What's the deal with Larry Mondello? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Wet Water · 07-27-2010, 11:13 AM

Keep in mind that 28 year old Majel Barrett played Lumpy's mom. She was 10 or 11 years older than the character. Weird casting.

Larry's Mom was played by Madge Blake, who was 58 when we first meet Larry and looked even older. Not at all a credible mother of an 8 year old boy. Weirder casting.

Larry made frequent references to an older sister. Are we to conclude that Larry's "Mom" was really his grandmother, and his sister was his REAL mother, and he was being lied to?

This sort of arrangement happened a lot in the old days. Jack Nicholson was raised to think his mother was his sister, and his grandmother was his mother.

JudgeGarth · 07-27-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wet Water

This sort of arrangement happened a lot in the old days. Jack Nicholson was raised to think his mother was his sister, and his grandmother was his mother.

So was Bobby Darin.

Hughsgirl · 08-02-2010, 01:34 PM

I don't think it was different for even back then to have older parents. My grandmother was the mother of 8 kids and was an older mother by the time my youngest aunt came along. My oldest uncle already had a few years in the Air Force when she was born.

1960'sTVfan · 08-03-2010, 04:49 PM

Agreed, Madge Blake looked more like Larry's grandmother instead of his mother. And Larry's father was never seen, he was always out of town.

Madge Blake wasn't in that many episodes and Larry was no longer in the show by the end of the 3rd season.

Another odd thing about the series, I don't think Eddie's mom was ever seen. I know his father was in at least one episode, not sure if he appeared in any others. I don't recall seeing Lumpy's mom either, it was usually Mr. Rutherford (Richard Deacon) who appeared.

JudgeGarth · 08-03-2010, 06:14 PM

Eddie's mom was in a few episodes. One that comes to mind is 'Summer in Alaska'.

Marvo301 · 08-03-2010, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudgeGarth

Eddie's mom was in a few episodes. One that comes to mind is 'Summer in Alaska'.

Eddie's mom appeared in 4 episodes and was played by 2 different actresses. Anne Doran and Anne Barton each appeared twice as Mrs. Haskell.

1960'sTVfan · 08-11-2010, 02:07 PM

Eddie's mom and dad both appear in the season 6 episode "The Credit Card." Eddie's dad is George Petrie, the same actor who had a supporting role in some Honeymooners episodes.

Adamantium · 08-11-2010, 03:33 PM

I don't know if that was intended (Madge Blake being Larry's grandmother), but I admit, I like it. Maybe when I watch the show, in my head, that's what I'll choose to believe.

Torgo · 08-17-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retroTVfan4ever

Agreed, Madge Blake looked more like Larry's grandmother instead of his mother. And Larry's father was never seen, he was always out of town.

Madge Blake wasn't in that many episodes and Larry was no longer in the show by the end of the 3rd season.

Another odd thing about the series, I don't think Eddie's mom was ever seen. I know his father was in at least one episode, not sure if he appeared in any others. I don't recall seeing Lumpy's mom either, it was usually Mr. Rutherford (Richard Deacon) who appeared.

Eddie's father was in more than one episode. two actors played the father in at least 2 episodes each. Eddie's mom was in "Voodoo Magic"(she's the same actress that played Benji Bellamy's mom). Lumpy's mom was seen several times throughout the series(The Rutherfords would go over to the Cleavers to play bridge and look at Fred's slides)

Torgo · 08-17-2010, 12:40 PM

I don't care how old she was Madge Blake was brilliant as Larry's mom.

McGillicuddy · 08-23-2010, 05:14 PM

I just watched episode 5 of season 4 (Beaver's Freckles), and Larry was back!! I thought he was gone after episode 31 of season 3 (Mother's Day Composition). That was kind of weird.

bluthree · 08-24-2010, 05:33 PM

I think Beaver must of been relieved when Larry left. As Larry always seem to talk Beaver into doing something that ended up getting Beaver into trouble.

Torgo · 08-24-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluthree

I think Beaver must of been relieved when Larry left. As Larry always seem to talk Beaver into doing something that ended up getting Beaver into trouble.

Gilbert was just as bad.

mrbreezeet1 · 12-02-2012, 07:26 PM

l always though she looked too old to be his mother.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wet Water

Keep in mind that 28 year old Majel Barrett played Lumpy's mom. She was 10 or 11 years older than the character. Weird casting.

Larry's Mom was played by Madge Blake, who was 58 when we first meet Larry and looked even older. Not at all a credible mother of an 8 year old boy. Weirder casting.

Larry made frequent references to an older sister. Are we to conclude that Larry's "Mom" was really his grandmother, and his sister was his REAL mother, and he was being lied to?

This sort of arrangement happened a lot in the old days. Jack Nicholson was raised to think his mother was his sister, and his grandmother was his mother.

Retro4Life · 12-02-2012, 08:08 PM

It does happen. My father was 45 when I was born, making him 53 when I was eight years old. My mom was 37 when I was born, making her 45 when I was eight.

The casting was a bit extreme, but it really never bothered me.

07-27-2010, 11:13 AM	#1
Wet Water Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 30, 2010 Location: Places Posts: 28	What's the deal with Larry Mondello? Keep in mind that 28 year old Majel Barrett played Lumpy's mom. She was 10 or 11 years older than the character. Weird casting. Larry's Mom was played by Madge Blake, who was 58 when we first meet Larry and looked even older. Not at all a credible mother of an 8 year old boy. Weirder casting. Larry made frequent references to an older sister. Are we to conclude that Larry's "Mom" was really his grandmother, and his sister was his REAL mother, and he was being lied to? This sort of arrangement happened a lot in the old days. Jack Nicholson was raised to think his mother was his sister, and his grandmother was his mother.

12-02-2012, 08:08 PM	#15
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	It does happen. My father was 45 when I was born, making him 53 when I was eight years old. My mom was 37 when I was born, making her 45 when I was eight. The casting was a bit extreme, but it really never bothered me.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

08-02-2010, 01:34 PM	#3
Hughsgirl Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 22, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 804	I don't think it was different for even back then to have older parents. My grandmother was the mother of 8 kids and was an older mother by the time my youngest aunt came along. My oldest uncle already had a few years in the Air Force when she was born.

08-03-2010, 04:49 PM	#4
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,115	Agreed, Madge Blake looked more like Larry's grandmother instead of his mother. And Larry's father was never seen, he was always out of town. Madge Blake wasn't in that many episodes and Larry was no longer in the show by the end of the 3rd season. Another odd thing about the series, I don't think Eddie's mom was ever seen. I know his father was in at least one episode, not sure if he appeared in any others. I don't recall seeing Lumpy's mom either, it was usually Mr. Rutherford (Richard Deacon) who appeared.

08-03-2010, 06:14 PM	#5
JudgeGarth Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 07, 2004 Location: Wheaton, IL Posts: 443	Eddie's mom was in a few episodes. One that comes to mind is 'Summer in Alaska'.

08-11-2010, 02:07 PM	#7
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,115	Eddie's mom and dad both appear in the season 6 episode "The Credit Card." Eddie's dad is George Petrie, the same actor who had a supporting role in some Honeymooners episodes.

08-11-2010, 03:33 PM	#8
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,836	I don't know if that was intended (Madge Blake being Larry's grandmother), but I admit, I like it. Maybe when I watch the show, in my head, that's what I'll choose to believe.

08-17-2010, 12:40 PM	#10
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,036	I don't care how old she was Madge Blake was brilliant as Larry's mom.

08-23-2010, 05:14 PM	#11
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	I just watched episode 5 of season 4 (Beaver's Freckles), and Larry was back!! I thought he was gone after episode 31 of season 3 (Mother's Day Composition). That was kind of weird.

08-24-2010, 05:33 PM	#12
bluthree Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 23, 2007 Location: New London MO Posts: 362	I think Beaver must of been relieved when Larry left. As Larry always seem to talk Beaver into doing something that ended up getting Beaver into trouble.