Father Knows Best

Art of Salesmanship

Jim tries to encourage Bud to take after him in salesmanship.

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

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 wou

First Disillusionment

Bud loses a job to a boy who fakes his resumé, which leads him to believe it is alright to do this himself

Woman in the House

Margaret is forced to invite a woman over who makes her uncomfortable because she is Jim's friend's wife.

New Girl at School

Bud learns that the girl he likes is dating his best friend.

Kathy Makes Magic

Kathy gets a new magic set, from a trade with a friend, and becomes convinced she can truly wield magic.

Advantage to Betty

Betty has recently taken up tennis at school and is chosen for a photo shoot for the paper. This causes friction between

The Big Test

Bud is accused of cheating because he is suddenly getting high grades in class.

Father Is a Dope

After commenting on a sitcom (“Father Does It Again”) the family watches together one night, Jim speaks about how TV

Spirit of Youth

When Jim gets an invitation to a dance for his class reunion—class of ‘33—the kids start behaving as if their pare

Bud, the Ladykiller

Bud gets irritated by a girl (whom he refers to as “Dumb Dora”) who has a crush on him, hurts her feelings when his

Margaret's Premonition

Margaret has a premonition of danger for Jim’s upcoming business trip, and tries to get Jim to postpone it. But Jim be

Stage to Yuma

Tate Idsen saves a stagecoach from savage Indians in a flashback sequence.

Bad Influence

Bud gets in trouble when his latest friend turns out to be a kleptomaniac.

Betty Hates Carter

Betty is indignant when Jim arranges a date for her with an old insurance salesman buddy’s son, Carter.

Jim, the Tyrant

Jim comes home early from work, after a long, hard day, and expects to gain comfort from his family, but is quickly disi

Betty's Brother

Bud is having trouble in school and the family are hard-pressed to find out why. Eventually, Jim and Margaret come to th

Betty Earns a Formal

Betty gets a job to pay for a new, expensive formal for the Cinderella Ball at the country club.

The House Painter

Jim has a bet with Betty and Margaret concerning human nature, integrity and the man painting their house—Mr. Everett.

Bud, the Wallflower

Bud seems determined not to go to a Senior/Freshman dance that is Sadie Hawkins-themed.

The Bus to Nowhere

Betty becomes irritable with her family as she goes through an existential crisis.

Kathy, the Indian Giver

Kathy is taught about fair trading from her father—and ends up trading her doll for a real baby.

The Historical Andersons

When Bud receives an assignment to write a term paper about a Revolutionary War hero, he ends up researching the life of

The Grass is Greener

Jim’s old college friend, Charlie Bradley, a successful industrial tycoon, is in town. Charlie, along with Jim, were a

The Persistent Guest

Bud’s new friend, Fred, won't leave the Anderson house.

Family Reunion

The family tries to think up excuses to keep from going to Margaret's family reunion.

Family Dines Out

Betty tells a wealthy friend, Eloise Sanders, that she’s going to a charity dinner at a club. But it’s expensive and

Bud, the Boxer

Bud gets in a tussle with a boy, Eddie, at school, then dreads facing him the next day because the kid wants to fight h

Betty, Girl Engineer

Betty takes a vocational guidance course and signs up to get practical experience to become an engineer, but she gets a

The Martins and the Coys

Jim and a family friend, Frank, fight over an insurance claim and dissolve their friendship over it. Betty and his son,

Dilemma for Margaret

Margaret is asked to represent her branch of the PTA by giving a speech, but later decides against doing so because of s

Hero Father

Bud boasts to his friends, Sandy and Kippy, that his dad can get Duke Snider’s All-Stars to come to Springfield.

Father, the Naturalist

Jim fights the elements to collect plants for Kathy's nature folder.

The Ten Dollar Question

Jim makes a bet: the kid who doesn't tattle for one week will receive ten dollars.

Adopted Daughter

Kathy finds a receipt for $25 from the adoption center and believes she was adopted.

Betty's Graduation

While the family is readying for Betty’s graduation, Betty becomes conflicted about the event.

No Apron Strings

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

Never in Twain

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

Betty Goes to College

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

Man About Town

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

The Homing Pigeon

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

Spaghetti for Margaret

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

Betty's Birthday

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

Bud, the Millionaire

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 bu

The Old Days

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

Whistle Bait

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

The Great Guy

The Family Goes to New York

Betty Goes Steady

The Good Prospect

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

The Angel's Sweater

The Promising Young Man

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

Margaret Hires a Gardener

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

Swiss Family Anderson

The Anderson family becomes shipwrecked on a deserted island.

Brief Holiday

The Lawn Party

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

Short Wave

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

Carnival

Bud squanders Jim's money at a carnival.

Betty and the Jet Pilot

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

Trip to Hillsborough

Looking for adventure, Bud travels to a neighboring town.

An Evening to Remember

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

Bud Buys a Car

Bud buys a car for $10.

Safety First

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

Bud, the Hero

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

Betty, the Track Star

Betty becomes flower queen and wins a track race, all in the same day.

The Spelling Bee

Bud, the Philanthropist

Kippy takes credit for a church donation Bud made, and Bud plans to get even.

Baby in the House

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

Class Prophecy

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

The Art of Romance

Bud gets advice from Jim on how to win over Judy, while she is asking Margaret.

Margaret Disowns Her Family

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

Grandpa Retires

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

Shoot for the Moon

Sageman helps the Andersons regain their self-confidence.

Follow the Leader

Bud must decide if he should stand up for a teacher or join the class in a revolt.

The Awkward Hero

Betty tutors a football player who will escort her to a dance as payment.

The Good Neighbor

Margaret receives a new house which she plans to rent out.

Bud, the Executive

Bud becomes the chairman for the planning of his high school picnic.

Sentenced to Happiness

The Anderson's gardener, Frank, is forced to get a real job and then winds up in court.

Mother Goes to School

Margaret enrolls in an English class in college and is put in Betty's class.

The Indispensable Man

Bud is not able to play in the football game because he wouldn't go to bed early.

Kathy's Big Chance

Kathy competes in an essay contest judged by Greer Garson.

Margaret Learns to Drive

Jim tries to teach Margaret how to drive a car.

The Way of a Dictator

Bud is given the pleasure of raising Kathy when he says they are doing it all wrong.

Mr. Beal Meets His Match

Betty is going through a phase where she thinks selfishness is the sole motivator in people's lives.

Kathy Makes a Wish

When Kathy finds a horseshoe and she wishes for a horse, and gets one.

Man With a Plan

A girl thinks Bud is going into the Army and throws a going away party.

Big Sister

At summer camp Kathy rebels after her counselor, Betty, keeps pushing her to do better.

Calypso Kid

Bud practices the bongo drums to impress his new girlfriend.

Father's Biography

Jim can either attend a business meeting or see Kathy read his biography.

The Rivals

Betty has two dates for the same night and doesn't plan to break either one.

Bud, the Mind Reader

Bud practices mind reading, and Betty tries to make the debating team.

Margaret's Other Family

The family gets mad when Margaret keeps helping a furniture maker and his wife.

The Trial

Bud is in trouble when he is accused of causing damage to a neighbor's property.

Revenge is Sweet

26Feb58 Betty teases Bud saying he is sloppy when some very influential people come over.

Country Cousin

The Anderson's cousin, Milly, arrives for a visit and to look at the college.

Poor Old Dad

Bud believes that his father is henpecked when he willingly does everything Margaret wants him to.

Betty's Crusade

Betty tries to help an old man fix up his restaurant so he isn't evicted by Jim's company.

Young Love

Bud falls in love with an older woman at the grocery store who is married.

Tell It to Mom

Chaos strikes when Betty hides a pair of skates for a friend of hers.

A Friend in Need

A very talented dog shows up and takes residence in the Anderson's house.

A Medal For Margaret

When Jim plans to build a case for trophies, and Margaret sets out to win a medal.

The Weaker Sex

Betty tries to use her feminine wiles on a young man to get him to take her out.

Jim, the Answer Man

Jim is bombarded with questions when he is getting ready for a business trip.

Bud Quits School

When Bud meets a successful business man who quit school and Bud plans to do the same.

A Matter of Pride

Bud is chosen as the most popular boy in his class at school.

Betty Finds a Cause

Betty tries to make a man remove a hedge that blocks the view on a road.

Vine Covered Cottage

Betty and Ralph plan to get married, but find it is not as happy as they thought.

Be Kind to Bud Week

Bud thinks Betty has an ulterior motive when she is kind to him.

Kathy's Romance

Kathy's new boyfriend is more interested in Jim than of Kathy.

Voice From the Past

Bud prepares for the arrival of the homecoming queen.

Frank's Family Tress

Frank tries to console Kathy by telling her that his family are entertainers.

Always Plan Ahead

Jim tries to teach the children a lesson when they are constantly not planning ahead.

Second Wedding

Betty talks Jim and Margaret into getting married again for their anniversary.

Bud, the Caretaker

Bud finds a dent on the back of the car he is watching for a friend.

Betty, the Pioneer Woman

Betty plays the founder of Springfield's wife in a play of what really happened.

Fair Exchange

An Indian exchange student arrives for the weekend from Betty's college.

Bud, the Snob

Margaret Wins a Car

In a raffle, Margaret wins a car and uses it to help the orphans home.

The Great Experiment

Jim attempts to get the family to broaden their horizons and disaster strikes.

The Christmas Story

The family recalls as they are putting up the Christmas tree, how Jim wanted them to cut their own tree, and in the pr

The Basketball Coach

Jim becomes the coach of Bud's basketball team.

Kathy, Girl Executive

Kathy is elected by the family to control Bud's lawn moving company.

The Good Samaritan

5Jan59 Bud must do a good deed for an English report and ends up resenting the whole world.

The Ideal Father

Uncle Charlie believes the children are spoiled when they forget Jim's birthday.

Big Shot Bud

Bud gets into hot water when he tries to buy Margaret a bottle of expensive perfume.

Hard Luck Leo

Leo visits and takes advantage of the whole family until something surprising happens.

Bud, the Campus Romeo

When Bus refuses dates, the girl launch an anti-Bud campaign.

Crisis Over a Kiss

Bud tries to save Betty from her boyfriend but Betty resents the help.

Kathy Grows Up

Kathy says she wants to be treated as if she was an adult.

A Man of Merit

Jim learns that he is to be appointed as an outstanding person in the community.

Betty Makes a Choice

Betty is faced with a hard decision that will affect her future.

It's a Small World

Margaret must decide to attend a luncheon or go with Jim on an important trip.

Two Loves Has Bud

Bud has a hard time when he must decide between two girls to take to the prom.

An Extraordinary Woman

The Anderson's are visited by an author on African Culture.

The Art of Romance

Formula for Happiness

Strange things begin to happen when Jim's dreams start to come true.

Bud and the Debutante

Bud tries to impress a wealthy girl by taking her to an expensive restaurant.

The Promised Playhouse

A flashback show about building a playhouse for Kathy.

The Meanest Professor

Bud regrets writing a bad article about a professor after the professor finds the article.

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 make good.

Bud Has A Problem

Bud blames his professor when it appears he will not pass Physics.

The Great Anderson Mystery

The Andersons act out a detective story when the television breaks down.

Margaret Goes Dancing Flashback

Margaret wants Jim to take her dancing. She tries to trick him into dance lessons.

The Gold Turnip

1Jun59 Bud feels that there is no use for tradition so he starts to break all traditions.

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.

Bud Branches Out

Bud falls in love with his college French professor.

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 anoth

The Imposter

Betty becomes involved with a young lawyer pretending to be the owner of a radio store.

Bud Plays It Safe

Bud decides to date the coach's daughter in order to make sure he gets on the football team.

Bicycle Trip for Two

Jim's plans for a quiet bicycle trip end up with Jim and Margaret arguing

First Disillusionment

Bud tells Kathy about the job he didn't get when another boy faked his credentials.

Margaret's Old Flame

Jim and Margaret tease one another about people they dated as their college reunion nears.

Kathy Becomes a Girl

The family tries to change Kathy from a tomboy into a beautiful girl.

Bud, the Willing Worker

Bud wants a part-time job at a service station in order to get enough money to buy a boat.

Turn the Other Cheek

Both Jim and Kathy are doublecrossed by their friends.

Good Joke on Mom

Margaret tricks the family into believing that she has been elected chairwoman of the children's clinic building progr

Betty's Double

Betty wins a trip to Hollywood because she looks like a famous movie star.

Father, the Naturalist

This is a recut version of episode 30. It is not part of the current syndication package and is considered ""lost"".

Bud Hides Behind a Skirt

Betty is campaigning for safe driving, while Bud is accused of reckless driving.

Togetherness

A reporter visits the family in order to do an article on family togetherness.

Second Best

Betty competes in the college fencing tournament.

Kathy's Big Deception

Kathy, desperate for a date at the community picnic, makes up a story about a boyfriend.

Cupid Knows Best

Kathy, desperate for a date at the community picnic, makes up a story about a boyfriend.

The Big Test

Betty arranges a match between Frank and a worker in a flower shop.

Jim's Big Surprise

Jim is surprised by his family's lack of interest when he is named Father of the Year.

Time to Retire

When Bud reaffirms and old man's belief in life, he decides to open his own insurance company and hire Bud as his assi

Bud, the Speculator

Bud invests money in a phony stock scheme and winds up losing fifty dollars

The $500 Letter

The Andersons get a check from an admirer and must find out which member of the family the check was meant for.

Adopted Daughter

While Kathy is trying to repair her birth certificate frame, she recalls the time she thought she was adopted.

Family Contest

Kathy destroys a picture of a family competing against hers in a photo contest

Love and Learn

Bud falls in love with his English Tutor

Blind Date

Betty dates a boy everyone regards as a loser

Betty's Career Problem

Betty becomes frustrated when every college contest she enters, she loses to Cliff Bowman, who may even steal her job,

Bud Lives It Up

Bud spends more money than he has in order to impress a girl in Chicago.

Not His Type

Betty is caught in the middle of an argument between two of her friends who are planning to marry.

Betty's Graduation

When Kathy refuses to graduate from high school, the family tells her about Betty's reluctance to graduate from High S