Ken Osmond Movies
Supporting actor Ken Osmond is best remembered for playing Wally Cleaver's oily, conniving best friend Eddie Haskell on Leave It to Beaver (1957-1963), a role he has periodically capitalized on in films and subsequent incarnations of the ever-popular series. Prior to getting that role, Osmond -- usually billed as Kenneth Osmond -- was already a busy child actor, playing supporting parts in such big-budget Warner Bros. films as So Big (his big-screen debut) at age eight. He made the rounds of the studios, appearing in Fox's tear-jerker Good Morning, Miss Dove in 1955, as well as the comedy Everything But the Truth at Universal in 1956. It was a year later that he took on the part of Eddie Haskell in Leave It to Beaver, which was produced by Universal's television unit. Osmond's work as Eddie earned him a Youth In Films Lifetime Achievement Award. Following the show's cancellation, Osmond did occasional television work, turning up in one episode of The Munsters (playing -- surprise! -- a troublemaking student) and elsewhere on the small screen, as well as in Paramount's 1967 college campus exploitation drama C'mon, Let's Live a Little, before he left acting. Osmond and his brother founded a charter helicopter company, and he later spent 18 years as a Los Angeles police officer. After sustaining multiple gunshot wounds during an attempted arrest, Osmond had to retire. In 1983, he returned to acting and Eddie Haskell, in The New Leave It to Beaver. The show ran until 1989 and featured his real sons, Eric and Christian Osmond, playing Eddie's sons Freddie and Boomer. In 1997, Osmond again showed up as Eddie in a cameo role in the feature-film version of Leave It to Beaver. ~ Bruce Eder, All Movie Guide
In this off-the-wall comedy, Joan Sweeney (Judy Tenuta) is an actress who unfortunately hit the peak of her career at the age of eight. As a child performer, she was the star of a successful television series, but as a grown-up, she can't get work to save her life. Tired of dressing up as a child for personal appearances, Joan has decided she needs publicity to put her career back on track, and she's thoroughly convinced there's no such thing as bad press. Consequently, Joan poses as a homeless person, knocks over a convenience store, and even openly declares herself as lesbian in the interest of greater press coverage, all with no luck. Fate appears to be smiling on her, but at just the wrong time, when Joan finally gets offered a role that could kick start her career just as she discovers she's pregnant. Desperation Boulevard also stars Michael Lerner and Weird Al Yankovic; one-time TV stars Erin Moran, Burt Ward, and Ken Osmond also appear in cameo roles. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1988
This video contains a pair of episodes from the '80s television show that chronicled the adult exploits of the formerly irascible '50s icon of childhood innocence, Beaver Cleaver and his family. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1988
This video contains a pair of episodes from the '80s television show that chronicled the adult exploits of the formerly irascible '50s icon of childhood innocence, Beaver Cleaver and his family. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Michael J. Fox is among the young sitcom stars enlisted for this made-for-TV teen film, about a battle between the rich, popular kids and their average counterparts. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael J. Fox, Nancy McKeon, (more)
- 1967
This drama centers on life in a small college. The hero is a folk singer from the backwoods. Because he saved the dean's daughter from a car accident, he received a scholarship. The school rebel uses the folk singer to entice students into attending his rally on free speech. The folk singer rallies back and punches the radical in the nose. He then allows the dean to tell the student body the reasons why they don't need more radical ideas concerning freedom. Songs include "C'mon, Let's Live a Little," "Instnat Girl," "Baker Man," "What Fool This Mortal Be," "Tonights the Night," "For Granted," "Back-Talk," "Over and Over," "Let's Go Go," and "Way Back Home." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bobby Vee, Jackie De Shannon, (more)
- 1966
Placed in a trance by Grandpa (Al Lewis) to cure a bad case of hiccups, Herman (Fred Gwynne) is discovered by a pair of frat brothers (one of whom is played by Ken Osmond, aka "Eddie Haskell" of Leave It to a Beaver fame). Assuming that Herman is a monstrous mannequin, the prankish collegians decide to use the "dummy" to scare the girls at a sorority house. Featured among the female supporting players is Bonnie Franklin, some nine years removed from her "Anne Romano" role on One Day at a Time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
In the final episode of Petticoat Junction's first season, Kate (Bea Benadaret) braces herself for a visit from her former schoolteacher Adelaide Keane (played by Benadaret's fellow old-time-radio veteran Lurene Tuttle), who was so stern and tough that she was known to one and all as "Genghis" Keane. But after having spent a lengthy vacation in Europe, Adelaide is no longer quite the tyrant that she used to be--in fact, she's a pussycat. Ken Osmond, the former Eddie Haskell on Leave It to Beaver, shows up in this episode as Billie Jo's (Jeannine Riley) current beau Harold, while Barbara Pepper makes her first appearance as Mrs. Ziffel (here named "Ruth" instead of "Doris"). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Wally (Tony Dow) and Eddie (Ken Osmond) get jobs parking cars at what Fred Rutherford (Richard Deacon) describes as the biggest social event of the season. Wally, of course, is up to the job, and has no trouble dealing with his wealthy clientele and their expensive vehicles. Alas, Eddie parks Mr. Rutherford's car in a restricted zone -- and when the owner returns, the car has been towed away. Nor is Eddie the only one in trouble: it seems that Wally got him the job! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Frank Bank, (more)
- 1963
Though he hasn't exactly warmed up to the prospect, Ward (Hugh Beaumont) agrees to let Wally (Tony Dow) buy a car. There's one condition: Ward has to thoroughly approve of Wally's selection. This gives Wally a bit of trepidation, in that he's currently negotiating to buy a vehicle owned by a good friend. But, as expected, Ward knows a bit more about automotive horse-trading than your average 17-year-old. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Bobby Hyatt, (more)
- 1963
Wally's girlfriend Julie Foster (Cheryl Holdridge) is impressed by the moustache worn by transfer student Wayne Gregory (Robert Koff), so much so that she dumps Wally (Tony Dow) in favor of Wayne. Out of jealousy, Wally decides to cultivate a bit of lip fuzz himself. The results are far from suave and sophisticated -- in fact, they're downright laughable. The question is, will Julie laugh along with everyone else, or will she see the error of her ways? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Cheryl Holdridge, (more)
- 1963
Wally (Tony Dow) is smitten by gorgeous Marlene Holmes (Diane Sayer), who works in the box-office booth at the local movie house. Timid Wally allows suave Eddie (Ken Osmond) to give him pointers about impressing Marlene. Finally mustering up the courage to talk to the girl, Wally quickly learns that Marlene may be just a tad too "worldly" for him. (Incidentally, how many contemporary reviews will appreciate Eddie's reference to the shy Wally as "Mr. Peepers"?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Diane Sayer, (more)
- 1963
The world is astonished when Lumpy (Frank Bank) gets a sports scholarship for which Wally (Tony Dow) was turned down. Showing no hard feelings, Wally (Tony Dow) decides to throw a party to congratulate his friend. Under these circumstances, how will Lumpy be able to tell anyone that the scholarship board changed their mind about him when they took a good look at his grades? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Bank, Ken Osmond, (more)
- 1963
Beaver (Jerry Mathers) wants to help Wally (Tony Dow) and Eddie (Ken Osmond) install a neat new car radio that even gets FM. Mom June (Barbara Billingsley), however, insists that Beaver accompany her on a trip to the grocery store. To show his anger, Beaver refuses to talk to his mother -- and makes a great show of conversing with his dad Ward (Hugh Beaumont). Ultimately, Beav realizes how much he's hurting June, but it takes nearly the entire episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond
- 1963
Beaver (Jerry Mathers) wins a 14-carat locket at a carnival. At first, he plans to give the prize to his mother, June (Barbara Billingsley). But at the prodding of his friend Gilbert (Stephen Talbot), Beaver ends up presenting the locket to pretty Donna Yeager (Christine Jordan). Not unexpectedly, the ramifications of Beaver's generosity are daunting indeed -- especially when Donna's parents find out. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Talbot, Christine Jordan, (more)
- 1963
Now that he's driving, Wally (Tony Dow) wants a gasoline credit card. Ward (Hugh Beaumont) won't hear of it, telling Wally to rely on the money he has. Then Wally's battery goes dead in a faraway town, and he hasn't the necessary funds. So, now the question is, is Wally right, or is Ward? A good question -- and the huge bill from the gas station doesn't provide any easy answers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Frank Bank, (more)
- 1963
If nothing else, this episode proves that Beaver (Jerry Mathers) no longer regards girls as "creepy." With the big eighth grade dance rapidly approaching, Beaver accepts the invitation to escort pretty Peggy McIntosh (played by Veronica Cartwright, who used to be Violet Rutherford a few seasons back). The fun begins when Beav tries to weasel out of his commitment to Peggy when another girl, Melinda Nielson (Charla Doherty), asks to be his date for the very same dance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Stephen Talbot, (more)
- 1963
Eddie (Ken Osmond) is in line for a "dream job" spending the summer in Alaska on a fishing boat. As Eddie basks in his good luck, Wally (Tony Dow) and Lumpy (Frank Bank) begin to feel jealous. The situation changes drastically when Eddie shows up for his interview with crusty Captain Drake (Harry Harvey Sr.), who informs the boy in no uncertain terms of the amount of hard work and deprivation that lies ahead of him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Frank Bank, (more)
- 1963
Ward (Hugh Beaumont) is proud to learn that Wally (Tony Dow) is being rushed by his old fraternity at State University. Unfortunately, one of the State students coldly informs Wally and Eddie (Ken Osmond) that Ward's beloved fraternity is populated with "creeps." Quickly, Wally changes his mind about joining the organization -- but how to tell Ward without disappointing him? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Ken Parker, (more)
- 1963
For reasons unknown, Wally (Tony Dow) has been paying regular nocturnal visits to Eddie's girl Cindy Andrews (Ahna Capri) every night. Jealous Eddie (Ken Osmond) suspects the worst, and before long so does everyone else. Little does he realize that Cindy is merely using Wally as a model for the sweater she is knitting Eddie for his birthday. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Ahna Capri, (more)
- 1963
The 234th and final episode of Leave It to Beaver is also the series' first "clip show," comprised of highlights from the past six seasons. While doing a bit of cleaning around the house, June (Barbara Billingsley) comes across a little windup toy that belonged to Beaver (Jerry Mathers) and Wally (Tony Dow) when they were kids. This sets June and Ward (Hugh Beaumont) to reminiscing about the various adventures undertaken by their boys in their younger days. Before long, the older Cleavers are paging through a family scrapbook, full of photos conveniently taken at crucial points in several past episodes. (A question: who snapped the pictures, and how did they know that something funny was abut to happen?) Showcased in this episode are scenes from "Beaver Gets 'Spelled," "New Neighbors," "My Brother's Girl," "The Shave," "Beaver Runs Away," "Larry Hides Out," "Teacher Comes to Dinner," and "Wally's Election" (a clip from "Beaver and Andy" was removed just before this episode aired). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Pamela Baird, (more)
- 1963
Lumpy (Frank Bank) has been playing pranks on Wally (Tony Dow) and Eddie (Ken Osmond), the most recent of which involved planting cherry bombs in their car. Thirsting for revenge, Eddie and Wally chain Lumpy's car to a tree, then stand by to wait for the hilarious results. Alas, the gag doesn't work quite as planned, and before long Lumpy's car has been expensively torn in half -- and worse, the chain used had Ward Cleaver's name on it! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Frank Bank, (more)
- 1963
Well, it has finally come to this -- Beaver Cleaver (Jerry Mathers) is 14 years old and poised to graduate from the eighth grade. Or is he? Having impulsively cut one of his classes, Beaver comes across "evidence" which convinces him that he will be denied his diploma for his indiscretion -- and golly, what will mom and dad say then? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Stephen Talbot, (more)
- 1963
Now that he's graduated from the eighth grade, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) is looking forward to the extensive (and expensive) cross-country bus trip he's going to take during the summer. At the same time, Beaver is sweet on Mary Margaret Mathews (Lori Martin), the new girl in town. When that notorious bon vivant Whitey Whitney (Stanley Fafara) offers to spend the summer teaching Mary Margaret how to water-ski, jealous Beav begins to have second thoughts about seeing America. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Lori Martin, (more)
- 1963
Wally (Tony Dow) escorts pretty Kathy Gregory (Carole Wells) to the post-graduation dance, his ears ringing with the words of Kathy's stern father (Herbert Rudley), who promises dire consequences should Wally step "out of line." Unfortunately, through a series of incredible circumstances, a drunken man bumps into Wally and Kathy, whereupon the girl falls into a fountain. Thus, Wally brings Kathy home drenched from head to toe -- and in trying to explain the situation to the explosive Mr. Gregory, our blameless hero only makes things worse! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Frank Bank, (more)
- 1962
Ward (Hugh Beaumont) orders Beaver (Jerry Mathers) and Wally (Tony Dow) to get some overdue chores done before they can have fun during the weekend. Boys being boys, our heroes goof around so much that they are unable to catch up with the trash hauler to toss the garbage and leaves that they've gathered up. Figuring that Ward won't care so long as the garage and the yard are clean, Beaver and Wally pay Eddie (Ken Osmond) and Lumpy (Frank Bank) to get ride of the trash -- which they do in a vacant lot, in full view of the property's outraged owner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Osmond, Frank Bank, (more)
