15 charming behind-the-scenes pictures from 'Leave It to Beaver'

They were a family when the camera stopped rolling, too.

The Everett Collection

Beaver, Wally, June and Ward first moved in on October 4, 1957. The Cleavers were the perfect nuclear family, right down to the white picket fence. The clan immediately became friendly neighbors to all of us.

We previously shared some fascinating facts about Leave It to Beaver. Now let's take a peek behind the scenes to see Jerry Mathers, Tony Dow, Barbara Billingsley and Hugh Beaumont working on set. It seemed like a pure joy.

Image: The Everett Collection

Mathers thinks, "Gee, I can do this director gig, too!"

Image: The Everett Collection

Mathers sits atop a crate of prop books, and flips through one of them.

Image: The Everett Collection

Speaking of prop books, we always wondered what all those titles were on the shelves.

Image: The Everett Collection

There was nowhere to go but up.

Image: The Everett Collection

Climbing aboard a fire truck was every kid's dream.

Image: The Everett Collection

Hanging out.

Image: The Everett Collection

The show was popcorn-worthy entertainment even for the cast.

Image: The Everett Collection

Co-creator Joe Connelly (sitting) and director Norman Tokar (kneeling, right) go over a scene in 1958.

Image: The Everett Collection

What an all-American boy.

Image: The Everett Collection

Mathers practices his right for an early episode. Spoiler alert: The punching bag wins.

Image: The Everett Collection

Dow whittles the time away atop a fence.

Image: The Everett Collection

Even kids who couldn't tell time could figure out when Beaver aired.

Image: The Everett Collection

Beaver may have aired on a Thursday, but Mathers prefered a sundae on set.

Image: AP Photo/Lennox Mclendon

Ted Turner, center, gets help putting on a sweater that was a gift from TV's Cleaver family in 1986. TBS had signed a deal to air The New Leave It To Beaver show.

Image: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes

The cast reunited to celebrate the 50th anniversary on September 27, 2007. Standing behind Mathers, Billingsley and Dow are Frank Bank (Lumpy) and Ken Osmond (Eddie Haskell).

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1 Comments

Stella_Star 26 months ago
I love these pictures from behind the scenes. I would love it if more color pictures existed, as I was interested in the colors of the furniture, wardrobes, and props throughout the series.
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