 'gently used' to this day is sometimes problematic to me because I tend to wear my clothes out.

[stevea]

Originally Posted by biffbronson

I have no memory of "Wally's License," so I'll need to check that out. My own high school driver's ed from the summer of '80 has become a vague memory in itself; in addition to the instructor, there were 4 of us in the car: a boy named Kerry, a girl, myself, and another boy. With 3 of us packed in the back seat of a Chevy Malibu, that was an interesting experience sitting so close to the girl at times. When I was behind the wheel once, the instructor was dozing off and I took advantage by getting the car up to 90 mph plus on the highway...

The pretty girl in the back seat, Shirley (Beverly Lunsford), eventually flunks her driving test--she says it was because the examiner didn't like teenagers. But Wally passes his test. Later in the season he takes her to a dance.

Originally Posted by biffbronson

The other 3 episodes all were memorable to me. "Wally's Dinner Date" brings to mind the early My Three Sons episode where Jean passes some paper money with her shoe to Mike under a restaurant table.

Another similar situation: Father Knows Best S5Ep31 - "Bud and the Debutante" - Bud is trying to impress a rich girl, and takes her and her friends to an expensive restaurant. He doesn't have enough money, so she slips him a 20 under the table.