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Reviews
Leave It to Beaver: Summer in Alaska (1963)
CAPTAIN BLIGH!
Will the real Captain Bligh please stand? PThis is certainly one of the best episodes from Leave it to Beaver's final season. In this last season a lot of the episodes revolved around Wally, Eddie and Lumpy, which I think saved the season, as Beaver had become something of a insufferable creep, complete with the pubescent unibrow. LOL. The story centers around everyone's favorite scene-stealer - Eddie Haskell. But in my opinion, the real Emmy has to go to Henry Harvey, who plays Captain Drake. Actually, the scene with him may very well be my favorite from season six. We also get to see Eddie in one of his rare vulnerable moments, sans the false bravado. Very enjoyable episode!
Leave It to Beaver: Eddie's Girl (1958)
May Contain Spoilers!
In this episode, we see Wally's first interesting girls develop. His awkwardness is SO relatable to me when I recall that period in live. When it came to girls, you still didn't know whether to hold hands with them or throw rocks at them. LOL. Wally perfectly portrays this part of early teen life, when you're too little to be big, and too big to be little. That said, the show-stealer here is Eddie Haskell - as he usually was. We get an in-depth look into Eddie's character, and are treated to one of the very few times we see his sensitive side, underneath the wagger, and false bravado. The ending scene with Beaver is one of my favorite in the series with Eddie.
Leave It to Beaver: Beaver and Andy (1960)
Very Touching Episode
Beaver and Andy is certainly one of the best Leave it to Beaver episodes. Wendall Holmes gives a splendid performance as the affable, well-meaning, but troubled painter struggling with alcoholism. Ward and Andy have a history. Ward takes a chance and hires Andy to paint the trim on their house, It goes well until the third or so day, when Andy asks beaver for a drink. Ward and June have tried to shield Beaver and do not tell the inquisitive Beaver that Andy has a drinking problem. Andy asked Beaver for a drink, and innocent Beaver offers him water, and milk. Andy explains that he needs whiskey, at which Beaver tells him Ward has a bottle of Brandy that Ward pours over cake during Christmas. He retrieves the bottle for Andy and asks if he's going to pour it over cake. Andy embarrassingly tells him "no." As Andy goes out the kitchen door, He says, "I hope you're not disappointed in ol' Andy," to which naive Beaver replies, "It's okay, Andy. A lot of people don't like cake." Andy's facial expression of shame, pain, and deceiving Beaver puts a lump in my throat every time I see it. He gets drunk and has to leave the job. That night Ward and June explain the situation to Beaver. It ends on a positive note, as Andy is so distraught over disappointing the Cleavers, he has a renewed initiative in staying sober. This is a beautiful, poignant episode.
Gunsmoke: The Widowmaker (1973)
Maybe the best of the color episodes.
IMO, almost any of the black & white Gunsmoke episodes outshine nearly all of the color ones. We've seen this before with shows which made that transition, like The Andy Griffith Show. The colorization seemed to diminish the air of mystique about the series. There are however episodes in color that do stand out - The Widowmaker being one of them. Steve Forest is very believable in this role, which required some multi-dimensional acting. Although the core plot is cliched, this episode was very enjoyable, and the plot twist at the end really caught me by surprise. While the narrative is not in the supernatural or sci/fi realm, the ending to this one was as unpredictable as a Twilght Zone episode.
Wagon Train: The Tom Tuesday Story (1963)
It Doesn't Get Any Better Than This.
Interestingly, I consider this to be the best all-time episode of Wagon Train, yet it takes place away from the train. Brian Keith and Denny Miller are simply unforgettable as our two unlikely travelers. This story is so well-written, repeatedly building and releasing tension, it almost felt like a relief when it ended. It is a study in the human condition, and of how the toughest of us are in fact vulnerable and longing for trust. The relationship that develops between these two men is poetic and poignant. Although they start off scoffing at each other, they remain to figuratively pray together as comrades. It reminds us that there is good in the worst of us, and bad in the best of us. Not only is this episode in a class by itself in the WT franchise, it easily ranks in the top 5-10 episodes of every Western ever made from that wonderful Golden Age of Television. Don't miss this masterpiece.
The Rifleman: The Sheridan Story (1959)
SUPERB
Dare I say, this is the one of, if not THE best episode of The Rifleman series. Royal Dano's poignant, heart-rending performance is unforgettable. Highly recommended.
Wagon Train: The Christopher Hale Story (1961)
One Of The Top Episodes Of The Series!
This episode welcomes John McIntire to the series as "ex-wagon master" Christopher Hale. Lee Marvin is excellent as Ward Bond's tyrannical replacement, Jud Benedict - one of those characters you just love to hate! This is easily one of the best efforts of this great series.
The Andy Griffith Show: Prisoner of Love (1964)
A broad departure from the rest of the series...
This is one of my top ten AGS episodes. Susan Oliver is fantastic as the sultry nameless, overnight prisoner, who brings out Andy's vulnerability. At times it's hard to tell if Susan is being sincere or just a con artist. I suspect it is a bit of both. She appears to be somewhat taken aback by Andy's kind, unselfish nature. In this broad departure from the rest of the series, the sexual tension between Andy and Susan is thick enough to cut with a knife. It also has its hilarious moments too, with Barney falling all over himself to impress Susan. Highly recommended viewing!
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.: Lou-Ann Poovie Sings No More (1967)
Beautiful girl, horrific voice!
I wonder how many times it took to shoot these singing scenes without the cast cracking up? I'm not sure I've ever heard anyone ever sing this badly. Hilarious!