Show Specs
Leave It to Beaver, CBS
Main characters are Beaver Cleaver, Wally Cleaver, June and Ward Cleaver, and Eddie Haskell.
Storyline
In a 1958 episode of Leave It to Beaver entitled, "Voodoo Magic," Eddie, Wally and the Beaver are headed to the movies to see both "Voodoo Curse" and "Massacre at Blood River." Wally and the Beaver's mother, June, wants them to see something a little tamer and forbids them to watch either movie. They defy her and end up watching "Voodoo Curse," after Eddie convinces both Wally and Beaver to go.
Upon returning home, June asks Wally and Beaver about the movie that they saw, having mentioned that they should see something a little more child centered such as Pinocchio. The brothers end up getting caught in a lie and are grounded. Beaver feels hurt that he got into trouble as a result of Eddie and vows revenge. To soothe having been grounded for a few days, Beaver makes a voodoo doll of Eddie. When Eddie does not show up to school the following morning after he makes the doll, Beaver begins to believe that there is something to the voodoo. Both June and Ward discover what Beaver has been up to after Eddie starts believing that Beaver has indeed utilized voodoo. Eddie’s father shouts at the Cleavers in an attempt to make them realize that Eddie’s claims are factual – that Beaver has effectively used the doll to make Eddie sense. Both of the Cleavers assert that it is simply in Eddie’s mind. Eddie starts feeling better and the episode ends with Ward noting that he knew all the time that it was a necessary lesson for each of the boys to learn about defiance.
Fashion Discussion & June Cleaver
Women's fashion started becoming more chic and elegant in the late 40s and into the 50s. Specifically, many of the clothes that women wore during that time tend to use a significant amount of lavish fabrics as well as line cuts. Moreover, the styles tend to focus on the hips and bust area of the woman's body. World War II essentially changed society in that trends started becoming much more popular due in part to the social role that women played during and after the war. The following picture shows how fashion was for women during the late 1940s up until the early 1960s.
This style is reflected in June Cleaver's clothing that she wore in the Leave It to Beaver episode "Voodoo Magic." At the onset of the episode she is wearing an outfit similar to the green one reflected in the preceding picture, even though she is wearing an apron over it. She is wearing a similar outfit when June and Ward confront Beaver and Wally about going to see the movie that June asked them not to see. She is also wearing a white pearl necklace as well. Arguably, much of the style associated with the late 1940s until the early 1960s fashion has extended to modern fashion. The following image reflects the similar conceptualization associated with post World War II fashion.
One prominent designer, Christian Dior still utilizes the "sophisticated tailoring and showstopping exquisite[ness]" (Dior, The New Look Revolution). In this particular photo, the woman’s suit is very similar with the neckline and the emphasis on the hips. The design of the outfit is meant to draw immediate attention to both areas, which is comparable to the earlier photo and the fashion that June Cleaver wore in the episode of Leave It to Beaver. It appears as though Dior has paid substantial attention to the exquisiteness and new look that encompassed much of the women’s fashion after World War II, ensuring that the trendy and more luxurious look continues.
Works Cited
"Dior, the New Look revolution." Christian Dior, 2016. Web. 21 July 2016. <http://www.dior.com/couture/en_us/the-house-of-dior/exhibitions/the-new-look-revolution>.
Leave It to Beaver - "Voodoo Magic". Dir. Norman Tokar. Perf. Barbara Billingsley | Jerry Mathers. CBS, 1958. Film.
"Modern Dior Women's Clothing Image." Denimjeansobserver. 2016. Web. 26 July 2016. <http://www.denimjeansobserver.com/mag/designer-denim-jeans-fashion/2016/ss-resort/brands-d/christian-dior-2016-resort-cruise-pre-spring-womens-fashion-runway-plaid-check-curved-foil-pleats-dress-mesh-bubble-palace-cannes-15x.jpg>.
"1950s Fashion Image." Fashion eZine, n.d. Web. 23 July 2016. <http://fashion.lilithezine.com/images/1950s-Fashion-10.jpg>.
