Richard is a weak replacement for Larry - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

vitoscotti · 05-14-2021, 12:49 AM

Near end of season 3. Richard Rickover (Richard Correll) comes on the scene. Larry (Rusty Stevens) I'm reading now only a couple appearances in season 4 left. RC is from the Tony Dow school of acting. But TD had tremendous, charm, and comedic talent. RC had none of the 3. He's terribly miscast when he and Beaver are together. In a group setting he's ok. He's going to be a main component to replace one of the greatest sitcom characters of all time... Larry Mondello? All the other actors who play the Cleavers kids friends are highly gifted. If I remember it'll be a team effort to replace Larry. Hopefully Richard trying to be a funny guy will be minimal. I am reading RC's father was in the business. I'm sure he had an influence in his kid getting this gig.

stevea · 05-14-2021, 08:11 AM

I think the show let Rusty out of his contract toward the end of season 3. He was not supposed to be in Beaver's Freckles--you can tell because a Mathers line at the beginning of the episode is that Beaver is going with Whitey and Gilbert to wash Lumpy's car.

I'd like to see an episode count, but I don't think Richard was in a lot of them; he was gone by early in season 6--his last episode was "The Late Edition" (S6Ep4).

In season 6 they brought in a lot of nondescript kid actors as Beaver's friends. I couldn't keep track of them all. I think there were a couple called Alan.

Steve Talbot's last episode was "Beaver Sees America" (S6Ep37).

CosmicCharlie · 05-14-2021, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

I think the show let Rusty out of his contract toward the end of season 3. He was not supposed to be in Beaver's Freckles--you can tell because a Mathers line at the beginning of the episode is that Beaver is going with Whitey and Gilbert to wash Lumpy's car.

I'd like to see an episode count, but I don't think Richard was in a lot of them; he was gone by early in season 6--his last episode was "The Late Edition" (S6Ep4).

In season 6 they brought in a lot of nondescript kid actors as Beaver's friends. I couldn't keep track of them all. I think there were a couple called Alan.

Steve Talbot's last episode was "Beaver Sees America" (S6Ep37).

Leave It to Beaver (TV Series) 32 Episodes
Richard Rickover

- The Late Edition (1962) ... Richard Rickover
- Beaver's Football Award (1962) ... Richard Rickover
- Sweatshirt Monsters (1962) ... Richard Rickover
- The Yard Birds (1962) ... Richard Rickover
- Brother vs. Brother (1962) ... Richard Rickover
- The Younger Brother (1962) ... Richard Rickover
- Beaver's Laundry (1962) ... Richard Rickover
- Three Boys and a Burro (1962) ... Richard Rickover
- Beaver's Fear (1962) ... Richard Rickover
- Nobody Loves Me (1962) ... Richard Rickover
- Beaver's Jacket (1962) ... Richard Rickover
- Beaver, the Bunny (1962) ... Richard Rickover
- Beaver's First Date (1961) ... Richard Rickover
- Beaver's Ice Skates (1961) ... Richard Rickover
- Wally's Weekend Job (1961) ... Richard Rickover
- No Time for Babysitters (1961) ... Richard Rickover
- Substitute Father (1961) ... Richard Rickover
- Beaver's Doll Buggy (1961) ... Richard Rickover
- Kite Day (1961) ... Richard Rickover
- Junior Fire Chief (1961) ... Richard Rickover
- Beaver's Frogs (1961) ... Richard Rickover
- Mistaken Identity (1961) ... Richard Rickover
- The Dramatic Club (1961) ... Richard Rickover
- Beaver's Tonsils (1961) ... Richard Rickover
- Wally's Track Meet (1961) ... Richard Rickover (as Rich Correll)
- Beaver's Secret Life (1961) ... Richard Rickover
- Beaver Becomes a Hero (1960) ... Richard Rickover
- Beaver's Team (1960) ... Richard Rickover
- The Last Day of School (1960) ... Richard Rickover
- The Spot Removers (1960) ... Richard Rickover
- Beaver and Violet (1960) ... Richard Rickover
- Mother's Day Composition (1960) ... Richard Rickover

OH Nuts! · 05-14-2021, 10:58 PM

I agree as I liked Larry much better.

vitoscotti · 05-15-2021, 09:24 AM

Bob Mosher wrote 21 "Amos & Andy" episodes. Who played Andy? Yes, Richard Correll's father.

stevea · 05-15-2021, 01:27 PM

Gilbert was an adequate replacement for Larry, although Larry managed to be likable while still getting Beaver in trouble. Gilbert was a louse, through and through.

It surprises me Correll was in 32 episodes. He probably had incidental appearances in some of those, like the football banquet.

Cx · 05-15-2021, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevea

Gilbert was an adequate replacement for Larry, although Larry managed to be likable while still getting Beaver in trouble. Gilbert was a louse, through and through.

Yeah, the Gilbert character really was a louse, through and through. Well said.

Thinking back, I can't recall a single time he acted even the slightest bit altruistically to Beaver, even indirectly.

stevea · 05-15-2021, 01:54 PM

Larry valued Beaver's friendship. Examples would be re-autographing Ward's baseball after they wrecked it, and coming to Beaver with several of his possessions after double-crossing Beaver by going to the movies with Whitey and Gilbert. No examples like that for Gilbert.

Gilbert was almost another Eddie, but he didn't suck up to the adults.

OH Nuts! · 05-15-2021, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cx

Yeah, the Gilbert character really was a louse, through and through. Well said.

Thinking back, I can't recall a single time he acted even the slightest bit altruistically to Beaver, even indirectly.

Yup that Gilbert was a real snake in the grass; even worse than Eddie IMO

Often Eddie’s shi##iness was due to insecurity and/or stupidity. Gilbert, on the other hand, was rather cunning.

Larry was MUCH more likeable.

vitoscotti · 05-15-2021, 04:01 PM

I also really like the Gilbert character. He was great from the beginning where he made up tall tales to impress his classmates. Whitey was a terrific character also.

When Rusty Stevens left it also took another wonderful character Larry's mom. It also killed a great running gag "Wait till your father gets back from Cincinnati".

The tremendous supporting cast could de-stink a lazy script almost singlehandedly with their brilliance. Richard wasn't one of those.

stevea · 05-15-2021, 06:29 PM

Gilbert stood up to the "big guys." Here he is is in the electric trains episode:

Wally: Gilbert, you shut up!

Gilbert: You can't tell me to shut up; I'm not in your family!!

Scrabjan1 · 05-15-2021, 07:37 PM

Yeah Gilbert really stood up to Wally and called him Loverboy going goo goo over Georgia Batson, Natalie Wood lookalike.

Richard stood up to Wally in Yardbirds. ‘Hey Beaver why do you have an ape for a brother.’ What did Richard mean in Late Edition when he said ‘Poor Beaver I used to know him when he was alive”

stevea · 05-15-2021, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrabjan1

Yeah Gilbert really stood up to Wally and called him Loverboy going goo goo over Georgia Batson, Natalie Wood lookalike.

Richard stood up to Wally in Yardbirds. ‘Hey Beaver why do you have an ape for a brother.’ What did Richard mean in Late Edition when he said ‘Poor Beaver I used to know him when he was alive”

That's another of those silly lines no one probably gets. Like when Beaver and Gilbert were going to the post office to pick up Uncle Billy's birthday gift, and Beaver said he hoped they don't hit us. Or when Ward said something nice about June, and she said it was nice, and he said it wasn't meant to be.

Torgo · 05-17-2021, 03:38 PM

Larry will always be my favorite of Beaver's friends.

I do like Gilbert, he has some funny moments, I also like Whitey.

Richard though of all of Beaver's friends reminds me more of someone I would have known as a child, he would have fit in in our group.

The two Alans were okay, one is the Alan from Long Distance Call, A Night In The Woods, and the Sweatshirt Monsters, the other was in Beaver On TV

Harry I liked in some episodes, like when Beaver has him over to model for his painting.

The 2 kids that popped up in a few season 6 episodes (one played by Tim Matheson) were bland.

stevea · 05-17-2021, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

Larry will always be my favorite of Beaver's friends.

I do like Gilbert, he has some funny moments, I also like Whitey.

Richard though of all of Beaver's friends reminds me more of someone I would have known as a child, he would have fit in in our group.

The two Alans were okay, one is the Alan from Long Distance Call, A Night In The Woods, and the Sweatshirt Monsters, the other was in Beaver On TV

Harry I liked in some episodes, like when Beaver has him over to model for his painting.

The 2 kids that popped up in a few season 6 episodes (one played by Tim Matheson) were bland.

Yeah, I remember the Alan in L.D. Call, etc. I think he is supposed to be Alan Boothby, because that kid with the N. Y. accent who knew Speed Brophy mentioned it to his dad, a newspaper man, in L.D. call.

Then there was the one that was with Beaver at the movies, when Beaver let Gilbert in the exit door. Is that the same one as Beaver on TV?--I don't remember Alan on Beaver on TV.

I think the one played by Tim Matheson was named Mike--he was in the clothing drive episode. He was also probably in Tell it to Ella, along with one of the Alans.

05-14-2021, 12:49 AM	#1
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,084	Richard is a weak replacement for Larry Near end of season 3. Richard Rickover (Richard Correll) comes on the scene. Larry (Rusty Stevens) I'm reading now only a couple appearances in season 4 left. RC is from the Tony Dow school of acting. But TD had tremendous, charm, and comedic talent. RC had none of the 3. He's terribly miscast when he and Beaver are together. In a group setting he's ok. He's going to be a main component to replace one of the greatest sitcom characters of all time... Larry Mondello? All the other actors who play the Cleavers kids friends are highly gifted. If I remember it'll be a team effort to replace Larry. Hopefully Richard trying to be a funny guy will be minimal. I am reading RC's father was in the business. I'm sure he had an influence in his kid getting this gig.

05-17-2021, 03:38 PM	#14
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,038	Larry will always be my favorite of Beaver's friends. I do like Gilbert, he has some funny moments, I also like Whitey. Richard though of all of Beaver's friends reminds me more of someone I would have known as a child, he would have fit in in our group. The two Alans were okay, one is the Alan from Long Distance Call, A Night In The Woods, and the Sweatshirt Monsters, the other was in Beaver On TV Harry I liked in some episodes, like when Beaver has him over to model for his painting. The 2 kids that popped up in a few season 6 episodes (one played by Tim Matheson) were bland.
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05-14-2021, 08:11 AM	#2
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,925	I think the show let Rusty out of his contract toward the end of season 3. He was not supposed to be in Beaver's Freckles--you can tell because a Mathers line at the beginning of the episode is that Beaver is going with Whitey and Gilbert to wash Lumpy's car. I'd like to see an episode count, but I don't think Richard was in a lot of them; he was gone by early in season 6--his last episode was "The Late Edition" (S6Ep4). In season 6 they brought in a lot of nondescript kid actors as Beaver's friends. I couldn't keep track of them all. I think there were a couple called Alan. Steve Talbot's last episode was "Beaver Sees America" (S6Ep37).

05-14-2021, 10:58 PM	#4
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	I agree as I liked Larry much better.

05-15-2021, 09:24 AM	#5
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,084	Bob Mosher wrote 21 "Amos & Andy" episodes. Who played Andy? Yes, Richard Correll's father.

05-15-2021, 01:27 PM	#6
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,925	Gilbert was an adequate replacement for Larry, although Larry managed to be likable while still getting Beaver in trouble. Gilbert was a louse, through and through. It surprises me Correll was in 32 episodes. He probably had incidental appearances in some of those, like the football banquet.

05-15-2021, 01:54 PM	#8
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,925	Larry valued Beaver's friendship. Examples would be re-autographing Ward's baseball after they wrecked it, and coming to Beaver with several of his possessions after double-crossing Beaver by going to the movies with Whitey and Gilbert. No examples like that for Gilbert. Gilbert was almost another Eddie, but he didn't suck up to the adults.

05-15-2021, 04:01 PM	#10
vitoscotti Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 14, 2017 Location: Illinois Posts: 1,084	I also really like the Gilbert character. He was great from the beginning where he made up tall tales to impress his classmates. Whitey was a terrific character also. When Rusty Stevens left it also took another wonderful character Larry's mom. It also killed a great running gag "Wait till your father gets back from Cincinnati". The tremendous supporting cast could de-stink a lazy script almost singlehandedly with their brilliance. Richard wasn't one of those.

05-15-2021, 06:29 PM	#11
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,925	Gilbert stood up to the "big guys." Here he is is in the electric trains episode: Wally: Gilbert, you shut up! Gilbert: You can't tell me to shut up; I'm not in your family!!

05-15-2021, 07:37 PM	#12
Scrabjan1 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 27, 2013 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 3,521	Yeah Gilbert really stood up to Wally and called him Loverboy going goo goo over Georgia Batson, Natalie Wood lookalike. Richard stood up to Wally in Yardbirds. ‘Hey Beaver why do you have an ape for a brother.’ What did Richard mean in Late Edition when he said ‘Poor Beaver I used to know him when he was alive”