Popular child actor Barry Curtis plays Johnny Franklin, one of those long lost friends in tv land who pops out of nowhere? This time it's all about Wally, who is way inspired at the sight of the "new" Johnny, dressed in uniform, and an alum of a distinguished military academy. Guess who wants to join?
This story hits home, so true to life, as all us kids were always in search of something new, something BIG --only to have second thoughts. Of course, Eddie enters the picture with bad news of how his father is always anxious to send him away somewhere, just to get rid of him! At the precisely wrong time, Ward seems to like the whole idea...
Say it isn't so!
The big switch here; June is outright opposed to it. I agree with the last reviewer, it all gets kind of confusing, due to the fact that many seasons later June thought it would be a good idea for Beave to leave home for boarding school? Rule Number One: writers have to do the research.
That said, series writer Dick Conway did a fine job with the script, and it's actually a very good episode, for a change of pace, centering around Wally, who was really growing up fast.
By the way, Barry Curtis was perhaps the most distinguished child actor to appear on the show. He was in many top tv adventure series, and even appeared in an ABBOTT AND COSTELLO movie.
He retired a few years later and entered college, eventually transferring to Harvard where he graduated with a Phd in psychology. He later relocated to Hawaii and taught at the University of Hawaii for many years until his death.
Dedicated to all us soldiers of fortune! From SEASON 1 remastered Universal dvd box set. With a classic cover for fans.