Ward sure loves his coffee!

[comet97]

Ward drinks more coffee than anyone I know. He's always pouring himself a cup,or June is.
Everytime I see the family sit down to their meals,I get so hungry and start snacking myself.

My late Father James used to drink a lot of coffee too back in the '40s and'50s,and when instant coffee came out,he drank even more.
Ward reminds me a lot of him.

I think 'Hugh' smokes cigarettes.
I sometimes see a pack in his shirt pocket,but I have never seen him smoke them or a pipe on the show. Has anyone else?

Anyway folks,I'm just trying to add 'junk' to keep things rolling along! (LMAO)

[David VP]

Yes, I hear ya, Comet (regarding the coffee).

Ward does like a good cup of java.

You know what I'd love to see (or construct myself sometime)? --- A video of NOTHING but scenes of the Cleavers eating/drinking. It'd take up quite a bit of tape space too, because if you'll notice, almost every single episode has at least ONE scene at the dining room table or the kitchen table. (If it's in the kitchen, it means it's either breakfast or lunch; they never had dinner in the kitchen -- except, that is, when Ward comes home late on occasion and has to eat his warmed-over din-din in the kitchen ).

Something I've always liked about Ward's "eating" scenes as well -- I like the way Ward can eat and talk at the same time (although he'd be the first to scold the boys about such perceived "rude" behavior of eating and blabbing simultaneously ).

It just seems that Ward can eat and still talk & be totally understood as he does this.

Slightly off-topic, but I'll toss it in here nonetheless ---- It boils my blood when people criticize LITB because June is always dressed "to the nines" all the time (even when vacuuming or scrubbing the floors or preparing dinner, etc.).

I'll agree that she *does* seem a tad overdressed on occasion (OK, she *IS* ), but I'll defend June's homemaking skills. I think many people discrediting LITB fail to realize the number of scenes which feature Barbara Billingsley physically "rolling up her sleeves" on her chiffon evening dress (LOL) and actively cooking, cleaning, et al.

During many scenes we actually view June peeling potatoes, flipping the flapjacks, making the ever-needed coffee for Ward, baking cakes, snapping green beans, plus the cleaning chores.

She seemed like a REAL mom/housewife, despite being overdressed much of the time.

The show's producers always showed June digging into the housework and cooking in nearly every show -- whereas they COULD have resorted to just "hinting" at June doing her routine toils. I like that aspect of the show.

Laura Petrie on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" was the same way. Carl Reiner, many times, wouldn't shy away from showing Laura making cakes, cooking the roast for Rob's dinner, making breakfast for her family, etc.

By doing this, it brings out much more of a feeling of "reality" for the viewers.

I'm not sure (since I don't watch many today), but I'm wondering if this realistic "flavor" of showing the wives in the kitchen is somewhat lost in 2004's programs. But I think it's an excellent part of the family-oriented programs of Beaver's day-&-age.

Also -- Ward would occasionally be seen in the kitchen. When June was away, Ward had to get dinner for the boys. He didn't do it well (beans were sticking, beef too well done, etc. ), but, hey -- he at least put forth an effort.

Plus: There's the "outdoor cooking" on the grill, which was ALWAYS Ward's territory.

"Wally, hand me that pair of asbestos gloves." (Always crack up at this line from the episode where Larry spends the night [and gets sick from eating too many candy bars].)

Ward (on Larry's eating habits) -- "Oh, the way that boy ate! I've never seen anyone put ketchup on corn before."

[David VP]

Off-topic but rather hilarious.............

I was just now watching an episode of "The Dick Van Dyke Show" (where Rob and Laura get "re-married"; 2nd of 2-Parter) ..... And LITB fans will no doubt right away notice Madge Blake plays a role in this Van Dyke episode. Madge, of course, played Larry Mondello's mother.

But what I find hilarious is the fact that Madge's husband in this Van Dyke ep. is played by Burt Mustin (who was 81 at the time). Madge was 64.

Now, just close your eyes and envision this pair as Larry Mondello's parents -- Larry, age 10, has a 64-year-old mother and an 81-year-old dad.

I've always thought Madge looked much more like Larry's grandmother than his mother.

Of course, Mustin also has a LITB tie-in too -- playing "Gus the Fireman" in many episodes.

Burt was just days shy of his 95th birthday when he died in 1977. He made 167 TV & Movie appearances!

[comet97]

Originally posted by David VP
Yes, I hear ya, Comet (regarding the coffee).

Ward does like a good cup of java.

You know what I'd love to see (or construct myself sometime)? --- A video of NOTHING but scenes of the Cleavers eating/drinking. It'd take up quite a bit of tape space too, because if you'll notice, almost every single episode has at least ONE scene at the dining room table or the kitchen table. (If it's in the kitchen, it means it's either breakfast or lunch; they never had dinner in the kitchen -- except, that is, when Ward comes home late on occasion and has to eat his warmed-over din-din in the kitchen ).

Something I've always liked about Ward's "eating" scenes as well -- I like the way Ward can eat and talk at the same time (although he'd be the first to scold the boys about such perceived "rude" behavior of eating and blabbing simultaneously ).

It just seems that Ward can eat and still talk & be totally understood as he does this.

Slightly off-topic, but I'll toss it in here nonetheless ---- It boils my blood when people criticize LITB because June is always dressed "to the nines" all the time (even when vacuuming or scrubbing the floors or preparing dinner, etc.).

I'll agree that she *does* seem a tad overdressed on occasion (OK, she *IS* ), but I'll defend June's homemaking skills. I think many people discrediting LITB fail to realize the number of scenes which feature Barbara Billingsley physically "rolling up her sleeves" on her chiffon evening dress (LOL) and actively cooking, cleaning, et al.

During many scenes we actually view June peeling potatoes, flipping the flapjacks, making the ever-needed coffee for Ward, baking cakes, snapping green beans, plus the cleaning chores.

She seemed like a REAL mom/housewife, despite being overdressed much of the time.

The show's producers always showed June digging into the housework and cooking in nearly every show -- whereas they COULD have resorted to just "hinting" at June doing her routine toils. I like that aspect of the show.

Laura Petrie on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" was the same way. Carl Reiner, many times, wouldn't shy away from showing Laura making cakes, cooking the roast for Rob's dinner, making breakfast for her family, etc.

By doing this, it brings out much more of a feeling of "reality" for the viewers.

I'm not sure (since I don't watch many today), but I'm wondering if this realistic "flavor" of showing the wives in the kitchen is somewhat lost in 2004's programs. But I think it's an excellent part of the family-oriented programs of Beaver's day-&-age.

Also -- Ward would occasionally be seen in the kitchen. When June was away, Ward had to get dinner for the boys. He didn't do it well (beans were sticking, beef too well done, etc. ), but, hey -- he at least put forth an effort.

Plus: There's the "outdoor cooking" on the grill, which was ALWAYS Ward's territory.

"Wally, hand me that pair of asbestos gloves." (Always crack up at this line from the episode where Larry spends the night [and gets sick from eating too many candy bars].)

Ward (on Larry's eating habits) -- "Oh, the way that boy ate! I've never seen anyone put ketchup on corn before."

I fully agree with you David.
It was more realistic the way they did the show than some shows today.
So 'natural' that we just took things for granted. hmm
They don't make 'em like that anymore.

Ketchup on corn! That's a good one. he,he,he.

At least the cast got to eat pretty good while filming the show ,huh? ;-)

BTW: Looks like we are having a 'one way' conversation here David. lol

Where is everyone?

TTYL David ... hitting the ol' sack-a-roo now. WoW! 1:35 AM already.
G'night pal. zzzzzzzzzz

[1954Boomer]

Drinking coffee with one's meal was definitely a 40s and 50s kind of thing.

[comet97]

Originally posted by 1954Boomer
Drinking coffee with one's meal was definitely a 40s and 50s kind of thing.

You bet it was Boomer.
Heck,at least at our house.
My parents both drank lots of coffee in those days.

Ya' think the coffee companies and milk companies were doing some secret 'subliminal' commercials on the show? Just a thought!

[GidgetCleaver]

I so agree with David VP about June being dressed up and doing what she did. I don't like people putting her down. I say more power to her if she could look so nice and be such a good homemaker! (my goal........to be like June!) lol!

[comet97]

Originally posted by GidgetCleaver
I so agree with David VP about June being dressed up and doing what she did. I don't like people putting her down. I say more power to her if she could look so nice and be such a good homemaker! (my goal........to be like June!) lol!

I concur Gidget.
People dressed up for everything back then,and June was no exception,even around the house. Pearls were a little much though IMO. <lol>
She wore many 'hats' if you will?
I mean she was a total homemaker,and had to do many things.

She was 'ready' for all of them it seeems. Shopping,banking,friends dropping in.going to PTA
or even emergency calls from the boy's school,etc.
Even Ward stayed 'dressed' most of the time after work,in the later season eppies.
It sure was a different 'scean' than it is today huh?
Golly!,people don't even dress up for funerals much anymore.
I saw some young family members already in black geans.
To each his own I guess. (G)

comet97

[tdr]

I am quite a coffee drinker, and have been since I was 15. But I have seldom drank it with meals; it's usually before or after, or at other times. Currently, as I work from 7 at night till 7 in the morning, I spend my afternoons at a 'hangout', a smalltown Texas Dairy Queen, drinking about 3 cups while I read the papers or pass time with the other regulars, mostly retired, who come there most days.

One thing I have noticed about Ward and June's 'etiquette' in the home is that if Ward is seated at the table and June is standing, she will offer and pour him a cup of coffee [and we don't see any other beverage]; but if they are both seated at the table, only Ward does the pouring-- for both of them. There are a few times June looks at him as if she wants something, then finally Ward says, "Oh-- you want some coffee, dear?" Since I grew up in a family of cotton farmers and working class folks, I suppose we lacked such 'social graces'-- whoever was willing to grab the coffee pot did the pouring .

[GidgetCleaver]

They really followed the ettiquette "rules". They even had different courses, starting with soup, etc. at least on some episodes. I had never noticed about the Ward and June pouring order. I'll have to watch more closely. My family always drank coffee with their meals when I was growing up. By the way, I've never even tasted coffee. Never had the desire, and I don't think I would like it at all. I don't mind smelling it, but just don't want to drink it.