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Reviews
Leave It to Beaver: Chuckie's New Shoes (1960)
Wally pays the price for a mother's mistake.
A somewhat disturbing episode, because the show is set up to appear that Wally is to blame, when the real culprit is the mother. Foisting her child upon Wally, without his consent, for something that is hardly an emergency. Yes, even when Wally then allowed Beaver to take the child was not good judgment, this does not excuse the mother at all. And the child's insolent behavior is clearly on her as well. At one point, the mother says that it is all her fault, but this episode doesn't emphasize this point enough.
Batman: Batman's Anniversary (1967)
Refusing to pay Frank Gorshin lead to the end of the series.
The producers failure to recognize Frank Gorshin as one of their major stars, with his incredible chemistry with Adam West, lead to the demise of the show. Even his Emmy nomination for The Riddler failed to get them to take notice. John Astin was terrific as Gomez Addams, and maybe could have brought some of that characterization here. And he did adequately incorporate the Riddler's bodily agility, but his vocalization and laugh were absolutely terrible in contrast. Producer William Dozier and the others really dropped the ball here. Dozier stated that he would not pay any villain more than the going rate, and this cost him one of the most enjoyable shows in television history.
Leave It to Beaver: The Clothing Drive (1963)
Some of the funniest scenes in the entire series !
I don't understand the criticisms of this episode. The premise may be so so, but Ward's reactions to his simple mistake are hysterical. First he has to plead with his family to explain things to the school. June defends herself like a top flight attorney and then sentences Ward to accept his own responsibilities. Then Ward has to uncomfortably explain things to the principle, actually slinking in his chair while doing so. Ward makes a little mistake and then has to accept the very consequences that he usually imposes on his family.
The Twilight Zone: A World of Difference (1960)
One of the very best episodes in the series.
The creepiest part about this one is that anyone one of us could at anytime hear a director say, "cut", and we would suddenly realize that we were merely an actor playing everything that we thought we were. Howard Duff did a superb job of conveying this very notion.
An interesting note is that the actress who plays the lead character's real wife, is the real mother of Sean Penn. He was born about 5 months after this episode aired.
Leave It to Beaver: The School Picture (1961)
Beaver again pays for the crimes of others .
Not only did Gilbert actively put Beaver up to the prank, but he rubs it in afterwards. Gilbert getting away with this completely unscathed, is a serious weakness in the shows concept. Where as Eddie Haskell was fun, Gilbert was just mean and unlikeable.
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.: Captain Ironpants (1964)
Fascinating contrast between today's and yesterday's attitudes .
Gomer is very sweet and sincere to Pippa Scott but by today's standards he's terribly sexist. Gomer assumes that she wants all this feminine treatment, but today we realize that everyone is an individual.
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.: Two on the Bench (1969)
Three concussions in one show !
Although this is one of the more entertaining episodes of the series, it reflects how little was known about concussions back in the 60s. Concussions were thought of as cute events that made the victim dazed temporarily, and then it was presumed that everything was basically ok. Today we know that each successive concussion can have progressively worse effects on the brain, memory, cognitive capacities, etc. And here, not only did the featured football player have one, but Sargent Carter had two of them !
Leave It to Beaver: The All-Night Party (1963)
Another what might have been !
The final shows with Wally, Eddie, and Lumpy just scream for a sequel. A new show with the three of them in college would have been a natural. The three trying to get along in their dorm room, taking classes, Lumpy struggling with his grades to stay on the football team, not to mention all of the adventures of meeting women and dating. And of course, Eddie's priceless cutting up. The producers and programmers really missed a great opportunity here.
Leave It to Beaver: Wally's Practical Joke (1963)
Should have been a sequel !!
The most unfortunate thing about this series is that they didn't have a sequel with Wally, Eddie, and Lumpy in college. They could have had numerous shows like this one that would have allowed Eddie to continue his marvelous character with Wally as his straight man.
The Andy Griffith Show: One-Punch Opie (1962)
One of the very best of the entire series
An outstanding episode featuring a terrific performance by antagonist Steve Quincy, about the seriousness of breaking public property. Unfortunately this theme is severely undermined in later shows where Ernest T Bass is laughed at for breaking every window in sight. An incredible instance of utter hypocrisy in this wonderful series.
The Andy Griffith Show: Girl Shy (1965)
The role that could have saved Warren !
Although it was apparent that the Warren character didn't fit the show from the get go, this one actually worked, and worked well. Warren's uncomfortableness around women is something that many of us share, as is his passion for the movies. His bonding with Goober while watching these on TV was very realistic and entertaining. And when this was combined with sleepwalking, the results were hysterical , especially in his final scene with Aunt Bee. Now this is a particular character that I would have liked to have seen more of.
Leave It to Beaver: Wally's Track Meet (1961)
Another wonderful episode, but with a faulty premise !
A very well written episode that explores another intricacy of life among guys growing up . The problem is that Ward, and the show, see the problem as the loss of Wally's temper. What the show fails to realize is that there are many more interesting factors involved that even Beaver pointed out. Wally didn't just lose his temper, he was merely engaging in a playful exercise that everyone goes through. This is how friends bond even more closely. The coach totally misinterpreted the incident and overreacted. He should have talked to them , just as Beaver later did with Lumpy, and at least found out a little more about it. And it's so ironic that in this episode, Beaver was the astute role model for the adults !
Leave It to Beaver: Beaver and Kenneth (1960)
This time Ward investigates before jumping all over Beaver.
A bit of a departure from the shows theme of blaming Beaver for the faults of others. When circumstances look like Beaver's at fault, Ward does a thorough job of interviewing Beaver and then follows Beaver's lead to the real perpetrator. Ward's behavior gets much better results than usual. Beaver than follows up and gets the perpetrator to confess. As other's have mentioned, this confession was a little unrealistic, but it was still an enjoyable episode, especially with the final summation by the teacher we all wish we had, Miss Landers.
Leave It to Beaver (1957)
It wasn't Wally's fault !
One of the reoccurring themes of this series was to have someone commit an error in judgment that Beaver and Wally would have to pay for. Although this really does happen in real life, the show might have been better having the perpetrators face their own consequences, rather than Beaver and Wally.
In this episode, the woman who foisted her problem onto Wally without his true consent, was the guilty party who should have been culpable. But as usual, Wally and Beaver have to take what should be coming to her.
Leave It to Beaver: Beaver Finds a Wallet (1960)
Another very entertaining demonstration of the realities of life.
Another excellent episode where Beaver experiences the realities of life. And although this woman lets him down, she does display a genuine sense of intimate affection that was at least something. A very nice showcase for this wonderful and forgotten actress. And Eddie as usual, has some of the best lines.
The Andy Griffith Show: The Ball Game (1966)
Another very entertaining look at reality.
Another priceless episode that beautifully reflects reality. Andy gets caught in a no win situation as everyone turns against him. The confrontation between Andy, Goober, and Floyd, is hysterical ! And newcomer Howard comes nicely to Andy's rescue. And Helen and Aunt Bee add even more support.
The Andy Griffith Show: Look Paw, I'm Dancing (1966)
We were all afraid of this !
Another very entertaining episode about real life. Opie's afraid of something that we all were, and Andy tries to encourage him until he himself has to face up to Opie's fears. One of Andy's funniest scenes in the entire series !
The Andy Griffith Show: Aunt Bee Learns to Drive (1966)
We've all been through this !
This is a particularly funny episode because all of us drivers have gone through something similar. When Andy gets involved, Aunt Bee has to decide whether to fess up or let it slide. She eventually comes clean to get Andy off the hook. Another entertaining episode about people really caring about others.
The Andy Griffith Show: The Manicurist (1962)
Fascinating portrayal of men's reactions to women in the 1960s
From a distance, the men claim to be real cocky and confident with beautiful women. But right next to them, they cower in sheer terror. Very insightful episode and throughly entertaining. And a wonderful vehicle for Barbara Eden's talent.
The Andy Griffith Show: The Keeper of the Flame (1962)
Opie didn't do it !
The tragedy of this story is that poor Opie has to take the very stressful blame for the faults of the antagonist. But Andy's ability to acknowledge his own faults in detail, is one of the many elements that helped set this series apart from the others. Another poignant and very entertaining episode that vividly illustrates what real life is about.
The Andy Griffith Show: Convicts-at-Large (1962)
My favorite episode of my favorite series.
Floyd was wonderful here, as well as was Jane Dulo and Jean Carson. But the real magic of this show was the incredible chemistry between Barney and the very gifted and underrated Reta Shaw, who was finally given a roll that really revealed what she was capable of. She and Barney had other shows together, but none compared to this awesome one.
Another interesting thing about this episode is that Andy was not a major character. He was seen at the beginning, and then not again until halfway through, and then again at the end.
The Andy Griffith Show: A Black Day for Mayberry (1963)
Barney does what we'd all love to do !
Another very funny show on this priceless series. The premise here is that Barney can't hold an important piece of information, and the entire town finds out about it. The fact that Andy trusts Barney, just adds to the humor. And when Barney is given a second chance, Andy trusts him again, and the same thing happens.
What makes Barney particularly funny here is that we all have the temptation to spread stories. Barney is just an exaggeration of what we'd all love to do.