| Father Knows Best | |
|---|---|
 Robert Young and Jane Wyatt as Jim and Margaret Anderson | |
| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by | Ed James |
| Directed by | Peter Tewksbury |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 6 |
| No. of episodes | 203 |
| Production | |
| Producers |
|
| Running time | 26 minutes |
| Production companies | Rodney-Young Productions Screen Gems |
| Original release | |
| Network | |
| Release | October 3, 1954 – May 23, 1960 |
Father Knows Best is an American sitcom starring Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin. The series, which began on radio in 1949, aired as a television show for six seasons and 203 episodes. Created by Ed James, Father Knows Best follows the lives of the Andersons, a middle-class family living in the town of Springfield. The state in which Springfield is located is never specified, but it is generally accepted to be located in the Midwestern United States.[1]
The television series debuted on CBS in October 1954. It ran for one season and was canceled by CBS but picked up by NBC, where it remained for three seasons. After cancellation by NBC in 1958, the series returned to CBS, where it aired until May 1960.
Radio
The series began on August 25, 1949, on NBC Radio. Set in the Midwest, it starred Robert Young as the General Insurance agent Jim Anderson. His wife Margaret was first portrayed by June Whitley and later by Jean Vander Pyl. The Anderson children were Betty (Rhoda Williams), Bud (Ted Donaldson) and Kathy (Norma Jean Nilsson). Others in the cast were Eleanor Audley, Herb Vigran, and Sam Edwards. Sponsored through most of its run by General Foods, the series was heard Thursday evenings on NBC until March 25, 1954.
On the radio program, the character of Jim differs from the later television character. The radio Jim is far more sarcastic and shows he really rules over his family. Jim also calls his children names, something common on radio but lost in the TV series. For example, Jim says, "What a bunch of stupid children I have." Margaret is portrayed as a paragon of solid reason and patience, unless the plot calls for her to act a bit off; for example, in a Halloween episode, Margaret cannot understand how a table floats in the air. But that is a rare exception.
Betty, on radio, is portrayed as a status-seeking, boy-crazy teenage girl. To her, every little thing is "the worst thing that could ever happen." Bud, on radio, is portrayed as an "all-American" boy who always seems to need "just a bit more" money, though he receives $1.25 (nearly $14.00 in 2021) per week in allowance. Bud is expected to always answer the phone, which he hates. He is also shown as a somewhat dim boy who takes everything literally; for example, Jim might say, "Go jump in the lake," to which Bud would reply, "Okay, Dad; which lake should I go jump into?" He also uses the phrase "Holy Cow!" to express displeasure. On radio, Kathy often is portrayed as a source of irritation. She whines, cries and complains about her status in the family. She often is a source of money for her brother and sister, although she is in hock several years on her own allowance.
In an interview published in the magazine Films of the Golden Age (Fall 2015), Young revealed about the radio program: "I never quite liked it because it had to have laughs. And I wanted a warm relationship show ... When we moved to TV I suggested an entirely new cast and different perspective."[2]
Television series
The May 27, 1954, episode of The Ford Television Theatre show was called "Keep It in the Family." This 26-minute episode stars Robert Young as Jim Warren, head of the Warren family. With him was wife Grace (Ellen Drew), older daughter Peggy (Sally Fraser), younger daughter Patty (Tina Thompson) and son Jeff (Gordon Gebert). Developed by Young and his partner Eugene Rodney, it was intended as a pilot for a Father Knows Best television series.[3] In the episode, Peggy dreams of making it as an actress, but a talent scout who has raised her hopes just wants people for his acting school.
Of the radio cast, only Robert Young remained when the series moved to CBS television:
- James "Jim" Anderson Sr.: Robert Young
- Margaret Anderson: Jane Wyatt
- Betty "Princess" Anderson: Elinor Donahue
- James "Bud" Anderson Jr.: Billy Gray
- Kathy "Kitten" Anderson: Lauren Chapin
The Andersons – top from left: Elinor Donahue, Robert Young, Jane Wyatt – bottom: Lauren Chapin, Billy Gray
Jim with daughter Kathy, 1957
The series premiered on October 3, 1954, on CBS, where it aired Sundays at 10 p.m. (ET). Lorillard's Kent cigarettes sponsored the show in its first season. After 13 episodes the sponsor decided not to renew it when its 26-week run ended. An article in the trade publication Billboard noted the program's cost (approximately $30,000 per week), the weakness of Honestly, Celeste! (its lead-in for most of the first 13 weeks), and reduction of sales of cigarettes because of a cancer scare.[4]
Scott Paper Company became the primary sponsor when the series moved to NBC in the fall of 1955, where it aired Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. (ET) for the next three seasons. Scott Paper remained as sponsor even after the show returned to CBS in September 1958, where it aired Mondays at 8:30 p.m. (ET) for the last two seasons, with Lever Brothers as an alternate sponsor from 1957 through 1960. A total of 203 episodes were produced, running until September 17, 1960, and appearing on all three of the television networks of the time, including prime-time repeats from September 1960 through April 1963.
As before, the character of Margaret was portrayed as a voice of reason, but Jim's character was softened to that of a thoughtful, yet Caspar Milquetoast-type father who offered sage advice in response to his children's problems. Jim was a salesman and manager of the General Insurance Company in Springfield, while Margaret was a housewife. Their home was located at 607 Maple Avenue. One history of the series characterized the Andersons as "truly an idealized family, the sort that viewers could relate to and emulate."[5] As the two eldest children aged from teenager to young adult, Betty (1956) and Bud (1959) graduated from high school and attended Springfield Junior College.
Vivi Janiss played the part of Myrtle Davis in 11 sporadic episodes from 1954 to 1959.
Father Knows Best had become so ingrained in American pop culture as an idyllic presentation of family life that in 1959, the U.S. Department of the Treasury commissioned a special 30-minute episode of the show titled "24 Hours in Tyrant Land".[5] Never aired on television, the episode—distributed to schools, churches and civic groups—promoted the purchase of savings bonds.[5] The episode was later included on the Season 1 DVD.
Young left the series in 1960 at the height of the show's popularity to work on other projects, but reruns continued to air in primetime for another three years, on CBS from 1960 to 1962 and on ABC from 1962 to 1963. Following that, reruns were shown on ABC-TV in the early afternoon for several years.
On November 22, 1963, at 1:42 p.m. EST during a rerun of the third-season episode "Man About Town" on several ABC affiliates, mostly in the Mountain Time Zone (WABC-TV in New York was airing a local repeat of The Ann Sothern Show), ABC News broke into the program with the first bulletin of the news of the assassination of President Kennedy in Dallas, Texas.
The façade of the Anderson house depicted in the series' opening credits is the same structure used as Mr. George Wilson's home in the television series Dennis the Menace and again, in remodeled form, as Captain/Major Anthony Nelson's residence in I Dream of Jeannie. Originally built in 1941 during the production of a series of Blondie movies, this theatrical property continued to serve for many more years as part of the backlot of Columbia Pictures (now Warner Brothers Ranch in Burbank, California). The house can also be seen in both its familiar Father Knows Best style and later renovated variations in episodes of Hazel, Bewitched, The Monkees, The Partridge Family and in numerous other television comedies and dramas.
1977 reunion movies
Cast photo from Father Knows Best Reunion. Standing, from left: Elinor Donahue, Robert Young and Jane Wyatt. Seated: Lauren Chapin and Billy Gray.
The TV cast reunited for a pair of TV movies on NBC: Father Knows Best Reunion on May 15, 1977, and Father Knows Best: Home for Christmas on December 18, 1977. In the 17 years since the series had ended, the characters of Betty and Bud had both married and had families of their own. Betty was the widowed mother of two girls, Jenny (Cari Anne Warder) and Ellen (Kyle Richards), while Bud and his wife Jean (Susan Adams) were the parents of a son, Robert "Robby" (Christopher Gardner). Kathy had become engaged to a doctor, Jason Harper (Hal England).[6]
Episodes
Series overview
Season 1 (1954–55)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Bud Takes Up the Dance" | James Neilson | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper | October 3, 1954 | |
| Betty tells Jim and Margaret that Bud asked a girl named Marcia to go to a dance with him – his first dance, and his first date. The family finds out that he is trying to learn how to dance from a book over 50 years old. Buds been practicing how to dance up in his room and making a lot of noise. The family pretends not to know what he's doing. Margaret tells Jim that they've been asked to be chaperones at the dance. Jim doesn't want Bud to be surprised when his parents are at the dance, so he goes to talk to Bud. When Jim tells Bud he knows about Bud going to the dance, an embarrassed Bud locks himself in the basement. Betty tells Jim that she's heard that Marcia is quite a "fireball". Jim goes to talk to Marcia and she's hiding in the basement. He learns that Marcia is shy and insecure and she doesn't want Bud to find out she can't dance. Jim offers to teach Marcia how to dance and promises not to tell anyone. Jim then has Betty help Bud learn some dance steps. Jim also tricks Bud into being more confident. Bud and Marcia have a nice time at the dance. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Lesson in Citizenship" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | October 10, 1954 | |
| Jim, dismayed at his children's laziness, lectures them in the importance of good citizenship and cheerful volunteering. At school, Kathy's teacher mentions doing good for the community and would like donations of clothing. Kathy takes one of Jim's good suits and brings it to school. A man named Will Potter (Eddy Waller) receives the suit and is thrilled. Bud tells Jim that they need someone to head the entertainment committee for an upcoming father and son banquet. Jim thinks Bud volunteered but then he hears Bud calling a friend and volunteering him. Meanwhile, Betty sees an automobile accident, but doesn't want to get involved. She's not really sure who was at fault. A man named Greg Patterson asks her to be a witness for him and because he's very handsome, she says yes. Things get complicated when Mrs. Paisley, the woman that was in the accident with Greg, calls Jim for help. Will Potter goes looking for a job. When asked for a reference, Will sees Jim's name in the suit and uses that. The job agency calls Jim and after Kathy says that is the man that got the suit, Jim helps. Greg comes by and tells Betty she doesn't have to be a witness as his insurance is covering everything. Bud asks Jim if he's found any entertainers yet. In the end, Jim gets Greg to play piano for the banquet. Plus, Jim gets Will and his wife Edna to do a dance routine. Will and Edna are such a hit, they get signed up for other performances. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "The Motor Scooter" | William D. Russell | Story by : Dick Conway & Paul West, Teleplay by : Harry Clork & Sumner Arthur Long | October 17, 1954 | |
| Jim purchases a motor scooter for Bud for $50. Before he can show it to Margaret, Betty asks him if she's getting fat. Jim inadvertently gives the wrong answer. Margaret does not want Bud to have the scooter because she doesn't believe he is responsible enough. Jim backs down and hides it in the garage. After the children are in bed, Jim tries one more time to talk Margaret into keeping the scooter. Margaret forces Jim to sell it to Fred Hartley, who originally wanted it. Jim gets tricked into selling it for $40. Betty wants to wear a low-cut dress on a date and Jim is against that. Wanting to give Bud something, Jim gives him $20. Later, an excited Bud comes running into the house. He takes Jim and Margaret outside and shows them the scooter. Bud bought the scooter from Mr. Hartley for $30 because Mrs. Hartley didn't want her son to have it. Something Bud says makes Margaret believe he'll be responsible enough to keep it. Even Margaret takes a ride on the scooter. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Football Tickets" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | October 24, 1954 | |
| Jim has two tickets for the most important football game of the year. Because Margaret can't go, Jim will run a contest between his children to see who goes with. Betty wins. Bob Harris, a friend of Jim's, comes by his office looking for a ticket to the game. He says he will buy several insurance policies from Jim if he gets the extra ticket. Jim has to tell Betty she cannot go. Margaret suggests Jim give his ticket to Bob and Betty can still go. The only problem is the tickets are in a shirt that Margaret sent to the laundry. Jim eventually finds the shirt, but the tickets aren't in the pocket. Jim winds up buying two tickets from the laundry driver. Jim is upset because he believes the tickets were actually his. Margaret tells him she found his tickets on the dresser. She also knows where Jim can get another ticket so that Betty, Bud, Kathy, Bob and Jim can all go to the game. Jim goes to get the extra ticket from Bill Lawrence (James Dobson). It turns out that Bill does not have the ticket anymore, but he knows someone else that has an extra one. It is halftime at the game and Betty, Bud, Kathy, and Bob are wondering where Jim is. Jim winds up sitting in the cheering section. | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Live My Own Life" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Roswell Rogers | October 31, 1954 | |
| Bud is tired of being told what to do by his parents and wants to live his own life. Jim tells Margaret it is just a phase boys go through. Bud tells his friend Claude (Jack Grinnage) that his parents treat him like a little kid. Jim is overhearing the conversation. Claude tells Bud he should move out and tells him of a place for rent. Bud fantasizes about his family missing him and how hard they try to make him move back. Jim tries to use reverse psychology and tells Bud he should move out. This backfires when Bud decides to go. Margaret is concerned, but Jim does not think Bud will actually leave. But Bud is going and Jim drives him to see Mr. Engel. Mr. Engel is renting the room over his feed store. Jim still doesn't think Bud will go through with the move, but Bud does. Bud almost immediately regrets his decision. Later, Jim is talking to Mr. Engel. Mr. Engels suggests a way for Bud to move home again without hurting anyone's pride. | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Grandpa Jim's Rejuvenation" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Phil Davis | November 7, 1954 | |
| Jim gets invited to play badminton with friends and starts to remember (with rose-colored glasses) his youth and college days. Everyone in the family is worried Jim will hurt himself. Jim looks at his children and sees how fast they are growing up. Now, he feels very old and that his best days are behind him. Jim receives a letter from Eddie Gilbert (Donald Curtis), who he hasn't seen since high school. Eddie says he will be in town the next day and how he's been having trouble with his rheumatism. He's also a grandfather. Jim is feeling even older and decides to not play badminton. That night, Jim has a dream about feeling old and trying to play badminton with an Old Man (Burt Mustin). Margaret and the children hatch a plan to make him feel young again. Eddie comes by and Jim is surprised and pleased to see how youthful he looks. Eddie tells Jim how much freedom to do things he and his wife have since the children are grown up. Jim is feeling better about himself and his age. | ||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Bud's Encounter with the Law" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Roswell Rogers | November 14, 1954 | |
| Kathy plays with the new washing machine and keeps throwing everything in it. Meanwhile, Bud and his friend Claude are building a raft out of some old oil drums. Kathy puts Betty's items for her "Girls in Government Club" in the machine and they get ruined. Kathy also puts the mail in, including a letter to Bud from the police. The only part that is legible is that he is to appear at the police station within 7 days. Bud thinks he's in trouble because he took the oil drums from an alley behind Mr. Trumble's (William Fawcett) place. Jim knows Trumble's just the type of guy to raise a fuss over that. Bud panics when a policeman (Stafford Repp) comes to the door. But Sgt. Rice is there to escort Betty to city hall. Jim and Bud go to see Mr. Trumble. They figure out that Trumble didn't call the police on Bud and Trumble buys an insurance policy from Jim. Back at home, Sgt. Rice comes by with Betty. Rice tells Bud that the letter was sent to him because he left his wallet at the police station when he got his bike license. Rice tells Jim that the Chief of Police wants to see him first thing Monday morning. Now Jim wonders what he may have done. | ||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Thanksgiving Day" | William D. Russell | Story by : Ed James, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper | November 21, 1954 | |
| Jim learns that Kathy wrote the best Thanksgiving poem in her class. He comes home early to tell the family the good news. Jim goes really overboard in his thought that there is a future celebrity in the family. To celebrate, Jim suggests going out the next day for Thanksgiving dinner. Kathy leaves the room. When Betty reads the poem, Jim thinks it is not as good as it should be. Jim feels bad because he called just about everyone and bragged about the poem. The newspaper calls and says that the school's Thanksgiving program will be televised. They want Kathy to recite her poem. Kathy overhears Jim say how bad the poem is. The next day, Jim finds out that Bud and Betty will be eating Thanksgiving dinner elsewhere. Jim turns on the TV to watch Kathy, but instead of reading her poem, she starts to cry. Jim changes his mind about eating out. The school drives Kathy home. She tells Margaret that she didn't read the poem because she heard Jim say it wasn't good. Jim apologizes to Kathy and Bud and Betty wind up coming home. The family have a dinner of hamburgers together. Rod O'Connor as Announcer. | ||||||
| 9 | 9 | "Second Honeymoon" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | November 28, 1954 | |
| Jim's friend Fred comes by the office and tells Jim that he and his wife are off to a lodge for the weekend. Jim says that would be great but he has children to worry about. Fred invites Jim and Margaret along and Jim calls home, but Margaret is busy with the kids and can't talk. Jim comes home and tells Margaret they should go away for the weekend. He says that Betty and Bud are old enough to watch the house and Kathy by themselves. Jim tries to tell the children his plans, but isn't able to. Jim and Margaret try again and are surprised when the children are anxious for them to be out of the house. Betty even says she'll just cancel her date with Ralph. So off Jim and Margaret go, although on the drive out of town they are already missing the kids. Ralph keeps calling Betty, so she decides to stop answering the phone. Jim and Margaret arrive at the lodge and all they can do is talk about the children. It is not long before they call the children, but there is no answer. Fred and his wife Lila show up and say that the four of them will have a lot of fun. When they still cannot reach the children by phone, Margaret and Jim race back home, only to find everything is fine. Back at the lodge Jim and Margaret are now enjoying the rustic room they booked, and out from an adjoining room come Betty, Bud and Kathy to say goodnight. | ||||||
| 10 | 10 | "Typical Father" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper | December 5, 1954 | |
| Because of what he reads in the paper, Jim is obsessed with the idea that his 17-year-old daughter might elope. Margaret says Betty is too level-headed for that. Betty has been rehearsing a school play with her co-star, Armand Bradley. She comes home with a dreamy look in her eyes. The next day, Jim asks Betty about Armand and she gives a glowing description of him. Margaret suggests that Betty bring Armand over that evening so the family can meet him. Betty doesn't want to scare Armand off but reluctantly agrees to ask him over. After meeting Armand, Margaret and Jim leave the two alone. Betty and Armand discuss the play which has an elopement as part of the plot. Jim overhears part of the conversation and starts to worry. Jim is spying on the couple through an outside window. When Betty gets a road map and a suitcase for props for the play, Jim jumps to the wrong conclusion. Jim and Margaret follow Armand to the Justice of the Peace, where they find Armand acting as a witness as his father officiates at a wedding. Jim finds out that Armand had no intention of getting married and Armand explains about the props for the play. Embarrassed, Jim and Margaret return home to be confronted by Betty and have to explain where they were and why they were there. | ||||||
| 11 | 11 | "Margaret Goes Dancing" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | December 12, 1954 | |
| Margaret's friend Myrtle Davis (Vivi Janiss) tells her that she and her husband Ed (Robert Foulk) are taking dance lessons. Myrtle asks Margaret to have her and Jim join them. Margaret doesn't think Jim would be interested. Something the children say makes Margaret decide to take the lessons. Jim comes home and he can tell right away that Margaret is up to something. Margaret tries to trick Jim into the lessons, but he finds out the plan when Ed gives him a call. Jim doesn't want to go and they have a slight argument. Jim goes to the club, where he has a boring time. Margaret goes to the dance lesson, which is a bit too much for her. She leaves the lesson early, claiming she has a headache. Jim comes home and when he finds out Margaret is already home, he serenades her from outside on his banjo. They both realize they liked their life the way it is. | ||||||
| 12 | 12 | "The Christmas Story" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Roswell Rogers | December 19, 1954 | |
| Its Christmas Eve and Jim is upset with his children's materialistic approach to the holiday season. Jim insists the family drive to the mountains to chop down the family Christmas tree. The rest of the family hopes it doesn't take too long. Margaret has presents to deliver and Betty has to dress for a big party that evening. It starts to snow and the rest of the family want to turn back, but Jim keeps going. Their car gets stuck in a snow drift and they need to find a phone. They find a mountain lodge that appears to be closed for the season. Looking through the window they see a phone so they break into the building. The phone isn't working. A man named Nick (Wallace Ford), apparently the owner, comes in from outside and welcomes the family. Despite the family wanting to get home, Nick insists on cooking them a meal. Kathy is sad because she doesn't think Santa will be able to find them, but Nick says not to worry. Nick and Bud bring in a Christmas tree and the family make decorations for it. Nick finds some things that Jim and Margaret can give the children as Christmas gifts. When ranger Les Turner (William Traylor) shows up, the family finds out that Nick is a vagrant and shouldn't be there. Jim talks Les into letting everyone stay and to not let Nick know they know his secret. Meanwhile, Nick put some of his belongings in a bag and is walking outside. Kathy sees him and thinks he's Santa Claus. Les brings Nick back into the lodge and tells him he needs to take care of his guests. | ||||||
| 13 | 13 | "Sparrow in the Window" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | December 26, 1954 | |
| Its Sunday and Margaret brings Jim breakfast in bed just to be nice. Bud and Betty barge in and ask if Jim's sick. Kathy comes in and winds up ruining his meal. It is raining outside and Jim is not able to go golfing. Kathy finds an injured bird outside one of the windows at home. She brings the bird inside and makes a bed for it in one of Jim's hats. Kathy names the sparrow Mr. Quigley and the family tries to feed it. Before Kathy goes to bed, Jim tries to delicately tell her that there is no guarantee the bird will survive. Kathy prays for the bird. Jim calls Ed, a doctor friend, who raises birds and asks his advice. Ed says there is nothing the family can do but wait and hope. During the night everyone but Kathy gets up to check on the bird. The next morning, Kathy wakes her parents up saying Mr. Quigley is gone. They find him flying around the house and then it lands on the window sill. Kathy is able to get the bird to perch on her finger. Kathy wants to keep it, but Jim talks her into setting Mr. Quigley free. | ||||||
| 14 | 14 | "Boy's Week" | William D. Russell | Story by : Ed James, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper | January 2, 1955 | |
| Jim gets a call at his office from neighbor Bill Brown. Bill says that Kathy threw a baseball and broke one of his windows for the third time in the month. Jim goes home and Kathy claims she didn't do it. Jim tells Margaret that the children have a complete disregard for responsibility. For a school project, Bud's class is given jobs in the real world. Bud is hoping to be mayor. Jim takes Kathy to Mr. Brown's house and because of something Jim wants Kathy to try, another window is broken. When they go back to the car, Jim gets a ticket for parking in front of a driveway. He tells the Officer (Dick Wessel) he did not do it and another car must have pushed his car there. Bud comes home and tells the family he is Traffic Court Judge for a day. It turns out it will be the same day that Jim has to go to court. Jim is now extra nice to Kathy because she will be his witness in court. He also is nice to Bud. It is Monday morning and court is in session. Jim is called and pleads not guilty. Jim presents his case and Kathy is called to the stand. Bud finds Jim guilty and fines him $5. When Margaret steps up and says Bud cannot act that way, she is fined $5 for contempt. Jim threatens Bud and Judge Mitchell fines Jim $5 more. And Judge Mitchell still finds an angry Jim guilty. The Judge drives Bud and Kathy home and defends to Jim what Bud did. Jim admits he overreacted and says he is proud of Bud. | ||||||
| 15 | 15 | "A Friend of Old George's" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper | January 9, 1955 | |
| Its Kathy's birthday and the family prepares for the celebration. Bud tells Jim there's a man named Lyle Hiebert (Parley Baer) at the door. Jim doesn't know who that is. Lyle claims to be a friend of Jim's old friend George Newnens. Lyle doesn't seem to know much about George and Jim starts to realize that Lyle is just an acquaintance of George's. And now that he's here, Jim can't seem to get rid of him. Kathy thinks her party will be ruined. Lyle manages to invite himself to dinner and mentions that it was his birthday yesterday. Lyle mispronounces everyone's names and helps Kathy blow out the candles on her cake. Jim finds a way to get Lyle to leave and they rush off to the circus. But when they get there, it is sold out. Lyle shows up and it turns out he's the circus manager. He gets tickets for the family. | ||||||
| 16 | 16 | "Bud the Snob" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Roswell Rogers | January 16, 1955 | |
|
Betty tells Jim and Margaret that a lot of people at school think Bud's a snob. Jim goes to talk to Bud and Bud says he just gets tongue-tied around girls. Jim gives him a bit of a pep talk and Bud says he'll try. At school, Bud asks his friend Claude how to talk to girls. Claude gives him some advice, but things don't go well when he tries to talk to Liz. Back at home, Betty arranges for Virginia to call Bud. But when he gets on the phone, he panics and says good-bye. When a girl scout comes to the door to sell cookies, Bud thinks Betty set it up and he hides in the closet. In the closet he finds Kathy's Halloween mask. He puts it on and now has the confidence to talk to the girl scout. Bud sets up a date with Virginia, but then realizes he can't go because he can't wear the mask outside. Bud talks Jim into hosting a masquerade party at home to show his friends he is not a snob. It is the night of the party and the mask goes missing, causing Bud to say he won't join the party. Jim tricks Bud by pretending to draw a mask on his face with makeup. Bud is the hit of the party until he sees himself in a mirror and realizes there is no make-up. But it is not long before he is talking to Virginia and having a good time. Note: Most of the scenes shot in this episode were later reused in the season five episode 11 also called "Bud the Snob." The only things added were a new introductory scene and closing scene. | ||||||
| 17 | 17 | "The Promised Playhouse" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Roswell Rogers | January 23, 1955 | |
| There's a rodeo coming to town in a couple weeks and Bud and his friends can get in for half price if they come with a parent. Bud asks Jim to promise to take him. Jim says he won't make a promise he might not be able to keep as he might have to work that day. Jim then tells Bud the story of when Kathy had the measles 4 years ago. To get Kathy to take her medicine, Jim promises she can have a playhouse in the back yard. He also promises that he'll eat dinner and sleep with her in it. A month goes by and Jim forgets about the promise. Bud wants Jim to promise to talk to him about a job in a bakery Bud wants. Betty tells Margaret that she wants to break a date with Burt. Jim insists she keep her word and go out with the boy. Margaret wants to cancel an evening with Myrtle and Ed Davis, but Jim says no. Without Jim knowing it, Kathy built a playhouse that day. She now insists he keep his promise to eat dinner and sleep with her in the house. Myrtle and Ed arrive and Ed brought slides from a fishing trip he and Jim went on. Jim goes to says hello to Ed and he hopes Kathy will forget about him, but she doesn't. Jim goes back outside and hopes Kathy will fall asleep soon. Kathy finally falls asleep and Jim brings her in and puts her to bed. Turns out Kathy wasn't really asleep, but she pretended to be because she knew Jim wanted to see Ed's slides. | ||||||
| 18 | 18 | "Jim, the Farmer" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | January 30, 1955 | |
| Stressed out from the daily grind at work, Jim decides to quit the insurance business. He talks his friend Lloyd (John Alvin) into running his office. Jim would like to move out West and run a farm. Betty asks Margaret if Jim is serious about moving. Margaret says he's serious, but they won't be moving. She tells Betty he's gone through phases like this before. Jim tells Margaret that he's putting an ad in the paper to rent their house. Jim calls Miss Thomas (Sarah Selby), his secretary, to see how things are going and she says Lloyd is handling everything fine. As the day goes on, Jim keeps asking if the office has called him. Jim calls the office again asking how Lloyd is doing and Miss Thomas keeps saying just great. Even though in actuality, things are a mess. Margaret goes to the office and thinking things are fine, asks Lloyd to make up a problem. He says he doesn't have to make anything up because there are plenty of problems and they call Jim. When Margaret gets home, Jim races off to the office. He later finds out that Margaret was there and figures she had Lloyd stage the problems. After a long talk with Grace (Mary Young), the office cleaning lady, Jim realizes his place is there. | ||||||
| 19 | 19 | "Father of the Year" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Roswell Rogers | February 6, 1955 | |
| The local newspaper is hosting a Father of the Year contest. Betty, Bud, and Kathy want to nominate Jim. Jim finds out and is overjoyed that his children want to submit an entry. But the kids cannot think of anything to actually write. Margaret tries to give them some suggestions. But the children just have a hard time putting their feelings into words. At dinner, Bud asks if he could borrow Jim's car. Joe Phillips has a license and the boys want to drive to Joe's uncle's farm. Jim refuses because he does not trust Joe's driving and Bud is upset. Betty receives an expensive pin from a boy named Donald. Jim insists that she return it as she barely knows the boy. Figuring that Kathy is the only one left to nominate him, Jim does the couple things she asks him to do. The next day, Jim takes the pin to the jeweler to see what it is worth. Jim finds out the pin cost $5 and Donald bought six of them to give to girls. Bud tells Jim that the only reason Joe wanted the guys to go to his uncle's was to dig ditches for him. Bud apologizes to Jim for getting mad at him. Betty tells Jim she found out about the other pins. The children eventually realize that everything Jim did was for their own good and they write a very nice entry. William Fawcett as Trumble. | ||||||
| 20 | 20 | "The Mink Coat" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Roswell Rogers | February 13, 1955 | |
| Jim calls a family meeting because there has been too much spending recently and they must cut expenses. Just when he tells everyone to save money, Jim gets a deal on a mink coat and buys it. Though Margaret loves the coat, she feels she would be showing off when she wears it. Jim tries to reassure her that it is OK to wear the coat. A Mrs. Morell (June Vincent) sees Margaret in her coat, and proceeds to ask Jim for a large donation for the Women's League. Jim reluctantly gives a large amount of money. Jim later gets a call from the bank saying his account is overdrawn. The paperboy comes by to collect his money and Jim doesn't have enough on him. Margaret and Myrtle Davis come home from buying some new dresses. Jim starts to think that the mink coat is changing the family's perspective on life. Margaret and Jim come to an understanding about material things. | ||||||
| 21 | 21 | "The Matchmaker" | William D. Russell | Story by : Ed James, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper | February 20, 1955 | |
| Margaret's cousin Louise (Lyn Guild) and her boyfriend Tom Goodwin (William Hudson) will be coming for a visit. Margaret is planning a quiet romantic dinner and hopes Tom will propose to Louise. She also tells her children to make plans to be somewhere else. Jim tells Bud that women like Margaret cannot help but try to get single men married off. That evening, Louise arrives first. Tom then comes by bringing flowers for Louise. Jim and Tom try to talk about Tom's new car, but Margaret keeps bringing up Louise. At dinner, Jim has a hard time seeing the food because it is so dark. Suddenly, Bud and Kathy show up and Margaret has to send them away. Before dessert, Margaret tries to give Louise and Tom some alone time. Jim listens in a little bit and finds out Tom is talking about his car. Betty runs into the house and says she hates all men. More interruptions follow. Tom gives Betty some advice about her boyfriend. While trying to fix Bud's radio, Tom winds up blowing a fuse. When Bud replaces the fuse, Tom and Louise are kissing. Louise took the advice that Tom gave Betty, and proposed to Tom. | ||||||
| 22 | 22 | "Bud the Bridesmaid" | William D. Russell | Story by : Ed James, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper | February 27, 1955 | |
| Margaret's cousin Louise is getting married the next day and she is very nervous. Tom is getting some last minute jitters as well. The wedding preparations are underway with food, chairs, flowers and more. Jim thought it was going to be a small wedding, but things seem to be getting bigger. Jim is starting to get concerned about the price. But after talking to Margaret for a while, Jim is happy with the way things are proceeding. Louise suddenly comes in the house and says the wedding is canceled. Tom comes back and tells Jim all he did was mention an old girlfriend he had before he met Louise. Jim tries to talk to Louise but she says her mind is made up. Tom also tries to talk to her, but gets nowhere. The Reverend comes by for what he thought would be the wedding rehearsal. Margaret comes up with a plan. The rehearsal goes on with Bud reluctantly standing in for Louise. It is not long before Louise makes up with Tom. | ||||||
| 23 | 23 | "Proud Father" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper | March 6, 1955 | |
| Jim runs into Roger Garland (John Gallaudet), an old friend, who brags about his family members and all their achievements. Bud tells Jim he's hiding from Beanie Brugendorfer, the school bully. Kathy is worried about a loose tooth. Jim tells them that they can't be afraid and must stand up to their problems. Jim points out Betty not being afraid of a dance performance she is to give in front of a large audience. The more he talks about it, the more panicked Betty gets and she faints. When Betty asks that someone else do her dance routine, Jim tries to give her a pep talk. The next day, Betty is still worried she will forget part of the dance. After Roger claims he has laryngitis, Margaret volunteers Jim to MC the performance, but he says he is not a public speaker. And if his kids cannot stand up for themselves, he is a failure as a father and he himself has no confidence. Jim lets Margaret know that he said this for his kids benefit and he intends to speak at the performance. Kathy comes by and says she pulled out her tooth. Bud and Betty say they will both be at the performance. That night, Jim introduces Betty. At first she does well, but then she forgets part of her dance. Beanie is there and starts laughing at her. Bud drags Beanie out of the auditorium. When they come back in, Beanie apologizes to Betty. Betty continues her dance and gives a great performance. The next day Jim runs into Roger again and Jim now brags about his children. Roger tells Jim he did not have laryngitis, he really had stage fright. | ||||||
| 24 | 24 | "Father Delivers the Papers" | William D. Russell | Dane Lussier & Roswell Rogers | March 13, 1955 | |
| Mr. Collins (Dabbs Greer), the newspaper route manager, comes by to talk to Jim. He tells Jim that Bud is slacking in his paper delivery route and there have been numerous complaints. Mr. Collins says he'll have to take the route away from Bud. Jim assures him there will be no more mistakes and Mr. Collins agrees to give Bud one more chance. Mr. Collins leaves and Jim talks to Bud. Bud says the people on the route can be quite difficult, but he agrees to give it another try. Bud is on his route and while he's looking at a pretty girl, he crashes his bike. He can't finish his route because he hurt his elbow. Jim sends Bud out to finish the route. While trying to get his bike from the garage, a tent falls on him and hurts his back. A doctor checks him out and the back is slightly injured. Jim now has to finish the route for Bud. He does run into some difficult people and then it starts raining. Mr. Collins comes by again to talk to Jim, but he's not there. There were more complaints. He finds out that Bud is hurt and Jim is on the route. Margaret goes out to find Jim. He tells her that Bud was right about it being a miserable route. She tells Jim that Mr. Collins appreciates what he did for Bud and Bud can keep the route. Cheerio Meredith as Old Lady. | ||||||
| 25 | 25 | "No Partiality" | William D. Russell | Story by : Cally Curtis & Virginia Lindsey, Teleplay by : John Kohn, Alan Woods & Roswell Rogers | March 20, 1955 | |
| Kathy is upset because all she seems to get are hand-me-downs. Jim and Margaret decide to treat her with more equality in privileges. Betty is excited because she got a call from a boy that she's interested in. She asks Margaret if she can invite him over for dinner. Kathy insists on being able to invite a boy over as well. Because she's too shy, Kathy has Jim call and invite Howard Williams over. It turns out that was the boy Betty was inviting. Kathy knows him because he's the playground supervisor at her school. Betty gets further upset when Kathy wears her sweater. Jim tries to talk Kathy into inviting someone her own age, but it doesn't work. That evening, Howard shows up and both girls battle for his attention. Kathy starts crying when Betty and Howard go off together. Betty feels bad and she tells Kathy that she can have Howard for the evening. Betty tells Kathy to tell Howard that she has a headache. Howard spends time with Kathy, but keeps asking about Betty. When Kathy's friend Jimmy Wood (Bobby Diamond) comes to the house, Kathy gets Betty to spend the rest of the evening with Howard. Margaret finds out that Jim invited Jimmy over. | ||||||
| 26 | 26 | "Close Decision" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | March 27, 1955 | |
| Margaret is upset that Bud has not been doing his chores lately. He is also supposed to memorize a poem for church, which he has barely started to do. Bud wants to go play in a baseball game, but Margaret puts her foot down and says he must rake the leaves first. Margaret and Jim catch Bud trying to sneak away to play in the game. Bud tries to tell Jim how important this game is. Margaret then has Betty help Bud learn the poem, but that doesn't go well. Bud's friend Joe comes by and tells him he's holding up the game. Margaret will still not let Bud go. Jim goes by the game and Rev. Swain tells him the boys are losing. Jim tries to explain why they wouldn't let Bud play. But something Rev. Swain says convinces Jim to go get Bud. Jim tells Bud to go play and Margaret is not happy about it. Later, Bud comes home from the game and it appears he was in a fight. The only thing that Jim could find out was that Bud's team lost. The next day the family is at church. Bud starts to recite his poem, but doesn't know it all. He apologizes and says he was playing baseball instead of learning the poem. Rev. Swain explains what happened at the game and why there was a fight. Bud's team almost wins, but in the final play of the game there is a question of whether Bud tagged the player out at home. Admitting he didn't tag the player costs them the game, but he gains the respect of many for telling the truth. | ||||||
Season 2 (1955–56)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 1 | "Art of Salesmanship" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Roswell Rogers | August 31, 1955 | |
| Jim and his friend Howard 'Mac' McGrath (Ralph Dumke) are trying to write a sketch for their club's show. Mac tells Jim that he's lucky to have Bud to follow in his footsteps. Jim thinks that Bud has the drive to be a great salesman one day. But then the two see Bud loafing when he should be mowing the lawn. A large box of plastic gravy boats is delivered to the house. Jim is excited to learn that Bud wants to go into business selling them. Margaret thinks Bud should send them back. Bud soon learns there is more to selling than just asking people to buy. Jim tries to give Bud some selling tips, but Bud doesn't think he has what it takes. Bud tries his selling technique on Margaret but things don't go well. Jim gives Bud a sales quota and tells Bud to not let him down. Bud is having no luck selling and Jim is having no luck coming up with a funny idea for the sketch. When Jim tells Mac that he just doesn't have the talent for writing, it dawns on him how Bud feels. Jim learns that Bud is working at a drive in to earn money that he can pass off as money he got selling the gravy boats. Jim realizes he's pushing Bud too hard to be the salesman that he is. He goes to the drive in and makes Bud feel better. | ||||||
| 28 | 2 | "Father's Private Life" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | September 7, 1955 | |
| Jim comes home early from work because he's exhausted. He tries to rest on the couch when all three children come to him and want his attention about something. Margaret tells Jim that he needs to say no once in a while. He decides that the children need to start finding their own solutions, so he can have some time to himself. Jim tries to work on his Hi-Fi set but everybody looks over his shoulder. Meanwhile, Kathy and her friend Patty have taken a cardboard cutout of a Zulu warrior from a movie theater. Kathy has named him Floyd and leaves him with Jim. Kathy hears from Patty that the manager from the theater is asking around if anyone saw who took his cutout. Kathy is now afraid she'll get in big trouble and wants to get Floyd, but Margaret won't let her into the room where Jim is working. Margaret puts Floyd out by the garbage and Kathy is afraid everyone will see him. That night, Kathy asks Bud to go and hide Floyd. In the morning, Betty finds a note from Kathy that says she's going to hide out somewhere because she stole Floyd. Jim finds her hiding by the garage. Jim has a change of heart and decides he would rather have the children share their problems with him. | ||||||
| 29 | 3 | "Lessons in Civics" | William D. Russell | Story by : Ed James, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper | September 14, 1955 | |
| The town is undergoing new construction, and when Jim learns the old meeting hall is being torn down, he is upset. It is a memorial for the town since it has so much history and Jim is going to try and stop it from being destroyed. Margaret takes the children to the hall and tells them of some of her and Jim's memories of the place. Bud asks F. W. Burns (Lane Bradford), the foreman of the construction company, when the hall will be torn down. Bud is told the building comes down the next day. Betty asks Billy, Mayor Mitchell's son, if he could convince his father not to tear down the hall. When Billy says that he couldn't, Betty storms off. Margaret calls many members of the PTA about the hall. Jim comes home and says that the Mayor would like to talk to him. Jim thinks word got around that the hall shouldn't be torn down. It turns out that Kathy wrote a letter to Mayor Mitchell and repeated some unkind things Jim said about him. Kathy wants to run away from home and Jim has a talk with her. The family goes to see the Mayor to apologize. Jim is volunteered by the Mayor and the Council into helping plan a new park where the building can be moved to. | ||||||
| 30 | 4 | "First Disillusionment" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | September 21, 1955 | |
| Bud wants to apply for a job in a sports department at a local store. His resume has some embellishments, but Jim tells him to only tell the truth. Bud goes to see Mr. Stagg with his application. He does not get the job because his friend Eddie Wardlow (Peter Miles) embellished his resume and was hired. Bud is now upset with Jim, because honesty got him nowhere. A disillusioned Bud even tells Betty it is OK to cheat on a paper she has to write for school. Bud and his friend Joe Phillips want to come up with a way to get Eddie fired. They decide to write a letter to Mr. Stagg saying Eddie is a crook. Margaret senses that the boys are up to something and she takes the letter out of the mailbox. She shows the letter to Jim. Jim tells Margaret that Eddie actually got fired because he is impossible to work with. Jim wants Bud to think that the letter was mailed and see how Bud reacts when he learns Eddie was fired. Jim thinks that Bud's conscience will not let him take the job. Bud goes to see Mr. Stagg, who tells Bud that the store found out that Eddie lied on his resume. Mr. Stagg tells Bud that if Eddie could be deceitful with that, he could be deceitful with other things. Bud also learns that Mr. Stagg has not received the letter yet and he regrets mailing it. That night, Bud confesses to Jim about the letter and how bad he feels about sending it. Jim hands Bud the letter and tells Bud that he has learned a lesson and is wiser for it. | ||||||
| 31 | 5 | "Woman in the House" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | September 28, 1955 | |
| Virge Carlson (Harry Hickox), an old friend of Jim's, visits him at work and announces he and his wife Jill (Mary Webster) have moved to Springfield. Jim & Margaret invite the couple to dinner. While Virge is pleasant and well mannered, his wife is an obnoxious free spirit. Kathy comes into the room and is frightened off by Jill. After the couple leave, Margaret mentions how she felt that Jill was making fun of her all evening. Virge has to leave town for a few days and he asks Jim if Jill could stay at his place. Bud and Jill are playing catch and Jill gets hit in the head with the ball. Betty thinks that Margaret is running herself ragged catering to Jill. Virge calls and says he will be away for a couple more days yet. Jim knows that Jill is driving Margaret crazy and suggests sending her to a hotel. Margaret says Jill is their guest and they will put up with her. When Kathy tells Jill that she has a lot of friends, Jill says that she has a hard time making friends. Kathy says that she will be Jill's friend and Jill starts to cry. Kathy tells Margaret that Jill cannot easily make friends. Margaret has a change of heart and makes Jill feel more welcome. | ||||||
| 32 | 6 | "New Girl at School" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | October 5, 1955 | |
| Jim sees Bud and his friend Joe watching a pretty blonde girl walk by. Kathy brings over her new friend Grover Adams (Richard Eyer) and introduces him to Jim and Margaret. Bud finds out from Grover that he has an older sister named April. Bud is at the shoe repair shop when April comes in. He has a short and awkward conversation with her. Later, Bud has a talk with Jim about how he feels he made a bad impression on April. Grover tells Bud that April said Bud was cute. At school, Bud gets embarrassed when the teacher (Anne Barton) catches him writing a love poem about April. And to make matters worse, April is sitting right in front of Bud. Bud tells Jim what happened in school and wonders how he can make it up to April. April asks Bud if he would help her study for English class that evening. Something Betty says makes Jim and Margaret realize that April is just using Bud. Margaret wants to tell April off, but Jim says that Bud has to learn for himself what April is like. Bud does find out he's being used and he tells off April. | ||||||
| 33 | 7 | "Kathy Makes Magic" | William D. Russell | Story by : Herman Epstein & Roswell Rogers, Teleplay by : Roswell Rogers | October 12, 1955 | |
| Bud's friend Joe has swiped a couple cigars from his dad. Before they can light up, Kathy comes by with a magic wand and they hide the cigars. The boys and Kathy get into an argument. She waves her wand and says she hopes they get sick and die. Kathy then tries to turn her kitten into a rabbit, but it doesn't work. She tells Jim she traded her skates for Patty's magic set and she thinks she got cheated. Kathy then sees a bird where her kitten used to be and believes she changed it. Kathy tells Betty not to mess with her or she will make sure Betty gets a hit in the head. Just then a paper boy tosses a newspaper and it hits Betty in the head. After smoking the cigars, Bud comes in the house not looking very well. When Kathy hears about Bud, she thinks he is sick because she put a magic curse on him. After she finds out that Joe is also sick, Kathy believes it is her fault even more. Dr. Conrad (Harry Antrim) comes by to check on Bud. Questions are answered when Jim finds the cigar butts. Jim shows the cigar butts to Dr. Conrad and Margaret. Kathy's kitten comes back and she believes all her bad magic is over. | ||||||
| 34 | 8 | "Advantage to Betty" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | October 19, 1955 | |
| Hal Berdahl (Charles Tannen), a newspaper reporter, takes pictures and writes an article for the paper on the girls' tennis team. The picture used is of Betty, the least talented member of the team, and it looks like she is a champion player. Betty tells teammate Eula Craig that her picture should have been used as she is team captain and a great player. Eula, a plain Jane and a sourpuss, barely speaks to Betty. Back at home Jim and Margaret are proud of Betty, but Bud continually teases her about the picture. Betty and Eula are working with Coach Gabener. Hal comes by again and tells Betty that the sports writers' banquet is Saturday night. He fixed it so Betty will be elected queen of the banquet. Eula walks off mad. Hal wants more pictures of Betty and she tries to tell him to take pictures of Eula. Coach Gabener tells Betty and Eula that they are not playing well together and he has Dotty take Betty's place. Betty thinks she will be dropped from the team. Knowing that Betty believes she does not deserve to go to the banquet, Jim says it is too bad that Eula could not go instead. Betty calls Hal and tells him she doesn't feel well and will not be able to make the banquet. Eula should go in her place. Betty then calls Eula, but she is not interested in going. An angry Betty now says she is going. After speaking with Coach Gabener, Jim decides to talk to Eula. It was not easy, but Jim helps the girls to become friends and Betty lends Eula a gown to wear to the banquet. | ||||||
| 35 | 9 | "The Big Test" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | October 26, 1955 | |
| Bud tells Jim that he wants to buy an outboard motor. Kathy shows Jim her report card with all the A's she got. Betty also got a very good report card. Bud grades are not as good. Jim tells Bud that if he brings his D grade in science up to a B, Jim will help him buy the motor. Margaret doesn't think that bribing Bud that way is a good idea. Bud studies a lot for a paper he has to write about an experiment for science class. For once, he knows the material and does very well on the paper. Since this is a change from his previous work, the teacher, Mr. Glover, assumes he must have cheated. Because of this, Mr. Glover only gives Bud a C grade. An even more important test is coming up. One day, Bud asks Mr. Glover if he can stay after class and look over some of Mr. Glover's books. Bud knocks over some papers and picks them up. Mr. Glover comes back in the room catches him with the answers to the test. Through a series of events, the family finds out that Bud may have seen the test questions ahead of time. Before the test, Betty tells Bud that he is suspected of seeing the answers and he better do poorly on the test to prove everyone wrong. Bud gets an almost perfect paper. Mr. Glover, Jim and Margaret confront Bud about the paper. Bud says he didn't look at the test answers, he did well because he studied. Jim finds a way to prove Bud didn't cheat. | ||||||
| 36 | 10 | "Father is a Dope" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | November 2, 1955 | |
| The family watches a sitcom on television. Jim thinks the father is portrayed as an idiot who needs his wife to always save the day. The next day, Jim's friend Ed Davis (Robert Foulk) suggests the two go duck hunting tomorrow. Margaret says Jim should go, but in a way that makes Jim think she doesn't really want him to go. Betty tells Jim she has a job interview the next day and would like him to go with for support. Kathy tells a friend she can't go to her party because Jim won't be around to drive her. Bud has a sharp pain in his chest. Jim tells Ed he believes all these things were staged by Margaret. Jim wonders what she'll do next. Just as he says this Margaret crashes the car into their fence. The next day, Ed is waiting at the Anderson house while Jim has the car fender looked at. Margaret tells Ed that she's sure Jim thinks that she did it on purpose, but she says she didn't. Jim comes back and Ed starts to load up the car. Jim thinks that Bud and Betty are still trying to get him to stay home. As they are leaving, Jim backs his car into Dr. Conrad's. While Ed tries to unlock the car bumpers, Jim goes to see what Dr. Conrad has to say about Bud. Turns out Bud really is sick. Jim decides to stay home and help each of the children with their problems. | ||||||
| 37 | 11 | "The Spirit of Youth" | William D. Russell | Dorothy Cooper | November 9, 1955 | |
| Bud makes a comment about Jim's age. Jim receives a special delivery letter from his college alumni association. There's a class reunion this coming weekend. Bud tells Kathy and Betty that they need to more considerate to Jim because he's getting older every day. The girls start acting as though Margaret was old. Later that night, Margaret tells Jim that she's afraid they are getting old. She would like to go to the class reunion and see some young people. Jim reluctantly agrees to go. At the college, student Bob (Steve Terrell) shows Jim where he'll be sleeping. Bob keeps talking loudly as he thinks Jim is hard of hearing because of his age. Margaret attends a sorority meeting. That night, Jim and Margaret reminisce about their college days. They realize that while they are not old, they are not teenagers and are glad of it. It is three o'clock in the morning and Jim cannot sleep. Margaret is staying at the sorority house. Jim stands under her window and serenades her by singing Juanita. The next night at the dance, Margaret and Jim decide to leave early and head home. Kathryn Grant as Maxine. | ||||||
| 38 | 12 | "Bud, the Ladykiller" | William D. Russell | Sumner Arthur Long & Dorothy Cooper | November 16, 1955 | |
| A classmate named Dora Fenway calls Bud because she has quite a crush on him. He doesn't want to talk to her and is very rude. At school, Joe and Claude tease Bud about Dora and Bud gets mad. Dora comes by the house to return a book of Bud's. Jim invites her in and she meets the family. Bud is very rude and insulting and Dora leaves crying. Jim is quite upset with Bud and tells him he needs to apologize to Dora. Bud tries, but Dora does not accept his apology and tells him off. Jim still thinks that Bud needs to do something to make Dora feel better. Betty suggests asking her to the junior prom. Bud reluctantly agrees to do it. At Dora's house, Bud awkwardly asks her to the prom. She accepts and gives him a kiss. Afraid that Bud will now be leading her on, Jim suggests finding another boy to be interested in Dora. In school, Bud talks her up to all his friends. Dora talks to Jim and Margaret and says she knows that Bud doesn't really want to take her to the prom. She says that Bud is just being a gentleman and doesn't want to hurt her feelings. Dora is thankful for Bud getting people at school to start liking her. Bud comes by and says he does want to take her because he got to know her better and likes her. Dora tells Bud that she's going to the prom with a bookish boy named Horace. The two have a lot in common. Bud now knows what it is like to be rejected. | ||||||
| 39 | 13 | "Margaret's Premonition" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | November 30, 1955 | |
| Margaret has been thinking about her Aunt Matty all day. Aunt Matty calls and tells Margaret that Uncle Ira got into a small accident with his rocker. Betty tells Margaret that it was a premonition about Matty, but Margaret says it was just a coincidence. Jim tells Margaret that he needs to go out of town on Wednesday night for an insurance deal. Margaret gets a funny feeling. The next day she tells Myrtle Davis (Vivi Janiss) that she feels Jim shouldn't go on the trip. Myrtle says the maybe Margaret could get Jim to make the trip on Thursday. Margaret tells her she just thought the same thing. When Margaret brings it up to Jim, he teases her about her premonitions. She keeps trying to find reasons for Jim to not make the trip, but he insists on going. Margaret then wants to go with on the trip but Jim says no. Jim asks Ed Davis if he believes in premonitions and Ed says he doesn't. Jim is about to leave for the trip. Margaret goes behind his back and has the meeting postponed. Jim finds out what Margaret did and is not happy. But then he finds out the road and a bridge that he was going use was washed out in a storm and it is a good thing he did not go. | ||||||
| 40 | 14 | "Stage to Yuma" | William D. Russell | Story by : Marvin De Vries, Teleplay by : D.D. Beauchamp | December 7, 1955 | |
|
Robert Young plays the role of Tate Ibsen, one of the passengers riding a stagecoach through Arizona in the year 1860. One passenger named Duece (Rayford Barnes) has been convicted of murder and is handcuffed to a deputy. Tate Ibsen's plan to spring him loose before they reach the Yuma Penitentiary runs into complications when the stage is attacked by Indians. Despite not being trusted, Ibsen manages to still save the lives of a school teacher named Miss Quimby (Sarah Selby) and a young boy named Porfio. Harry Hickox as Boggs. Robert Griffin as Watts. Lester Matthews as Major Alden. Note: Robert Young opens the show by saying... "For tonight only, while the family's on vacation, we have the opportunity to present a special program. It is a dramatic story set in Arizona in the year 1860. In a few seconds, when again we meet, I'll be one of five passengers riding the stage to Yuma, which happens to be the title of our story." | ||||||
| 41 | 15 | "Bad Influence" | William D. Russell | Story by : Herman J. Epstein, Teleplay by : Roswell Rogers | December 14, 1955 | |
| Bud tells Jim that he wants to get a frogman outfit, but he doesn't have enough money. He also brings up his new friend Arty Merrill. Margaret is concerned about all the gifts that Arty is giving Bud. After Arty gives Bud a new hat, Margaret mentions to Jim that a friend of hers thinks that Arty is stealing the stuff. She thinks they should have Bud stop seeing Arty, but Jim thinks she's jumping to conclusions. Betty buys a new camera with some money that Bud owed her. Arty offers to lend Bud the money he needs for the outfit. Bud finds out that Arty took the money from Kathy's piggy bank. Before Bud can put the money back in the bank, Margaret comes in the room. Bud let's her think that he took the money. Jim talks to Bud and Bud is willing to be punished. Bud also tells Jim that he will not see Arty any more. Jim has a different plan and tells Bud to invite Arty to the baseball game that Jim was going to take Bud to. Before they leave for the game, Arty takes Betty's camera. The next day, Arty brings Bud some frogman equipment. Jim catches Bud wearing the equipment and asks him where he got the money for it, but Bud does not have an answer. Betty then asks where her camera is. Jim now believes that Bud stole the camera and gets upset. When Arty sees how Bud stuck his neck out for him, Arty admits to it all. Jim tells him that he should not try to buy someone's friendship. Jim then says the family still wants him as a friend. | ||||||
| 42 | 16 | "Betty Hates Carter" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | December 28, 1955 | |
| Jim is rehearsing a speech for the upcoming Insurance Underwriters convention. Jim tells Margaret that Ward and Evelyn Mawson will be in town for the convention. Betty is horrified when Jim sets her up on a blind date with Carter Mawson (Robert Easton), the Mawson's son. Jim tells her that he invited Carter over for dinner that night. When Betty meets Carter, she thinks he's quite unattractive. She tells him that she knows they were thrown together and he's free to break the upcoming date. They have a short conversation and Carter turns out to be intelligent and agrees with much of what Betty has to say. Carter doesn't stay for dinner. The next day, Carter comes by because he left a letter there. While not letting on, Betty does start to take an interest in Carter. Betty's friend Janie Little (Cindy Robbins) comes by to borrow a fur piece and meets Carter. After she leaves, Carter mentions that Janie is good looking. Betty suggests that Carter take Janie to the convention dance. Betty calls Janie and Janie reluctantly agrees to go out with Carter. Betty is starting to like Carter even more, but still does not say anything. It is the night of the dance. The doorbell rings and Betty hopes it is Carter, but it is Janie. Janie thinks that Betty just pawned Carter off on her and is not sure about the date. Betty says that Carter wants to go with her and she should get home. Jim talks to Janie. Janie realizes how much Betty really likes Carter, so she tells him she is sick and that he should take Betty. Joseph Mell as Dave. | ||||||
| 43 | 17 | "Jim, the Tyrant" | William D. Russell | Story by : Herman Epstein, Teleplay by : Herman Epstein & Roswell Rogers | January 4, 1956 | |
| Jim comes home after a very bad day at work. Wanting to tell the family about his day, he is miffed when they ignore him. He starts complaining about everyone and everything around the house. The family doesn't understand why Jim is so irritable. During dinner, they get a call that Kathy's baby sitter can't make it. Everyone else has plans for the evening. Jim then lectures the family about their only thinking of themselves. Jim says that if he has to be a tyrant to keep the family in line, he will be. The next day, Kathy looks up what a tyrant is. Bud is going to play baseball. When Bud won't let Kathy tag along, she throws the baseball away and breaks a window. Later, Kathy spills a bottle of Betty's perfume. Jim comes home claiming to have had a great day at the office. He is told what Kathy did and goes to have a talk with her. Kathy fantasizes that Tyrant Father finds her guilty of her crimes and Executioner Bud is to take over. Jim walks into the room and finds Kathy under the bed. She is so afraid of what Jim will do. Jim has Margaret talk to Kathy. She finds that Kathy is afraid of Jim because he says he's a tyrant. Jim apologizes for using the word tyrant and Kathy says that no one wants her around because she's little. The two talk some more and Jim learns a lesson about himself. | ||||||
| 44 | 18 | "Betty's Brother" | William D. Russell | Story by : Herman Epstein, Teleplay by : Paul West | January 11, 1956 | |
| Kathy is proud of her big sister Betty and is making a scrapbook about her. Bud has to always follow in Betty's footsteps at school and he finds it hard to do. Betty announces that she will be on TV representing her school on a panel show. Bud shows Jim a note from school saying he's falling behind in his work. Bud has also cut one of his classes and has gotten into fights. Jim asks Mr. Armstead (Sam Flint), the principal, to come to the house and talk to Bud. Bud can't explain to Jim and Mr. Armstead what's bothering him. Later, Bud tells Jim and Margaret that he will work harder at school. In class, one of the guys calls Bud "Betty Anderson, Jr." and Bud starts fighting him. Miss Woodruff (Claudia Bryar), Bud's teacher, sends him to the Principal's office. At home, Margaret suggests that Bud may have lost his confidence trying to be as good as Betty is in school. Betty asks Bud to take her place on the TV show. She makes up a story that she has too much studying to do. Bud thinks he'll just mess things up and doesn't want to do it. After the family talks to him, Bud reluctantly agrees to go on the show. On the show, moderator Mr. Clark (S. John Launer) introduces the five students. Despite being nervous at first, Bud does quite well. Yvonne Lime as Dorothy Snow. | ||||||
| 45 | 19 | "Betty Earns a Formal" | William D. Russell | Paul West | January 18, 1956 | |
| It seems like only bills are coming in the mail, and everyone is asking Jim for money. Betty asks for money to buy a dress for a country club dance. At first Jim says OK, but when he hears how expensive it is, Jim tells Betty to earn the money herself. Jim is talking with Hal Fredericks (Grandon Rhodes), whose son is taking Betty to the dance. After Hal talks about his daughter, who just got married and moved away, Jim has a change of heart about the dress. Jim tells Betty that he'll buy the dress, but Betty says she already has a job and she'll buy the dress herself. Betty gives no information where her job is as she doesn't want family hanging around. It has been over a week and the family still doesn't know where Betty is working. Betty is sleeping at her desk and Bud finds a paycheck of hers. He finds out where she is working but doesn't tell anyone. Jim has a dream that Betty has a job as a saloon dancer and she didn't know it would be that kind of job. She begs for her father to help her, but Jim can't get to her. The next day, Betty accidentally lets her parents see part of her work clothes and she runs to her room. Jim thinks it looks like a Burlesque outfit. Just then Bud walks in and says he has a job, but he won't tell his parents where. Jim finds out that Bud and Betty are working at the same place and it is a food market. Bud is a stock boy and Betty is giving away peach samples. With a little help from Jim, Betty earns enough to buy her dress. Claire Carleton as Hostess. | ||||||
| 46 | 20 | "The House Painter" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | January 26, 1956 | |
| The Andersons hire Mr. Everett (Parker Fennelly) to paint the house. Betty tells her parents that at school they discussed how most people do things out of selfishness. Margaret agrees. Jim believes that someone does something for the sense of accomplishment and integrity. Jim and Margaret make a bet to see who is right. If Margaret wins, Jim has to buy her a car. Jim then asks Mr. Everett to use cheap paint on the house, knowing his integrity would not let him do it. Jim is surprised and disappointed when Everett says OK. Jim thinks that Everett will change his mind and asks Margaret to wait until tomorrow afternoon to see what happens. The next morning Jim tells Everett that if there's anything he wants to talk about, he can reach him at the office. Everett mentions to himself that he didn't think Jim would be that cheap. Bud is told to clean his room, but he had other plans. While sanding Bud's bedroom window, Everett sees Bud trying to hide garbage under his bed. He talks to Bud about doing a job right. Everett starts to paint and thinking he's using the cheap paint, Margaret tells him to stop. From the office, Jim tells Margaret that if Everett won't stop then he's fired. Jim learns from the paint company that Everett bought the best they had. Everett comes by and tells off Jim for being cheap and setting a bad example. Jim tells Everett about the bet and then is surprised by something Everett says. | ||||||
| 47 | 21 | "Bud, the Wallflower" | William D. Russell | Paul West | February 1, 1956 | |
| Betty is chairman of the Planning Committe for the high school dance and needs to come up with an idea for its theme. Margaret suggests a Sadie Hawkins dance. At school, Bud, Claude and Kippy claim girls have asked them, but in reality no one has. They pretend to not be interested in going to the dance. The three decide to plan a camping trip the same day as the dance as a way to show they don't care. First Kippy and then Claude back out on the trip as they are asked to the dance. Now, Bud feels worse than ever. To try and cheer Bud up, Jim decides to go camping with him. Betty's friend Dottie tells her that she knows for sure that Bud has been asked. Betty realizes that there's been a mix-up somewhere. Classmate Wanda comes to the house. She asks Jim and Margaret if Bud had anything to tell her. It turns out Wanda gave Kathy a note asking Bud to the dance, but Kathy forgot to give it to him. Kathy sees Wanda, remembers about the note and gives it to Bud. Bud tells Wanda he'd love to go to the dance with her. | ||||||
| 48 | 22 | "The Bus to Nowhere" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | February 8, 1956 | |
| Betty is depressed, moody and finds everyday events dull. She is not sure what she is looking for. Betty hears Bud read a paper he's written about a bus that goes nowhere. The next morning Dottie comes by and tells Margaret about an old fashioned hayride that some of the kids are setting up. She mentions to Margaret that Betty hasn't been herself lately. It is almost dinner time and Betty says she's going to the bus station, but know one pays attention. At the bus station Betty decides to take a trip to wherever nine dollars will get her. She's a little unsure of herself and starts to hear voices. Betty sees an old man (John Qualen) who doesn't know he has gotten off at the wrong stop and he's lost and confused. Back at home, the family realizes that Betty is not there. The old man asks Betty for help and she learns he's at the wrong station. It is announced that her bus is boarding, but she decides to help the old man. Betty gives him some money to buy a ticket and takes him to the bus. Jim arrives and asks the clerk about Betty. The old man thanks Betty, gives her a gift and a kiss and boards the bus. Jim finds Betty and she tells him that everything is all right and she feels whole again. Kathleen Freeman as Fussy Woman. | ||||||
| 49 | 23 | "Kathy, the Indian Giver" | William D. Russell | Kay Lenard | February 15, 1956 | |
| Bud reluctantly agrees to trade a small paint brush of his for Kathy's cap. When Kathy see a pretty cap of Betty's, she wants to trade back for her cap. Bud refuses and Jim tells her that both sides have to agree in a trade. Kathy sees her friend Susie, who complains about having to always watch her baby sister Debbie. Susie agrees to trade Debbie for Kathy's baby doll. Kathy brings Debbie home and tries to hide her. The family hears Debbie crying and finds Kathy and the baby. Jim tries to explain to Kathy that one can't trade human beings, but she doesn't understand. Jim tries to talk to Kathy again, but she's locked herself in her room. Jim tells Bud and Betty that this is partly their fault as they always ignore Kathy. Bud and Betty try to make Kathy feel better, but she says all she wants is her baby. The family comes up with a plan to make Kathy think they traded Bud for his friend Claude Messner. The next morning Claude is at the table when Kathy walks in. The family is disappointed when it doesn't seem to faze Kathy. In the end, Kathy realizes she was being stubborn and apologizes. Lois January as Mrs. Martin. | ||||||
| 50 | 24 | "The Historical Andersons" | William D. Russell | Story by : Herman Epstein & Roswell Rogers, Teleplay by : Roswell Rogers | February 22, 1956 | |
| Bud has to write a paper on a historical figure from the Revolutionary War. Jim suggests an ancestor, Major Nathaniel Anderson, and says he must be important if he was a major. Bud finds a picture of Nathaniel in the attic and Bud thinks the Major looks like him. Bud fantasizes that he is Nathaniel. Bud tells everyone at school about the famous relative, but many don't believe him. Miss Woodruff, Bud's teacher, would like him to read his paper at the Friday night PTA meeting. Bud and Betty research Nathaniel at the public library. What they find out isn't good. Miss Woodruff comes by the house and says how excited the PTA is about the Major. They're having a scroll made and would like the Anderson family to act out some scenes depicting the Major's triumphs. It is the night of the PTA meeting and Miss Woodruff introduces Jim. Jim tells the story, and the family acts out, of how Nathaniel stole tea from the Boston Tea Party and sold it on the Black market. Nathaniel was eventually tar and feathered and chased out of Boston. He was later jailed and also faked being a Major. Jim tells the audience that he felt it was best that the truth came out. Elizabeth Harrower as Librarian. | ||||||
| 51 | 25 | "The Grass is Greener" | William D. Russell | Story by : Herman Epstein, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper | February 29, 1956 | |
| Jim is excited to tell his family that his college friend Charlie Bradley (Frank Wilcox) is being interviewed on television. Jim tells them that Charlie is quite successful. Jim and Charlie were part of a college group called "The Four Musketeers". Charlie calls Jim and agrees to come over for dinner on Wednesday. Jim mentions to the family that the other two men are also quite successful. Kathy then says that Jim is the only one who isn't. The next day at work, Mr. Gribble (Paul Harvey) comes to Jim's office. Something Mr. Gribble requests of Jim makes him feel unsuccessful. Wanting to help his father, Bud leaves a book titled "How to be a Success in Business" out for him to find. Mr. Gribble would like Jim to get Charlie to represent Springfield at the State convention. The kids try and show an interest in Jim's job, but it just makes him upset. Margaret makes Jim feel better. Charlie calls and says he can't make dinner, he does however accept going to the convention. Charlie does come by the house before he has to catch a flight and tells Jim what a wonderful life he must have. In the end, Jim realizes he has everything he wants. | ||||||
| 52 | 26 | "The Persistent Guest" | William D. Russell | Paul West | March 7, 1956 | |
| Bud meets Fred Wyman in the school cafeteria. They decide Fred will help tutor Bud in Algebra, while Bud will help him with English. Bud invites Fred over to the house. That evening, Jim mentions to Margaret how his friend Lou Miller (Ray Walker) would give anything to have a boy like Bud. They are sitting down to dinner and Fred shows up. Things are awkward for a moment, but then the family invites Fred to eat with them. Fred loads up his plate with food and later he insists on doing the dishes. It is getting very late and Jim says that Fred can stay over, but he should call his parents. Fred stalls a bit but then he fakes calling home. The family wakes up the next morning to find that Fred has made breakfast. Betty's friend Alice comes by and sees Fred. She rudely tells the family that Fred sponges off of people, that he is a bum and that he lives in the back of a junk yard. Fred tells the family that his parents separated. He doesn't know where his mother is and his father just left a few months back. Jim introduces Fred to Lou and Grace (Virginia Christine) Miller. The Millers instantly know that Fred is the boy for them. | ||||||
| 53 | 27 | "Family Reunion" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | March 14, 1956 | |
| Margaret gets a letter from her sister Esther about a family reunion the next day. Even though it is extremely out of the way, Esther asks them to pick up Cousin Ione (Lillian Powell). While Margaret is excited, Jim and the children are not. They all start to make excuses to not go. When Margaret isn't around the family does imitations of the relatives. Margaret walks into the room, hears them and then tells them off. An irritated Margaret says they will not go. Ione calls and says she'll be in town the next day so they won't have to drive out to pick her up. The next day, Jim wants the family to come up with a way to make Margaret happy and decide to go. Cousin Ione comes by the house. Jim tries to talk to Margaret but she says she's going shopping with Myrtle Davis. Margaret talks to Ione, but doesn't say anything about not going. Jim and Margaret have a heart to heart talk and she agrees to go. | ||||||
| 54 | 28 | "Family Dines Out" | William D. Russell | Story by : Herman Epstein & Roswell Rogers, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper | March 28, 1956 | |
| Betty pulls up to the house in a chauffeur driven limousine. It is owned by her new friend Eloise Sanford's family. Betty promised Eloise that her family will attend the opening of the new Country Club. Jim is not interested in going because he thinks Betty just wants to show off. After realizing Betty is in a bind, Jim agrees to go. Jim and Margaret are getting dressed for the evening and Bud comes by saying he got a new job. Bud needs the family to eat at the modest drugstore counter that night. In order to get the job, Bud promised Pete the manager that he'd increase business. Jim tells him that they already agreed to go to the Country Club. At the drugstore, Pete says Bud's friends better show up as he ordered extra food. Bud is excited when he sees his family does show up. Betty is embarrassed when she sees Eloise come into the drugstore. Eloise says she thinks it is very nice that the family wanted to help Bud. She says that her father invited them to the club for the next evening. Jim tells Betty that instead of being a snob, she should be proud of Bud starting at the bottom. Bud tells the family he's just been fired. | ||||||
| 55 | 29 | "Bud, the Boxer" | William D. Russell | Story by : Ben Gershman & Paul West, Teleplay by : Paul West | April 4, 1956 | |
| Bud tries to avoid Eddie Jarvis, a bully at school, but Jim tells Bud he cannot avoid his problems forever. Jim suggests the boys get in a boxing ring and have a clean fight. Bud loses the fight. When he gets home, Bud tells the family he got punched in the nose and just stayed on the floor. Jim talks Bud into taking some boxing lessons with Coach Bill Neuman (Joseph Cranston). Jim says it will give Bud confidence. Margaret and Betty think it is a bad idea, but Jim says Bud is not going to turn into a fighter. Bud comes from a lesson and says he had a great time and that Bill said he was a fast learner. Jim comes by one of the lessons. Bud fights Eddie again and this time he wins. At home, Jim brags to Margaret how well Bud did. Bud comes home and tells how great all the guys thought he was. Bud starts to get a big head and wants to take on the high school junior class champion. The night of the fight Bud does not do so well and loses. Jim tells Bud that he is still proud of him. | ||||||
| 56 | 30 | "Betty, Girl Engineer" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | April 11, 1956 | |
| Betty's school hosts a career day where the students can sign up to intern at a job. Betty comes home and tells the family she signed up for a civil engineer position. Margaret is surprised that they would take a girl. Betty says they don't know she's a girl as she signed with her initials, BJ. Jim thinks that after a day or so, Betty will give it up. On her first day, she meets Doyle Hobbs (Roger Smith), the head surveyor. Doyle keeps asking Betty what was the reason she signed up to be an engineer. He gives Betty a hard time as he believes a woman's place is in the home. An angry and frustrated Betty leaves the job site. Betty tells Margaret exactly what she thinks of Doyle and it isn't good. Doyle comes by the Anderson house to see Betty. Betty doesn't want to see him. Jim goes to talk to Doyle and Doyle continually mentions how it isn't right for a girl to want to be an engineer. Just as Doyle is leaving, Betty shows up in a new dress. Betty accepts Doyle's request for a date and it seems she has given up the idea of engineering. | ||||||
| 57 | 31 | "The Martins and the Coys" | William D. Russell | Paul West | April 18, 1956 | |
| Jim has an argument with old friend Frank Tyler (Tris Coffin) about his insurance which was cancelled. Jim and Frank decide they no longer need to contact each other and their friendship is over. However, Betty is dating Frank's son Bob. Bob tells Betty about the fight and says they need to do something. Jim comes home and tells the family his version of the story. Frank tells his wife Dorothy (Ann Doran) and Bob his side of the story. Both men are furious and believe the other to be a cheat. At the malt shop, Betty and Bob reluctantly decide to stop seeing each other. Margaret tells Jim she's worried how this fight will effect Betty. Both father's tell their children that they should keep dating, but Betty and Bob tell their fathers it is not the same. Both families insist that Jim and Frank should make up. The men get together to apologize and get into another fight. Something Bud had told Jim, gets him to work things out with Frank. | ||||||
| 58 | 32 | "Dilemma for Margaret" | William D. Russell | Kay Lenard | April 25, 1956 | |
| Evelyn (Eilene Janssen) drops off a package for Betty and it has something to do with that evening. Margaret is picked to give a speech on child guidance at a PTA seminar. Jim tells her to speak about how well she has raised her children. That night, Betty gets a phone call and then sneaks out of the house with a ghost costume that was in the package. Kathy looks out her window and sees a ghost walking by. She tells her parents and they go outside to look around. A policeman comes by and tells them the high school was vandalized by a bunch of people dressed as ghosts. Bud and Kathy see Betty come home and put the costume in the garbage. The next morning there is an article in the paper about the incident. There was a window broken at the school and the police believe students were involved. Mrs. Tyler (Barbara Woodell) calls Margaret and tells her Principal Armstead (Sam Flint) would like to talk to the PTA committee about what happened. Armstead says that if the guilty party doesn't come forward, all the clubs will be punished. Jim and Margaret find out Betty was involved and Betty says it was supposed to be a club initiation prank. Margaret tells Betty that unless she tells Principal Armstead the truth, she would tell the PTA she couldn't give the speech. Betty initially says she can't be a tattletale, but then she does the right thing and talks to Armstead. | ||||||
| 59 | 33 | "Hero Father" | William D. Russell | Story by : Dorothy Cooper & Herman Epstein, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper | May 2, 1956 | |
| Baseball star Duke Snider and his All-Stars are touring the country and all the guys are hoping they would stop in Springfield and give an exhibition game. Bud says his father might be able to convince Duke to stop. After Jim gets tickets to a sold out show for Betty, Bud is sure he can get the All-Stars. Jim says there's no way he could get them, but Margaret thinks he should try. Jim manages to get in touch with Snider and finds out he will need to pay the team expenses in advance to get them to come to town for a charity game. They will also want 25% of the profits. Jack Bramer (Kenneth Tobey) is the father of Sandy (Tommy Ivo), one of Bud's friends. Jack comes to see Jim at his office. He offers Jim the money up front that would be needed to get the All-Stars to appear. Jack is doing it partly to earn the respect of his son. But, Jack wants a political favor in return, which Jim refuses to do. Everyone is now disappointed that the game is cancelled. Jim doesn't tell anyone the real reason. When Jack finds out that Jim has taken the blame for the game falling through, he has a change of heart. Jim also did something that brings Jack and Sandy closer together. | ||||||
| 60 | 34 | "Father, the Naturalist" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | May 9, 1956 | |
| Kathy must complete a nature folder for a school club by the next day. Jim and Kathy head outside to explore and search nature. Kathy accidentally leaves the folder out in the forest. Feeling bad, Jim goes out in the middle of the night to try and find the folder. | ||||||
| 61 | 35 | "The Ten-Dollar Question" | William D. Russell | Story by : Barbara Avedon, Teleplay by : Barbara Avedon & Dorothy Cooper | May 16, 1956 | |
| Bud wants some money so he and six of his friends can buy a car. Betty wants some money to take a charm course. Kathy wants a toy rocket ship. The kids are constantly tattling on each other. Jim decides to start an anti-snitching contest. Whoever can go a week without telling on the other will win $10. Jim puts the money in a drawer and days later finds it missing. Then Betty gets a package from the charm school. Jim finds out that Bud's been working on a car. Kathy suddenly has the toy rocket. Jim becomes disappointed when none of the children confess. Then, to make things even more confusing, each of the children tell Jim they took the money to cover for each other. Turns out that Margaret found the money and put it back in Jim's wallet. Wilson Wood as Delivery Man. Frank Sully as Waiter. | ||||||
| 62 | 36 | "Adopted Daughter" | William D. Russell | Story by: Roswell Rogers and Carl Herzinger Teleplay by: Roswell Rogers | May 23, 1956 | |
| Patty Davis tells Kathy that fellow classmate Alicia May is adopted. Patty says that one way to prove one was not adopted is by a birth certificate. She asks Kathy if she has seen her certificate. Kathy goes home and searches for the certificate. When Margaret says it was lost, Kathy begins to worry. Kathy asks Jim about her birth and Jim jokes and makes up a story of her being left by the milkman. Kathy tells Patty that she believes she is adopted. Kathy finds a receipt from an adoption agency and is sure it refers to her. Margaret mentions to Jim how strangely Kathy's been acting. Bud starts taking Kathy's stuff out of her room. Jim tries to tell Kathy that it is only for a couple days as they are sanding and varnishing her floor. Believing that the family is going to kick her out, Kathy runs away. She goes to Alicia May's house and tells her she is adopted as well. Alicia May tells Kathy that adopted children are special, because they were chosen. Alicia May convinces her to go back to her family. The family finds out from Patty that Kathy thinks she's adopted. Jim finds Kathy and reassures her she is part of the family. | ||||||
| 63 | 37 | "Betty's Graduation" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | May 30, 1956 | |
| Kathy doesn't want to graduate from eighth grade because this is the happiest time of her life. Jim tells Kathy a story about Betty's high school graduation. Flashback to Betty practicing her graduation speech. A corsage from Ralph is delivered for Betty and she starts to cry. Jim has a talk with Betty and she seems fine, but he stills thinks somethings wrong. Kathy finds Margaret's diary and starts to read it to Jim. Margaret takes it away from her. Ralph calls and Betty says that she's not going to the graduation dance that evening. Betty tells her parents that she doesn't want to go as this is the last dance and there will never be another. Betty starts to think the best days of her life are now over and does not want to graduate. Later, the family can't find Betty. Betty calls and tells Jim she took a cab to an old grove she used to go to when she was younger and wanted to think things through. Jim drives out to see her. With the help of Margaret's diary, Jim convinces Betty that the best things are ahead for her. At the graduation ceremony, Mr. Armstead introduces valedictorian Betty. As part of her speech, she repeats something Jim told her at the grove. | ||||||
Season 3 (1956–57)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64 | 1 | "No Apron Strings" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | September 16, 1956 | |
| Bud has a new girlfriend named Georgia Amaldi (Denise Alexander), but he hasn't told the family. After school she works at her father's (Frank Puglia) grocery store. Georgia is getting a little upset because it seems every time she wants Bud to be with her, he has to run an errand for his mother. Georgia would like to have Bud take her to the Planetarium this Friday. Bud says no matter what, it is a date. Kathy comes into the store and Bud hides in the back. Kathy says that a friend thought they saw Bud come into the store. Georgia pretends to not know who Bud is. Kathy also mentions that she needs to find a gift for her mother's birthday on Friday. Because he has forgotten about Margaret's birthday, Bud again promises Georgia they will go out on Friday. Back at home, Bud learns about Margaret's birthday party on Friday night. It is Friday night and Georgia thinks Bud is not coming because her family is from "the wrong side of the tracks". Bud tells the family that he has to go as he had made a date before he remembered about the birthday. Margaret is surprised, but tells Bud to go. After he leaves, Mr. Amaldi comes to the house. Bud tells Georgia that he saw her father's truck pull up to his house. Georgia is worried that her father will ruin everything. When her and Bud get to the house, they find the family and her father signing Polly Wolly Doodle and having a great time. | ||||||
| 65 | 2 | "Never the Twain" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | September 19, 1956 | |
| A cowboy named Utah (John Smith), that Betty met on a dude ranch over the past summer, is stopping in Springfield on his way to Chicago. Betty tells her friend Janey that he was everything she ever dreamed about. And she has incredible memories of their time together. Betty shows pictures of the ranch to the family. Flashback to the family arriving at the ranch. Owner Harvey Johnson shows them around. Betty sees Utah for the first time. Betty would like Jim to ask Harvey if Utah could be their guide, but Jim thinks they should just take who they get. The next morning, Betty finds out that elderly Ace (Will Wright) will be their guide. But at the last minute, Utah takes over as Ace has to go into town. Utah tells Betty that Ace really didn't have to go into town, he wanted to make sure he got to ride with her. The week is almost over. Utah tells Betty that the party that night is probably the last time he'll see her. That night, Utah gives Betty a gift and they kiss. Back to the present and Utah arrives at the house. But, when she sees him, he is not the man Betty remembered. They have a very awkward conversation and Utah leaves. Jim explains to her how time can build up an image of someone and she should hold on to those memories. Emil Sitka as Earl. | ||||||
| 66 | 3 | "Betty Goes to College" | Peter Tewksbury | Story by : Herman Epstein, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper & Roswell Rogers | September 26, 1956 | |
| Jim & Margaret are going to take Betty to State University, to look things over. It is the same college that Jim and Margaret went to and they expect Betty to go there as well. But Jim does tell Betty and Bud that they are free to choose any college they want. Betty tells her friend Dottie Snow (Yvonne Lime) that if she does go to State, she'll miss her friends in town. The family arrives at State University and Jim and Margaret really talk it up. Bud is unimpressed. The more that Jim praises the school, the more that Betty is having second thoughts. When Jim tells Drama teacher Mrs. Blair that Betty will be taking all the classes that he did, Betty leaves the room. Jim overhears Betty telling Bud that she doesn't want to go to State. Jim is about to tell Margaret what he heard when Dean Walton (Ray Collins) comes by. Dean Walton is introduced to the children and Margaret mentions how they'll all be going to the school eventually. Betty explains to her parents that going to State would be reliving their lives and she wants to live her own life. She wants to stay in town and go to the junior college with her friends. Dean overhears this. Something Dean Walton does helps Jim to understand that Betty needs to make her own choice. | ||||||
| 67 | 4 | "Man About Town" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | October 3, 1956 | |
| Bud's friend Kippy has his cousin Marissa (Kathleen Case) coming to town. Kippy shows Bud a picture of her and Bud would really like to go out with her. Marissa arrives and Bud catches a glimpse of her and she is even prettier in real life. Kippy calls Bud and tells him he forgot how old Marissa was. Bud is only 15 and 5'7 but Marissa likes older, taller men. Kippy gives him lifts for his shoes, powder to put in his hair and a fake mustache. Bud talks to Marissa over the phone and she would like to go to the Top Hat night club. Bud does not have enough money to go there and is not old enough to get in. Jim suggests they double date so he can get into the club. They're about to leave to pick up Marissa and Jim tells Bud to take off the fake mustache. At the club, the Emcee announces this evenings entertainment, The Great Merado (Philip Van Zandt). The Great Merado starts out with some magic tricks. He then proceeds to some mind-reading and picks Bud as a subject. To Bud's embarrassment, everything about him, including his age, is revealed. When Bud walks Marissa to her door, she tells him she knew from the beginning that he wasn't 19. She says she still had a wonderful time and gives him a kiss goodnight. | ||||||
| 68 | 5 | "The Homing Pigeon" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | October 10, 1956 | |
| Bud and his friends have been experimenting with homing pigeons. Bud's bird Charlie comes back from a 100 mile trip. Bud then has Charlie attempt a 500 mile trip. Meanwhile, Betty announces she is moving into an apartment with a friend of hers named Jean Barrett. Jim and Margaret are not sure about the move. Bud reads the paper and learns that Charlie might be flying right into a thunderstorm. Jim compares Betty with Charlie. They will give Betty her freedom and see if she comes home. Despite what they said, Jim and Margaret are surprised when Betty actually decides to leave. Jim drives Betty to the apartment. The storm is approaching their house and Bud is even more worried about Charlie. Jim and Bud are outside looking for Charlie and Bud has given up hope. Just as it starts to rain by them, Charlie makes it home. Not long after, Betty comes home. | ||||||
| 69 | 6 | "Spaghetti for Margaret" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | October 17, 1956 | |
| Margaret wins a raffle: a free spaghetti dinner once a week for a year. Jim's old friend Harper Eames (Herb Butterfield) visits his office. Harper mentions that there will be a banquet in his honor and he would like Jim to be his guest. Harper's policy has lapsed but Jim still wants to help him, since the old man still has dreams of being a famous writer. Years ago Harper sold a piece to a magazine, quit teaching, and was determined to start enjoying the good life as an author. He has interesting stories to tell but never had success. In his mind, he keeps believing that some day someone will throw him a banquet to celebrate his writings. Harper comes by the house. While waiting for Jim, Harper invites Kathy to his banquet and she is excited. Harper returns a pen he had taken from Jim's office. Margaret does not think Harper should make promises he cannot keep to Kathy. There never will be a banquet. Kathy comes home upset and says that her friends said that Harper is a crazy old man. Knowing how much Harper means to Jim, Margaret comes up with a plan to help. Margaret talks to Mr. Lazarro at the restaurant where she won the prize. Margaret arranges to get all her free meals on one night and throws a banquet for Harper. It is the night of the banquet and Jim learns that Harper had moved out of the place he was living at and never got the invitation. Jim sees Harper working in the kitchen. Jim figures out a way to get Harper into the banquet without him knowing that Jim saw him washing dishes. Sarah Selby as Miss Thomas. | ||||||
| 70 | 7 | "Betty's Birthday" | Peter Tewksbury | Story by : Herman Epstein, Teleplay by : Dorothy Cooper | October 24, 1956 | |
| After hearing a lecture a school, Betty decides it is primitive to give gifts. At the malt shop, Betty and Dottie enter a "Guess the number of jelly beans in the jar" contest. The prize is a gold heart with a genuine diamond. Betty's 18th birthday is coming up and she tells Dottie not to get her a gift. Kathy winds up winning the gold heart. Jim got Betty a wristwatch and Bud's been mowing lawns to buy Betty something. It is Betty's birthday and she seems uninterested. She tells the family she doesn't want any presents. Jim gets upset and Betty tries to explain to him her thoughts. Things are very awkward at dinner and Betty starts to feel bad. Jim talks to Betty and tells her that while the rest of the family will go along with her wishes, Kathy does not understand and her heart is broken that she cannot give Betty her gift. Betty agrees to accept Kathy's gift and it turns out to be the golden heart. Betty comes to realize what joy the family gets from giving her the gifts. Eleanor Audley as Saleslady. | ||||||
| 71 | 8 | "Bud, the Millionaire" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | October 31, 1956 | |
| It is Jim's birthday the next day. Bud is acting strangely and wants to talk to Jim. Bud feels he is being underpaid in his allowance, and he has to work to earn it. Jim says that one doesn't get something for nothing, they have to work for it. Jim decides to teach Bud a lesson by giving him $10 a week with the stipulation that he can only spend it on himself. Bud shows Kippy and Fred (Anthony Sydes) his money and they are impressed. Bud buys some candy but he cannot share it with the guys because of his deal with Jim. Kippy gets upset. Bud is acting like a big shot and Betty wonders if Jim did the right thing. Fred meets Bud at the movies and assumes Bud was buying his ticket. Fred calls Bud a cheapskate and leaves. Later, Kippy and Fred see Bud at the malt shop and start to tease him. Betty reminds Bud about Jim's birthday. Knowing he can't use his money to buy a present, he asks Betty to lend him some. She refuses. Bud asks Margaret what he should do and she tells him it is his decision. He gives up his free $10 a week and buys Jim a gift. Bud learned it is no fun having money if you did not work for it and you cannot share it with others. Eleanor Audley as Woman Giving Spare Change. | ||||||
| 72 | 9 | "The Old Days" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | November 7, 1956 | |
| Jim and Margaret plan to go to the PTA costume party that evening. Margaret tells Jim to pick up some costumes. Margaret doesn't like the casual way Betty is dressed. Margaret calls Jim and tells him she's come up with a costume idea. Jim doesn't like the way Bud wears his pants. Margaret suggests wearing clothes from their youth that was stored in the attic. Jim and Margaret reminisce about the day they got married. They get dressed for the party and Betty says they look ridiculous. Betty is helping at the party. She sees her parents wearing the clothes kids wear now-a-days. The couple that win first prize are wearing the same type of clothes that Jim and Margaret originally were going to wear. Betty feels bad that she made her parents change clothes. Jim explains to Betty that every generation has different styles and we should except that. When Jim and Margaret come home they find Betty and Bud dressed in their old clothes from the attic. Harry Hickox as Announcer At Dance. | ||||||
| 73 | 10 | "Whistle Bait" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | November 14, 1956 | |
| Mrs. Carr, the Dean of women, asks Betty to be a freshman counselor and help new girls at the college. Glen Clark and a couple other guys are talking to Betty and Dottie. A new girl walks by and the boys start whistling at her. At home, Betty overhears Bud talking to Jim about whistling at girls. Bud mentions that guys don't whistle at Betty. Jim can tell something is bothering Betty, but she won't tell him anything. At the malt shop, Betty asks Ralph if she walked by, would he whistle at her. Betty gets upset when Ralph says he wouldn't. At school, Betty and Dottie see the boys whistling at that girl again. Mrs. Carr assigns Betty to help Diane Mills (Mary Ellen Kay), a new girl, make friends. Diane turns out to be the girl that the boys are whistling at and Betty is not happy about it. Jim and Margaret ask Betty what's wrong and she again says nothing. A favor that Dottie asks Betty to do for her, upsets Betty even more. Diane comes by the house and Jim has to force Betty to talk to her. Diane asks Betty why none of the other girls will talk to her. Betty admits to being jealous of Diane. Betty comes to realize that Diane is really a nice person and they become friends. | ||||||
| 74 | 11 | "The Great Guy" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | November 21, 1956 | |
| Bud and Kippy go to work at a newspaper company and will be working every night. Margaret and Jim are worried about how it will effect his schoolwork. Their boss, Sinclair Bruder (Whit Bissell), is a real tough taskmaster. He constantly rides them for every little thing. Bud comes home exhausted. After a week, Bud would like to quit, but he can't because he made such a big deal out of getting the job to his parents. Margaret tells Bud that the job seems too much for him, but he insists he can do it. Bud talks to Jim and tells him he wants to quit, but every time Margaret says something, he insists on keeping the job. Bud also mentions how tough Bruder is. Jim tells Bud that he has to give Bruder notice of him quitting. Kippy quits and Bud is about to, but then Bruder sticks up for Bud when there is a problem with some newspaper inserts. But later, Bruder picks on Bud for another mistake and Bud starts to tell him off and believes he's going to be fired. Turns out Mr. Bruder recommends Bud for a better position, because he knows he's a good worker and not a quitter. Bud turns the job down, because he's says he wants to stay with Mr. Bruder. Jim asks Bud why and Bud says because Bruder is a great guy. | ||||||
| 75 | 12 | "The Family Goes to New York" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | November 28, 1956 | |
| Jim is hesitant to let Betty go to New York alone, but Margaret convinces him to let her go. Betty is going to NY to help her friend Barbara (Ann Baker) on her wedding day. Betty mentions that Tony, the best man, will be her escort around town, which Jim isn't thrilled about. Bud jokes about Tony falling for Betty because she'll be different then the New York women. Betty and Barbara are wined and dined by Barbara's rich Aunt Martha Huntington (Mary Adams). Betty calls home and tells the family about all the wonderful things she'll be doing. Betty meets Tony and the husband to be, Ray. Tony has been showing Betty the town and she starts to fall for him. Imagine the family's surprise when a picture of Betty and Tony show up in the newspaper. Worried about a possible romance, Jim and Margaret go to NY to check up on Betty. While out to dinner, Margaret, Jim and Betty see Tony with another girl. Betty realizes he was just being a nice guy and she let her emotions get the better of her. | ||||||
| 76 | 13 | "Betty Goes Steady" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers Based on an Article by: Cameron Shipp | December 5, 1956 | |
| Betty accepts a date invitation to the dance from Roger Kohlhoff. When Jim asks about the boy, Betty at first can't remember his name. Betty says she's going steady with him as he's one of the "acceptables". Bud tells Jim and Margaret that he's now an editor on the high school paper. He's invited Mr. Beekman (Robert Vaughn), the paper's adviser, over to the house to go over some things. Later that evening, Dotty comes by and tells Betty how exciting it is to go steady with an "acceptable". Dotty tries to explain the social rules for acceptance by the college's "In Crowd" that dictates who's acceptable & who's not. Mr. Beekman comes by to see Bud. Mr. Beekman encourages Ralph Waldo Emerson's philosophy of asking "Why?" of anyone or anything that demands unquestioning obedience. He and Betty get into a heated discussion and he leaves. The night of the dance, Beekman finds an excuse to come by and talk to Betty again. He tells her exactly how her evening will go. And part of it happens the way he said when Roger comes by. After the dance, Margaret finds Betty sitting downstairs just thinking. Mr. Beekman finds Betty in the library reading a book on Emerson and asks her again to stop her unquestioning obedience. After another conversation with Dotty and Roger, Betty comes to realize Beekman was right. Eleanor Audley as Bookstacker in library. | ||||||
| 77 | 14 | "The Good Prospect" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | December 12, 1956 | |
| Jim is visiting his car salesman friend, Virg Carlson (Harry Hickox) at the dealership. Jim is hoping Virg can sponsor Bud's bowling team. While there, Jim meets Aldus Lydum (Don Beddoe) and thinks this might lead to a new insurance client. Aldus invites Jim & Margaret to visit he and his wife that night. At home, Kathy is selling donuts for her girl's club. Jim tells Bud that Virg is already sponsoring a team. Jim and Margaret go to see Aldus and they meet his wife (Mary Adams). Aldus acts as if everyone is a long-standing friend and that he has a lot of money. Bud and Kippy go to see Aldus and he agrees to sponsor their team. Aldus then buys several boxes of doughnuts from Kathy. But when it is time to come through with the money, Aldus doesn't have it. Kathy comes home crying and Margaret and Jim go to see Aldus. Aldus isn't home when they get to his house. Mrs. Lydum tells Jim and Betty that Aldus is a loving man, but he is irresponsible and a failure. He compensates by trying to act important, but she loves him anyway. Aldus comes home and he feels bad for hurting Kathy. He comes up with the money for her. And he found a sponsor for Bud's bowling team. | ||||||
| 78 | 15 | "The Angel's Sweater" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | December 19, 1956 | |
| It is Christmas Eve and Aunt Neva (Katherine Warren) has come to visit. Aunt Neva gets briefly upset when Kathy drops her suitcase by accident. Kathy starts to cry and goes to her room. Neva overhears Kathy tell Betty that she wished Aunt Neva had never come. After a water pipe bursts, Jim calls Mister Fixit (Ludwig Stössel). Mr Fixit tells a Christmas story to Kathy about a little girl in the "old country" named Katrina. Kathy imagines the story in her mind and her family are the characters. Katrina (Kathy) is trying to decide what gift she should give to the church for the poor. She wants it to be the greatest gift. Hans (Bud) comes by and asks Katrina to go to church with him. He, unfortunately, is no help when he tells her that each must learn for themselves what the greatest gift is. An Angel (Betty) appears before Katrina. Something the angel says gives Katrina an idea. Katrina goes to Herr Grossenheimer's (Jim) shop. She wants to buy a sweater for the angel. As Katrina leaves the store, an old woman (Neva), who is dressed in black and no one likes, follows her. When Katrina isn't looking, the old woman steals the sweater. Katrina thinks the Angel took it. Something else the Angels says makes Katrina believe the greatest gift is love. Katrina sees the old woman with the sweater and tells her she loves her. The old woman becomes beautiful and dressed in silver and gold. Kathy finds it in her heart to tell Aunt Neva she loves her. | ||||||
| 79 | 16 | "The Promising Young Man" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | December 26, 1956 | |
| John Seastrom, vice president of Jim's company, asks Jim if he can show John's son Elwood (Richard Crenna) how to sell insurance. Jim agrees to help and lets John know. Jim goes to the train station, but not knowing what Elwood looks like, Jim doesn't find him. Apparently somewhere between when Elwood boarded the train and Springfield, he got off. Elwood comes driving up to the house. He explains that he stopped off to visit a friend. He then bought the car that he drove up in from a man that the friend knew. The family finds him to be very charming and a lot of fun. Elwood then leaves to visit another friend. The next morning, Jim and Miss Thomas (Sarah Selby) find Elwood sleeping in Jim's office. Emmet Ward (Willis Bouchey), one of Jim's clients, comes by and is upset that he hasn't received his policy yet. Emmet gives Jim an ultimatum and leaves. Later, Elwood tells the family an amusing story about his lost luggage at the hotel. However, his carefree nature and non-committal attitude leave Jim wondering if he can hold any job. Something Elwood does on a night out with Betty has Jim ready to send him home. But when Emmet comes back to the office furious, Jim learns that Elwood's traits actually make him sociable enough to work with clients. | ||||||
| 80 | 17 | "Margaret Hires a Gardener" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | January 2, 1957 | |
| Margaret is out working in the front garden. A friendly Mexican gardener named Frank (Natividad Vacío), but he pronounces it Fronk, drives up. Before Margaret knows what's happened, Fronk has talked his way into a job as her gardener. However, the more Jim tries to find out how much Frank will charge and how long things will take, the less is actually answered. It has been a week and despite the yard looking good, Jim finds that Fronk has been buying things without authorization. Jim cannot get Fronk to understand how things should work. The bills keep adding up and Jim just can't get through to good-natured Fronk. Jim decides that they have to let Frank go, but before Jim can tell him, Frank calls and says he will not be around for a couple months. Jim gets another call and learns Frank has been arrested. The family goes to see Frank as he appears before the Magistrate. Apparently the police thought Frank was taking flowers from a public park. With Jim's help, it is found out that he was actually planting the flowers. | ||||||
| 81 | 18 | "Swiss Family Anderson" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | January 9, 1957 | |
| Jack Griffin (Nelson Leigh), a friend of Jim's, is trying to talk Jim into buying an island that he owns. Jack tells Jim to at least go and take a look at it. At dinner, Jim brings up the island. Betty and Bud bring up how their home is outdated and falling apart. Margaret agrees. The family go to visit the island and see the beat-up old shack that is there. Betty is unimpressed and goes back to the boat. Betty winds up falling in the water and the untied boat drifts away. Bud and Kathy go for some firewood and Jim searches the island. Betty and Margaret try to straighten up the shack. Jim finds some potatoes and onions to eat. It is night and the family tries sleeping. Ranger Joe Malone (Don C. Harvey), who found their empty boat, comes to rescue the family. Once back home, they realize their old house is not so bad after all. | ||||||
| 82 | 19 | "Brief Holiday" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | January 16, 1957 | |
| Margaret complains to her friend Myrtle (Vivi Janiss) that she is tired of all the housework and demands of the children, expecting her to do their every whim. She decides to take a day off. She goes to a ritzy part of town, where she buys a hat, eats lunch at a French restaurant and has her portrait painted by a street artist (John Banner). Jim has Miss Thomas call Margaret about a repairman that is supposed to come by, but there is no answer. Seeing how late it is getting, Margaret runs out before the Artist is finished with her picture. But she leaves the hat bag with her address in it. When she returns home, the entire family wonders why nothings been done. The Artist comes to the door and gives Jim the bag and her portrait. Margaret for her part feels frustrated that Jim doesn't believe her simple and honest explanation for her actions. Jim's imagination runs wild as he wonders why Margaret suddenly ran out. Jim asks Miss Thomas her thoughts about what a wife hypothetically did. When Miss Thomas gives her answer, Jim wonders if he's been an inadequate husband. Jim races home because he thinks Margaret's going to leave him. After Margaret explains things again, Jim comes to understand. | ||||||
| 83 | 20 | "The Lawn Party" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | January 23, 1957 | |
| Bud wants to have a lawn party at the Anderson's home the next day. Bud says it won't be much work, but then rattles off a long list of things to do. Betty comes by saying she wants to have a slumber party the same night. Margaret tells her that Bud came first. Bud expects Jim & Margaret to do the work, without the teens even helping. The boys have a baseball game that they have to play in. Jim tells Bud if he can't get some of the other parents to help, then he cannot have the party. Bud gets not one parent to volunteer. Jim is upset and says the party's off. The next day, Jim feels a little guilty but there's nothing that can be done. Then Mr. Messner (Fred Sherman), Mrs. Watkins (Paula Winslowe) and a bunch of other parents show up. Jim tries to explain that the party's off but everyone keeps working. One of the parents comments on how the Anderson house is the place everyone would like to be at. Jim and Margaret get a good feeling about the comment. Betty goes to tell the boys the party is on, but she can't find them. The boys show up and apologize for putting Jim and Margaret on the spot the way they did. They say how much they like them and give Jim and Margaret a present. Betty then takes the boys outside to show them the party is on. | ||||||
| 84 | 21 | "Short Wave" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | January 30, 1957 | |
| Bud bought a shortwave radio and while trying it out, he picks up a signal from a cabin cruiser 1000 miles away. The ship is called the Betty Ann and the Allen family on it are talking to relatives on land. A radio operator sends out a weather bulletin about an approaching storm. The Coast Guard then sends a weather warning. The Anderson's can tell that the Betty Ann is not receiving the warnings and others can't hear the Betty Ann. Now the Betty Ann is sending a distress call to the Coast Guard but are not getting through clearly. Jim decides to call the Cape Sharon Coast Guard on the phone. The long distance operator will get back to Jim. The Betty Ann has lost both of its engines and is taking on water. Jim gets through to the Coast Guard Skipper (John Bryant) and gives him the location of the Betty Ann. The Betty Ann learns that someone has relayed their distress call and location to the Coast Guard. The father says that if the people who helped are still listening, he thanks them. The Anderson's hear that the Betty Ann has been found and the family is now safe. Pamela Baird as Girl scout selling taffy. | ||||||
| 85 | 22 | "Carnival" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | February 6, 1957 | |
| Burt (Dick Foran), a carnival hustler, manages to fleece Bud out of six dollars he was supposed to use to get Jim's pants from the tailor. Bud tells his parents what happened and how surprised he is that the guy could talk him into it. Later, Bud and Kippy go back to Burt and ask him how he manages to get people to spend their money. Burt tells them the tricks of the trade and they wind up getting jobs at the carnival. The family goes to the carnival looking for Bud. They find Bud and Kippy working in a carnival dunking booth. Bud starts to enjoy the carnival lifestyle of tricking people out of their money. Bud was supposed to get paid the next day, but when he shows up, the carnival is gone. Back at home, there's a small package for Bud in the mailbox. It is from Burt and there is the expensive watch in it that Bud tried to win. Burt's note says that the watch cost $2 and every time Bud looks at it, he should remember to stay away from guys like him. | ||||||
| 86 | 23 | "Betty and the Jet Pilot" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | February 13, 1957 | |
| Lt. Charles Baron (Peter Walker), a jet pilot, encounters problems when flying over Springfield and loses his helmet. Bud finds the helmet and the family decides to find the pilot and return it. As a thank you, Charles would like to take Bud for a jet ride. Bud meets Colonel Shaine (Ken Mayer), who clears Bud for the flight. Later, Charlie comes by the house and he and Betty spend the evening together. Betty and Charles start dating and Betty falls in love with him. Betty tells Margaret that she thinks Charles is going to propose to her. Jim has a talk with Betty and she understands that because he's in the Air Force, he could be sent away at any time. During their picnic, Charles tells Betty there's a chance he will be transferred to Alaska. If he doesn't go, he would like to marry Betty. The next day at 9 o'clock Betty will find out his fate. | ||||||
| 87 | 24 | "Trip to Hillsborough" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | February 20, 1957 | |
| Bud and Kippy want to travel for new experiences and write exciting stories. They want to go to Hillsborough by themselves and stay over night. When Bud starts to mention it to Jim, Jim thinks the boys want him to go along. Jim hears Bud tell Margaret that the boys wanted to go alone. Jim then tells Bud he has other plans. Margaret is worried, but Jim says the boys will be fine. The boys are to ride in the back of a truck driven by Bick Norton (Horace McMahon). Kippy backs out at the last minute, so Bud winds up going by himself. Bick recommends a cheaper hotel than the one Bud planned on staying at. At the hotel, Bud sees a bearded man who acts very suspiciously. Bud writes about how he might be a spy. That night, Margaret is still worried. Jim says that the manager at the hotel will watch out for them, not knowing Bud is at a different place. The next morning, Kippy comes by and they realize Bud is alone. Jim calls the hotel and finds out that Bud's not there. Jim finds the hotel he's at and Margaret wants to drive there to get him. The Desk Clerk (Percy Helton) leaves a note for Bud, but he doesn't see it. Jim arrives, but the Desk Clerk mistakenly thinks Bud has already left. Bud sees the family driving off. Jim comes back and finds Bud. Bud tells Jim that he didn't find all the excitement he thought he would. Bud and Jim ride back in Bick's truck. Ralph Sanford as hotel guest. | ||||||
| 88 | 25 | "An Evening to Remember" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | February 27, 1957 | |
| At the office, Jim gets a call from Myron Hansen (Lloyd Corrigan), a client. Jim is in a rush to make an appointment and can't take the phone call. Cornel Wilde arrives at the Anderson house wanting to talk to Jim. He tells Margaret that he had a car accident while traveling through Springfield. After the initial shock of seeing Cornell, she invites him to stay for dinner. Cornell winds up taking a phone message for Betty. Jim arrives home and is stunned to see Cornell. Jim learns from Cornell that it was Mr. Hansen that hit his car. Cornell is afraid that, because he's a movie star, Hansen is going to sue for a lot of money. Cornell is ready to fight as he knows he was not at fault. Cornell answers the phone again and it is the babysitter saying she cannot make it tonight. The rest of the family have plans for the evening, so Cornell offers to stay with Kathy. Jim is trying to work with Cornell, but keeps getting interrupted by the family. Myron shows up, and not knowing Cornell is there, he embellishes the way the accident occurred and hopes to get a big pay day from the movie star. After introducing Myron to Cornell, Jim puts a stop to Myron's lawsuit plans. | ||||||
| 89 | 26 | "Bud Buys a Car" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | March 13, 1957 | |
| Bud tries to tell Margaret about a used car he wants to buy, but she doesn't really pay attention as she is against it. Not knowing Bud had already talked to Margaret, Jim reluctantly says Bud can have the car. Margaret is not happy. The next morning, Bud gets up early and goes to pick up the car. Bud and Doug push the car home and it is quite a wreck. Bud is disappointed that Margaret and Betty don't seem excited about the car. He spends much of the day working on the car, but he can't get it to run. When Margaret and Betty see how hard Bud is working on the car, they feel sorry for him and decide to help. Jim comes home and sees the three of them working. They finally get the car started. | ||||||
| 90 | 27 | "Safety First" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | March 20, 1957 | |
| Jim tells Bud to be more careful when he's driving, but Jim doesn't think he's getting through to him. Kathy's worried when a policeman comes to the door looking for Jim. It's the Chief of Police and he asks Jim to be chairman of the city's safe driving campaign that starts next month. Bud is driving with Claude and Tracey (Dee Pollock) when he has to stop short at an intersection with children. Mrs. Brian (Ethel May Halls), the crossing guard, lectures him about being safer. The boys think she's just picking on them. At home, Bud complains about Mrs. Brian over-reacting. Bud goes out to get Margaret some paint. When he comes back, he tells Betty he got a ticket. At dinner, Jim talks about the safety campaign and Bud leaves the table. Betty tells Jim he should talk to Bud. Bud tells Jim about the ticket but claims he wasn't at fault. Jim has to figure out how make Bud understand that he can't be that careless. Jim, Margaret and Bud are in court. Jim tells Margaret that he talked to the Judge earlier and they came up with a plan. The Judge suspends Bud's license for a week and makes him Crossing Guard for a day. While helping children cross the street, Bud quickly learns his lesson about safety. | ||||||
| 91 | 28 | "Bud, the Hero" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | March 27, 1957 | |
|
Bud is bragging to his friends about the heroic deed he did. Jim tells us how this all came to be in flashback. Betty is at the beauty shop listening to Edie tell Irma she needs to find someone to take her to the party. Irma suggests Edie trap Bud, which she does. Bud needs money for a broken fan belt for his car so he can go on the date. Betty tries to tell Bud what she heard Edie say in the beauty parlor. Bud manages to get the money from Jim. Jim asks Bud to go to the bank to make a deposit as he is busy. With the help of his fan belt, Bud stops a bank robbery without realizing it and completely by accident. Everyone thinks he was quite brave and is considered a hero. Back to the present where Bud is bragging to his friends. Reverend Swain comes by the house. He would like Bud to relate his story of his heroism at the church youth rally. Bud confesses to the Reverend and his friends that he really didn't do anything heroic. The Reverend says it takes a great deal of courage to tell the truth. Note: Jim Anderson (Sr.) breaks the "fourth wall" explaining how the story evolved. | ||||||
| 92 | 29 | "Betty, the Track Star" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | April 3, 1957 | |
| Bud comments on how Betty is constantly trying to make herself pretty. The family learns that Betty is one of three girls in the finals for Flower Queen of Springfield Junior College and she is getting a lot of attention. Bud can't believe all the fuss that's being made about it. Elvia Horsen, captain of the girls' track team, asks Betty to pose for a picture with the team to get some publicity. Betty agrees, but when she learns she'll have to wear a track suit, she regrets saying yes. During the photo shoot, Gloria (Fintan Meyler) gives Betty a hard time about being a glamour girl. Elvia sees Betty run and beat Gloria. Elvia now wants her to join the team. Betty reluctantly agrees, knowing that the track meet is within minutes of the Flower Queen judging. Jim thinks Betty can do both and plans to get her dress and everything else ready. Betty wins the race, and the team hustles her off to get dressed for the judging. With the teams help, Betty also wins the Flower Queen pageant. | ||||||
| 93 | 30 | "The Spelling Bee" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | April 17, 1957 | |
| Jim and Margaret are proud that Kathy got spelling honors in her class. Bud makes light of Kathy's achievement. Kathy tells her parents that she is to compete in the school spelling bee. Betty gives her a penny that she says is good luck. Kathy wins, but now is scared because she must compete in the county championship. She feels better when she remembers her lucky penny. At the hotel, Kathy meets Mara Zerney (Beverly Washburn), another girl who is competing. Kathy lets Mara wear one of her dresses. Everyone is about to leave for the contest. Kathy can't find her lucky penny and is scared and crying. During the competition, Mara finds the penny in the dress and Kathy manages to get it back. Kathy and Mara are the two finalists. Feeling sorry for Mara, Kathy loses on purpose. Ahna Capri as Lisping Spelling Bee Contestant. | ||||||
| 94 | 31 | "Bud, the Philanthropist" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | April 27, 1957 | |
| Bud tells Jim that his Sunday School teacher, Mr. Royal (William Leslie), suggested starting a fund for a younger injured boy named Frankie (Barry Curtis). The plan is to buy Frankie a radio. Bud had a 10 dollar bill that he was going to buy track shoes with. He didn't want to put it all in, but he didn't want to not give anything. He went back to the room and put the money in the box, but none of his friends saw him do it. Bud just wishes that someone knew what he did. Betty tells the family that she found out from Mr. Royal that the boys raised $10.39. Bud can't believe the others only chipped in 39 cents. The next Sunday, Kippy gets credit for Bud's donation and Bud is upset. Knowing he shouldn't brag of his good deed, Bud tries to find other ways to get credit. Even when the family finds out that Kippy is getting the credit, Jim tells Bud to let it go. Not knowing that Bud was the one to put in the money, Kippy confesses to Bud that he didn't do it. Kippy feels really bad about how things turned out. He wants Bud to deliver the radio to Frankie. When giving the radio to Frankie, Bud has the chance to take the credit, but he doesn't. | ||||||
| 95 | 32 | "Baby in the House" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | May 1, 1957 | |
| Betty offers to babysit the whole weekend for the Harris'. Instead of Betty staying at the Harris house, Jim suggests bringing the baby to their house. The baby will be Betty's responsibility. Bud is against the idea. Little Ritchie arrives at the house. Mildred (Gloria Henry) and Les Harris thank Margaret and Jim. Kathy is getting jealous of all the attention Ritchie is getting. A friend offers Betty a ticket to a play she wants to see that night. Margaret and Jim say they will babysit so she can go to the play. Bud gets upset because he and Jim were supposed to go to the auto show. At first Margaret and Jim enjoy having an infant in the house again. But, then things start to get a little hectic. Later that night, Mildred comes by saying they just couldn't stay away from Ritchie. After Mildred leaves with the baby, Bud says that Kathy is not in her room. They find Kathy sleeping in the baby crib. | ||||||
| 96 | 33 | "Class Prophecy" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | May 8, 1957 | |
| Henry Pruett (Harry Townes), a high-school honors classmate of Jim's, comes to visit with his wife Julie (Betty Lou Gerson). Jim remembers hearing that Henry at one time was attending medical school, but he is evasive and uneasy when asked about his career. It turns out he is a lowly salesman of kitchen utensils. When Jim finds out, he must find a way to let Henry know it is OK. | ||||||
| 97 | 34 | "The Art of Romance" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | May 15, 1957 | |
| Jim's advice to Bud about playing cat-and-mouse with Judy (Joan Freeman), a girl he wants to take to the prom, almost backfires. Meanwhile, Betty gives Judy advice on how to get Bud. But, in the end she accepts his invitation. | ||||||
| 98 | 35 | "Margaret Disowns Her Family" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | May 22, 1957 | |
| Margaret decides to sell the old baby crib. A couple who are expecting their first child show up to buy it. They are young as well as being nervous about being parents. It does not help that Margaret is having a bad parenting day and is really irritated with the family. The young mother begins to have doubts about her coming baby and her marriage. Margaret has a long talk with her and eases her doubts. Christine White appears as Esther, the expecting mother. | ||||||
| 99 | 36 | "Grandpa Retires" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | May 29, 1957 | |
|
The Andersons visit Margaret's family. Her father (Ernest Truex) feels his health is failing and he needs to sell his business to retire. Jim learns that Grampa keeps delaying selling his print shop. The father is stubborn about every aspect, and Jim finds out why. Sylvia Field appears as Margaret's mother. Herbert Anderson appears as Verle Wisman, the man buying Grampa's business. Note: Sylvia Field and Herbert Anderson would go on to work together in the Dennis the Menace TV series. | ||||||
| 100 | 37 | "Shoot for the Moon" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | June 5, 1957 | |
| Margaret hires a man named Sageman (Royal Dano) to chop wood for their fireplace. He only wants to be paid in meals. He also shows an interest in helping the Andersons with their problems. Sageman quietly shares his views of life with the Anderson's and inspires them all. Robert Foulk appears as Ed Davis, Jim's business associate. | ||||||
Season 4 (1957–58)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | 1 | "Follow the Leader" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | September 25, 1957 | |
| Bud is extremely excited for the new school year to start. He is, however, shocked to find a very popular teacher has not returned but has been replaced by a Mr. Beckman (Wright King). The rest of the class wants to make trouble for Beckman, but Bud stands up and shows he is willing to accept the new man and help him win the confidence of the rest of the class. | ||||||
| 102 | 2 | "The Awkward Hero" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | October 2, 1957 | |
| Betty is excited to be chosen as a tutor for the football team. Her enthusiasm fades when she is teamed up with Muley Orkin, a socially awkward young man. Muley has concentration issues and is clearly infatuated with Betty. After a game Muley stops by and asks Betty to a dance, but because she already has a date, she turns him down. When a group of girls visit the house looking for Muley, Betty decides she needs to protect Muley and agrees to change her plans and go with him. At the dance Muley begins have a change of heart over Betty whom he sees becoming more like his mother. Eventually Muley sees Shirley (Anne Whitfield) at the dance and abandons Betty for her. | ||||||
| 103 | 3 | "The Good Neighbour" | Peter Tewksbury | Andy White | October 9, 1957 | |
| Margaret receives the title deeds to a second property. Jim suggests she take responsibility for it and rent out the property. They meet the neighbor, Mr. Boomhauer (Joseph Sweeney), who is a very unpleasant man. He serves Margaret with court papers after she begins work on the property that endangers his rose garden. Even though the court rules in her favor, Margaret comes to a compromise with Mr. Boomhauer. | ||||||
| 104 | 4 | "Bud, the Executive" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | October 16, 1957 | |
| Jim talks Bud into joining the school committee for the yearly picnic. He ends up being put in charge. At first Bud thinks everything is running smoothly and gets a big head. When others do not pitch in and get their jobs done, and with the family's encouragement, Bud tries to get things done himself. | ||||||
| 105 | 5 | "Sentenced to Happiness" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | October 23, 1957 | |
| The Anderson's former gardener returns for a visit to get help with his new job. Frank is going to be a gardener for a government building but first has to pass a civil service exam. The Judge says that if he does this and becomes responsible, he will be happy. The Anderson's pitch in to help him study, but it isn't always so easy. In the end, maybe this new job is not the key to his happiness. | ||||||
| 106 | 6 | "Mother Goes to School" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | October 30, 1957 | |
| Problems arise when Margaret enrolls in Betty's junior college English class. Betty is so embarrassed, she puts in for a transfer to another class. Margaret feels she is doing something wrong and that Betty now dislikes her. Kathy says something to Bud that gives Margaret the answer. Charles Meredith appears as Prof. Brown. | ||||||
| 107 | 7 | "The Indispensable Man" | Peter Tewksbury | John Elliotte | November 6, 1957 | |
| Bud tries out for the football team as a kicker and gets accepted. He even gets his picture in the paper. Bud now thinks he can do just about anything. But when he breaks one of the team rules, he is suspended from playing one game — a really important game. When the team wins without him, Bud thinks he is now worthless. The Coach tells Bud that it took a big man to admit he broke training and he's still on the team. Charles Tannen appears as the photographer. | ||||||
| 108 | 8 | "Kathy's Big Chance" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | November 13, 1957 | |
| Everyone in Kathy's class has to write a civil war essay. The essays will be entered in a contest and the winner will meet Greer Garson, who is in town for the premier of her period-piece civil war movie. Kathy is one of the finalists in the contest, but she comes down with the measles and can't go to the hotel where Greer is staying. Jim goes and tries to get Greer's autograph, but isn't able to get it. Much to Kathy's joy, when Jim comes home, he brings Greer with him. | ||||||
| 109 | 9 | "Margaret Learns to Drive" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | November 20, 1957 | |
| When there is nothing to eat for breakfast, the kids think Jim should get upset. They think he is just too reasonable and are surprised at how infrequently Jim and Margaret quarrel. However, when it is time to teach Margaret to drive, he is not as reasonable. Jim and Margaret have a fight over the lesson and the children realize it is nicer to have Dad reasonable. Jim gets Margaret a driving instructor. | ||||||
| 110 | 10 | "Way of a Dictator" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | December 4, 1957 | |
| Bud is annoyed at Kathy being irresponsible, and tells Jim and Margaret they need to be firm with her. Jim and Margaret decided to let him have a chance at child-rearing. Bud finds out that Kathy has broken Betty's good pen. He tells her he will not let Betty know as long as she does whatever he says. The parents wonder how Bud has gotten Kathy to be so good. Jim and Margaret find out that Bud has been blackmailing Kathy and turn the tables on him. | ||||||
| 111 | 11 | "Mr. Beal Meets His Match" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | December 11, 1957 | |
| Betty reads a story she wrote for school involving her family. In the story a devil named Harry Beal (John Williams) gives Bud a set of books that will give the family anything they wish for. Kathy and Bud make wishes that come true. Jim finds out that payment for the wishes are the person's souls. Jim fights Harry and agrees to give his soul in exchange for his kids. But will the family let him sacrifice his soul? | ||||||
| 112 | 12 | "Kathy Makes a Wish" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | December 25, 1957 | |
| Kathy makes a wish on an old horseshoe that she will get a pony, and she will name him Cookie. The next day a pony shows up at the house, but it belongs to a man who takes pictures with it. Kathy believes it is hers but Margaret tells Kathy that she should let the man use the pony for a while. Kathy wishes that Cookie would come back to her and it does, but only because it found something to eat at their house. Jim convinces Kathy that Cookie is not hers and the man lets the horse spend the night with Kathy. | ||||||
| 113 | 13 | "Man with a Plan" | Peter Tewksbury | Andy White | January 1, 1958 | |
| Bud is thinking of joining the Army after he is out of high school in two years. Margaret starts treating him with exceptional kindness because she will lose her son. Bud misleads Sally, a girl he is interested in, about signing up for the Army. She believes he is leaving soon and wants to throw him a going-away party. Bud has to go to the party and explain how he is not really leaving. Jim and Margaret show up and to help Bud out; Margaret says she won't let Bud enlist until he finishes school. | ||||||
| 114 | 14 | "Big Sister" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | January 8, 1958 | |
| Betty becomes a counselor for a 3-day summer camp – the same camp Kathy is attending. Betty finds out Kathy has been reading her diary and is furious. At camp, Betty makes it perfectly clear to Kathy that she's playing no favorites with her. And, with that, she really lays down the law and puts the screws to Kathy. Kathy has had enough and takes off to walk home. Betty, realizing that she has been too hard on her, goes to find Kathy. Florida Friebus appears as Mrs. Ellis, the camp director. | ||||||
| 115 | 15 | "Calypso Bud" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | January 15, 1958 | |
| Bud gets a set of bongo drums from his friend Claude. He envisions himself as a musician that all the girls will love. However, his practice drives the family crazy. Bud wants to take his drums to an upcoming party, hoping to show up Kippy and his magic act. But, he runs into Jeanie, who doesn't know that Bud has the bongos now. She wonders if Bud could ask Claude not to bring the bongos as he's so bad at them. A disappointed Bud decides not to go to the party. Jim figures out a way for Bud to go to the party—with his bongos. | ||||||
| 116 | 16 | "Father's Biography" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | January 22, 1958 | |
| Kathy has written, as a class assignment, an unintentionally humorous biography about Jim. A PTA presentation has been arranged at Kathy's school for her to honor him. Kathy is excited to have her father attend. Jim must choose between the PTA meeting and an important business meeting, both scheduled for the same night. Jim leaves the business meeting and goes to be with Kathy. In a fantasy sequence, Jim must explain to St. Peter (Robert Warwick) why he made his choice. George N. Neise appears (uncredited) as John Rosser of the Commerce Committee. | ||||||
| 117 | 17 | "The Rivals" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | January 29, 1958 | |
| Marge Corbett (Barbara Eden), a friend of Betty's, seems to juggle boyfriends all the time. Betty starts to wonder why Ralph, her constant boyfriend, seems to be the only one after her. Betty gets asked out by Doyle Hobbs (Roger Smith), an old acquaintance, and decides to try the exciting life with two boyfriends. A problem arises when the two men find out Betty made a date with both of them for the same night. | ||||||
| 118 | 18 | "Bud, the Mind Reader" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | February 5, 1958 | |
| Bud goes to see a performance of The Great Endor (Henry Corden), a mind-reader. Bud decides to try his hand at mind-reading. Meanwhile, Betty hopes to go to Washington D.C. for a debating contest, but is upset when she doesn't get picked. Bud and Kippy want to see a show and then go out with some chorus girls. Jim forbids it. Bud sneaks out to tell Kippy he can't go and sees Betty and Ralph outside the theater. Back home, Margaret gets a call that Betty can go on the trip. They must find her quickly. How can Bud let them know where Betty is, without getting in trouble? | ||||||
| 119 | 19 | "Margaret's Other Family" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | February 12, 1958 | |
| Jim worries that Margaret is spending a lot of time helping Mr. Kermit (Henry Jones), a furniture maker, and his wife (Nora Marlowe). She is doing errands, chores and housework for them. The family feels Margaret is being taken advantage of. When Jim goes over to speak to Mr. Kermit about it, he finds out that Mr. Kermit has been building Margaret a chaise longue as a thank you. | ||||||
| 120 | 20 | "The Trial" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | February 19, 1958 | |
| Mr. Grouseman, the Andersons' neighbor, accuses Bud of causing property damage because his jacket was left in the yard. Bud denies doing the damage but evidence points to him. Betty says it is circumstantial evidence and says the family should hold a trial. During the trial, Mr. Grouseman comes over with a neighbor of his who claims to have actually seen Bud in the alley by Grouseman's house. Bud tells his side of the story, but no one believes him. A phone call changes everything. | ||||||
| 121 | 21 | "Revenge is Sweet" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | February 26, 1958 | |
| Betty is excited about a date with Allan Wickett, a popular and classy guy at college. She is worried that Bud will embarrass her. Turns out Bud already met the family and did them a favor. Mr. Wickett (Frank Albertson) tells Betty he would like to have Bud over for a dinner party as a 'thank you' for his help. Betty doesn't want Bud to know the party is for him. But, when he finds out, Betty is afraid of how he'll act. Carole Wells appears as Sharon Wickett, Allan's sister. | ||||||
| 122 | 22 | "Country Cousin" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | March 5, 1958 | |
| Bud and Betty's cousin Millie (Susan Oliver) is coming for a visit. Betty is upset to share her room and have a country bumpkin in town. Jim tells Betty she has to help Millie make friends. Betty still finds Millie to be a "hick' but the boys all think she's charming. Millie accidentally hears Betty insult her, and Betty feels just terrible. This gives Betty a whole new outlook on things. Beverly Long appears as Grace. Harold Lloyd Jr. appears as Joel. | ||||||
| 123 | 23 | "Poor Old Dad" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | March 12, 1958 | |
| Jim surprises Bud with a new hunting rifle and promises to take him hunting for the weekend. Bud wonders if they really will go on this trip together, because in the past, their dates were often interrupted by Margaret and the girls. No sooner does Jim give Bud his word when Margaret asks Jim to drive her to visit an ailing relative who lives out of town. Bud makes an observation: women seem to have their men henpecked, especially "Poor Old Dad". Bud believes that men might be better off by themselves. It is something Jim's friend Wes Coglan (Bartlett Robinson) says that makes Bud change his mind. | ||||||
| 124 | 24 | "Betty's Crusade" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | March 19, 1958 | |
| The insurance company where Jim works is buying a new building for expansion. The building is called Hanno's (Ludwig Stössel). It is a local hangout for Betty's college, and the students love it. The students campaign to stop the sale of the building and repair the old building. They come up short of the money needed and Betty asks Jim to tell Hanno. When Jim talks to Hanno and sees the history of the place, he decides to help Betty with her crusade. | ||||||
| 125 | 25 | "Young Love" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | March 26, 1958 | |
| Bernice, a classmate, has a crush on Bud, but he thinks of her as just a friend. Bud develops a crush on Marion, a woman who is older, but she does not think of Bud that way. Bud now feels the pangs of unrequited love. But, in the end, Bud comes to realize how special Bernice is. | ||||||
| 126 | 26 | "Tell It to Mom" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | April 2, 1958 | |
| Betty confides in Margaret that she is hiding skates for a friend of hers named Evelyn. Evelyn doesn't want her mother to know that she is going skating with a new boyfriend. Kathy confides in Margaret that she ruined the skates Betty hid. Bud confides in Margaret that he broke a pair of binoculars that he saw Jim hide. Bud finds the skates and sells them, hoping to raise money for new binoculars. While Betty is looking for the skates, Bud confides to Margaret what happened to them. In front of the family and Evelyn, Margaret reveals everyone's secrets and straightens the whole mess out. | ||||||
| 127 | 27 | "A Friend in Need" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | April 16, 1958 | |
| A highly trained dog escapes from Prof. van Deering's traveling medicine man show truck when he gets arrested. The dog shows up at the Anderson home and becomes an instant favorite of the family, much to the regret of Jim. He knows that 'Duchess' is obviously owned by someone who cares very much for her, and tries to find the owner. The dog is so well behaved that Jim begins to fall under her spell. Meanwhile, Prof. van Deering gets out of jail and drives around town trying to find her. Duchess hears the music from his truck and runs to him, much to the sadness of the Anderson's. | ||||||
| 128 | 28 | "A Medal for Margaret" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | April 23, 1958 | |
| Bud wins awards from track, and the family talks about all the medals, ribbons, and plaques stored in drawers. They decide to build a trophy case. Everyone has something to give – except Margaret. Margaret's friend Myrtle suggests she takes some lessons and then enter a fly fishing contest. She decides to do it and keeps it a secret from the family. The family finds out, but doesn't say anything. The day before the contest, Margaret sprains her arm. To cheer her up, the family performs a version of "This Is Your Life" in her honor. | ||||||
| 129 | 29 | "The Weaker Sex" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | April 30, 1958 | |
| With all of Betty's male friends out of town, she does not have a date for the town fair. Marty Kramer, a new neighbor's daughter, tells her friend Alice that she will be able to talk Bud into taking her. Bud hears about this and says that no female is going to tell him what to do. But, Marty manages to sweet talk Bud into it. Jim and Margaret tell Betty to use the same method that Marty did to talk Don Kramer, the neighbor's son, into taking her. | ||||||
| 130 | 30 | "Jim, the Answer Man" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | May 14, 1958 | |
| Jim has a lot of work to complete before he has to leave town for a business trip. While he tries to work, it seems everyone in the family needs just a few minutes of his time. As he is about to leave for the train, Kathy has one more major problem for him to solve. Will he be able to do it and be on time for the train? | ||||||
| 131 | 31 | "Bud Quits School" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | May 21, 1958 | |
| Bud interviews Herman Bernard (Stephen Chase), a businessman, for a school project. He finds out that Herman never finished high school and yet is a very successful man. Bud believes he can do what Herman did, and decides to quit school. When Bud goes to ask Herman for a job, Herman's secretary (Adrienne Marden) subtly convinces him to stay in school. Meanwhile, Betty is running for sophomore class president, but loses. Both children come home dejected. Betty and Bud try to cheer each other up. | ||||||
| 132 | 32 | "A Matter of Pride" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | June 4, 1958 | |
| Bud is voted the most popular boy in school and thinks he has to keep up appearances. He wants new clothes for the upcoming Awards picnic. Bud buys a pair of shoes that are too small, but he really likes them. At the picnic, Joyce, the girl he took, has him doing all the events and dances. He gets embarrassed when the shoes hurt his feet at the award ceremony and he can't make it to the stage. Jim has a solution to the problem. Martin Balsam appears as the teacher giving out the awards. Anne Helm appears as Carol Bostic, the most popular girl. | ||||||
| 133 | 33 | "Betty Finds a Cause" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | June 11, 1958 | |
| After attending a lecture at school, Betty is enthused about making a difference in the world. Betty's decides to help the neighborhood by getting neighbor Mr. Emery (Basil Ruysdael) to cut a hedge that is a blind spot and causes accidents. Betty goes to Mr. Emery and states her case, but he doesn't care. She goes to him for several more days with different tactics to no avail. Disillusioned, Betty finally gives up. Mr. Emery comes by and tells Betty he doesn't want to see her give up her ideals and agrees to cut the hedges. | ||||||
Season 5 (1958–59)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 134 | 1 | "Vine Covered Cottage" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | September 15, 1958 | |
| Betty's boyfriend Ralph is about to start a great new job and asks Jim for permission to propose to her. Ralph tries to ask her, but there are too many family interruptions and he feels Betty is just not interested. Betty learns from Ralph's mother that he has decided to turn down the job and move to the west coast. Betty convinces Ralph to stay, but they both come to realize that they would ruin a great friendship by getting married. | ||||||
| 135 | 2 | "Be Kind to Bud Week" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | September 22, 1958 | |
| Betty has to write a report of a literary figure who benefited from the help of a sibling. This gets Betty to wondering if she should be nicer to Bud. Naturally, Bud can't figure out the sudden sweetness from his sister. Betty is babysitting for someone, but has a chance to speak to a Dr. Runeberg (Wendell Holmes) about a scholarship. Betty's friend Judy (Beverly Long) was going to help, but now can't. Through a misunderstanding, Bud is asked to help and now he suspects the hidden motive behind Betty's change. After causing Betty to miss the interview, Bud goes out of his way to make things right. | ||||||
| 136 | 3 | "Kathy's Romance" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | September 29, 1958 | |
| Kathy makes a big announcement – she has a boyfriend named Burgess Vale (Richard Eyer). But, every time Kathy invites Burgess over, he seems more interested in Jim than her. Kathy is irritated that Jim gets all the attention and Jim is not thrilled that Burgess is constantly bothering him. Mrs. Vale stops by Jim's office and thanks him for being so nice to Burgess, as his father is away often. Jim realizes he was hard on Burgess and makes amends. | ||||||
| 137 | 4 | "Voice from the Past" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | October 6, 1958 | |
| Bud is nominated the head of the decorating committee for homecoming week. He wants a new approach from other years. He wants to build a satellite rocket on a statue in front of the school. Jim warns him not to be disrespectful of the statue. Bud finds Jim's old school yearbook and sees Jim played pranks when he was in school. So, Bud initially decides to go along with his plan, but later realizes Jim was still right. Bud and Jim come up with a compromise idea. | ||||||
| 138 | 5 | "Frank's Family Trees" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | October 13, 1958 | |
| The Anderson's gardener, Frank, says he has no family to visit, so he spends his vacation working on the Anderson's yard. Kathy feels sorry he has no one in his life. Frank does not want her to feel bad, so he makes up a family. Frank comes up with a solution involving the Anderson kids when Jim has trouble lining up entertainment for his insurance convention. | ||||||
| 139 | 6 | "Always Plan Ahead" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | October 20, 1958 | |
| Weary of their children's last minute crises from poor planning, Jim and Margaret cook up a scheme to return the favor. They tell the children they are going to the State Fair for two days. Of course, Jim knows that all the children already have plans. Things backfire when the kids change their plans and can now go. Jim, knowing he has to work, has to find a way to explain how they can't go. When Jim sees how much effort the children made planning how to make trip, he decides his work can wait. | ||||||
| 140 | 7 | "Second Wedding" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | October 27, 1958 | |
| When Betty discovers that her parents never had a church wedding, she prods Jim and Margaret to renew their vows on their anniversary. Betty begins to fear that Jim and Margaret might not want the children around for their wedding. That they would want this special time to themselves. Her parents convince her that is not the case. | ||||||
| 141 | 8 | "Bud, the Caretaker" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | November 3, 1958 | |
| Bud runs into problems when he agrees to watch the home of Mr. Whitcomb (John McIntire), a neighbor who has gone out of town. He is also given charge of watching Mr. Whitcomb's car. Bud is only to start the car every few days and not drive it around town. But he drives it to impress a new girl and the car gets scratched. The family pitches in to help Bud make things right before the neighbor returns. | ||||||
| 142 | 9 | "Betty, the Pioneer Woman" | Peter Tewksbury | Ben Gershman | November 10, 1958 | |
| It is time for Springfield's Founder's Day celebration. Betty and a chauvinistic Tom Wentworth (Dick York) plan to recreate the pioneer trek of his ancestors, but it proves to be more difficult than they anticipated. Tom gives Betty a hard time the whole way. They are a couple miles from the finish, when Tom injures his foot. Betty pulls him in the cart the rest of the way by herself. William Schallert appears as Mr. Jennings, a reporter. | ||||||
| 143 | 10 | "Fair Exchange" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | November 17, 1958 | |
| The family hosts exchange student Chanthini (Rita Moreno) from India. She will spend a weekend at the Anderson home with her classmate Betty. The family struggles to make her welcome, but succeed only in making her feel like an outsider. Bud does something that makes her feels like one of them. | ||||||
| 144 | 11 | "Bud, the Snob (Flashback)" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Roswell Rogers | November 24, 1958 | |
|
Everyone at school thinks Bud is a snob because he does not talk to a lot of people. It is actually because he is terribly shy, especially around girls. But when Bud wears a Halloween mask he has all the confidence he needs. Bud talks Jim into hosting a masquerade party at home to show his friends he is not a snob. When the mask goes missing, Jim tricks Bud by pretending to draw a mask on his face with makeup. Note: The show is told in flashbacks. Most footage is from season one episode 16 also called "Bud the Snob". It includes a new introductory scene and closing scene. | ||||||
| 145 | 12 | "Margaret Wins a Car" | Peter Tewksbury | John Elliotte | December 1, 1958 | |
| Margaret buys a raffle ticket to help the local orphanage, and wins an expensive car. When publicity shots are taken, Mr. Griffin (George Mitchell), the orphanage handyman, reprimands Margaret for having so much and not giving more to the orphanage. Turns out the orphanage car won't run, so Margaret volunteers to take the children on a picnic in her car. Betty, Bud and Kathy are very upset because they wanted to take a drive in the car. Later that day Mr. Griffin drops off a purse that Margaret left behind and tells the three children how lucky they are to have parents like theirs. Feeling ashamed, they suggest to Margaret that they sell the car, buy two cheaper cars and give one to the orphanage. | ||||||
| 146 | 13 | "The Great Experiment" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | December 8, 1958 | |
| Jim attends a meeting where Dr. Melton's (Philip Bourneuf) topic is to get more out of life and find out what is going on in their world. He becomes enthused and tries to pass this philosophy on to his family. Jim believes that his children are victims of routine and they need to show some genuine curiosity when facing their day-to-day lives. Bud's math teacher Mr. Paulson finds a way to get Bud and Kippy interested in math and science. A janitor (Vladimir Sokoloff) at the concert hall gets Betty to hear an orchestra that isn't there. Kathy rescues some baby Robins. | ||||||
| 147 | 14 | "The Christmas Story" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West Screenplay by: Roswell Rogers | December 15, 1958 | |
|
The Anderson's are preparing for the holidays. As they decorate the tree, they recall the story of how they managed to get snow bound in a cabin while going to cut down their own tree. Note: This episode features footage from "The Christmas Story" season 1 episode 12. Wallace Ford appears as Nick (archive footage). William Traylor appears as ranger Les Turner (archive footage). A departure from the usual closing credits, this show plays Christmas-themed music while the credits run. | ||||||
| 148 | 15 | "The Basketball Coach" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | December 22, 1958 | |
| Bud and his friends ask Jim to take over coaching their basketball team after their previous coach leaves town due to work. But when the former coach returns to town, Bud can't find a way to break the news to his dad. Then, when the team loses its sponsor, Jim comes up with a way to make everyone happy. | ||||||
| 149 | 16 | "Kathy, Girl Executive" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | December 29, 1958 | |
| The family puts money into a family "corporation" to help finance a power mower for Bud's mowing business. Kathy is voted president of the corporation, over Bud's objections, and is thus in charge of managing the funds. But when Bud expects to be paid his salary, Kathy must confess that she spent the money on a present for her young boyfriend Burgess (Richard Eyer). In the end, it all works out when the boy returns the present and it can then be returned for the cash. | ||||||
| 150 | 17 | "The Good Samaritan" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | January 5, 1959 | |
| Bud has a school assignment to do a good deed for someone unknown. Bud and Kippy attempt to help a family being evicted from their home, but it almost turns to disaster when a stranger steals the family's furniture. Luckily, the furniture is recovered. Bud then tries to help Mr. Brown (John Harmon), the father, find a job but his effort is initially rebuffed. Eventually Mr. Brown shows up at the Anderson home to apologize and reveals that he has taken the job Bud helped him to find. Forrest Taylor appears as a painter who helps Bud. | ||||||
| 151 | 18 | "The Ideal Father" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | January 12, 1959 | |
| The Andersons are getting their kitchen repainted. Meanwhile, Jim purchases items for the children that they have been wanting, but the next day they all forget his birthday. Jim and Margaret decide they want to go out that evening. They need someone to baby sit Kathy. Margaret gets upset that the other two children can't help because of their alternative plans and they keep asking for more favors. Betty finds Margaret's birthday card to Jim, and now the children feel horrible. Parker Fennelly appears as Charlie the painter, who winds up coming to the rescue. | ||||||
| 152 | 19 | "Big Shot Bud" | Peter Tewksbury | Ben Gershman | January 19, 1959 | |
| Margaret does a favor for Bud and he wants to give her a thank you gift. He buys perfume using Sunday School money because he knew his boss will pay him later that day. However, the boss is out of town and Bud needs the money the next morning. Bud doesn't want his mother to find out what happened. Betty lets it slip to Margaret and Jim that Bud needs the money. Bud gets another job for the day to earn the money, but they can't pay him right away either. Jim comes up with a way to help Bud, while hopefully not letting on they know about his problem. | ||||||
| 153 | 20 | "Hard Luck Leo" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | January 26, 1959 | |
| Jim's cousin Leonard (Arthur O'Connell) visits so he can look for a job in Springfield. Leonard is known as Hard Luck Leo. Despite job and apartment leads from the family, nothing seems to works out. Betty comes to believe Leonard doesn't want anything to work out and is just there to sponge off the family. Margaret confronts him about it and he leaves. Leonard comes back weeks later to tell the family he has a job and found a place to live. | ||||||
| 154 | 21 | "Bud, the Campus Romeo" | Peter Tewksbury | John Elliotte | February 2, 1959 | |
| While at the malt shop, Bud overhears three girls talking about him, all wanting to ask him to the "Girls Ask Party". He starts thinking he is a real catch and wants to play the odds. The girls decide to start an "Anti-Bud Campaign". Janet Mason (Pamela Lincoln) really wants to go with Bud, but is feeling the pressure from the other girls. Janet does call Bud and they go to the party. Once there, the other girls tell Janet she now cannot be a "Pom Pom". Bud comes to her defense and tells the girls that he begged Janet to go with him. | ||||||
| 155 | 22 | "Crisis Over a Kiss" | Peter Tewksbury | John Elliotte | February 9, 1959 | |
| Bud is out on a date with Joyce Kendall (Roberta Shore). After Bud comes home from the date, he sees Jerry Preston (Ron Ely), one of Betty's boyfriends, trying to kiss Betty against her wishes. He comes to the rescue, but Betty really did not want to be rescued. Bud now tries some of the "romantic man" moves he learned from Jerry on Joyce. Bud winds up in another situation where he has to come to Betty's aid with Jerry. Bud apologizes to Joyce for trying those romantic moves. Robert Brubaker appears as Mr. Kendall, Joyce's father. | ||||||
| 156 | 23 | "Kathy Grows Up" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | February 16, 1959 | |
| Kathy is tired of being treated as a child. She tries including herself on dates with her brother and sister. Betty and her boyfriend agree to take Kathy and her friend Burgess to dinner with them, but the plans fall through and Kathy is crushed. Margaret suggests to Jim that he take Kathy to the Club's Annual Affair for the wives instead of her. Once there, Kathy realizes that the grown up life is maybe not for her just yet. | ||||||
| 157 | 24 | "A Man of Merit" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | February 23, 1959 | |
| Jim hears he may be awarded the Chamber of Commerce's Hall of Merit. He is excited and starts preparing his acceptance speech. Margaret hears the same information and starts making celebration plans. In the evening, everyone waits for word of his being selected. They are to receive word by 9 o'clock, but the telegram never comes. Much later that evening, a neighbor comes by with the telegram. It had been delivered to his house by mistake. | ||||||
| 158 | 25 | "Betty Makes a Choice" | Peter Tewksbury | Peter Tewksbury | March 2, 1959 | |
| Betty wants to audition for a dance part in a college production. She hesitates when she realizes that one of the other girls is a more talented dancer. Jim talks Betty into auditioning, because otherwise she'll never know. After the other girl wins the part, Betty discovers that the other girl has worked tirelessly to perfect her dancing ability. Miriam Nelson appears as Miss Harris, the woman in charge of the auditions. | ||||||
| 159 | 26 | "Its a Small World" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | March 9, 1959 | |
| Jim is asked to be a speaker at an Insurance Convention and asks Margaret to go with him. Margaret has a commitment to the Woman's Club Charity Luncheon and has to stay home. While there, a Marta Evans (Kristine Miller) invites Jim to a party in the next room. He tells her about his family and graciously declines. Plans later change and Margaret is able to go to NY. Confusion arises as Jim and Margaret try to meet up. Louise Lorimer appears as Mrs. Stockdale. Philip Tonge appears as the Hotel Manager. | ||||||
| 160 | 27 | "Two Loves Has Bud" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | March 16, 1959 | |
| Bud is upset when his girlfriend Joyce (Roberta Shore) breaks up with him, until he meets Sandra (Jenny Maxwell) another girl whose family is moving in next door. Things get complicated when Joyce decides that she has made a mistake and wants to get back with Bud. The two girls soon find out that Bud is trying to see both of them at the same time. Eventually, they demand that Bud make a choice. Margaret comes up with a solution to Bud's problem. | ||||||
| 161 | 28 | "An Extraordinary Woman" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | March 23, 1959 | |
| Jim becomes fascinated by a book sent to him through the mail. He and Margaret then realize that the book has been written and sent to them by Mary Lou Brown (Constance Ford), an old college friend , who is now a doctor and has spent time in Africa. Margaret is a little envious and always feels she came in second place to Mary Lou. When Mary Lou comes to Springfield to visit, she discovers that Jim and Margaret have the one thing she is missing in her life – a happy home and family. | ||||||
| 162 | 29 | "The Art of Romance (Flashback)" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | March 30, 1959 | |
|
The show is told in flashbacks to the time when Bud needed advice on how to convince Judy (Joan Freeman) to go to the prom with him. At the same time, Judy is asking advice from Betty on how to get Bud to ask her out. Note: This footage is from Season 3 Episode 34. | ||||||
| 163 | 30 | "Formula for Happiness" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | April 6, 1959 | |
| Jim has a strange dream in which he is giving a speech to the President on television, presenting a "formula for happiness" that he has composed. Suddenly a mysterious intruder named Charles Barter (Jonathan Harris) invades the TV studio and makes the formula disappear. Jim is baffled about what this dream might mean, and even more so when parts of the dream start to come true in real life. This includes an actual Charles Barter (Alexander Lockwood) showing up to the house looking for the formula. Thanks to Kathy, Jim gets all the answers. Abraham Sofaer appears as a U.N. Diplomat. | ||||||
| 164 | 31 | "Bud and the Debutante" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | April 13, 1959 | |
| Bud's car breaks down and Molly Quinn (Adrienne Hayes) passes by and offers him a ride. The next day, Bud is driving Molly's expensive car and going places paid for by Molly. Jim talks to Bud about not taking advantage of Molly just because her family is rich. Bud says that it is not that, it is just that he cannot afford the places he thinks she will like. Bud winds up in an embarrassing situation when he tries to impress Molly and some of her friends. Molly tells him that she just wants to be with him and it does not matter what they do or what he can afford. Barbara Woodell appears as Mrs. Quinn, Molly's mother. | ||||||
| 165 | 32 | "The Promised Playhouse (Flashback)" | William D. Russell | Story by : Roswell Rogers & Paul West, Teleplay by : Roswell Rogers | April 20, 1959 | |
| A flashback show about building a playhouse for Kathy and keeping promises, first aired Season 1, Episode 17. | ||||||
| 166 | 33 | "The Meanest Professor" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | April 27, 1959 | |
| Bud is stuck with having to write an article for the school year book about Professor Stark (Jack Raine), a teacher he doesn't like. He decides to interview a bunch of people to see what they say about him. Bud talks to the Janitor (Charles P. Thompson) who says there is no man he has more respect for than Stark. He talks to another man (Hugh Sanders) who says he owes his success in business to Stark. Even Stark's landlady sings his praises. Margaret invites Stark over for dinner, where he accidentally finds an insulting paper Bud had earlier written about him. Bud finds out that Stark is not as upset about the paper as Bud thought he would be. Bart Patton appears as Freddy. Sue England appears as Marge, an Office Girl. | ||||||
| 167 | 34 | "Live My Own Life (Flashback)" | William D. Russell | Story by: Roswell Rogers & Paul West Teleplay by: Roswell Rogers | May 4, 1959 | |
|
A flashback show. When Kathy is tired of being told what to do, Jim tells the story about when Bud was tired of being told what to do by his parents. Bud announces he is moving out. Note: Most of the footage first aired Season 1, Episode 5. | ||||||
| 168 | 35 | "Bud Has a Problem" | Peter Tewksbury | Story by: John Elliotte Teleplay by: John Elliotte & Roswell Rogers | May 11, 1959 | |
| Bud is not doing well in physics this year in school. He blames Doug Graham (James Douglas), the teacher. When Betty starts dating the teacher, Bud thinks his grade will improve because they are going out. Some of the students start joking about how Doug is going to be Bud's brother-in-law. Doug and Betty decide to stop seeing each other for a while. Bud speaks to Mr. Armstead (Sam Flint), the principal, about dropping the physics class. Doug comes to the house and tells Bud he will not let Bud drop the class and will work with him instead. Bart Patton appears as Freddy. | ||||||
| 169 | 36 | "The Great Anderson Mystery" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | May 18, 1959 | |
| The Andersons are all entranced in a television mystery show when a tube blows in the back of the TV before the show ends. With the unknown end of the show, the family tries to figure out what happened based upon what they already watched. While they are acting their story out, things suddenly start disappearing and they find open windows. The family starts to believe there may be someone else around and become frightened. Turns out Kathy has the answer. Peter Forster appears as the Inspector, Hillary Brooke appears as Mrs. Carter, and Arthur Gould-Porter appears as Mr. Dawkins, characters in the TV show. | ||||||
| 170 | 37 | "Margaret Goes Dancing (Flashback)" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | May 25, 1959 | |
|
A flashback show. Margaret wants Jim to take her dancing. She tries to trick him into dance lessons. Note: Most of the footage first aired Season 1, Episode 11. | ||||||
| 171 | 38 | "The Gold Turnip" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | June 1, 1959 | |
| Bud gets ready to graduate from school. He is annoyed at doing the same activities and ceremonies as every other graduation class. He fights against all the traditions everyone follows and refuses to wear a cap and gown at the ceremony. Bud even decides not to go to the graduation. Mr. Messner (Ed Prentiss), Claude's father, comes by to borrow a camera and tells Jim that these graduations are really for the parents. Bud overhears and decides to go, realizing that there is something to be said for tradition. | ||||||
Season 6 (1959–60)
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 172 | 1 | "A Day in the Country" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | October 5, 1959 | |
| The Andersons are heading up to Lemon Falls for an annual reunion with Margaret's side of the family. Jim and the kids do not like these obligatory get-togethers and they think they are terribly corny. Margaret becomes upset, as it is all too clear what her husband and children think of her family. Jim finds a shortcut on a map they can travel to Margaret's family home. It is a rarely traveled road and their car breaks down. Jim has to walk a couple of miles to a gas station to get help. But it looks as if the Andersons will miss the reunion, and Margaret begins to suspect that Jim is just a little bit happy about it. A Mrs. Laveer (Claire Du Brey) drives by and agrees to take the family to Lemon Falls while Jim stays behind. Margaret comes back with the kids just as the gas station truck shows up. Olin Howland appears as Ed, the gas station attendant. | ||||||
| 173 | 2 | "Bud Branches Out" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | October 12, 1959 | |
|
Bud goes to college orientation. He thinks he walked into his Trigonometry class, but it is actually a French class. Once he sees Miss Luvois (Roxane Berard), the attractive French teacher, he decides to stay in the class. Bud develops a crush on the teacher, and starts to snub his girlfriend Joyce (Roberta Shore). Joyce has Miss Luvois give Bud a note inviting him to dinner. Bud thinks the teacher is inviting him. He goes to Miss Luvois' house and sees she has a boyfriend. Realizing how silly he's been, he goes back to Joyce. Note: Betty's pony tail finally returns in this episode. Betty had short hair beginning in season four in the episode "The Awkward Hero." She is not seen with longer hair again until this one. In an interview Elinor Donahue gave, she states the producers gave her a clip on pony tail that she was able to keep once the series ended. | ||||||
| 174 | 3 | "The Gardener's Big Day" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | October 19, 1959 | |
| Governor Bradbury is coming to town to dedicate a local park. The Anderson's gardener is chosen as the official greeter to the Governor when he arrives. When Fronk (Natividad Vacío) shows up for rehearsal, Mr. Garrett (David White), head of the committee, does not want Fronk since he is Mexican. Jim insists they keep Fronk and guarantees things will be fine. The day of the ceremony, Garrett comes to the house and once again says he does not want Fronk. Fronk overhears the whole thing and leaves. The kids find him at the last minute and he greets the Governor. Fronk gives a different speech than the one planned and the Governor is very moved by it. Ned Wever appears as the City Mayor. | ||||||
| 175 | 4 | "The Impostor" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | October 26, 1959 | |
| Betty returns a defective radio to a store and mistakes a customer for the store owner. She leaves without realizing Tom Cameron (Robert Reed) is a customer. The store owner gives Tom a replacement radio, and he takes it to Betty without correcting his identity. Turns out Tom is the son of a friend of Jim's. Jim is helping Tom get settled in the office next to his. Tom continues to call Betty, but can't bring himself to tell her who he really is. Still thinking he is the store owner, things go along fine, until another misunderstanding causes Betty to be angry with Tom again. Jim finds out about the identity problem and straightens everything out with Betty. | ||||||
| 176 | 5 | "Bud Plays It Safe" | Peter Tewksbury | John Elliotte | November 2, 1959 | |
| Bud tries out for a position on the football team and bemoans the fact that Coach Harper (Lloyd Nolan) does not notice him. Betty tells Bud that Sally, the coach's daughter, likes him. Bud decides to ask Sally on a date as a way to get close to the coach. Jim is not happy about Bud using the girl. Bud makes the team and everyone teases him that it was only because of Sally. He now feels terrible and must confront her and tell her the truth. Because of his honesty, things work out in the end. | ||||||
| 177 | 6 | "Bicycle Trip for Two" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | November 9, 1959 | |
| Kathy does an inspection of the house for fire safety. The attic does not pass the test. Jim & Margaret start a clean up and find things from their younger days. They decide to take the same bicycling trip they did when they were teenagers. But, every time Jim turns around, something goes wrong to delay the trip. Meanwhile, Bud is trying to think of somewhere different to take Joyce. Jim suggests to Bud that he should take Joyce on the trip and make a memory of his own. | ||||||
| 178 | 7 | "First Disillusionment (Flashback)" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | November 16, 1959 | |
|
Kathy needs to write a story illustrating a proverb. In flashbacks, Bud tells Kathy about the time he thought about lying to get a job as a stock clerk. Note: This footage is from Season 2 Episode 4. | ||||||
| 179 | 8 | "Margaret's Old Flame" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | November 23, 1959 | |
| Listening to a radio broadcast of the homecoming gathering, Margaret gets very sentimental about those old days. Jim on the other hand, is happy to be in his comfortable home in the present. She regrets getting older and remembers their college years, dating, and previous boy- & girl-friends. Margaret gets flowers from a mysterious former boyfriend. Meanwhile, Jim is getting a little irritated with Margaret and Betty's constant talk about old boyfriends. At the homecoming dance, Margaret is supposed to have the first waltz with the mystery man. Jim tells her that it was him that sent the flowers and Margaret says she knew it all along. Lester Vail appears as Mr. Thorne, the Florist. | ||||||
| 180 | 9 | "Kathy Becomes a Girl" | Peter Tewksbury | John Elliotte | November 30, 1959 | |
| Kathy doesn't seem to be getting along with the other girls in junior high. Kathy thinks that she is a misfit and that everyone hates her. Margaret tells Kathy that she might want to act more like a girl than she has been. Margaret and Betty give Kathy a make-over. Jim plans a surprise party for Kathy and invites a bunch of boys. Jim tells Kathy how to make boys interested in her. Kathy pretends to sprain her ankle and all the boys fawn over her. | ||||||
| 181 | 10 | "Bud, the Willing Worker" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | December 7, 1959 | |
| Bud tries to talk Jim into buying a boat, but Jim says he has to earn his own money to buy it. Meanwhile, Betty is infatuated with Bill Shappard (James Franciscus), a gas station owner. Jim tells Bud he will match dollar for dollar what Bud earns, if he gets a job at the gas station without letting Bill know he is Betty's brother. Bud gets the job on a trial basis, which means Betty has to put dates with Bill on hold. When Betty sees how hard Bill is making Bud work, she starts to get upset with Bill. Turns out all that hard work pays off when Bill makes Bud his assistant manager. | ||||||
| 182 | 11 | "Turn the Other Cheek" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | December 14, 1959 | |
| Jim acts as a mentor to Bart Holden, a new young insurance agent, and asks him over for dinner. Meanwhile, Kathy feels double-crossed by her friend Patty, because she went after Kathy's boyfriend. Jim tells Kathy to turn the other cheek. Margaret tells Jim that she found out Bart was double-crossing him by going after a client that Jim wanted. Jim's code of ethics prevents him from telling the client what Bart is doing. Because they both turned the other cheek, Jim gets the client and Kathy gets her boyfriend back. | ||||||
| 183 | 12 | "Good Joke on Mom" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | December 28, 1959 | |
| Margaret gets a letter about a Children's Clinic being built and that she is the General Chairman of the Building Committee. She believes it to be a mistake, but when her family ridicules the idea and her skill, she gets quite upset. Margaret finds out from Myrtle the reason she was picked was more for publicity, so she decides to accept the job. Myrtle says she will help Margaret fool the family about the job, to teach them a lesson. Margaret pretends to hire a Mr. Carlson (Howard Petrie) to be the general contractor. Things go on for awhile, until Jim runs into Mr. Carlson and finds out Margaret is not running the whole project. Jim tells Bud and Betty that they should play along with the joke for now. It is not until Kathy brags about her mother to her friends in school, that the others have to come to the rescue. | ||||||
| 184 | 13 | "Betty's Double" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | January 4, 1960 | |
|
Betty wins a lookalike contest due to her close resemblance to a popular movie star named Donna Stuart. The prize: a trip to Hollywood. Betty gets more than she bargained for when she passes herself off as Donna. She learns a hard lesson in Hollywood about the gap between appearances and reality. William Joyce appears as himself. Joan Tompkins appears as Mildred, Margaret's friend. Note: Elinor Donahue plays a dual role as Betty and Donna. | ||||||
| 185 | 14 | "Father, the Naturalist (Flashback)" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | January 11, 1960 | |
|
Kathy must complete a nature folder for a school club by the next day. Jim and Kathy head outside to explore and search nature. Kathy accidentally leaves the folder out in the forest. Feeling bad, Jim goes out in the middle of the night to try and find the folder. Note: The show is told in flashbacks. Most footage is from Season 2 episode 34. It includes a new introductory scene and closing scene. | ||||||
| 186 | 15 | "Bud Hides Behind a Skirt" | Peter Tewksbury | John Elliotte | January 18, 1960 | |
| Bud makes Betty take the rap for his reckless driving, because if he gets another ticket, he will loose his license. Betty learns that she has been elected to be chairman of the Safe Driving Campaign. She cannot let the student council learn that she got a ticket. Bud dresses like a girl and goes to the Clerk (Forrest Lewis) to pay the ticket. The council finds out about the ticket anyway and asks Betty to resign. Bud admits to Margaret and Jim that he was the one driving. Bud goes to the Judge (Larry Gates) to explain what really happened and straighten everything out. | ||||||
| 187 | 16 | "Togetherness" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | January 25, 1960 | |
| An insurance magazine is going to interview the Andersons for an article in the magazine. The story will focus on their family unity and solid family life. Unfortunately, when Mr. Buford (Don Keefer), the reporter, shows up, the family is not displaying much unity. Mr. Buford makes a second appearance and things are not any better. Bud accidentally destroys some college party decorations. The family gets together to make some new ones. Mr. Buford comes in and sees the family working together. He finally has his story. | ||||||
| 188 | 17 | "Second Best" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | February 1, 1960 | |
| Betty is upset that she is never the best at anything. She takes up the sport of fencing. Betty wants to enter a tournament and come in number one. Meanwhile, she has been baby-sitting a little boy named Gordon. His parents are away and he has been staying with his Aunt. Betty promises Gordon that one night they will camp out in the backyard. The night of the tournament, Betty gets a call that Gordon will be leaving in the morning to meet up with his parents. He would like to do the camping get-together now. Betty decides Gordon is more important than the tournament. Ralph Faulkner appears as Betty's Fencing Instructor. | ||||||
| 189 | 18 | "Kathy's Big Deception" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | February 8, 1960 | |
| It seems that all of Kathy's friends have a boyfriend for the community picnic. She has a crush on George, one of her classmates, but does not think he likes her. George actually likes Kathy, but he can't think of a way to talk to her. Kathy is in her room crying because she thinks she's ugly. Betty walks in and to save face, Kathy says she had a fight with her boyfriend George. Kathy now has to play along with her lie. Bud finds out and helps Kathy and George really get together. | ||||||
| 190 | 19 | "Cupid Knows Best" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | February 15, 1960 | |
| The Anderson's gardener, Frank, is lonely but is interested in a woman named Elana (Estelita Rodriguez). She works at her Mama's (Katina Paxinou) flower shop. Betty decides to help him by writing love letters to her, pretending she is Frank. Without Betty knowing, Frank adds a picture of Jim to one of the letters. Jim goes to the flower shop and thinking he is Frank, Mama asks him all sorts of questions. When Jim mentions he is married, Mama throws him out of the store. Elana is heartbroken. Frank just happens to be in the back of the store and consoles her. They wind up getting together. | ||||||
| 191 | 20 | "The Big Test (Flashback)" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | February 22, 1960 | |
|
Bud studies a lot for a test. For once, he knows the material and does well on the test. Since this is a change from his previous tests, the teacher assumes he must have cheated. An even more important test is coming up. The teacher thinks Bud may have seen the test questions ahead of time. Bud gets an almost perfect paper and is again suspected of cheating. Jim finds a way to prove Bud didn't cheat. Note: The show is told in flashbacks. Most footage is from Season 2 episode 9. It includes a new introductory scene and closing scene. | ||||||
| 192 | 21 | "Jim's Big Surprise" | Peter Tewksbury | Dorothy Cooper | February 29, 1960 | |
| Jim tells the family to be home at 4:00 for a big surprise. As the family waits for the announcement, everyone has their own idea of what it will be. Each thinks it will be something that benefits just them. Like a new car, a swimming pool, a trip to Hawaii or a maid. It turns out the surprise is that Jim is to be given the Gold Key Award from the Chamber of Commerce for being Father of the Year. Jim senses everyone's disappointment. He tells the children he can't give them those things because he wants to give them a college education. The family each find a way to make it up to Jim. Marion Ross appears as Miss Abrams, Kathy's swimming teacher. | ||||||
| 193 | 22 | "Time to Retire" | Peter Tewksbury | John Elliotte | March 7, 1960 | |
| Jim must tell Arthur (Charlie Ruggles), a co-worker in the insurance company, that he has to retire as he has reached retirement age. Jim invites him to dinner with the Andersons and Arthur is full of energy. Jim can't bring himself to tell Arthur that evening. The next morning, Jim's secretary asks Arthur how his retirement party went, not knowing Jim didn't mention it. Arthur then goes missing. Bud finds him at his cabin and tells him that he is still useful. Arthur comes back and tells Jim that he is opening up his own office and Bud is coming to work for him. | ||||||
| 194 | 23 | "Bud, the Speculator" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | March 14, 1960 | |
| Bud begs Jim to lend him fifty dollars to purchase some stock in a new copper mine company. After two weeks, he has tripled his money. Jim advises Bud to sell the stock and take his profit. When Bud goes to the company office to sell his stock, he finds that they have moved out. Bud now needs to find a way to pay Jim back on time. Betty offers to loan him the money, but he says he must get out of his problem on his own. Without him knowing it, Betty helps Bud anyway. Eddie Foy III appears as a Delivery Boy. | ||||||
| 195 | 24 | "The $500 Letter" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | March 21, 1960 | |
| The Andersons receive a $500 check in the mail. Mr. Kroegman, a former neighbor, wants to thank an Anderson for a kindness done to him once several years ago. The only thing is, his letter cuts off just as he is about to say which of the Andersons did the good deed. The family tries to remember who might have done a favor for him, and what the favor was. Each proceeds to ransack his or her memory, showing some less commendable character traits as they do so. A special delivery letter arrives from Kroegman with the missing pages of the original letter, revealing who the Good Samaritan was. | ||||||
| 196 | 25 | "Adopted Daughter (Flashback)" | William D. Russell | Story by: Roswell Rogers and Carl Herzinger Teleplay by: Roswell Rogers | March 28, 1960 | |
|
Kathy reminisces with Mother and Bud about the time she once thought she was adopted. Alicia May, one of Kathy's classmates, is adopted and it gets the other classmates to wonder who else might be adopted. Kathy finds a receipt from an adoption agency and is sure it refers to her. Believing that the family is going to kick her out, Kathy runs away. She goes to Alicia May's house and tells her she's adopted as well. Alicia May tells Kathy that adopted children are special, because they were chosen. Note: The show is told in flashbacks. Most of the footage first aired Season 2, Episode 36. It includes a new introductory scene and closing scene. | ||||||
| 197 | 26 | "Family Contest" | Peter Tewksbury | Story By: John Elliotte Teleplay By: John Elliotte & Roswell Rogers | April 4, 1960 | |
| Hoping to win a free trip to Hawaii, the Andersons enter a family-photo contest. Betty takes an anniversary picture of Mr. and Mrs. Henslee (Stuart Erwin and Hanna Hertelendy). Jim and Betty are introduced to the Henslee's children which includes an adopted Korean boy named Toby (Warren Hsieh). Betty then takes a picture of the whole family. Jim thinks the Henslee's should enter the contest as well. Kathy, thinking that the Henslee's are sure to win, tears up the picture. Kathy feels horrible and confesses to Betty. Betty is able to make another print of the picture in time to enter the contest. The Henslee's win the contest. | ||||||
| 198 | 27 | "Love and Learn" | Peter Tewksbury | Roswell Rogers | April 11, 1960 | |
| Bud resists his mother's plea for him to boost his English grades by being tutored after school. But, he changes his mind when he learns that one of the available student-tutors is Nelda Freemont (Diana Millay), a good looking girl he's interested in. Bud keeps trying to romance Nelda, but she keeps their sessions on a professional level. Frustrated that he isn't getting anywhere with Nelda, Bud suggests to Jim and Margaret that they find another tutor. Jim comes up with a way for Bud and Nelda to see eye to eye. | ||||||
| 199 | 28 | "Blind Date" | Peter Tewksbury | Paul West | April 18, 1960 | |
| Rudy Kissler (Hampton Fancher) is a waiter at the soda shop and he is a bit clumsy. Betty is embarrassed when her friends make fun of Rudy because they think he is inferior to them. She chastises her friends and leaves the soda shop. Meanwhile, Betty learns she is a finalist for the Campus Queen Contest. Her friends decide to play a joke on Betty by setting her up on a blind date with Rudy. Betty decides to get even with her friends by bringing Rudy to every function at the school. Betty's friend Judy Clauson (Beverly Long) tells her that she is ruining her chances to win the contest by having Rudy around. Rudy tells Betty he loves her and Betty feels horrible for leading him on. To make matters worse, her friends tell Rudy that it was all a joke. Betty apologizes to Rudy and says she values his friendship. After she is crowned Campus Queen, Betty asks Rudy for the first dance. | ||||||
| 200 | 29 | "Betty's Career Problem" | Peter Tewksbury | John Elliotte | April 25, 1960 | |
| Betty is about to graduate from college and hoping to win the Scholastic Achievement Award. Cliff (Jim Hutton), another student who is an achiever like Betty, wins the award. Cliff comes by the house and invites Betty to dinner. He tells Betty the only reason he won is because she was so smart and he had to work extra hard. Betty tells him she wants nothing to do with him. Now, they are both up for the same job after their graduation. As the competition heats up, they realize that they really like each other. Jack Davis appears as Mr. Kimbrough from Gorman's Dept. Store. | ||||||
| 201 | 30 | "Bud Lives It Up" | Peter Tewksbury | Alfred Lewis Levitt & Helen Levitt as Tom & Helen August | May 9, 1960 | |
| Determined to get to Chicago and renew his acquaintance with attractive Nancy Millbrook, Bud is able to join the University debating team just in time for a trip there. Bud learns that he can simply sign for his hotel expenses while representing the University. That evening he asks Nancy to join him at the hotel's upscale restaurant and nightspot. The extravagant date results in a total bill in excess of $185. Once home, Bud learns that the University is denying payment on his tab and that his debate team may never be invited again. His debate teammates advise him that he will likely be expelled unless he is able to find a way to pay the bill himself. Bud decides to sell his car, but, after confiding to Jim about his problem, the two work out a solution. | ||||||
| 202 | 31 | "Not His Type" | Peter Tewksbury | Story By: John Elliotte Teleplay By: John Elliotte & Roswell Rogers | May 16, 1960 | |
| Diane's (Diana Millay) boyfriend George (Carleton Carpenter) shows an interest in Betty and asks her out. He feels Diane is too domineering and breaks up with her. Not knowing that George asked Betty earlier, Diane suggests that maybe Betty go out with him so he would get things out of his system. Betty at first does not want to come between Diane and George. But after he asks her again, she agrees to go out with him. While on their date, both George and Betty come to realize that George should be with Diane. | ||||||
| 203 | 32 | "Betty's Graduation (Flashback)" | William D. Russell | Roswell Rogers | May 23, 1960 | |
|
Jim discusses a letter from Kathy's school where they report Kathy is not passing her math class. Kathy tells her father that she is not really wanting to graduate from junior high school as it is the happiest time of her life. Jim recalls the story of when Betty didn't want to graduate from high school. Note: The show is told in flashbacks. Most footage is from Season 2 episode 37. It includes a new introductory scene and closing scene. | ||||||
Home media
Shout! Factory has released all six seasons of Father Knows Best on DVD in Region 1. Season 5 and 6 were released as Shout! Select titles, available exclusively through their online store. Season 5 was re-released on April 11, 2017.[7] Season 6 was re-released on July 18, 2017.[8]
In Region 4, Madman Entertainment has released the first two seasons on DVD in Australia.[9][10]
| DVD Name | Ep# | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Season One | 26 | April 1, 2008 |
| Season Two | 37 | November 11, 2008 |
| Season Three | 37 | June 9, 2009 |
| Season Four | 33 | March 23, 2010 |
| Season Five | 38 | August 17, 2010† April 11, 2017 (re-release) |
| Season Six | 32 | April 19, 2011† July 18, 2017 (re-release) |
† – Shout! Factory Exclusives title, sold exclusively through Shout's online store
Homages
- In a September 2010 episode of the CBS daytime television series The Young and the Restless, newlyweds Billy and Victoria Abbott (portrayed by Billy Miller and Amelia Heinle, respectively) buy a house (exterior located on old Columbia Movie Ranch that was actually used in Father Knows Best and I Dream of Jeannie) that replicates the interior of the Anderson home on a sound stage. They watch Father Knows Best on DVD and often call each other "Jim" and "Margaret." At her wedding, which takes place in the house, Victoria chooses a 1950s-style white dress. Judge Anderson, the minister who marries the couple, was played by Donahue.
The town of Springfield in the Simpsons is named after the fictional town in the series.[11]
Nielsen ratings
The series finished in the Nielsen ratings at No. 25 for the 1957–1958 season, No. 14 for 1958–1959 and No. 6 for 1959–1960.[12]
Syndication
Father Knows Best aired in the 1980s on Superstation WTBS and in the 1990s on The Family Channel. The show also aired on TV Land from 1998 to 1999 and 2002–2004. Reruns of Father Knows Best have aired on Antenna TV as part of that channel's regular programming schedule since January 3, 2011, and it also aired weekday afternoons on digital subchannel ME-TOO in Chicago. Father Knows Best is currently broadcast weekday mornings on fetv, GAC Family and GAC Living. It is also available for free streaming on the Vudu and Amazon Prime Video services.
References
General
- "Shout! Factory Store". Los Angeles: Shout! Factory. 2011. Archived from the original on October 15, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
- "Father Knows Best – Collector Helps Shout! Include Lost 'Playground' Episode On DVDs!". TVshowsondvd.com. Vancouver: Pacific Online. January 13, 2008. Archived from the original on September 14, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
Specific
- ↑ Father Knows Best (radio). December 20, 1948. Pilot Episode.
- ↑ Bawden, James (Fall 2015). "Robert Young – Family Man". Films of the Golden Age (82): 18–31.
- ↑ "Father Knows Best- History". Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
- ↑ "Kent to Drop 'Father Knows' For Live Show". Billboard. January 15, 1955. p. 2. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
- 1 2 3 Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (1999). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present (Twentieth Anniversary ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. p. 338.
- ↑ Terrace, Vincent (1993). Television Character and Story Facts: Over 110,000 Details From 1,008 Shows, 1945–1992. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Co. Inc. ISBN 0-89950-891-X.
- ↑ General 'Wide' Retail Release for 'Season 5,' Starring Robert Young Archived January 10, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ 'Wide' General Retail Release for 'Season 6,' The Show's Final Season Archived April 15, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ Father Knows Best – Season 1 Archived December 30, 2012, at archive.today
- ↑ Father Knows Best – Season 2 Archived July 29, 2012, at archive.today
- ↑ Calamur, Krishnadev. "D'Oh! Springfield In 'Simpsons' Was Based On Town In Oregon All Along". The Two Way. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
- ↑ "ClassicTVguide.com: TV Ratings". classictvguide.com. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
External links
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