Episode: “Long Distance” (1962)
REVIEWED BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher
Don Drysdale had a big year in 1962. He not only won a career-high 25 games en route to the Cy Young Award, but almost as important (HaHa), he appeared on “Leave it to Beaver.”
The half-hour episode revolved around the future Dodger Hall-of-Fame hurler – even though he only appears for approximately two minutes.
The plot is simple. Ward and June Cleaver (parents of Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver) are going to be gone on a Saturday afternoon, but are willing to let Beaver and his two friends hang out at the house alone for a few hours. (Beaver’s old brother, Wally, was also out for the afternoon.)
Gilbert (the goofier of the two friends) suggests they make some prank phone calls. Beaver and his other friend, Alan, aren’t so sure.
But Gilbert demonstrates: “Hello, Benson’s meat market? … Do you have pig’s feet? … You do? … Well, put on your shoes and nobody will know it!”
After another call, Alan suggests they call someone famous like “Pat Boone or John Glenn.” Then the boys see Don Drysdale’s name in a headline in the sports section of the newspaper. They decide to pool their money to pay for a long-distance phone call to the star pitcher at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. They estimate it will cost about a dollar, which they will reimburse to Beaver’s father.
When Gilbert talks to the Dodgers’ receptionist he says, “… Who’s calling? … Gilbert, Beaver and Alan. …No, ma’am, we’re not a law firm!”
Surprisingly, they are patched through to the clubhouse, but are told Drysdale is still taking a shower after the day’s game. They decide to stay on the line and wait. The three wait and wait and wait. All the while, the long-distance charges are adding up. Finally, Don picks up the phone.
They each take a turn talking to him and Beaver asks: “… If I ever see you play, would you autograph my glove?”
Drysdale answers: “Beaver, I’d be glad to. What kind of glove do you have? … a Warren Spahn? … Well, I’ll autograph it anyway.”
Then the plot thickens.
After the call, Beaver decides to check with the operator about the charges. To the surprise of all three, the time waiting for Drysdale to finish his shower ran up the bill to nearly $10 (about $90 in today’s money). So they decide to keep the call a secret and figure out something before the phone bill arrives.
However, they soon spill the beans at school and one of the kids they tell is the son of a newspaper writer. That kid tells his Dad about the phone call and the man thinks it will make a good human interest story and it ends up in the local paper.
Naturally, the boys’ parents see the item and it comes out that they owe Beaver’s father $10 for the call. (Although Alan suggests: “maybe we ought to see if we can get Mr. Drysdale to chip in too.”) Finally, it is agreed they will work off the bill and all is well.
Even though “Leave it to Beaver” originally aired six decades ago from 1957-63, it holds up well today. That’s a tribute to the quality of the writing which – even though a comedy – portrayed kids realistically and with respect. … Plus, it’s pretty darn funny.
Theodore (“Beaver”) and brother Wally
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NOTE: To find out if this show is available in your area, use a search engine and type in: “Where to watch LEAVE IT TO BEAVER” … In general, know that some television programs are currently only available on DVD, so check your local library … Others may not be available at all at this time.
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