The Credit Card

Not one of the best Eddie episodes. But ok. Writers using a lot of Wally as the lead alternating with Beaver. Wally doesn't deserve any blame from Ward. Mr Haskell gave Eddie the card. It all falls on his lap.

"That seems to be the trend today, to kill off the good guys." (June Cleaver, in a line that eerily presages the assassination of President John F. Kennedy)

It's the last season of LITB, and Wally is approaching adulthood: the perfect time to learn thrift and fiscal responsibility, traditional American virtues which LITB promoted. In this episode, Eddie is bragging about his new credit card. Wally implores Ward to let him have one too, but Ward refuses; it's too big a responsibility for a boy Wally's age. When Wally, Eddie and Lumpy are driving home from a sports event, Wally's car battery fails and Eddie foots the bill for a new battery with his credit card. Wally pays him back, but will Eddie then be responsible enough to pay back his father?

The episode is solid but not a whole lot of fun. Ward and June became rather stiff and authoritarian towards the end of the series. Watch June's line readings and reactions in this episode: she seems positively robotic. There was not a whole lot of humor in the final season, and the funniest thing in this episode is the flashy vest Eddie buys on his credit card ("They say it brings out the Peter Lawford in me.") George Petrie has the first of his two appearances as Mr. George Haskell; both he and the actress who played Mrs. Haskell were earthy and real in their roles.

Eddie gets a credit card for a local independent gas station so that he can buy gas and oil when necessary. Of course, this is underwritten by his father's good name, but Eddie gloats and brags in true Eddie Haskell fashion.

Then one day Eddie, Wally, and Lumpy are out riding in Wally's car when it dies. They stop at the gas station where Eddie has the credit card, and the mechanic states that the problem is that Wally's car needs a new battery. Eddie offers to use his card to charge the needed fifteen dollars, and Wally says he will pay Eddie back with the money he has been saving for new seat covers when they return to his house. Wally keeps his promise, but Eddie lets the cash linger in his pockets. And when Eddie spots a snazzy new vest for the same amount in his wallet he buys it rather than give the money to his father, thinking he has plenty of time before the credit card bill appears. But it appears sooner than expected, Eddie's dad sees the fifteen dollar charge and explodes. Complications ensue.

The parents of Eddie, Wally, and Lumpy are like the Three Little Pigs of parenting styles. Eddie's parents are hands off until something goes wrong, and then they overreact. Lumpy's parents are what we would call helicopter parents today, always babying Lumpy. And Wally and Beaver's parents are always held up as having a balanced approach.

Also note the presence of the independent gas station with an owner who knows his customers. Today that is pretty much extinct with virtually all gas stations belonging to some mega corporation.

Another fun story written by Dick Conway, resident writer for the series. Dick must have known someone like Eddie. Could it really be?

Eddie gets to use his dad's credit card, helping Wally buy a new battery for his clunker car. So far so good. But... when Wally pays him back in cash, the cash goes into Eddie's pocket and Mr. Haskell gets shafted for the bill. Surprised?

Lessons learned, yes once again, particularly to stay away from Eddie who gets progressively worse as he gets older. You could only imagine, had the series gone on for a few more years, Eddie more than likely wound have ended up in the jug.

George Petrie plays Eddie's no nonsense father, remembered for his many appearances on the HONEYMOONERS, also a long time announcer.

There is some realism to this episode, obviously used by Dick Conway. Bank of America was the first to issue a credit card in the late 50s, and within a few years credit cards became a national fad. So this story is actually a very timely piece, though a tad on the compulsive side, if you like to stop and shop.

Good stuff. SEASON 6 EPISODE 20 remastered dvd box set. 2011 Universal release.