Gilbert (Stephen Talbot) is doing a fine job of filling the void left by Larry (Rusty Stevens) leaving. A real natural actor as a troublemaker. Oddly, a rare episode where Gilbert doesn't cause any trouble. Beaver gets a chance to see how the real world operates outside of the Cleaver family bubble.
4 Reviews
Mow a Lawn? Is that a new video game?
pensman18 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Here's a piece of Americana long gone—kids going from house to house dragging a lawn mower behind them. We begin with Beaver wanting his dad's permission to cut lawns for summer employment. A worthy project, and one Ward pursued when he was a boy. Unfortunately, there is a snake in the lawn—Eddie Haskell.
Beaver and Gilbert aren't having the best of luck; they could use some better sales patter. Instead they get Eddie who suggests they cut a lawn first, then look pitiful and ask for money. Their lawn mowing skills leave a lot to be desired; and after trying Eddie's plan, a homeowner threatens to sue them. They were fortunate he didn't go after them, they really left his place a mess. How could they not be able cut the grass of a lawn?
After having a talk during dinner about the experience, Wally wonders how his brother could be so dumb as to take advice from Eddie. Eddie is always giving Beaver the business. Ward suggests Beaver try again, but settle on a price before the work is done. This time Beaver finds a customer who agrees on a price: five dollars for the front and back lawn. But Gilbert has decided that lawn moving isn't for him. Gilbert figures he might try a paper route. Beaver has had a little experience in that area, he cautions Gilbert that a paper route is s a lot of work. No, Gilbert says. All he has to do is whine a lot, then his father will drive him around the route. You know, there is just a really fine line separating Gilbert from Eddie Haskell, and its gets attenuated with every episode.
Beaver tackles the job on his own. And he actually does a good job. The lady gives him a check and he's thrilled: the lady was nicest lady in the whole world, next to mom that is. But there is a worm in the apple. The check bounces. Beaver can't believe such a nice lady gypped him. Ward suggests he call the lady for Beaver and explain what happened, it could have been a mistake. It was a mistake, Beaver's faith in grown-ups is restored.
I chuckled at a little vignette when Beaver says he wants to turn his five dollars into dimes and nickels so he will jingle when he walks. People will hear him and think he's a rich big shot. No way, says Wally. Today rich people don't jingle or even carry cash around with then, just checks and credit cards. Today he could have added iPhones with ApplePay
Beaver and Gilbert aren't having the best of luck; they could use some better sales patter. Instead they get Eddie who suggests they cut a lawn first, then look pitiful and ask for money. Their lawn mowing skills leave a lot to be desired; and after trying Eddie's plan, a homeowner threatens to sue them. They were fortunate he didn't go after them, they really left his place a mess. How could they not be able cut the grass of a lawn?
After having a talk during dinner about the experience, Wally wonders how his brother could be so dumb as to take advice from Eddie. Eddie is always giving Beaver the business. Ward suggests Beaver try again, but settle on a price before the work is done. This time Beaver finds a customer who agrees on a price: five dollars for the front and back lawn. But Gilbert has decided that lawn moving isn't for him. Gilbert figures he might try a paper route. Beaver has had a little experience in that area, he cautions Gilbert that a paper route is s a lot of work. No, Gilbert says. All he has to do is whine a lot, then his father will drive him around the route. You know, there is just a really fine line separating Gilbert from Eddie Haskell, and its gets attenuated with every episode.
Beaver tackles the job on his own. And he actually does a good job. The lady gives him a check and he's thrilled: the lady was nicest lady in the whole world, next to mom that is. But there is a worm in the apple. The check bounces. Beaver can't believe such a nice lady gypped him. Ward suggests he call the lady for Beaver and explain what happened, it could have been a mistake. It was a mistake, Beaver's faith in grown-ups is restored.
I chuckled at a little vignette when Beaver says he wants to turn his five dollars into dimes and nickels so he will jingle when he walks. People will hear him and think he's a rich big shot. No way, says Wally. Today rich people don't jingle or even carry cash around with then, just checks and credit cards. Today he could have added iPhones with ApplePay
BEAVE INSPIRED ALL OF US LAWN CUTTERS.
tcchelsey2 July 2023
Terrific. How many of us kids took on an after school or summer job, cutting lawns, raking leaves and just about anything else. The only thing is, Beaver does it the hard way-- listening to Eddie Haskall, of course. Eddie says do the job FIRST, then ask for the money (hold out your hand with a big smile!), which promptly gets Beave and his old pal Gilbert in trouble. They also didn't do a good job.
Gilbert quits, but Beave continues his business enterprise, which actually inspired me. Luckily, I found a neighbor right off the bat (who just retired), who had all sorts of things to be done around his house. Beave has some good luck too --but what happens when the check bounces??
Hugh Beaumont, who had a son of his own, and probably Beaver's age, said he always tossed ideas to the producers and writers about his family experiences. This may be a case in point.
One thing though ---CASH is always best! And get a boss who gives you milk and cookies! Look for Amzie Strickland as the woman customer, a staple in tv shows for decades; many appearances on DICK VAN DYKE, DANNY THOMAS and WAGON TRAIN, much more. The angry man customer is played by William Stevens, seen a lot on ADAM 12 and the F. B. I.
A must see for kids on the go. SEASON 4 EPISODE 36 remastered.
Gilbert quits, but Beave continues his business enterprise, which actually inspired me. Luckily, I found a neighbor right off the bat (who just retired), who had all sorts of things to be done around his house. Beave has some good luck too --but what happens when the check bounces??
Hugh Beaumont, who had a son of his own, and probably Beaver's age, said he always tossed ideas to the producers and writers about his family experiences. This may be a case in point.
One thing though ---CASH is always best! And get a boss who gives you milk and cookies! Look for Amzie Strickland as the woman customer, a staple in tv shows for decades; many appearances on DICK VAN DYKE, DANNY THOMAS and WAGON TRAIN, much more. The angry man customer is played by William Stevens, seen a lot on ADAM 12 and the F. B. I.
A must see for kids on the go. SEASON 4 EPISODE 36 remastered.
The Eager, Young Lawn Cutters
StrictlyConfidential19 November 2020
(*Gilbert to Beaver quote*) - "I was just practicing looking pitiful."
I was quite disappointed with the episode of TV's "Leave It To Beaver". It sure seemed to me that the scriptwriters were really grasping at straws with this one.
It didn't help matters much that that eternal creep and obnoxious pest, Eddie Haskell got the opportunity to dish out some of his predictable (and unfunny) bull and both Gilbert and Beaver actually fell for it. (Ho-hum!)
I was quite disappointed with the episode of TV's "Leave It To Beaver". It sure seemed to me that the scriptwriters were really grasping at straws with this one.
It didn't help matters much that that eternal creep and obnoxious pest, Eddie Haskell got the opportunity to dish out some of his predictable (and unfunny) bull and both Gilbert and Beaver actually fell for it. (Ho-hum!)
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