"Leave It to Beaver" Most Interesting Character (TV Episode 1959) Poster

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9/10
Nice Ending To Season
ccthemovieman-16 March 2007
The kids in Miss Landers class are given the weekend assignment to write about "The Most Interesting Character I Have Known." The guys don't have a clue who they'll write about but Judy says she is going to write about her father who once shot 50 elephants in Africa. "I'll get an 'A' on my paper, too," she says...and the boys all make sour faces.

At home, Ward asks the boys what their plans are for the weekend. Beaver answers, "Only Wally makes plans. I do just do what comes along to do." Wow, that's a very honest answer of how little kids view their spare time.

Beaver does mention the 100-word composition he has to write, and inadvertently winds up hurting his dad's feelings. Wally sees this and suggests Beaver write about his Dad, because he would like it. He tells his dad, and Ward is now happy. Meanwhile, Ward and June continue to look for a new house. "The ultimate in suburban living," sounds good to June.

Beaver follows his dad around, trying to get information for his assignment. He wants exciting things to report, like World War II stories, but isn't having much success. He finally goes in for lunch tells his dad, "Tell me if you do anything interesting."

Later, Beaver reads what he has written to Wally. It's incredibly boring and inane. "Boy is this stuff corny," says Wally. "It sounds dumb." Beaver doesn't argue. "I didn't write it dumb," he says. "It just came out dumb."

Wally encourages his brother to embellish the boring composition. He winds up writing it for Beaver....and it's wild and hilarious. However, Beaver knows it's all baloney and doesn't want to hand that in. Later, June gives him good advice.

The last four minutes of this is terrific. The composition will bring tears to your eyes; Ward also announces they've sold the house and are moving, and Beaver makes a very profound statement about what a house you've lived in all your life means to you.

There is no word still about a third season being issued on DVD. I just hope it happens.
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9/10
Is Ward an interesting character? You bet he is.
pensman9 August 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Miss Landers assigns the class to write a 100-word paper about a most interesting character. Judy, of course, is going to write about her father who was a big game hunter in Africa. I would sure like to know how he ended up in Mayfield but I guess Beaver and many of his classmates are gullible. And yet, compared to Mr. Hensler all the other fathers in the class seem to melt away to nothing.

Beaver is really stuck for a character, but Wally tells Beaver that dad was really hoping Beaver would write about him. Beaver really tries but what can you write about Mr. Ward Cleaver who gets up and goes to work in an office. Beaver really tries but when Wally has Beaver read his report aloud, Wally has to conclude it's dumb.

Beaver suggests Wally take over as he's a good story maker upper. In Wally's version, Ward was born in the Amazon and taken from his crib by a crocodile but was rescued by a friendly head-hunter with a blowgun. Without a doubt, Wally's version is really keen, and Beaver thinks it would be fun to have a father like that. But Beaver has decided he needs something a little more realistic. Finally, Monday morning Beaver has his report but Ward wants to read it.

Beaver wrote that, "The most interesting character I know is Mr. Ward Cleaver. He does not have an interesting job, he just works hard and takes care of all of us. He never shot things in Africa or saved anybody who was drowning but that all right with me because when I am sick he brings me ice cream and when I tell him things or ask things he always listens to me. And he will use up a whole Saturday to make something with me in the garage. He may not be interesting to you or someone else because he's not your father, just mine." Ward is definitely pleaded with Beaver's essay and Beaver says he felt good writing it.

This episode was the conclusion of series two and the big story was the selling of the Cleaver house and moving to a new house for series three.

A feel-good episode that was no doubt aimed at a lot of fathers out there who were unsung heroes in their own families. I'm sure a lot of children loved their fathers but just forgot to say so. Usually as a tie in to story being taught, I would tell my students to go home and that night just give their fathers a hug, kiss on the cheek, and say "I love you, dad." Then just walk away. Next day in-class we would discuss what happened. It usually turned out to be an emotional experience for everyone. Not a bad experience but one that made everyone feel good, and a few maybe a little guilty.
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8/10
I laughed at the show as a child, now it makes me tear up
trobertt-15-2211231 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
They wrote the entire show around the last few minutes of the episode. Last few minutes with Ward reading a composition about him will probably bring tears to the viewer's eyes.
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5/10
Beaver's Writing Skills Impress Both Mom & Dad (Wally, Too!)
StrictlyConfidential6 November 2020
(*Wally to June quote*) - "We jammed all the junk out of sight."

Miss Landers has given her class the unwelcome assignment of writing a 100 word composition about the most interesting character that they have ever known.

Even though, at first, Beaver struggles with making his father (Ward) the subject of his composition, he ends up penning quite a touching description of his dad that really impresses each member of the Cleaver family.
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