Leave It to Beaver (TV Series) Lumpy's Scholarship (1963) User Reviews

Humanizing Lumpy

[MichaelMartinDeSapio · 9/10 · 18 November 2015]

Lumpy Rutherford's college football scholarship - a source of great pride and joy to him - is revoked when it transpires that he got a "D" in math. This is an embarrassing let-down for Lumpy, as he had been riding high with his classmates and even with the girls (a rarity for him) and had been briefly the apple of his father's eye. "Lumpy's Scholarship" is a defining episode for Clarence "Lumpy" Rutherford, humanizing this often buffoonish and unsympathetic character; when Lumpy's father Fred phones him in the middle of a party in his honor to bawl him out, our sympathy goes out to old Lump. Even Ward and June, not typically prone to lavish praise Wally's friends, sympathize with him and try to help him out.

Both this episode and "The Merchant Marine," a Lumpy-centered episode from Season 5, are like well-written mini stage plays. The episode plays upon a number of typical themes of postwar American culture, such as the desire for success and being well-liked - themes which are also found in the serious drama of the period, like DEATH OF A SALESMAN. The dynamic between Lumpy and his dad is quite dysfunctional; but after Ward engineers a successful outcome to the dilemma, their friendship is restored and we are left with the picture of them beaming at each other. Altogether an outstanding episode.

A rare Lumpy-centric episode

[AlsExGal · 8/10 · 15 May 2024]

Wally, a good overall athlete and excellent student, gets notice that he did not get an athletic scholarship from State U. At the same time, Lumpy gets notice that he did get an athletic scholarship from State U. Lumpy is an OK student, but he's an absolutely wonderful guard - a key position on State's football team that needs filling.

For the first time in his life Lumpy is the center of attention in a good way. The guys laud him, The girls gather round him. He's even got Eddie jealous because the new girl he likes can talk of nothing but Lumpy. Wally throws a party for Lumpy at his house complete with his classmates, presents, and a cake shaped like a football field.

Then Lumpy gets word - in the middle of the party from his own father - that the scholarship offer has been rescinded because of a D that Lumpy got in mathematics. His dad makes him feel like a bonehead over the phone, and that attitude carries into the party, because Lumpy can't bear to tell everyone what has happened, but he also feels like a fake accepting congratulations and gifts given the circumstances. How will this all work out? Watch and find out.

Lumpy started out a real malevolent bullying presence in season one, and has gradually been toned down to where even Eddie Haskell bosses him around under ordinary circumstances, even though Lumpy makes three of Eddie.

Note that June's dancing school Saturdays for the boys back in the early seasons has all been brought to naught since dancing now is mainly just gyrating to the music in free form.

Jerry Mathers a great dancer

[vitoscotti · 10/10 · 1 September 2021]

Fred is the anti-Ward. Not a lot of good qualities. Ward again shows remarkable restraint with Fred. Wally & Beaver's classmates are constantly changing in season 6. Episode a showcase for Fred. The dance scene at the party is a classic.

Jerry Mathers and Frank Bank are very light on their feet.

Social connections do matter.

[PWNYCNY · 23 March 2019]

Lumpy. who is considered a jerk and a loser, gets a football scholarship. of course, Lumpy's father is elated, and everyone else in Lumpy's social circle are amazed. Yet they are happy for him. Wally explains that through hard work Lumpy became the best player on the team, so the scholarship is deserved. Then, disaster. Lumpy's father learns that the university will deny Lumpy the scholarship because Lumpy got a D in math. Lumpy is gloomy. In fact, he is depressed. Then Ward Cleaver enters the picture. In a magnanimous gesture, he says he will call someone he knows who works at the university to discuss Lumpy's scholarship. the next scene, Lumpy's father tells Ward that the school will defer denying the scholarship while Lumpy retakes the math class in summer school. The episode ends with everyone happy. Now, the theme of this episode: influence matters. Ward used his connection to help Lumpy keep a scholarship for which he was not qualified. If it were some other student other than Lumpy, the denial would have stuck. Who else does Ward Cleaver know? How extensive is his social connection network? Great episode.

LUMPY'S SCHOLARSHIP BUMMER TRIP!

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 2 November 2023]

Hugh Beaumont did a fine job directing this episode, and so many others. When the series ended he should have continued as a tv director. The producers of MANNIX liked him very much and he appeared frequently on that show, it's a shame he didn't also direct one or two episodes. He got some good performances out of the cast through the years, comparable to David Butler.

As much as this is a comedy story, it has its poignant moments with Lumpy riding high, having been notified he has been granted a college scholarship. And just as fast --- he loses the darn thing when it turns out he actually had low grades in math. OMG.

Obviously, Wally is caught up in the academic nightmare, but being a loyal friend, decides to throw a party for Lump anyway. Once again, Wally the inspiration to all of us kids back in the day. This is very well written and acted on the parts of everyone. Fred Rutherford (Richard Deacon) gets into the mix, also sinking with the ship, although there's a silver lining where Mr. Cleaver may be able to pull some strings and change the course of history. Or is that tv sitcom history?

You be the judge.

As the last reviewer mentioned, there's a cool party scene and Beave gets to dance the night away, and to tell y'all the truth, that's what everybody probably tuned in to see in the first place.

Look for pretty Ahna Capri, as Cinda Dunsworth. This was her second appearance on the show, last playing a girl named Cindy. Note the change in names? Ahna was a popular child actress, soon joining Warner Brothers tv to become an adult star, in such shows as MAVERICK, CHEYENNE and 77 SUNSET STRIP.

She is missed, having died in a car accident in later years.

See this one and remember all those high school math tests! SEASON 6, EPISODE 24 remastered dvd box set. 2011 release.

A disappointment in many ways

[pensman · 6/10 · 2 June 2017]

Wally gets his letter about a scholarship, he didn't get it; but Lumpy received a four-year scholarship to State. And Just after Ward was talking about the importance of . . . well, it doesn't matter now. But Lumpy? Wally figures the best he can do is be a good sport and throw a party. For now, Eddie is taking charge of Lumpy, God help Lumpy. Now the girls are lining up to meet Clarence. Of course, Fred Rutherford is even more obnoxious than usual, if that's possible. He was considering Lumpy, Clarence, for MIT or Princeton, but State is a pretty good school. Wally can no doubt get a fine education at one of the smaller schools.

The party is underway and the guest of honor arrives. Everything is fine until Lumpy receives a call, it's daddy calling the big oaf. The D in mathematics means Lumpy is a big boob, no scholarship. Well, there is still MIT.

The Cleavers even have a special cake for the Lump. Lumpy hasn't told anyone the news. Next day at work, Fred Rutherford actually thanks Ward and Wally. Fred has to explain how disappointed he is, what did he do wrong to be treated so badly. Can Ward explain it? Ward can but Fred isn't listening. Lumpy didn't turn up at school, maybe he ate too much cake. Lump turns up to tell Wally what happened. Maybe he will live with grandma and finish school is Porterville. Even Braver feels sorry for Lumpy.

Ward calls Dick Cramer, he handles scholarships at State, and helps Lumpy out. Fred Rutherford calls and once again Fred takes all the credit. Obviously, the fellows at State realized what they could be losing, blah, blah, blah.

Not sure what was learned from this episode. Throughout the series, Lumpy has never distinguished himself. It has been pretty clear that Lumpy was never a student. Many episodes even have him bested by Eddie. I find it difficult to reconcile that Lumpy would be picked for a four year scholarship over Wally for any reason. I believe the writers would have been truer to the character had he lost his scholarship period. I gather the need for a "happy" ending prevailed.