Wally's Haircomb

Leave It To Beaver reflects a time when conservative social values were the norm. Although limited to the majority demographic of American society, it nevertheless presented family dynamics and life lessons pertinent to all. Luckily, the writing and production values opened it up to a wide range of entertaining situations (e.g. - a large recurring cast of characters and not restricted to the standard 3 camera interior setting of most sitcoms.)

Wally's Haircomb was typical in its portrayal of a universal family "problem" with a wise solution proferred, in this case ignoring the problem and letting it resolve itself, rather than trying to fix it only to make it worse.

Like most of the series, this particular episode remains relevant even today. Instead of a goofy greasy hairstyle one could substitute nose rings, tattoos, wacky beards or a myriad of other fleetingly hip fads.

As the school principal explained to June Cleaver to ease her concerns about her teen son following the crowd, "they conform by being non-conforming."

Just the background music playing when a jelly roll head shows up is enough for me to give this episode a 10.

(*Beaver quote*) - "We weren't speaking about fads. We were speaking about Lumpy's lopsided head."

When June Cleaver gets a good look at Wally's new hairdo she's so outraged by it that (get this) she goes to the principal, Mr. Haller at Wally's school and makes a serious complaint about it. (Like, if that isn't a roundabout was of making some change, then, I don't know what it is)

Anyway - In the meantime - Beaver decides to imitate his brother's wild haircomb and that proves to be the comical highlight of this episode.

George Tibbles, who wrote over 100 episodes for MY THREE SONS, cooked up this gem, and reserved the right to do it again on his next show.

Let's face it, with the emergence of Elvis, Fats Domino and the like, loud clothes and lots and lots of slick hair gel -- what would you expect? Wally gets a new doo, and it's a work of art, his hair propped like a balloon and jelled to the max.

I agree with the last reviewer, the "honking" music steals the show. It's spot on every time Wally looks into a mirror. Pretty clever idea from producers and writers Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher.

On the other side, Ward and June are fit to be tied, but still very understanding parents... to a degree, and that's what makes this episode. Also keep your eyes on Beave.

You have to admit, both Beave and Wally --surprisingly-- had gone through quite a few fads, if not wardrobe calamities. Again, all based on real life stories.

Lumpy is back, sort of a grown up Larry Mondello, as is Fred Rutherford. Richard Deacon was the right actor to play Fred, although I will say it again, his son should have been Eddie Haskell. The real IDEAL match.

So how does it all end? You probably know anyway, but fun to see it for the 100th time. Certified tv classic.

PS: What happened to Wally's towels and pillow cases? Hmmm? They had to be an oily disaster.

SEASON 3 EPISODE 34 remastered Universal dvd box set. Thank you so much METV for re-running this golden oldie.

Wally comes home from the barber's with a new hair style - the jelly roll. This was an actual hair fad of the late 50s along with the DA haircut. The hair is rolled up around the sides, flat in the front and the middle, and like an oil slick all over.

June thinks Wally looks like a gangster with his hair like this, and tries getting Ward to do something, who mentions that the haircut would not do if Wally is going to try out for swim team. This does make an impression on Wally as he ditches the idea of being on the swim team but keeps the hairdo. June makes an appointment with the principal at the high school. The principal is not alarmed by the hairstyle and says the fad will run its course. But when Beaver comes down to go to school one morning with a jelly roll as well, June tries the direct approach with Wally. How will this work out? Watch and find out.

Everybody seems pretty hard on June for going to such lengths to get Wally to rid himself of this hair fad, saying that she was a control freak. But you have to remember that in the 1950s about the worst thing you could be was a non-conformist. People might think you were a Communist or something! And I'm not exaggerating much when I say that. These were different less forgiving and accepting times.

I liked how every time the camera was focused on one of these guys with this jelly roll haircut that you would hear intense 50s rock and roll playing. It was as humorous as the voodoo drums playing in the background every time someone thought that maybe there was something to these voodoo curses in the season one episode, "Voodoo Magic".