
Father Knows Best
Family man Jim Anderson copes with the everyday problems among his wife Margaret and their three children as they experience day-to-day changes.
Father Knows Best
Family man Jim Anderson copes with the everyday problems among his wife Margaret and their three children as they experience day-to-day changes.
Father Knows Best
Family man Jim Anderson copes with the everyday problems among his wife Margaret and their three children as they experience day-to-day changes.

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Episodes
Episode 1: Twenty-Four Hours in Tyrantland
In 1959 the producers were approached to do a U.S. Savings Bond benefit for the American Federation...
Episode 2: Bonus - Behind the Scenes Home Movies
Episode 3: Bonus - Daddy's Girls- Lauren Chapin & Elinor Donahue

Episode 1: Bud Takes Up the Dance
Bud tries to learn how to dance from a book for his first school dance.
Episode 2: Lesson in Citizenship
Jim tells his family to help others which leads to complications.
Episode 3: The Motor Scooter
Jim buys Bud a motor scooter but Margaret won't let him have it.
Episode 4: Football Tickets
Jim gets tickets to an important football game, and picks one of the kids to go with him—only to be...
Episode 5: Live My Own Life
Bud moves out, but discovers he can't clean, cook, or take care of himself.
Episode 6: Grandpa Jim's Rejuvenation
Jim comes to believe that he is over the hill.
Episode 7: Bud's Encounter With the Law
Bud becomes increasingly paranoid when Kathy (who has a fascination with the new washing machine, an...
Episode 8: Thanksgiving Day
Kathy writes the best poem in the fourth grade on what Thanksgiving means to her, and Jim builds the...
Episode 9: Second Honeymoon
Jim's weekend retreat, just he and his wife, seems like a perfect idea, at first. But he doesn't wan...
Episode 10: Typical Father
Jim becomes worried that things between Betty and a new male friend of hers are getting too serious.
Episode 11: Margaret Goes Dancing
Jim and Margaret rarely disagree on anything. But when he finds out Margaret signed them up to take...
Episode 12: The Christmas Story
Jim takes the family into the woods to cut down their own tree, and they become stranded there.
Episode 13: Sparrow in the Window
Kathy discovers a wounded Sparrow on the windowsill of the house—which she then considers hers—and t...
Episode 14: Boy's Week
Jim receives a traffic ticket and Bud is appointed to be judge on that day.
Episode 15: A Friend of Old George's
An unwanted visitor that won't leave spoils Kathy's birthday party.
Episode 16: Bud the Snob
Bud is deemed a snob by the girls in school because he won’t speak to any of them. When Jim talks it...
Episode 17: The Promised Playhouse
After making a big deal about people keeping their word, Jim is forced to put his words into practic...
Episode 18: Jim the Farmer
Jim wants to give up his office job in order to move into the country to lead a quiet, and less stre...
Episode 19: Father of the Year
Jim is happy to learn his kids are planning to enter him in a Father of the Year contest. But things...
Episode 20: The Mink Coat
Even though finances have grown a little tight in the Anderson household, Jim buys Margaret a mink c...
Episode 21: The Matchmaker
Margaret tries to get her cousin and her boyfriend married.
Episode 22: Bud the Bridesmaid
Margaret's cousin (from the previous episode) is set to wed in the Anderson household, but things go...
Episode 23: Proud Father
Jim tries to help the children regain their confidence.
Episode 24: Father Delivers the Papers
Bud injures himself, so Jim delivers the papers on his route to avoid Bud being fired.
Episode 25: No Partiality
Kathy and Betty fight for the attention of the same man.
Episode 26: Close Decision
Margaret worries the entire day over what will become of Bud’s future if he doesn’t develop good cha...
Episode 1: Art of Salesmanship
Jim tries to encourage Bud to take after him in salesmanship.
Episode 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 g...
Episode 3: Lessons in Civics
A new highway is getting built, and for that the old community hall is going to be pulled down. That...
Episode 4: First Disillusionment
Bud loses a job to a boy who fakes his resume, which leads him to believe it is alright to do this...
Episode 5: Woman in the House
Margaret is forced to invite a woman who makes her uncomfortable because she is Jim's friend's wi...
Episode 6: New Girl at School
Bud learns that the girl he likes is dating his best friend.
Episode 7: Kathy Makes Magic
Kathy gets a new magic set, from a trade with a friend, and becomes convinced she can truly wield ma...
Episode 8: Advantage to Betty
Betty has recently taken up tennis at school and is chosen for a photo shoot for the paper. This cau...
Episode 9: The Big Test
Bud is accused of cheating because he is suddenly getting high grades in class.
Episode 10: Father Is a Dope
After commenting on a sitcom (“Father Does It Again”) the family watches together one night, Jim spe...
Episode 11: Spirit of Youth
When Jim gets an invitation to a dance for his class reunion—class of ‘33—the kids start behaving as...
Episode 12: Bud, the Ladykiller
Bud gets irritated by a girl (whom he refers to as “Dumb Dora”) who has a crush on him, hurts her fe...
Episode 13: Margaret's Premonition
Margaret has a premonition of danger for Jim’s upcoming business trip, and tries to get Jim to postp...
Episode 14: Stage to Yuma
Tate Idsen saves a stagecoach from savage Indians in a flashback sequence.
Episode 15: Bad Influence
Bud gets in trouble when his latest friend turns out to be a kleptomaniac.
Episode 16: Betty Hates Carter
Betty is indignant when Jim arranges a date for her with an old insurance salesman buddy’s son, Cart...
Episode 17: Jim, the Tyrant
Jim comes home early from work, after a long, hard day, and expects to gain comfort from his family,...
Episode 18: Betty's Brother
Bud is having trouble in school and the family are hard-pressed to find out why. Eventually, Jim and...
Episode 19: Betty Earns a Formal
Betty gets a job to pay for a new, expensive formal for the Cinderella Ball at the country club.
Episode 20: The House Painter
Jim has a bet with Betty and Margaret concerning human nature, integrity and the man painting their...
Episode 21: Bud, the Wallflower
Bud seems determined not to go to a Senior/Freshman dance that is Sadie Hawkins-themed.
Episode 22: The Bus to Nowhere
Betty becomes irritable with her family as she goes through an existential crisis.
Episode 23: Kathy, the Indian Giver
Episode 24: The Historical Andersons
Episode 25: The Grass is Greener
Episode 26: The Persistent Guest
Bud new friend won't leave the Anderson house because he has no family.
Episode 27: Family Reunion
The family tries to think up excuses to keep from going to Margaret's family reunion.
Episode 28: Family Dines Out
Episode 29: Bud, the Boxer
Episode 30: Betty, Girl Engineer
Betty decides to become an engineer. Doyle: Roger Smith. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray, Laure...
Episode 31: The Martins and the Coys
Betty and her boyfriend refuse to see again after Jim and his father fight.
Episode 32: Dilemma for Margaret
Margaret admits before the PTA that she can't control her children.
Episode 33: Hero Father
Former baseball star Duke Snider appears in this episode. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue,...
Episode 34: Father, the Naturalist
Jim fights the elements to collect plants for Kathy's nature folder. Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Bil...
Episode 35: The Ten Dollar Question
The family member who doesn't tattle for one week will receive ten dollars.
Episode 36: Adopted Daughter
Kathy finds a receipt for $25 from the adoption center and believes she was adopted.
Episode 37: Betty's Graduation
Episode 1: No Apron Strings
Bud tries to prove he's not tied to his mother's apron strings. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray...
Episode 2: Never in Twain
On a dude ranch, Betty falls in love with a cowboy only to discover the relationship won't last.
Episode 3: Betty Goes to College
Episode 4: Man About Town
Episode 5: The Homing Pigeon
Jim tries discouraging Betty from taking her own apartment. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue...
Episode 6: Spaghetti for Margaret
The Andersons entertain an aspiring writer---aspiring for 30 years. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor...
Episode 7: Betty's Birthday
Betty announces that she doesn't want a birthday party or presents.
Episode 8: Bud, the Millionaire
To teach Bud a lesson, Jim gives him ten dollars a week for allowance, but he's not to spend the...
Episode 9: The Old Days
Jim and Margaret complain about the children's sloppy clothes. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Dona...
Episode 10: Whistle Bait
Betty's esteem is low after another girl gets all the attention she used to get.
Episode 11: The Great Guy
Episode 12: The Family Goes to New York
Episode 13: Betty Goes Steady
Episode 14: The Good Prospect
The Andersons try bringing an old man out of his dream world. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donah...
Episode 15: The Angel's Sweater
Episode 16: The Promising Young Man
The boss's son goes to work in Jim's office. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, L...
Episode 17: Margaret Hires a Gardener
A Spanish immigrant, Frank, fixes the Andersons lawn and then charges a high price.
Episode 18: Swiss Family Anderson
The Anderson family becomes shipwrecked on a deserted island.
Episode 19: Brief Holiday
Episode 20: The Lawn Party
Bud tells the family they are to set up for a lawn party that is tomorrow.
Episode 21: Short Wave
While listening to Buds short wave radio the family overhears a distress call from a boat.
Episode 22: Carnival
Bud squanders Jim's money at a carnival. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Lauren Chapin. Bu...
Episode 23: Betty and the Jet Pilot
Betty's new boyfriend, a jet pilot, is transferred to Alaska.
Episode 24: Trip to Hillsborough
Looking for adventure, Bud travels to a neighboring town. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue,...
Episode 25: An Evening to Remember
The Anderson home is disrupted by a visit from actor Cornel Wilde. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor...
Episode 26: Bud Buys a Car
Bud buys a car for $10. Jim: Robert Young. Margaret: Jane Wyatt.
Episode 27: Safety First
When Bud receives a traffic ticket he is forced to become a crossing guard.
Episode 28: Bud, the Hero
Bud - a hero? A chain reaction of events, starting with a girl who wants to use Bud to make her boyf...
Episode 29: Betty, the Track Star
3Apr57 Betty becomes flower queen and wins a track race all in the same day.
Episode 30: The Spelling Bee
Episode 31: Bud, the Philanthropist
Kippy takes credit for a church donation Bud made, and Bud plans to get even.
Episode 32: Baby in the House
Jim and Margaret takes care of a baby Betty is baby-sitting so she can go out.
Episode 33: Class Prophecy
Henry Pruett, a traveling salesman on tour, accidentally knocks on the door of Margaret: she, Jim an...
Episode 34: The Art of Romance
Bud gets advice from Jim on how to win over Judy, while she is asking Margaret.
Episode 35: Margaret Disowns Her Family
Margaret tries to help a young woman overcome her fear of having a baby.
Episode 36: Grandpa Retires
Jim and Margaret are called in to help Margaret's dad, who's about to hand over his printing office...
Episode 37: Shoot for the Moon
Sageman helps the Andersons regain their self-confidence.
Episode 1: Follow the Leader
Bud must decide if he should stand up for a teacher or join the class in a revolt.
Episode 2: The Awkward Hero
Betty tutors a football player who will escort her to a dance as payment.
Episode 3: The Good Neighbor
Margaret receives a new house which she plans to rent out.
Episode 4: Bud, the Executive
Bud becomes the chairman for the planning of his high school picnic.
Episode 5: Sentenced to Happiness
The Anderson's gardener, Frank, is forced to get a real job and then winds up in court.
Episode 6: Mother Goes to School
Margaret enrolls in an English class in college and is put in Betty's class.
Episode 7: The Indispensable Man
Bud is not able to play in the football game because he wouldn't go to bed early.
Episode 8: Kathy's Big Chance
Kathy competes in an essay contest judged by Greer Garson.
Episode 9: Margaret Learns to Drive
Jim tries to teach Margaret how to drive a car.
Episode 10: The Way of a Dictator
Bud is given the pleasure of raising Kathy when he says they are doing it all wrong.
Episode 11: Mr. Beal Meets His Match
Betty is going through a phase where she thinks selfishness is the sole motivator in people's lives.
Episode 12: Kathy Makes a Wish
When Kathy finds a horseshoe and she wishes for a horse, and gets one.
Episode 13: Man With a Plan
A girl thinks Bud is going into the Army and throws a going away party.
Episode 14: Big Sister
At summer camp Kathy rebels after her counselor, Betty, keeps pushing her to do better.
Episode 15: Calypso Kid
Bud practices the bongo drums to impress his new girlfriend.
Episode 16: Father's Biography
Jim can either attend a business meeting or see Kathy read his biography.
Episode 17: The Rivals
Betty has two dates for the same night and doesn't plan to break either one.
Episode 18: Bud, the Mind Reader
Bud practices mind reading, and Betty tries to make the debating team.
Episode 19: Margaret's Other Family
The family gets mad when Margaret keeps helping a furniture maker and his wife.
Episode 20: The Trial
Bud is in trouble when he is accused of causing damage to a neighbor's property.
Episode 21: Revenge is Sweet
26Feb58 Betty teases Bud saying he is sloppy when some very influential people come over.
Episode 22: Country Cousin
The Anderson's cousin, Milly, arrives for a visit and to look at the college.
Episode 23: Poor Old Dad
Bud believes that his father is henpecked when he willingly does everything Margaret wants him to...
Episode 24: Betty's Crusade
Betty tries to help an old man fix up his restaurant so he isn't evicted by Jim's company.
Episode 25: Young Love
Bud falls in love with an older woman at the grocery store who is married.
Episode 26: Tell It to Mom
Chaos strikes when Betty hides a pair of skates for a friend of hers.
Episode 27: A Friend in Need
A very talented dog shows up and takes residence in the Anderson's house.
Episode 28: A Medal For Margaret
When Jim plans to build a case for trophies, and Margaret sets out to win a medal.
Episode 29: The Weaker Sex
Betty tries to use her feminine wiles on a young man to get him to take her out.
Episode 30: Jim, the Answer Man
Jim is bombarded with questions when he is getting ready for a business trip.
Episode 31: Bud Quits School
When Bud meets a successful business man who quit school and Bud plans to do the same.
Episode 32: A Matter of Pride
Bud is chosen as the most popular boy in his class at school.
Episode 33: Betty Finds a Cause
Betty tries to make a man remove a hedge that blocks the view on a road.
Episode 1: Vine Covered Cottage
Betty and Ralph plan to get married, but find it is not as happy as they thought.
Episode 2: Be Kind to Bud Week
Bud thinks Betty has an ulterior motive when she is kind to him.
Episode 3: Kathy's Romance
Kathy's new boyfriend is more interested in Jim than of Kathy.
Episode 4: Voice From the Past
Bud prepares for the arrival of the homecoming queen.
Episode 5: Frank's Family Tress
Frank tries to console Kathy by telling her that his family are entertainers.
Episode 6: Always Plan Ahead
Jim tries to teach the children a lesson when they are constantly not planning ahead.
Episode 7: Second Wedding
Betty talks Jim and Margaret into getting married again for their anniversary.
Episode 8: Bud, the Caretaker
Bud finds a dent on the back of the car he is watching for a friend.
Episode 9: Betty, the Pioneer Woman
Betty plays the founder of Springfield's wife in a play of what really happened.
Episode 10: Fair Exchange
An Indian exchange student arrives for the weekend from Betty's college.
Episode 11: Bud, the Snob
Episode 12: Margaret Wins a Car
In a raffle, Margaret wins a car and uses it to help the orphans home.
Episode 13: The Great Experiment
Jim attempts to get the family to broaden their horizons and disaster strikes.
Episode 14: The Christmas Story
The family recalls as they are putting up the Christmas tree, how Jim wanted them to cut their own...
Episode 15: The Basketball Coach
Jim becomes the coach of Bud's basketball team.
Episode 16: Kathy, Girl Executive
Kathy is elected by the family to control Bud's lawn moving company.
Episode 17: The Good Samaritan
5Jan59 Bud must do a good deed for an English report and ends up resenting the whole world.
Episode 18: The Ideal Father
Uncle Charlie believes the children are spoiled when they forget Jim's birthday.
Episode 19: Big Shot Bud
Bud gets into hot water when he tries to buy Margaret a bottle of expensive perfume.
Episode 20: Hard Luck Leo
Leo visits and takes advantage of the whole family until something surprising happens.
Episode 21: Bud, the Campus Romeo
When Bus refuses dates, the girl launch an anti-Bud campaign.
Episode 22: Crisis Over a Kiss
Bud tries to save Betty from her boyfriend but Betty resents the help.
Episode 23: Kathy Grows Up
Kathy says she wants to be treated as if she was an adult.
Episode 24: A Man of Merit
Jim learns that he is to be appointed as an outstanding person in the community.
Episode 25: Betty Makes a Choice
Betty is faced with a hard decision that will affect her future.
Episode 26: It's a Small World
Margaret must decide to attend a luncheon or go with Jim on an important trip.
Episode 27: Two Loves Has Bud
Bud has a hard time when he must decide between two girls to take to the prom.
Episode 28: An Extraordinary Woman
The Anderson's are visited by an author on African Culture.
Episode 29: The Art of Romance
Episode 30: Formula for Happiness
Strange things begin to happen when Jim's dreams start to come true.
Episode 31: Bud and the Debutante
Bud tries to impress a wealthy girl by taking her to an expensive restaurant.
Episode 32: The Promised Playhouse
Episode 33: The Meanest Professor
Bud regrets writing a bad article about a professor after the professor finds the article.
Episode 34: Live My Own Life
This is a recut version of episode 5 with the same name where Bud goes out on his own and tries to m...
Episode 35: Bud Has A Problem
Bud blames his professor when it appears he will not pass Physics.
Episode 36: The Great Anderson Mystery
The Andersons act out a detective story when the television breaks down.
Episode 37: Margaret Goes Dancing Flashback
Episode 38: The Gold Turnip
1Jun59 Bud feels that there is no use for tradition so he starts to break all traditions.
Episode 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...
Episode 2: Bud Branches Out
Bud falls in love with his college French professor.
Episode 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 Fran...
Episode 4: The Imposter
Betty becomes involved with a young lawyer pretending to be the owner of a radio store.
Episode 5: Bud Plays It Safe
Bud decides to date the coach's daughter in order to make sure he gets on the football team.
Episode 6: Bicycle Trip for Two
Jim's plans for a quiet bicycle trip end up with Jim and Margaret arguing
Episode 7: First Disillusionment
Bud tells Kathy about the job he didn't get when another boy faked his credentials.
Episode 8: Margaret's Old Flame
Jim and Margaret tease one another about people they dated as their college reunion nears.
Episode 9: Kathy Becomes a Girl
The family tries to change Kathy from a tomboy into a beautiful girl.
Episode 10: Bud, the Willing Worker
Bud wants a part-time job at a service station in order to get enough money to buy a boat.
Episode 11: Turn the Other Cheek
Both Jim and Kathy are doublecrossed by their friends.
Episode 12: Good Joke on Mom
Margaret tricks the family into believing that she has been elected chairwoman of the children's cli...
Episode 13: Betty's Double
Betty wins a trip to Hollywood because she looks like a famous movie star.
Episode 14: Father, the Naturalist
This is a recut version of episode 30. It is not part of the current syndication package and is cons...
Episode 15: Bud Hides Behind a Skirt
Betty is campaigning for safe driving, while Bud is accused of reckless driving.
Episode 16: Togetherness
A reporter visits the family in order to do an article on family togetherness.
Episode 17: Second Best
Betty competes in the college fencing tournament.
Episode 18: Kathy's Big Deception
Kathy, desperate for a date at the community picnic, makes up a story about a boyfriend.
Episode 19: Cupid Knows Best
Kathy, desperate for a date at the community picnic, makes up a story about a boyfriend.
Episode 20: The Big Test
Betty arranges a match between Frank and a worker in a flower shop.
Episode 21: Jim's Big Surprise
Jim is surprised by his family's lack of interest when he is named Father of the Year.
Episode 22: Time to Retire
When Bud reaffirms and old man's belief in life, he decides to open his own insurance company and hi...
Episode 23: Bud, the Speculator
Bud invests money in a phony stock scheme and winds up losing fifty dollars
Episode 24: The $500 Letter
The Andersons get a check from an admirer and must find out which member of the family the check was...
Episode 25: Adopted Daughter
While Kathy is trying to repair her birth certificate frame, she recalls the time she thought she wa...
Episode 26: Family Contest
Kathy destroys a picture of a family competing against hers in a photo contest
Episode 27: Love and Learn
Bud falls in love with his English Tutor
Episode 28: Blind Date
Betty dates a boy everyone regards as a loser
Episode 29: Betty's Career Problem
Betty becomes frustrated when every college contest she enters, she loses to Cliff Bowman, who may e...
Episode 30: Bud Lives It Up
Bud spends more money than he has in order to impress a girl in Chicago.
Episode 31: Not His Type
Betty is caught in the middle of an argument between two of her friends who are planning to marry.
Episode 32: Betty's Graduation
When Kathy refuses to graduate from high school, the family tells her about Betty's reluctance to gr...
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