Stephen Talbot Movies

In this classic episode, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) becomes a nervous wreck when his mom invites his teacher Miss Landers (Sue Randall) to the Cleaver house for dinner. He is especially worried after Larry (Rusty Stevens) warns him that something awful is bound to happen if his teacher is allowed to cross his threshold. On the night of the dinner, Miss Landers is more beautiful and charming than ever (she's even wearing open-toed shoes, proving that she's a human being after all), and gradually Beaver overcomes his trepidations. Little does he know that the enterprising Larry has perched himself in a tree next door to the Cleavers, charging his classmates a quarter apiece to spy upon Miss Landers as she eats her meal! Best moment -- attempting to make small talk with Miss L., Beaver's brother Wally (Tony Dow) comes up with a pointed question about President Andrew Johnson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Already in debt to his dad Ward (Hugh Beaumont) for the sum of 75 cents, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) probably shouldn't have loaned that amount to Larry (Rusty Stevens). But gee, Larry did promise to pay the money back. Alas, when time comes to call in the loan, Larry refuses to ante up -- and the "bad blood" between the two friends boils over. This is one of several Leave It to Beaver episodes directed by David Butler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Wally (Tony Dow) is hired as a weekend lifeguard at Friends Lake. But when he reports for work, his boss regards Wally as too young for the job, and so he is reassigned to sell candy and hot dogs at the concession stand. Meanwhile, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) has been bragging to all of his friends about his brother, the brave lifeguard. When he finally discovers what Wally is really doing, Beaver is not only humiliated -- he's boiling mad! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After unjustly serving six years for murder, Riley Morgan (Dean Harens) is released from prison when merchant seaman Burt Stokes (Casey Adams), who could have cleared Riley disappeared just before the trial, suddenly returns. But the story is far from over: Morgan's exoneration somehow leads to an extortion scheme and a second murder, with Stokes as the victim. Charged with the crime is Morgan's ex-wife Lorraine (Coleen Gray), who fortunately is a client of Perry Mason (Raymond Burr). Paul Langton is cast as Deputy DA Telford, the first of several temporary replacements for absentee series regular William Talman (Hamilton Burger). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Wally (Tony Dow) belongs to a boys-only school club which is putting on a "wild West" musical. Naturally, everyone in the club, including Wally, is expected to participate...and some of the boys, including Wally, are cast in "drag" as dance-hall girls. As embarrassing as this is to Wally, it is nothing compared to the humiliation endured by our hero when his brother Beaver (Jerry Mathers) stumbles upon his gorgeous showgirl costume! (For some strange reason, this episode has seldom been shown in syndication.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

At Ward's suggestion, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) spends the weekend reading Ivanhoe. The thrilling tome inspires Beaver to uphold the rule of knighthood and chivalry, and before long he is dashing about the neighborhood, searching for "damsels in distress." Ultimately Beav's enthusiasm gets him into trouble, but not before he has charged all his pals a hefty fee to become fellow knights. This episode introduces the recurring character of Penny Woods, played by Karen Sue Trent. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Beaver (Jerry Mathers) is looking forward to his dramatic debut when he is cast in a school play. Alas, the script requires Beaver to kiss a girl -- which, to our hero, is a fate worse than death (well, almost). Nervously, Beaver tries to drop out of the production, but his parents force him to keep his commitment. The solution to this problem obliges Beaver to employ a bit of "sensory recall" during the play -- though chances are he's unaware that he is emulating the great Stanislavsky! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hoping to win a school contest, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) sets about to design a poster depicting the colonial period. The results are certainly colorful, but several miles removed from "artistic." In desperation, Beaver begs his dad Ward (Hugh Beaumont) to design the poster for him. Ward refuses to do so, sending Beaver even further into the doldrums -- until the inevitable surprise ending of this charming (and thoroughly credible) episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Beaver (Jerry Mathers) swells up with pride when his teacher appoints him to the position of junior fire chief. Unfortunately, Beaver's ego swells as well, and before long he is using citations for the flimsiest of infractions, serving them upon neighbors, friends, and family members alike. It falls to Ward (Hugh Beaumont) to convince Beaver to avoid being carried away by his lofty position -- while at the same time not discouraging Beaver from taking his responsibilities seriously. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Beaver's pal Richard (Richard Correll) is caught red-handed when he breaks a window with a rock. Grilled by the cops, the nervous Richard tries to avoid punishment by claiming that he is Beaver (Jerry Mathers), and that he lives in the Cleaver home. Worse still is that Beaver's dad Ward (Hugh Beaumont) has just accepted a position with a local youth service committee. (Incidentally, the "abandoned house" where Richard does his dirty work will be fixed up a few years later to serve as the Munster Mansion on the subsequent Joe Connelly-Bob Mosher sitcom The Munsters.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In danger of failing sixth-grade English, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) and Gilbert (Stephen Talbot) submit to being tutored by Wally (Tony Dow). When it becomes obvious that the boys aren't grasping what he is telling them, Wally decides to let them practice on one of his old English tests. Inevitably, Beaver and Gilbert take an exam in school -- which of course turns out to be the exact same one that Wally had given them. Thus is set up a daunting dilemma: should the boys accept the "A"s they receive, or should they tell the whole truth about their sudden spurt of intelligence? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The "problem" in this episode is manifested in a valuable Persian cat named Bootsie. Finding the cat wandering outside, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) dutifully returns Bootsie to her rightful owner, Mrs. Prentiss (Gladys Wallis Huddle). Unfortunately, Beav fed Bootsie some salmon before returning her -- and now the cat is hopelessly devoted to our hero, returning to the Cleaver home again...and again...and again. All this puts Beaver in the uncomfortable position of being a "cat-napper" in the eyes of society. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While messing around in Ward's car, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) accidentally releases the emergency brake. The car rolls into the street, immediately tying up traffic. Happening upon the scene, Wally (Tony Dow) dutifully gets behind the wheel and moves the car back into the driveway. Unfortunately, it is at this point that a policeman happens along and demands that Wally show him his driver's license -- a license that Wally does not yet have! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide