Father Knows Best
Season 1
26 episodes
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S01E01 Bud Takes Up the Dance
Jim and Betty help Bud learn to dance so he can go to the school dance with a girl.
Pilot note — From the desk: Father Knows Best opens its catalog run with “Bud Takes Up the Dance” (1954-10-03). Codified domestic sitcom hierarchy — and gave later satire a perfect target. Behind the warmth: the usual Hollywood tension between image and private lives.
- S01E02
Lesson in Citizenship
Jim tells his kids they need to cheerfully volunteer. Bud volunteers Jim's time, Kathy volunteers his good suit to charity, Betty volunteers to be a witness to an accident for a good looking young man.
- S01E03
The Motor Scooter
Margaret is not thrilled at all with Jim's purchase of a second hand motor scooter for Bud. Opening scene is great as Jim appears to be the worst scooter driver in Springfield.
- S01E04
Football Tickets
Jim is to take Betty to the biggest football game of the year, but a business customer blackmails him into taking him, instead.
- S01E05
Live My Own Life
Bud wants to live on his own terms and decides to move to a small apartment with one room.
- S01E06
Grandpa Jim's Rejuvenation
Jim wants to feel young again and his family tries to make him feel better.
- S01E07
Bud's Encounter with the Law
Rocket Girl Kathy loads up her rocket (new washing machine) causing problems for the whole family.
- S01E08
Thanksgiving Day
Jim changes plans for Thanksgiving to celebrate Kathy's winning poem of the fourth grade.
- S01E09
Second Honeymoon
Jim asks Margaret to take off with him for a weekend alone. Blooper: In the car they talk about their kids being nearly in bed but the shadows show it is mid-day.
- S01E10
Typical Father
Betty and her boyfriend rehearse for a play and causes Jim to believe they are eloping.
- S01E11
Margaret Goes Dancing
Feeling nostalgic and a bit neglected, Margaret decides to take private dance lessons.
- S01E12
The Christmas Story
The family takes a short road trip to find the perfect Christmas tree but a sudden storm strands them for Christmas.
- S01E13
Sparrow in the Window
It's a cold rainy evening and Kathy finds a motionless sparrow on the windowsill.
- S01E14
Boy's Week
Kathy is blamed for breaking a window, and Jim must face a Boys Week Judge in court.
- S01E15
A Friend of Old George's
A friend of a college friend drops by as the family is trying to celebrate Kathy's birthday.
- S01E16
Bud the Snob
Bud is bashful trying to talk to girls in his school.
- S01E17
The Promised Playhouse
Jim tells Bud the complete story of a promise to Kathy about a tree-house made years ago to explain why he is very careful about what promises he makes.
- S01E18
Jim the Farmer
Jim's stressful work moves Jim to move to the country for a less hectic life.
- S01E19
Father of the Year
Jim is entered into a father-of-the-year contest by his kids.
- S01E20
The Mink Coat
After Jim tells family they must tighten belts in the family budget, he buys a mink coat for Margaret.
- S01E21
The Matchmaker
Margaret plans a dinner for a couple to encourage him to ask his girlfriend to marry him.
- S01E22
Bud the Bridesmaid
Margaret is hosting a wedding in her home for the couple from the last episode.
- S01E23
Proud Father
Kathy, Bud, and Betty are all scared of something happening to them, and Jim encourages them to be brave.
- S01E24
Father Delivers the Papers
Bud's job as delivery boy is in jeopardy and Jim completes his route keeping a promise to Bud's boss.
- S01E25
No Partiality
Kathy is tired of hand-me-downs. trivia: when Jim calls phone number on Kathy's arm but not the same numbers.
- S01E26
Close Decision
Bud learns a lesson after he fails to keep up with his responsibilities and proves his good character.
More from the 1950s.