The Bus Ride

Producers Joe Connelly and Bob Mosher must have put aside some "notes" from the previous bus episode, where Beave and Wally ran out of money. In this case, the guys have money for the trip, BUT... get separated in one EZ lesson. In a way, a take on something Abbott & Costello, or Laurel & Hardy would get themselves into.

I agree with the last reviewer, this does bring back memories of our own travel experiences as kids (both good and bad)? Beave is on his way to see a friend who now lives out in the country. Since Ward and June have a prior commitment, Wally goes along for the ride, just in case something happens-- and something happens. When the bus comes to a rest stop, the guys grab some munchies, and just like that, Beave climbs aboard the wrong bus going back home, while Wally is on the right bus, on his way to see Beaver's friend?

You have to admit one thing, at least Beave returns home safe.

Look for popular character actor Douglas Evans, as a bus passenger, who was in some classic movies. He also held the distinction of appearing 10 times on PERRY MASON.

A deluxe comedy of errors. SEASON 2 EPISODE 24 remastered Universal dvd box set. Collectors edition with a color cover.

Wally should never have left Beaver out of his sight and when Ward was told what happened he should've punished Wally for being so dangerously irresponsible with his brother. And Beaver knew he was going to Crystal Falls, so it's odd he would say the Mayfield bus to the ticket man. But it's all still Wally's fault because he was responsible for him.

It's good June wasn't told what happened though because she probably would've had a heart attack on the spot and never recovered. Good episode though.

(*Ward Cleaver quote*) - "Oh. Yes. The monster has returned to his cave."

Beaver is going to Crystal Falls to visit his old friend Billy Payton for the weekend.

Wally accompanies Beaver on the bus to make sure that he arrives safe.

At Elmhurst there's a mix-up and Beaver and Wally end up on separate buses, going in opposite directions.

90 miles on a bus. Sounds like a piece of cake, right? Not if you're Beaver Cleaver it's not. It's more like a trip to the Moon, fraught with perils, especially for little boys who don't pay attention to details and let themselves get distracted by comic books.

And what the hell was Wally doing leaving his little brother Beaver alone in a strange bus station? Poor Beaver could have been grabbed by Jack The Ripper! Even worse, Beaver gets on the wrong bus and ends up going one way while Wally is going another way. Wait.....that wasn't the plan!

This is a cute and funny episode that will bring back all sorts of memories of traveling on buses while surrounded by strangers. And that's quite an adventure for any little boy or girl. Adventure is so close at hand when you're a child. As an adult adventures are much harder to find and are usually very, very expensive.

Beaver gets invited to Crystal Falls, about 90 miles away, to see an ex-neighborhood kid who moved there. It gives him a chance to spend a couple of days on a farm. Ward offers to take him there but June reminds him of a prior plans they made. Wally offers to accompany Beaver on the bus to Crystal Falls. Ward thinks that's great while June, of course, being the cautious mom she is, has reservations.

Anyway, the two kids leave. The bus stops for a quick break and the boys go get more food. Wally, irresponsibly,tells Beaver - who went to buy some comic books - he'll meet him back on the bus. Well, Beaver goes to the wrong bus, the bus going back to Mayfield. He arrives home while Wally arrives in Crystal Falls.

How do they get out of this mess?

This is no real moral to this story as there usually is, except perhaps sometimes it's better to tell mom something later, especially with a worry-wort like June Cleaver.