Father Knows Best

1No Apron Strings

30 minSep 12, 1956

Bud tries to prove he's not tied to his mother's apron strings.

2Never in Twain

30 minSep 19, 1956

On a dude ranch, Betty falls in love with a cowboy only to discover the relationship won't last.

3Betty Goes to College

30 minSep 26, 1956

Jim and Margaret are excited about Betty going to the state college they attended. Betty, who wants to, at first, changes her mind.

4Man About Town

30 minOct 3, 1956

Kippy promises Bud a date with his beautiful cousin, Marissa.

5The Homing Pigeon

30 minOct 10, 1956

Jim tries discouraging Betty from moving into an apartment. Bud and the family await the arrival of Charlie, a homing pigeon.

6Spaghetti for Margaret

30 minOct 17, 1956

The Andersons entertain an aspiring writer—aspiring for 30 years.

7Betty's Birthday

30 minOct 24, 1956

After listening to a lecture in class on the origins of giving gifts, Betty announces that she doesn't want a birthday party or presents.

8Bud, the Millionaire

30 minOct 31, 1956

To teach Bud a lesson, Jim gives him ten dollars a week for allowance, but he's not to spend the money on anyone else but himself, even indirectly.

9The Old Days

30 minNov 7, 1956

Jim and Margaret complain about the children's sloppy clothes. The kids judge the antiquated attire they choose for a PTA costume party.

10Whistle Bait

30 minNov 14, 1956

Betty becomes insecure after she overhears Bud tell Jim that she’s not the kind of girl boys whistle at.

11The Great Guy

30 minNov 21, 1956

Bud and Kippy get a job working at a newspaper.

12The Family Goes to New York

30 minNov 28, 1956

Jim is reluctant to let Betty go to New York to be a bridesmaid to her friend Barbara—afraid she’ll get hurt, somehow.

13Betty Goes Steady

30 minDec 5, 1956

Betty is going steady according to the rules of her school’s social set. But a guy with a chip on his shoulder challenges her preconceptions.

14The Good Prospect

30 minDec 12, 1956

The Andersons try bringing an old man out of his dream world.

15The Angel's Sweater

30 minDec 19, 1956

Jim’s sister comes for Christmas, and the kids are less than thrilled—particularly, Kathy.

16The Promising Young Man

30 minDec 26, 1956

The boss's son goes to work in Jim's office.

17Margaret Hires a Gardener

30 minJan 2, 1957

A Spanish immigrant, Frank, fixes the Andersons lawn and then charges a high price.

18Swiss Family Anderson

30 minJan 9, 1957

The Anderson family becomes shipwrecked on a deserted island.

19Brief Holiday

30 minJan 16, 1957

Margaret takes a small, much-needed break from her daily duties.

20The Lawn Party

30 minJan 23, 1957

Bud tells the family they are to set up for a lawn party that is tomorrow.

21Short Wave

30 minJan 30, 1957

While listening to Bud’s short wave radio, the family overhears a distress call from a boat.

22Carnival

30 minFeb 6, 1957

Bud squanders Jim's money at a carnival.

23Betty and the Jet Pilot

30 minFeb 13, 1957

Betty's new boyfriend, a jet pilot, is transferred to Alaska.

24Trip to Hillsborough

30 minFeb 20, 1957

Looking for adventure, Bud travels to a neighboring town.

25An Evening to Remember

30 minFeb 27, 1957

The Anderson home is disrupted by a visit from actor Cornel Wilde.

26Bud Buys a Car

30 minMar 13, 1957

Bud buys a car for $10.

27Safety First

30 minMar 20, 1957

When Bud receives a traffic ticket, he is forced to become a crossing guard.

28Bud, the Hero

30 minMar 27, 1957

Bud…a hero? A chain reaction of events, starting with a girl who wants to use Bud to make her boyfriend jealous, leads to Bud becoming a hero of the town.

29Betty, the Track Star

30 minApr 3, 1957

Betty has to choose between a flower queen contest and a track race, occurring on the same afternoon.

30The Spelling Bee

30 minApr 17, 1957

Kathy is apprehensive about the prospect of competing at the county spelling bee.

31Bud, the Philanthropist

30 minApr 24, 1957

Bud obsesses over getting credit for a generous donation he made.

32Baby in the House

30 minMay 1, 1957

Jim and Margaret take care of a baby Betty is supposed to babysit, so she can go out.

33Class Prophecy

30 minMay 8, 1957

Henry Pruett, a traveling salesman, knocks on the Anderson’s door. It turns out she, Jim and Henry all attended college together.

34The Art of Romance

30 minMay 15, 1957

Bud gets advice from Jim on how to win over Judy, while Judy asks gets advice from Betty.

35Margaret Disowns Her Family

30 minMay 22, 1957

Margaret tries to help a young woman overcome her fear of having a baby.

36Grandpa Retires

30 minMay 29, 1957

Jim and Margaret are called in to help Margaret's dad, who's about to hand over his printing office and retire.

37Shoot for the Moon

30 minJun 5, 1957

Sageman helps the Andersons regain their self-confidence.