Martha Bronson is a fictional recurring character in the American
television sitcom Leave It to Beaver. "Aunt Martha," as she is known
in the series, appears in five of the show's 234 episodes and is
mentioned occasionally but not seen. The character is portrayed by
Madge Kennedy.In the 1997 film adaptation of the series, Leave It to
Beaver, Aunt Martha is played by Barbara Billingsley. Billingsley
portrayed June Cleaver in the original series.In the 1997 film
adaptation of the series, Leave It to Beaver, Aunt Martha is played by
Barbara Billingsley. Billingsley portrayed June Cleaver in the
original series.Aunt Martha (Bronson) is June Cleaver's spinster aunt.
June credits Martha with raising her and says Aunt Martha was
practically the only mother she ever knew. June spent summers as a
girl with her. Beaver was named for Aunt Martha's brother, Theodore,
and, in one episode, Beaver receives her brother's heirloom ring. The
boys call Martha their "umbrella aunt" because she once gave them
umbrellas on their birthdays. Martha lives within a few hours of
Mayfield at Riverside. In one episode, the boys take a train trip to
her house, and, in another episode, Beaver visits her for the
weekend.Martha makes her first appearance in the first season episode,
"Beaver's Short Pants" when she steps in to take care of Ward and the
boys while June visits an out-of-town sister who has given birth.
Martha's "old maid" mindset and way of doing things irks the rugged
Cleaver males. Martha prepares milk toast for breakfast, for example,
and eggplant for dinner. She insists on buying Beaver a short pants
suit for school. However, as Beaver is leaving for school, Ward calls
him into the garage and gives Beaver a set of "regular" clothes to
wear. In relief and gratitude, Beaver gives his father a quick kiss on
the cheek. In this episode, Aunt Martha was picked up at the airport
so presumably she lived further away than Riverside. Martha Bronson Top Movies & Young Movies