7.5/10
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Father Knows Best 

| Comedy, Family | TV Series (1954–1960)
Episode Guide
204 episodes
Father Knows Best Poster
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 | See full cast & crew »
Reviews
Popularity
2,301 ( 423)

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Episodes

Seasons

Years


6   5   4   3   2   1   Unknown  
1960   1959   1958   1957   1956   1955   … See all »
Won 6 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 18 nominations. See more awards »

Photos

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Cast

Series cast summary:
Robert Young ...  Jim Anderson / ... 197 episodes, 1954-1960
Jane Wyatt ...  Margaret Anderson 196 episodes, 1954-1960
Billy Gray ...  Bud Anderson 196 episodes, 1954-1960
Lauren Chapin ...  Kathy Anderson 196 episodes, 1954-1960
Elinor Donahue ...  Betty Anderson / ... 193 episodes, 1954-1960
See full cast »
Edit

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. Written by Dylan Self <robocoptng986127@aol.com>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

mother son relationship | husband wife relationship | 1950s | teenage girl | teenage boy | See All (14) »

Genres:

Comedy | Family

Certificate:

See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

Add content advisory for parents »
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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 October 1954 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

I Told You So See more »

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rodney-Young Productions, Screen Gems Television See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (203 episodes)

Sound Mix:

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

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

4:3
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The show took place in the town of Springfield. Even though it was never specified in which state the town was located, several times characters mentioned Altoona, an actual city in Pennsylvania. Iowa also has a city called Altoona. See more »

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?
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Night Court: Paternity (1987) See more »

Soundtracks

Waiting
(theme)
by Don A. Ferris
See more »

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User Reviews

Many episodes very true to life
6 June 2001 | by joeljordanh20 – See all my reviews

I was just thinking about the series and wondered why it has yet to be on the Nick or TV Land channels. This series was truly among the very best. Many of the episodes dealt with many issues that are still very relevant today. I especially liked the episode where the mother decides to take a day off from all the housework and cooking and treat herself to some new sights and sounds and how shocked the family is that the "routine" of things is upset. I saw Elinor on E! the other night by the way. I am looking forward to seeing this series air again somewhere.
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