Father Knows Best

Season 3

TV-G

The popular radio show comes to life in this hit sitcom about a wise family man, Jim Anderson, his common-sense wife Margaret and their children Betty, Bud and Kathy. Whenever the kids need advice on anything at all, they can always turn to their father, because father knows best.

37 Episodes

No Apron Strings
E1
Episode 1No Apron StringsBud tries to prove he's not tied to his mother's apron strings. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray, Elinor Donahue, Lauren Chapin. Georgia: Denise Alexander.
Never in Twain
E2
Episode 2Never in TwainA cowboy Betty met on a dude ranch over the summer is stopping in Springfield on his way to Chicago. "Utah" is everything Betty dreamed about, but can her love last when he lives a different life? A flashback is used to show how they met.
Betty Goes to College
E3
Episode 3Betty Goes to CollegeJim & Margaret take Betty to see the State University for when she enrolls in college. They have been saving money for this day since Betty was born. Betty announces she wants to stay in town and go to the junior college with her friends.
Man About Town
E4
Episode 4Man About TownBud's friend has a cousin coming to town. Marissa is older than Bud, but he wants to go out with her. He pretends to be older so he seems more sophisticated. When Marissa wants to go to a fancy restaurant, Bud does not have enough money.
The Homing Pigeon
E5
Episode 5The Homing PigeonAfter several test runs with his pigeon, Bud sends him on a 500 mile trip and waits for him to return home. Meanwhile, Betty announces she is moving into an apartment with her friends. Will Betty and the pigeon both return home?
Spaghetti for Margaret
E6
Episode 6Spaghetti for MargaretMargaret wins a raffle: free spaghetti dinner once a week for a year. Also, Jim's friend Harper visits. Harper never finished high school, determined to start enjoying the good life. He has interesting stories to tell but never had success.
Betty's Birthday
E7
Episode 7Betty's BirthdayBetty announces that she doesn't want a birthday party or presents.
Bud, the Millionaire
E8
Episode 8Bud, the MillionaireBud feels he is being underpaid in his allowance, and he has to work to earn it. Jim decides to teach him a lesson by giving him $10 a week and the stipulation he has to only use it on himself. Bud finds having money does not buy friends.
The Old Days
E9
Episode 9The Old DaysJim & Margaret plan to go to the PTA costume party. When they argue with the children to dress better, they decide to wear the clothes kids wear now-days, and their children wear the clothes of Jim & Margaret's youth stored in the attic.
Whistle Bait
E10
Episode 10Whistle BaitBetty's esteem is low after another girl gets all the attention she used to get.
The Great Guy
E11
Episode 11The Great GuyBud and Kippy go to work at a newspaper company. Their boss is a real tough taskmaster.
The Family Goes to New York
E12
Episode 12The Family Goes to New YorkJim is hesitant to let Betty go to New York alone, but Margaret convinces him to let her go. Betty goes to NY to help her friend on her wedding day. Imagine their surprise when a picture of Betty and the best man show up in the newspaper.
Betty Goes Steady
E13
Episode 13Betty Goes SteadyAt college, Betty is enjoying the social life and is going steady with a casual acquaintance. Bud works on the school paper and brings home Mr. Beekman, the paper's adviser. Mr. Beekman tells Betty there is more to life than parties.
The Good Prospect
E14
Episode 14The Good ProspectJim meets Aldus Lydum while visiting his friend, and thinks this might lead to a new insurance client. He invites Jim & Betty to visit he and his wife that night. Mr Lydum acts as if everyone is a long-standing friend.
The Angel's Sweater
E15
Episode 15The Angel's SweaterKathy is certain that the Andersons' Christmas Eve will be ruined by the visit of spinsterish Aunt Neva, but she learns a valuable lesson when she stops pouting long enough to listen to a Christmas story told by an elderly repairman.
The Promising Young Man
E16
Episode 16The Promising Young ManJim's boss, John, asks Jim if he can show John's son how to sell insurance. Jim agrees, and John is sociable enough to work with clients. However, John does not like insurance and wants to be an actor.
Margaret Hires a Gardener
E17
Episode 17Margaret Hires a GardenerA Spanish immigrant, Frank, fixes the Andersons lawn and then charges a high price.
Swiss Family Anderson
E18
Episode 18Swiss Family AndersonThe Anderson family becomes shipwrecked on a deserted island.
Brief Holiday
E19
Episode 19Brief HolidayMargaret gets tired of all the housework and demands of the children, expecting her to do their every whim. She decides to take a day off and go into town. She browses the stores and has her picture drawn by a street artist.
The Lawn Party
E20
Episode 20The Lawn PartyBud wants to have a lawn party at the Anderson's home the next day. Bud expects Jim & Margaret to do the work, without the teens even helping, they tell Bud he cannot have the party. Jim & Margaret leave for the day, and Bud has it anyway.
Short Wave
E21
Episode 21Short WaveBud buys a shortwave radio and, while showing it off to the family, hears a distress call. A family had become caught in a tropical storm while offshore in their cabin cruiser, and the father was unable to transmit his desperate call for help to the Coast Guard ... leaving the Andersons as possibly the family's only hope.
Carnival
E22
Episode 22CarnivalBud squanders Jim's money at a carnival. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Lauren Chapin. Burt: Dick Foran. Kippy: Paul Wallace.
Betty and the Jet Pilot
E23
Episode 23Betty and the Jet PilotA jet pilot encounters problems when flying over Springfield and loses his helmet. Bud finds the helmet and the family decides to find the pilot and return it. Betty and the pilot start dating; Betty learns he is being transferred to Alaska
Trip to Hillsborough
E24
Episode 24Trip to HillsboroughBud and Kippy want to travel for new experiences and write exciting stories. They want to go to Hillsborough by themselves and stay. Jim and Margaret agree since both boys will be there. Kippy backs out at the last minute
An Evening to Remember
E25
Episode 25An Evening to RememberThe Anderson home is disrupted by a visit from actor Cornel Wilde. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, Lauren Chapin. Hansen: Lloyd Corrigan.
Bud Buys a Car
E26
Episode 26Bud Buys a CarBud buys a car for $10. Jim: Robert Young. Margaret: Jane Wyatt.
Safety First
E27
Episode 27Safety FirstWhen Bud receives a traffic ticket he is forced to become a crossing guard.
Bud, the Hero
E28
Episode 28Bud, the HeroBud - a hero? A chain reaction of events, starting with a girl who wants to use Bud to make her boyfriend jealous leads to Bud preventing a bank robbery, making him the hero of the town.
Betty, the Track Star
E29
Episode 29Betty, the Track StarBetty is in the finals for track, and gets a lot of attention. She wins, and later that day, Betty is awarded for the Flower Queen. Bud's nose is put out of joint because he feels surrounded by girls.
The Spelling Bee
E30
Episode 30The Spelling BeeKathy is nervous about the school spelling bee, so Betty gives her a penny and convinces her that it has special powers.
Bud, the Philanthropist
E31
Episode 31Bud, the PhilanthropistBud donates money towards a fund for a sick classmate in Sunday School. Kippy takes credit for that donation and Bud is upset. Knowing he should not brag of his good deed, Bud tries to find another way to get credit and have Kippy confess.
Baby in the House
E32
Episode 32Baby in the HouseBetty accepts a date for the same night she has a baby-sitting job. Margaret and Jim say they will babysit so she can go on the date. When the baby arrives, Margaret and Jim enjoy having an infant in the house again. Kathy gets jealous.
Class Prophecy
E33
Episode 33Class ProphecyHenry Pruett, a traveling salesman on tour, accidentally knocks on the door of Margaret: she, Jim and Henry attended college together and he was a promising man back then - on his way to become a doctor. But all he is now is the salesman (and a bad one too) and that's embarrassing for him and he decides to keep it a secret. But Margaret and Jim find out about this anyway.
The Art of Romance
E34
Episode 34The Art of RomanceBud gets advice from Jim on how to win over Judy, while she is asking Margaret.
Margaret Disowns Her Family
E35
Episode 35Margaret Disowns Her FamilyMargaret decides to sell the old baby crib. A couple who is expecting their first child shows up to buy it. They are young as well as being nervous about being parents. It does not help that the Andersons are having a bad parenting day.
Grandpa Retires
E36
Episode 36Grandpa RetiresJim and Margaret are called in to help Margaret's dad, who's about to hand over his printing office and retire. The main reason is his groggy health lately, but it seems that giving up his office is the actual source for this problems.
Shoot for the Moon
E37
Episode 37Shoot for the MoonMargaret hires a man named Sageman to chop wood for their fireplace. He only wants to be paid in meals. An honest day's work for an honest meal. Sageman quietly shares his views of life with the Anderson's and inspires them all.