Leave It to Beaver (1997)

My Review

“Leave It to Beaver” is an entertaining revisit to the popular television series that ran from 1957-1963. Director Andy Cadiff and screenwriters Brain Levant and Lon Diamond pay due respect to the original, including many inside jokes and three cast members from the first “Beaver.” They have Theodore getting into various jams, helped out by his parents and older brother.

Cameos from three originals appear in this show, including Barbara Billingsley (June Cleaver) as Aunt Martha, Ken Osmond (Eddie Haskell) as Eddie Haskell Sr., and Frank Bank (Lumpy) as Frank. The cast also includes Christopher McDonald as Ward Cleaver, Janine Turner as June Cleaver, Cameron Finley as Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver, Erik von Detten as Wally Cleaver, Adam Zolotin as Eddie Haskell, Alan Rachins as Fred Rutherford, Grace Phillips as Miss Landers, E. J. de la Pena as Larry Mondello, Louis Martin Braga as Gilbert Bates, Brighton Hertford as Judy Hensler, and Justin Restivo as Lumpy Rutherford.

The very watchable “Leave It to Beaver” was not successful in theatrical release for Robert Simonds Productions and Universal Pictures. It was primarily filmed on the Colonial Street backlot at Universal Studios in Universal City, California.