Series synopsis
Father Knows Best is an American comedy family television series that premiered on CBS on October 3, 1954. It ended on May 23, 1960. It was created by Ed James. It stars Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue and Billy Gray.
Family man Jim Anderson copes with the everyday problems among his wife Margaret and their three children as they experience day-to-day changes.
Premise
Family man Jim Anderson copes with the everyday problems among his wife Margaret and their three children as they experience day-to-day changes.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Robert Young as Jim Anderson
- Jane Wyatt as Margaret Anderson
- Elinor Donahue as Betty Anderson
- Billy Gray as Bud Anderson
- Lauren Chapin as Kathy Anderson
Guest cast
Episodes
This series spans 7 seasons with 206 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 3 | ||
| Season 1 | 26 | October 3, 1954 | March 27, 1955 |
| Season 2 | 37 | August 31, 1955 | May 30, 1956 |
| Season 3 | 37 | September 12, 1956 | June 5, 1957 |
| Season 4 | 33 | September 25, 1957 | June 11, 1958 |
| Season 5 | 38 | September 15, 1958 | June 1, 1959 |
| Season 6 | 32 | October 5, 1959 | May 23, 1960 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Twenty-Four Hours in Tyrantland In 1959 the producers were approached to do a U.S. Savings Bond benefit for the American Federation of Labor and the Treasury Department. Though never aired on television, it was distributed to schools, churches, and civic groups. Extremely rare copies can still be found. |
|
| 2 | Bonus - Behind the Scenes Home Movies | |
| 3 | Bonus - Daddy's Girls- Lauren Chapin & Elinor Donahue |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Bud Takes Up the Dance Bud tries to learn how to dance from a book for his first school dance. |
October 3, 1954 |
| 2 |
Lesson in Citizenship Jim tells his family to help others which leads to complications. |
October 10, 1954 |
| 3 |
The Motor Scooter Jim buys Bud a motor scooter but Margaret won't let him have it. |
October 17, 1954 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Art of Salesmanship Jim tries to encourage Bud to take after him in salesmanship. |
August 31, 1955 |
| 2 |
Father's Private Life Jim comes home tired one day and is harangued by the kids. So, he and Margaret set up new rules to give him some time to relax—but it ends up backfiring. |
September 7, 1955 |
| 3 |
Lessons in Civics A new highway is getting built, and for that the old community hall is going to be pulled down. That's something Jim wouldn't like to see since the hall is a historical monument, and also, memories from his youth are connected with this hall. Everyone from the family sees how much the hall means to Jim, and they use different ways to organize help. |
September 14, 1955 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
No Apron Strings Bud tries to prove he's not tied to his mother's apron strings. |
September 12, 1956 |
| 2 |
Never in Twain On a dude ranch, Betty falls in love with a cowboy only to discover the relationship won't last. |
September 19, 1956 |
| 3 |
Betty Goes to College Jim and Margaret are excited about Betty going to the state college they attended. Betty, who wants to, at first, changes her mind. |
September 26, 1956 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Follow the Leader Bud must decide if he should stand up for a teacher or join the class in a revolt. |
September 25, 1957 |
| 2 |
The Awkward Hero Betty tutors a football player who will escort her to a dance as payment. |
October 2, 1957 |
| 3 |
The Good Neighbor Margaret receives a new house which she plans to rent out. |
October 9, 1957 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Vine Covered Cottage Betty and Ralph plan to get married, but find it is not as happy as they thought. |
September 15, 1958 |
| 2 |
Be Kind to Bud Week Bud thinks Betty has an ulterior motive when she is kind to him. |
September 22, 1958 |
| 3 |
Kathy's Romance Kathy's new boyfriend is more interested in Jim than of Kathy. |
September 29, 1958 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Day in the Country While on the way to visit Margaret's parents, the car breaks down leaving the family stranded on a deserted road. |
October 5, 1959 |
| 2 |
Bud Branches Out Bud falls in love with his college French professor. |
October 12, 1959 |
| 3 |
The Gardener's Big Day Frank is chosen to represent the town at the opening of a park, but when the town council meets Frank, they want another person to represent their city- someone who looks more like an average American. |
October 19, 1959 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | CBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 3, 1954 |
| Last aired | May 23, 1960 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Status | Ended |
| Schedule | Monday |