Even though the television sitcom Leave It to Beaver aired many decades ago, most people are still familiar with it. Even if they don’t know the show directly, they recognize it when you mention it.
This isn’t because Leave It to Beaver was a flawless masterpiece. There were plenty of mistakes and issues behind the scenes that sometimes made it to the screen.
One reason the show was so popular is because it set a standard for family decency in the U.S. Compared to many other shows since then, there really is no comparison.
The sitcom ran from 1957 to 1963, and its humor was always on point and wholesome. It was well-written, and even today, people still appreciate its humor.
However, there were some things that made it on-screen that weren’t quite right, and knowing about these little errors can make you appreciate the show even more.
June Cleaver’s Calendar – One mistake most people missed is the calendar in June Cleaver’s kitchen. The kitchen was always neat, but the calendar needed updating.
In the episode “The Poor Loser,” which aired in 1963, the calendar is from 1961. If you look closely, you’ll also notice a mistake on the tickets for the baseball game in that episode. “Mayfield” is misspelled as “Mayfied” in the small print.
Fake Bee – In the episode “The Silent Treatment,” Beaver is bothered by a bee while painting a door. If you look closely, you can see the string attached to the insect as it buzzes around his face.
Jerry Mathers – As the actor who played Beaver, Jerry Mathers was well-known. In 2024, at 76 years old, he’s still doing well. People often wonder if he’s anything like his character.
He said: “Well, I got in a lot less trouble. But then again, I had a lot of people watching me all the time. Because when I was due doing the show, there were about 60 men and probably eight or nine women on the show these were lighting people and all the different things that they have to do to make a series. Between takes, when I wasn’t doing things, they would come out and we’d play — throw footballs, throw baseballs. It was like an extended family. There was a whole bunch of people, and they wanted me not to say, ‘I don’t want to be here anymore.'”
Auditioning – Jerry Mathers talked about his audition for Beaver: “I came dressed in a Cub Scout uniform, so that should have been a big clue.”
As it turns out, he was heading to a Cub Scout meeting after the audition and wasn’t too thrilled about it. The show’s creators were charmed by his innocence, so he got the part. Mathers was also worried about missing the Cub Scouts meeting and told the producers, who found it refreshing.
After he got the role, staying in Cub Scouts wasn’t possible. He explains: “We had to go to school for three hours a day, but it was broken up because we’d have to shoot scenes… You’d come back, study for a bit, then go shoot another scene.”
A Look at Wally – Wally Cleaver, played by Tony Dow, was more than just Beaver’s older brother. He introduced many to the struggles of teenage life, and his character remains relatable even today.
Wally was warm and honest, and many still see him as the quintessential older brother. Tony Dow got the job after Paul Sullivan, who played Wally in the pilot, grew too tall for the role.
June Cleaver Has a Scar – When you think of June Cleaver, most people picture her as the ideal 1950s mother and wife. She was calm and respectful, a stark contrast to many modern portrayals of the same role.
If you look closely, though, you might notice a surgical scar on her neck, which is one reason she often wore pearls. She also wore high heels to maintain height over her growing sons.
The Boys Got Along – Jerry Mathers and Tony Dow shared a close bond. Mathers even called Dow “the perfect big brother” in a 2006 interview. He said, “He’s the champion basketball player, football player. He does everything right.”
They weren’t just on-screen brothers; they were best friends in real life. Mathers expressed deep sorrow when Dow passed away in 2002, saying: “He was not only my brother on TV but in many ways in life as well. Tony leaves an empty space in my heart that won’t be filled.”
They Showed a Toilet – Believe it or not, showing a toilet on TV was once taboo. In one episode, however, Wally is seen carrying a toilet seat, which was groundbreaking at the time. Although the entire toilet wasn’t shown, it was a significant moment in the 1950s.
No Laughing – The creators didn’t want loud, over-the-top laughter on the show. They preferred light chuckles to maintain the family-friendly atmosphere. Tony Dow said: “If any line got too much of a laugh, they’d cut it.”
It’s always fun to look back at history and Leave It to Beaver remains a treasured piece of television history that many still appreciate today.
