Stephen Talbot Movies

This fast-paced, entertaining drama set in a high school is directed by Paul Wendkos who has a talent for turning teen-oriented movies into hits, as proven just before this release (his 1959 Gidget). The ever-young Dick Clark plays Neil, a new, dedicated history teacher who becomes involved with the lives of his students and always for the better. He also becomes involved with Joan (Victoria Shaw) the attractive secretary in the principal's office. In an era before cocaine, crack, and school shootings would destroy the nation's image of high schools forever, the problems of "delinquents" like Griff (Michael Callan), or Buddy (Warren Berlinger), whose mother is unfaithful, may seem archaic to some audiences. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Ever in need of ready cash, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) and Gilbert (Stephen Talbot) form a lawn-mowing business. Trouble is, no one in the neighborhood needs their services. Acting upon a suggestion from Eddie Haskell (Ken Osmond), the boys decide to work on "spec," mowing lawns first and then asking for money afterward. Not surprisingly, the scheme backfires -- and to add insult to injury, Gilbert gives up on the project, leaving Beaver to soldier on alone. ~ 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

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

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

Wally (Tony Dow) was supposed to babysit for ten-year-old Patricia Murdock (Jennie Lynn), but he manages to book a big date on the same night. In desperation, Wally shifts the babysitting job to Beaver (Jerry Mathers), on whom Patricia has a schoolgirl crush. Balking when Patricia demands to play a kid's game, Beaver finally agrees in order to shut her up. It turns out that he kind of likes the game -- which puts him in an embarrassing position when his friends unexpectedly show up! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Beaver insists that he's too old for birthday parties and presents and all that kind of junk. Accordingly, his parents present him with money on his birthday, as does his Uncle Billy. However, Beaver cannot resist spending some of the cash on a model car. So here's the problem -- inasmuch as he was so adamant about not getting "toys" for his birthday, and he hasn't asked permission to purchase the car, Beav must now figure out a way to hide his new acquisition lest he lose face in front of his parents. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Purchasing an old mini-car from Eddie, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) is in dire need of a set of wheels. To this end, he acquires a worn-out doll buggy from the mother (Jean Vander Pyl) of his schoolmate Penny Woods (Karen Sue Trent). So far, so good -- but there's still one problem to be overcome. Namely, how is Beaver going to be able to wheel the doll buggy home without suffering the merciless ridicule of his male friends? ~ 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

When Beaver (Jerry Mathers) announces that he needs twenty-five dollars to buy a canoe, dad Ward (Hugh Beaumont) offers to put up half the money, provided Beaver comes up with the other twelve dollars and fifty cents. A sure-fire moneymaking proposition falls in Beaver's lap when a neighbor asks him to catch a few frogs, for which our hero will be amply compensated. But Beaver's enthusiasm over the frog-harvesting job is quickly scuttled when he finds out that his customer intends to kill the amphibians and use them in lab experiments. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

Left alone in the Cleaver house one night, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) and Gilbert (Stephen Talbot) pass the time by watching television. It seems that there's a scary old crime picture on the air, and of course the two boys are duly frightened. In fact, they're so unnerved that, when they think someone is skulking around the house, they call the cops. Imagine their embarrassment when the two "burglars" turn out to be Wally's friends Lumpy (Frank Bank) and Bill (David Kent), both dressed up for a costume party! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Sneaking a peek at Beaver's report card, Eddie (Ken Osmond) prankishly changes the arithmetic grade from a D minus to a B plus. Fully aware that Beaver (Jerry Mathers) is hardly a Rhodes scholar when it comes to math, June (Barbara Billingsley) figures out that the grade has been altered. Beav, of course, insists that he hasn't tampered with his report card, thereby setting up the big situation of the evening; will truth prevail, or will our hero be clobbered for something that he didn't do? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide