The Cleaver family lived in a fictional town called Mayfield. The U.S.A. setting was ambiguous on purpose, but that didn’t stop fans from trying to locate the utopian suburb. Some decided Mayfield was in Ohio because Wally attended school near Shaker Heights.
But, in one episode, Beaver says they live 30 miles from the beach. There are also some indications that Mayfield is in Wisconsin because the Cleavers were Packer fans. In another Wisconsin hint, Wally says his high school band played in Madison.
Dow Took a Dig at the Typecast
In 1977, Tony had his chance to air his ire. Appearing in the film "Kentucky Fried Movie," Dow parodied Wally with a wicked skit. In a courthouse scene, Wally and the Beave are engaged in one of their typical brother-to-brother banters.
But as full-grown men, it’s a hilarious caricature of the golly-gee, happy-go-lucky Cleaver boys.
Before Ward Cleaver, Hugh Beaumont Played No-Nonsense Cop Roles
Beaumont was known for playing the lead in crime dramas, but he truly appreciated playing Ward Cleaver.
As an ordained minister, he said characters like private detective Michael Shayne, who he starred in several movies, were not fitting for a priest. He’d rather be remembered for Ward, and he was.
Mayfield Started as a Ford Town but Ended up Chrysler
Early in the series, everyone in town drove a Ford. Those with a sharp eye will notice that all of that changed when Chrysler made a deal to sponsor the show.
In the first few seasons of "Leave it to Beaver," Ward Cleavers’ family car is a 1957 Ford Custom. Later, he was behind the wheel of a 1959 Plymouth Fury and eventually drove a 1961 Plymouth Belvedere.
Despite its Enduring Popularity, the Show Was Not a Hit
"Leave it to Beaver" is the quintessential 1950 TV program, but during its run, it never made it to the top 10 in ratings.
Not once did the program hit Nielsen’s top 30 rated shows. Surprisingly, they were beaten out by programs that are now virtually unknown, like "The Ann Sothern Show" and "The Ford Show."