RIP - Barbara Billingsley

foreverfan · 10-19-2010, 05:21 PM

June Cleaver: the other mom we loved

'Beaver's' mother still TV mom against which real-life moms are measured

NEW YORK — They were the moms every kid of that generation longed for.
They were the fantasy moms of 1950s sitcoms. Margaret Anderson of "Father Knows Best" (played by Jane Wyatt). Donna Stone of "The Donna Reed Show." Harriet Nelson in the TV version of her real-life self on "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet."

But towering above them all was Barbara Billingsley. It was 53 years ago that she became Beaver Cleaver's mom. And at her death on Saturday at age 94, she remained so for millions of "Leave It to Beaver" fans, as well as remaining their own mom, too, in some TV-generated alternative universe.

Story: 'Leave it to Beaver' mom dies

Nothing against real-life moms, of course. It's just that the sitcom moms that June Cleaver epitomized were a different breed. A dream. A standard of maternal excellence that (as any kid back then might have hoped at bad moments) real-life moms should take a few lessons from.

Billingsley's June: the other mom we loved - Entertainment - Television - TODAYshow.com

Saint_LB · 10-21-2010, 05:02 AM

She was kind of a prude...always warning Ward about being too hard on the Beaver.

foreverfan · 10-21-2010, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Saint_LB

She was kind of a prude...always warning Ward about being too hard on the Beaver.

My wife is a prude too.

10-19-2010, 05:21 PM	#1
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	RIP - Barbara Billingsley June Cleaver: the other mom we loved 'Beaver's' mother still TV mom against which real-life moms are measured NEW YORK — They were the moms every kid of that generation longed for. They were the fantasy moms of 1950s sitcoms. Margaret Anderson of "Father Knows Best" (played by Jane Wyatt). Donna Stone of "The Donna Reed Show." Harriet Nelson in the TV version of her real-life self on "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet." But towering above them all was Barbara Billingsley. It was 53 years ago that she became Beaver Cleaver's mom. And at her death on Saturday at age 94, she remained so for millions of "Leave It to Beaver" fans, as well as remaining their own mom, too, in some TV-generated alternative universe. Story: 'Leave it to Beaver' mom dies Nothing against real-life moms, of course. It's just that the sitcom moms that June Cleaver epitomized were a different breed. A dream. A standard of maternal excellence that (as any kid back then might have hoped at bad moments) real-life moms should take a few lessons from. Billingsley's June: the other mom we loved - Entertainment - Television - TODAYshow.com
	2019 Death of a Parrot. Last edited by foreverfan; 10-19-2010 at 05:24 PM..

10-21-2010, 05:02 AM	#2
Saint_LB Deuce Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,894	She was kind of a prude...always warning Ward about being too hard on the Beaver.
Saint_LB Deuce Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 2,894	Last edited by foreverfan; 10-21-2010 at 10:18 AM..

10-21-2010, 10:18 AM	#3
foreverfan 12,000 BS Posts Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Metairie, LA Posts: 13,457 Blog Entries: 5	Originally Posted by Saint_LB She was kind of a prude...always warning Ward about being too hard on the Beaver. My wife is a prude too.