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Dow on his luck: 10 Tony Dow quotes about his time as Wally
The Tao of Dow.
Close your eyes and picture the perfect older brother. You pictured Wally, right? That's because Tony Dow, as Wally on Leave it To Beaver created one of the most indelible elder siblings of all time. Tony Dow made us all want to be better to our siblings, and for that, he should be applauded.
Of the two actors who played siblings on Beaver, Jerry Mathers definitely had more chance to go on the record. He was interviewed much more, and his thoughts are readily available in lots of places. Tony Dow wasn't profiled nearly as often, but when he was, he gave eloquent insight into his life and career. In September 1987, Dow was interviewed in the Mount Vernon Argus where he was able to give a few thoughts 30 years after the start of Beaver. Again in 2003, Dow gave a great interview, this time with the Kansas City Star. The further passage of time granted the actor even more perspective.
Collected here are 10 quotes from Tony Dow about his career, his co-stars and what it was like to be Wally.
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"It's rare for me. It scares me to death every time I have to do it."
2. Regarding re-runs
"It's sort of like there's a disconnect. I mean, I know it was me. I was on the show. But I can watch it and be divorced from it."
3. How was his performance?
"Some of the real early ones, I cringe, because of my lack of acting ability. But that's one of the charms of the show."
4. Leave it to Jerry
"Jerry [Mathers, the Beaver] was an actor. He was unbelievably good. Every line he read was perfect. he was amazing."
5. Feelings on fandom
"I could never understand the reaction that Jerry or I would get from people. [...] All of a sudden I realized what it is. I mean, I don't know what it is - but it happened to me. I just got that warm feeling and smiled and thought, 'You know, that's really cool."
6. Screen similarities
"Wally is much more conservative. He's a neat guy, a nice, likable, honest guy who's there when people need him. I tend to be honest and loyal."
7. Memories with Mathers
"As kids, we played a lot of ball together. The director and producers were concerned with genuinely creating a family and in treating Jerry and I like the kids next door."
8. On Hugh Beaumont
"He wasn't an easy guy to know. He was very moody, introspective. He was a complex guy, but certainly worth knowing."
9. Returning as Wally
"I do other things also. I do plays and episodic television. If it's available to do and there's an interesting project to continue it, I'll do it.
10. The show's legacy
"Leave It To Beaver is not just a show. It's a phenomenon."
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23 Comments
and Eddie Haskell.
And the producers really did create a sincerity with the show. I like the chemistry between Beaver and Wally, but I think the interaction between June and Ward is some of the most intelligent writing of the era. They were both smart, and were both always communicating things besides the literal dialog.
Wally had a number of funny quotes on the series:
"Are you giving me the business?"
"Look, don't get sloppy on me. I might just slug you one."
"Dry up, Beaver."
"Just watch what your sayin' Beaver or I'm liable to clop you one."
"Are you being a wise guy?"
(June Cleaver) "Wally, where are you going?"
(Wally Cleaver) "I'm going over to slug Eddie."
(June Cleaver) "That's no way to talk, this is Sunday."
(Wally Cleaver) "You're right, I'll wait 'til tomorrow and slug him in the cafeteria."
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He had others too, that were funny.
