Review of In the Soup

Older brother Wally is having his first High School party. He does not want his younger brother Beaver around to cause problems. It is decided that Beaver will stay at his old pal ''Whitey Whitney's" house on the party night. However,along the walk to Whitey's house,we have Beaver's childhood curiosity getting the better of him. After discussion with Whitey,Beaver starts climbing up a big advertising billboard that has what looks like a steaming cup of soup at the very top of the billboard-a good 25+ feet off the ground. Beaver wants to investigate how the steam is made,his pal thinks that there is real soup in the giant cup,Beaver disagrees, and they wager on it-and up he goes! All kids like to climb,so this episode is very easy to relate to. We've all done this sort of stuff to some extent,it is all part of being a kid. Fortunately,Beaver does not fall off the billboard onto the ground,but he does end-up stuck in the steaming soup cup! Naturally this situation snowballs and ends-up eclipsing older brother Wally's party...the same party that Beaver was supposed to be avoiding by sleeping over his pal's house to begin with. It is interesting to see the young party-goers dressed up so nice just for a house party,people had class for sure back then. ("I don't wanna wear a tie" just didn't work then) Anyhow,before long,the fire department arrives, and everyone from the party,(plus neighbors, passers-by,etc) are there to see the fire department 'rescue' Beaver. After Beaver gets back on the ground,he chats nonchalantly with everyone,enjoying the attention he is getting. Ward Cleaver, Beaver's father is so cool that after a short discussion he even allows Beaver to carry-on and go stay overnight with Whitey like they had planned. After Ward aggrees to let Beaver continue on to Whitey's house,Ward makes sure to mention that they will 'Talk' when he returns from Whitey's the next day. In other words,it is not over with completely, Beaver. (But Beaver knows that the worst part is past,Ward isn't that mad.) All in all a great episode. Well directed,well-written,great timing and acting,it all flows smoothly and the camera work is great also. They packed a lot into less than 30 minutes yet it never seems rushed. This really is a great episode of a great TV series,it will make the sourest sourpuss smile in spite of themselves. Watch for a good laugh!