The Adventures of Beaver Cleaver (1950s)

The 1950s saw the beginning of the household television. 1950-1955 is deemed the “Era of Trust.” Television was only in black and white, both in picture and values. Only 9% of household’s had televisions and they became an item of status. It became a symbol of optimism.
The American’s were good; the communist were bad. Father worked hard all day; mother was the homemaker. Everything was portrayed as an idealized portrait of what America wanted reality to be. Family on television claimed to be presented as a traditional, nuclear, cohesive family.

The fifties TV family did have some simple diversity. Families were found in the suburbs, in the west, and cities. The majority were white nuclear families, some were ethnic families (mostly just first generation European immigrants), and most were working middle class.
Two television shows that epitomize 50s television families were Leave it to Beaver and The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

“Leave it to Beaver, a series both praised for its family-bolstering innocence and panned for its homogenized sappiness, served as a bridge between the waning radio comedy and the blossoming of the television ‘sitcom’” (Orlick 939). The show was based off the creators Joe Conelly and Bob Mosher’s own children. It was a show whose viewpoint was that of the children, Beaver and older brother Wally. The story focused on the boys growing up and their interaction with their parents, June and Ward. June and Ward have been described as “Mr. and Mrs. Average – American living in their typical Good Housekeeping home” (Orlick 941). It was on the air from 1957 until 1963. While it did not focus on major social issues; Beaver has become memorable for its attention on the love and care of family.




This is the pilot episode’s opening.



Ward Cleaver explains morals to Beaver

The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was yet another family – based comedy. It was the story of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson and their two sons David and Ricky. “The Nelsons embodied wholesome ‘normal’ American existence so conscientiously (if blandly) that their name epitomized upright, happy family life for decades” (Wiesblat 17). This was a real life family with a not so real life show. They premiered in 1952, and lasted for fourteen years. The show focused mostly on Ozzie and how he tried to raise his two sons. Harriet was the wise wife he truly held the household together. She defined the 1950s TV house wife in her elegant dresses and pearls.



This is the opening of the show.



Ricky Nelson sings.


Bibliography

Orlick, Peter B. "Leave It to Beaver." Encylopedia of Television. 1st ed. 2 vols. Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn, 1997.

Marc, Robinson,. Brought to you in living color 75 years of great moments in television & radio from NBC. New York, NY: Wiley, 2002.

Spigel, Lynn. "Family on Television." Encylopedia of Television. 1st ed. 1 vols. Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn, 1997.

Wiesblat, Tinky "Dakota". "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." Encylopedia of Television. 1st ed. 1 vols. Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn, 1997.