Father Knows Best (1954–1960)

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... See full summary »

Creator:

Ed James

Stars:

Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Billy Gray

Won 6 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Robert Young	...	Jim Anderson (197 episodes, 1954-1960)
Jane Wyatt	...	Margaret Anderson (196 episodes, 1954-1960)
Billy Gray	...	Bud (196 episodes, 1954-1960)
Lauren Chapin	...	Kathy (196 episodes, 1954-1960)
Elinor Donahue	...	Betty (192 episodes, 1954-1960)

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

sibling rivalry | father daughter relationship | mother son relationship | teenage girl | brother sister relationship | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 October 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

I Told You So

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rodney-Young Productions, Screen Gems Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (203 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono Mono (Western Electric Recording) Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jane Wyatt's Margaret Anderson was originally played on radio by June Whitley Taylor and later by Jean Vander Pyl. Elinor Donahue's Betty was originally voiced by Rhoda Williams. Billy Gray's Bud once belonged to the voice of Ted Donaldson and Lauren Chapin's Kathy was earlier voiced by Norma Jean Nilsson. Other members of the radio cast have included: Eleanor Audley (Elizabeth), Herb Vigran (Hector) and Sam Edwards (Billy).

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Quotes

Bud Anderson: You've been around so long and seen so much and done so much, and still manage to look so good.
Jim Anderson: Thanks a lot!
Bud Anderson: I think you look real young. Honest. Younger than Joe Phillips' dad, younger than Claude Mesner's uncle, why even younger than...
Jim Anderson: Bud, before you have me back in kindergarten, see who's at the door, will you?

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Connections

Referenced in Drunks (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Waiting"
(theme)
by Don A. Ferris

User Reviews

The 1950s were a simpler time, and this father always knew best.

I wasn't quite 9 years old when "Father Knows Best" made its move to TV, so I didn't get to see any of the first episodes because we didn't get our first TV until a year later. But I vividly remember watching many episodes over its 10-year run. Robert Young as James 'Jim' Anderson, Sr. was written as the almost "perfect" father, and Jane Wyatt as Margaret Anderson was written as the almost "perfect" mother. More than anything else, thinking back, this was a series written as a model for what was generally considered the correct way for a family to live and interact back in the 1950s. Some viewers today might scoff at that notion, but coming just a few years after the big war, and running during much of the "cold war", as a youngster it was reassuring to see peace and harmony. We didn't have the big national news networks back then reporting everything that was bad, in gory detail, and today I see that as a blessing. Elinor Donahue as Betty Anderson, Billy Gray as 'Bud' Anderson, Jr., and Lauren Chapin as 'Kitten' Anderson completed the family. It is always fun to occasionally catch an old episode or two. While TV technical production values have improved, the 'messages' of the shows have not.