Father Knows Best (1954)

7.6/10 Comedy Family
Father Knows Best

Quick Facts

Premiered
Oct 1954
Runtime
30 mins
Language
English
Status
Ended

External Links

IMDb TheTVDB TVRage TV Maze

Networks

NBC

Storyline

Father Knows Best portrayed a family that was surprising similar to real people. The parents managed to ride through almost any family situation without violent injury to their dignity, and the three Anderson youngsters were presented as decently behaved children who respected and loved their parents. A newspaper critic at the time wrote that "Jim Anderson may be the first intelligent father permitted on TV since they invented the thing".

Episodes

Episode 1: Art of Salesmanship Aired: Aug 31, 1955
Episode 2: Father's Private Life Aired: Sep 07, 1955
Episode 3: Lessons in Civics Aired: Sep 14, 1955
Episode 4: First Disillusionment Aired: Sep 21, 1955
Episode 5: Woman in the House Aired: Sep 28, 1955
Episode 6: New Girl at School Aired: Oct 05, 1955
Episode 7: Kathy Makes Magic Aired: Oct 12, 1955
Episode 8: Advantage to Betty Aired: Oct 19, 1955
Episode 9: The Big Test Aired: Oct 26, 1955
Episode 10: Father is a Dope Aired: Nov 02, 1955
Episode 11: Spirit of Youth Aired: Nov 09, 1955
Episode 12: Bud, the Ladykiller Aired: Nov 16, 1955
Episode 13: Margaret's Premonition Aired: Nov 30, 1955
Episode 14: Stage to Yuma Aired: Dec 07, 1955
Episode 15: Bad Influence Aired: Dec 14, 1955
Episode 16: Betty Hates Carter Aired: Dec 28, 1955
Episode 17: Jim, the Tyrant Aired: Jan 04, 1956
Episode 18: Betty's Brother Aired: Jan 11, 1956
Episode 19: Betty Earns a Formal Aired: Jan 18, 1956
Episode 20: The House Painter Aired: Jan 25, 1956
Episode 21: Bud, the Wallflower Aired: Feb 01, 1956
Episode 22: The Bus to Nowhere Aired: Feb 08, 1956
Episode 23: Kathy, the Indian Giver Aired: Feb 15, 1956
Episode 24: The Historical Andersons Aired: Feb 22, 1956
Episode 25: The Grass is Greener Aired: Feb 29, 1956
Episode 26: The Persistent Guest Aired: Mar 07, 1956
Episode 27: Family Reunion Aired: Mar 14, 1956
Episode 28: Family Dines Out Aired: Mar 28, 1956
Episode 29: Bud, the Boxer Aired: Apr 04, 1956
Episode 30: Betty, Girl Engineer Aired: Apr 11, 1956
Episode 31: The Martins and the Coys Aired: Apr 18, 1956
Episode 32: Dilemma for Margaret Aired: Apr 25, 1956
Episode 33: Hero Father Aired: May 02, 1956
Episode 34: Father, the Naturalist Aired: May 09, 1956
Episode 35: The Ten Dollar Question Aired: May 16, 1956
Episode 36: Adopted Daughter Aired: May 23, 1956
Episode 37: Betty's Graduation Aired: May 30, 1956

Episode 1: No Apron Strings Aired: Sep 12, 1956
Episode 2: Never in Twain Aired: Sep 19, 1956
Episode 3: Betty Goes to College Aired: Sep 26, 1956
Episode 4: Man About Town Aired: Oct 03, 1956
Episode 5: The Homing Pigeon Aired: Oct 10, 1956
Episode 6: Spaghetti for Margaret Aired: Oct 17, 1956
Episode 7: Betty's Birthday Aired: Oct 24, 1956
Episode 8: Bud, the Millionaire Aired: Oct 31, 1956
Episode 9: The Old Days Aired: Nov 07, 1956
Episode 10: Whistle Bait Aired: Nov 14, 1956
Episode 11: The Great Guy Aired: Nov 21, 1956
Episode 12: The Family Goes to New York Aired: Nov 28, 1956
Episode 13: Betty Goes Steady Aired: Dec 05, 1956
Episode 14: The Good Prospect Aired: Dec 12, 1956
Episode 15: The Angel's Sweater Aired: Dec 19, 1956
Episode 16: The Promising Young Man Aired: Dec 26, 1956
Episode 17: Margaret Hires a Gardener Aired: Jan 02, 1957
Episode 18: Swiss Family Anderson Aired: Jan 09, 1957
Episode 19: Brief Holiday Aired: Jan 16, 1957
Episode 20: The Lawn Party Aired: Jan 23, 1957
Episode 21: Short Wave Aired: Jan 30, 1957
Episode 22: Carnival Aired: Feb 06, 1957
Episode 23: Betty and the Jet Pilot Aired: Feb 13, 1957
Episode 24: Trip to Hillsborough Aired: Feb 20, 1957
Episode 25: An Evening to Remember Aired: Feb 27, 1957
Episode 26: Bud Buys a Car Aired: Mar 13, 1957
Episode 27: Safety First Aired: Mar 20, 1957
Episode 28: Bud, the Hero Aired: Mar 27, 1957
Episode 29: Betty, the Track Star Aired: Apr 03, 1957
Episode 30: The Spelling Bee Aired: Apr 17, 1957
Episode 31: Bud, the Philanthropist Aired: Apr 24, 1957
Episode 32: Baby in the House Aired: May 01, 1957
Episode 33: Class Prophecy Aired: May 08, 1957
Episode 34: The Art of Romance Aired: May 15, 1957
Episode 35: Margaret Disowns Her Family Aired: May 22, 1957
Episode 36: Grandpa Retires Aired: May 29, 1957
Episode 37: Shoot for the Moon Aired: Jun 05, 1957

Episode 1: Follow the Leader Aired: Sep 25, 1957
Episode 2: The Awkward Hero Aired: Oct 02, 1957
Episode 3: The Good Neighbor Aired: Oct 09, 1957
Episode 4: Bud, the Executive Aired: Oct 16, 1957
Episode 5: Sentenced to Happiness Aired: Oct 23, 1957
Episode 6: Mother Goes to School Aired: Oct 30, 1957
Episode 7: The Indispensable Man Aired: Nov 06, 1957
Episode 8: Kathy's Big Chance Aired: Nov 13, 1957
Episode 9: Margaret Learns to Drive Aired: Nov 20, 1957
Episode 10: The Way of a Dictator Aired: Dec 04, 1957
Episode 11: Mr. Beal Meets His Match Aired: Dec 11, 1957
Episode 12: Kathy Makes a Wish Aired: Dec 25, 1957
Episode 13: Man with a Plan Aired: Jan 01, 1958
Episode 14: Big Sister Aired: Jan 08, 1958
Episode 15: Calypso Kid Aired: Jan 15, 1958
Episode 16: Father's Biography Aired: Jan 22, 1958
Episode 17: The Rivals Aired: Jan 29, 1958
Episode 18: Bud, the Mind Reader Aired: Feb 05, 1958
Episode 19: Margaret's Other Family Aired: Feb 12, 1958
Episode 20: The Trial Aired: Feb 19, 1958
Episode 21: Revenge is Sweet Aired: Feb 26, 1958
Episode 22: Country Cousin Aired: Mar 05, 1958
Episode 23: Poor Old Dad Aired: Mar 12, 1958
Episode 24: Betty's Crusade Aired: Mar 19, 1958
Episode 25: Young Love Aired: Mar 26, 1958
Episode 26: Tell It to Mom Aired: Apr 02, 1958
Episode 27: A Friend in Need Aired: Apr 16, 1958
Episode 28: A Medal for Margaret Aired: Apr 23, 1958
Episode 29: The Weaker Sex Aired: Apr 30, 1958
Episode 30: Jim, the Answer Man Aired: May 14, 1958
Episode 31: Bud Quits School Aired: May 21, 1958
Episode 32: A Matter of Pride Aired: Jun 04, 1958
Episode 33: Betty Finds a Cause Aired: Jun 11, 1958

Episode 1: Vine Covered Cottage Aired: Sep 15, 1958
Episode 2: Be Kind to Bud Week Aired: Sep 22, 1958
Episode 3: Kathy's Romance Aired: Sep 29, 1958
Episode 4: Voice from the Past Aired: Oct 06, 1958
Episode 5: Frank's Family Tress Aired: Oct 13, 1958
Episode 6: Always Plan Ahead Aired: Oct 20, 1958
Episode 7: Second Wedding Aired: Oct 27, 1958
Episode 8: Bud, the Caretaker Aired: Nov 03, 1958
Episode 9: Betty, the Pioneer Woman Aired: Nov 10, 1958
Episode 10: Fair Exchange Aired: Nov 17, 1958
Episode 11: Bud, the Snob Aired: Nov 24, 1958
Episode 12: Margaret Wins a Car Aired: Dec 01, 1958
Episode 13: The Great Experiment Aired: Dec 08, 1958
Episode 14: The Christmas Story Aired: Dec 15, 1958
Episode 15: The Basketball Coach Aired: Dec 22, 1958
Episode 16: Kathy, Girl Executive Aired: Dec 29, 1958
Episode 17: The Good Samaritan Aired: Jan 05, 1959
Episode 18: The Ideal Father Aired: Jan 12, 1959
Episode 19: Big Shot Bud Aired: Jan 19, 1959
Episode 20: Hard Luck Leo Aired: Jan 26, 1959
Episode 21: Bud, the Campus Romeo Aired: Feb 02, 1959
Episode 22: Crisis Over a Kiss Aired: Feb 09, 1959
Episode 23: Kathy Grows Up Aired: Feb 16, 1959
Episode 24: A Man of Merit Aired: Feb 23, 1959
Episode 25: Betty Makes a Choice Aired: Mar 02, 1959
Episode 26: It's a Small World Aired: Mar 09, 1959
Episode 27: Two Loves Has Bud Aired: Mar 16, 1959
Episode 28: An Extraordinary Woman Aired: Mar 23, 1959
Episode 29: The Art of Romance Aired: Mar 30, 1959
Episode 30: Formula for Happiness Aired: Apr 06, 1959
Episode 31: Bud and the Debutante Aired: Apr 13, 1959
Episode 32: The Promised Playhouse Aired: Apr 20, 1959
Episode 33: The Meanest Professor Aired: Apr 27, 1959
Episode 34: Live My Own Life Aired: May 04, 1959
Episode 35: Bud Has a Problem Aired: May 11, 1959
Episode 36: The Great Anderson Mystery Aired: May 18, 1959
Episode 37: Margaret Goes Dancing Aired: May 25, 1959
Episode 38: The Gold Turnip Aired: Jun 01, 1959

Episode 1: A Day in the Country Aired: Oct 05, 1959
Episode 2: Bud Branches Out Aired: Oct 12, 1959
Episode 3: The Gardener's Big Day Aired: Oct 19, 1959
Episode 4: The Imposter Aired: Oct 26, 1959
Episode 5: Bud Plays It Safe Aired: Nov 02, 1959
Episode 6: Bicycle Trip for Two Aired: Nov 09, 1959
Episode 7: First Disillusionment Aired: Nov 16, 1959
Episode 8: Margaret's Old Flame Aired: Nov 23, 1959
Episode 9: Kathy Becomes a Girl Aired: Nov 30, 1959
Episode 10: Bud, the Willing Worker Aired: Dec 07, 1959
Episode 11: Turn the Other Cheek Aired: Dec 14, 1959
Episode 12: Good Joke on Mom Aired: Dec 28, 1959
Episode 13: Betty's Double Aired: Jan 04, 1960
Episode 14: Father, the Naturalist Aired: Jan 11, 1960
Episode 15: Bud Hides Behind a Skirt Aired: Jan 18, 1960
Episode 16: Togetherness Aired: Jan 25, 1960
Episode 17: Second Best Aired: Feb 01, 1960
Episode 18: Kathy's Big Deception Aired: Feb 08, 1960
Episode 19: Cupid Knows Best Aired: Feb 15, 1960
Episode 20: The Big Test Aired: Feb 22, 1960
Episode 21: Jim's Big Surprise Aired: Feb 29, 1960
Episode 22: Time to Retire Aired: Mar 07, 1960
Episode 23: Bud, the Speculator Aired: Mar 14, 1960
Episode 24: The $500 Letter Aired: Mar 21, 1960
Episode 25: Adopted Daughter Aired: Mar 28, 1960
Episode 26: Family Contest Aired: Apr 04, 1960
Episode 27: Love and Learn Aired: Apr 11, 1960
Episode 28: Blind Date Aired: Apr 18, 1960
Episode 29: Betty's Career Problem Aired: Apr 25, 1960
Episode 30: Bud Lives It Up Aired: May 09, 1960
Episode 31: Not His Type Aired: May 16, 1960
Episode 32: Betty's Graduation Aired: May 23, 1960

Cast

Robert Young
Robert Young
James "Jim" Anderson, Sr.
Jane Wyatt
Jane Wyatt
Margaret Anderson
Billy Gray
Billy Gray
James "Bud" Anderson, Jr
Elinor Donahue
Elinor Donahue
Betty "Princess" Anderson
Lauren Chapin
Lauren Chapin
Kathy "Kitten" Anderson