Father Knows Best

S01 E02 · 1954-10-10 · 30 min

Lesson in Citizenship

Jim tells his family to help others which leads to complications.

S01 E03 · 1954-10-17 · 30 min

The Motor Scooter

Jim buys Bud a motor scooter but Margaret won't let him have it.

S01 E04 · 1954-10-24 · 30 min

Football Tickets

Jim gets tickets to an important football game, and picks one of the kids to go with him—only to be blackmailed by an important client (who wants to go to the game, too) out of one of his tickets. He then tries frantically to find a second one.

S01 E05 · 1954-10-31 · 30 min

Live My Own Life

Bud moves out, but discovers he can't clean, cook, or take care of himself.

S01 E06 · 1954-11-07 · 30 min

Grandpa Jim's Rejuvenation

Jim comes to believe that he is over the hill.

S01 E07 · 1954-11-14 · 30 min

Bud's Encounter With the Law

Bud becomes increasingly paranoid when Kathy (who has a fascination with the new washing machine, and puts everything in there) places a letter addressed to him by the police department in the washing machine, and ruins the letter, so he doesn’t know why he is asked to be there within seven days.

S01 E08 · 1954-11-21 · 30 min

Thanksgiving Day

Kathy writes the best poem in the fourth grade on what Thanksgiving means to her, and Jim builds the poem up in his mind to unreasonable expectations for a fourth grader. When he actually finds out what the poem consists of, his hopes for Kathy’s future are deflated and he disparages the poem to Margaret, unwitting that Kathy has overheard.

S01 E09 · 1954-11-28 · 30 min

Second Honeymoon

Jim's weekend retreat, just he and his wife, seems like a perfect idea, at first. But he doesn't want to pass this on to the kids when he learns that the kids have plans with them; and then when the kids take the news too easy, Jim and Margaret are befuddled. They leave, but soon they start thinking about their kids and after reaching the lodge they want to phone in - but no one answers the call...

S01 E10 · 1954-12-05 · 30 min

Typical Father

Jim becomes worried that things between Betty and a new male friend of hers are getting too serious.

S01 E11 · 1954-12-12 · 30 min

Margaret Goes Dancing

Jim and Margaret rarely disagree on anything. But when he finds out Margaret signed them up to take dancing lessons, Jim refuses to do so, and ends up defiantly going to his old club, leaving her to take lessons alone.

S01 E12 · 1954-12-19 · 30 min

The Christmas Story

Jim takes the family into the woods to cut down their own tree, and they become stranded there.

S01 E13 · 1954-12-26 · 30 min

Sparrow in the Window

Kathy discovers a wounded Sparrow on the windowsill of the house—which she then considers hers—and the whole family becomes involved in trying to help it get better.

S01 E14 · 1955-01-02 · 30 min

Boy's Week

Jim receives a traffic ticket and Bud is appointed to be judge on that day.

S01 E15 · 1955-01-09 · 30 min

A Friend of Old George's

An unwanted visitor that won't leave spoils Kathy's birthday party.

S01 E16 · 1955-01-16 · 30 min

Bud the Snob

Bud is deemed a snob by the girls in school because he won’t speak to any of them. When Jim talks it over with him, he discovers that Bud‘s real problem is that he becomes tongue-tied around them.

S01 E17 · 1955-01-23 · 30 min

The Promised Playhouse

After making a big deal about people keeping their word, Jim is forced to put his words into practice to set a good example for his family.

S01 E18 · 1955-01-30 · 30 min

Jim the Farmer

Jim wants to give up his office job in order to move into the country to lead a quiet, and less stressful, life as a farmer. Margaret doesn't think that he means it seriously, but he crosses more lines to fulfill his dream than he ever has before.

S01 E19 · 1955-02-06 · 30 min

Father of the Year

Jim is happy to learn his kids are planning to enter him in a Father of the Year contest. But things, of course, don’t go smoothly.

S01 E20 · 1955-02-13 · 30 min

The Mink Coat

Even though finances have grown a little tight in the Anderson household, Jim buys Margaret a mink coat that ends up being more trouble than it’s worth.

S01 E21 · 1955-02-20 · 30 min

The Matchmaker

Margaret tries to get her cousin and her boyfriend married.

S01 E22 · 1955-02-27 · 30 min

Bud the Bridesmaid

Margaret's cousin (from the previous episode) is set to wed in the Anderson household, but things go wrong, due to the nervousness of the prospective bride and groom, and the wedding is called off. Poor Bud is reeled in to do a stand-in for the bride at the rehearsal.

S01 E23 · 1955-03-06 · 30 min

Proud Father

Jim tries to help the children regain their confidence.

S01 E24 · 1955-03-13 · 30 min

Father Delivers the Papers

Bud injures himself, so Jim delivers the papers on his route to avoid Bud being fired.

S01 E25 · 1955-03-20 · 30 min

No Partiality

Kathy and Betty fight for the attention of the same man.

S01 E26 · 1955-03-27 · 30 min

Close Decision

Margaret worries the entire day over what will become of Bud’s future if he doesn’t develop good character. This is tied in with a baseball game Bud is trying to get to play in.

S02 E01 · 1955-08-31 · 30 min

Art of Salesmanship

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

S02 E02 · 1955-09-07 · 30 min

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 relax—but it ends up backfiring.

S02 E03 · 1955-09-14 · 30 min

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 wouldn't like to see since the hall is a historical monument, and also, memories from his youth are connected with this hall. Everyone from the family sees how much the hall means to Jim, and they use different ways to organize help.

S02 E04 · 1955-09-21 · 30 min

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

S02 E05 · 1955-09-28 · 30 min

Woman in the House

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

S02 E06 · 1955-10-05 · 30 min

New Girl at School

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

S02 E07 · 1955-10-12 · 30 min

Kathy Makes Magic

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

S02 E08 · 1955-10-19 · 30 min

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 her and her doubles partner, Eula, who is the team’s best player.

S02 E09 · 1955-10-26 · 30 min

The Big Test

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

S02 E10 · 1955-11-02 · 30 min

Father Is a Dope

After commenting on a sitcom (“Father Does It Again”) the family watches together one night, Jim speaks about how TV fathers are often portrayed as dumb in comparison with their families. Later, he plans on going hunting and starts believing that Margaret and the kids are secretly trying to get him to stay.

S02 E11 · 1955-11-09 · 30 min

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 parents are ancient. Then, when the kids at their alma mater treat them the same, Jim and Margaret deal with the thought of getting older.

S02 E12 · 1955-11-16 · 30 min

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 irritation leads to cruelty, and must make amends.

S02 E13 · 1955-11-30 · 30 min

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 believes it’s a bunch of superstitious nonsense, and insists on going anyway.

S02 E14 · 1955-12-07 · 30 min

Stage to Yuma

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

S02 E15 · 1955-12-14 · 30 min

Bad Influence

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

S02 E16 · 1955-12-28 · 30 min

Betty Hates Carter

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

S02 E17 · 1956-01-04 · 30 min

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 disillusioned when they all are too absorbed in their own interests and tasks to pay attention to him. This just makes his mood more sour and he declares at dinner that if he must, he will become a tyrant. This leads to unwelcome consequences.

S02 E18 · 1956-01-11 · 30 min

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 the conclusion that, since he’s entered high school, he’s lost his confidence over being constantly compared to Betty and her accomplishments.

S02 E19 · 1956-01-18 · 30 min

Betty Earns a Formal

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

S02 E20 · 1956-01-25 · 30 min

The House Painter

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

S02 E21 · 1956-02-01 · 30 min

Bud, the Wallflower

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

S02 E22 · 1956-02-08 · 30 min

The Bus to Nowhere

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

S02 E23 · 1956-02-15 · 30 min

Kathy, the Indian Giver

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

S02 E24 · 1956-02-22 · 30 min

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 a relative—Major Nathaniel Oliver Anderson.

S02 E25 · 1956-02-29 · 30 min

The Grass is Greener

Jim’s old college friend, Charlie Bradley, a successful industrial tycoon, is in town. Charlie, along with Jim, were a part of a group known as The Four Musketeers, in college. Of the four, Jim appears to be the least ‘successful.’

S02 E26 · 1956-03-07 · 30 min

The Persistent Guest

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

S02 E27 · 1956-03-14 · 30 min

Family Reunion

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

S02 E28 · 1956-03-28 · 30 min

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 she hasn’t asked her father, yet.

S02 E29 · 1956-04-04 · 30 min

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 him. Jim makes Bud face him in a boxing ring to settle it, knowing that Bud will have to face Eddie, eventually. Later, Jim has Bud take boxing lessons.

S02 E30 · 1956-04-11 · 30 min

Betty, Girl Engineer

Betty takes a vocational guidance course and signs up to get practical experience to become an engineer, but she gets a lot of flack for it because she’s a girl.

S02 E31 · 1956-04-18 · 30 min

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, Bob, are dating and this affects them, too.

S02 E32 · 1956-04-25 · 30 min

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 some mischief Betty gets into.

S02 E33 · 1956-05-02 · 30 min

Hero Father

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

S02 E34 · 1956-05-09 · 30 min

Father, the Naturalist

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

S02 E35 · 1956-05-16 · 30 min

The Ten Dollar Question

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

S02 E36 · 1956-05-23 · 30 min

Adopted Daughter

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

S02 E37 · 1956-05-30 · 30 min

Betty's Graduation

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

S03 E01 · 1956-09-12 · 30 min

No Apron Strings

Bud 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.

S03 E02 · 1956-09-19 · 30 min

Never in Twain

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

S03 E03 · 1956-09-26 · 30 min

Betty Goes to College

S03 E04 · 1956-10-03 · 30 min

Man About Town

S03 E05 · 1956-10-10 · 30 min

The Homing Pigeon

Jim tries discouraging Betty from taking her own apartment. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, Lauren Chapin. Jean: Donna Jo Gribble.

S03 E06 · 1956-10-17 · 30 min

Spaghetti for Margaret

The Andersons entertain an aspiring writer---aspiring for 30 years. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, Lauren Chapin. Harper: Herb Butterfield.

S03 E07 · 1956-10-24 · 30 min

Betty's Birthday

Betty announces that she doesn't want a birthday party or presents.

S03 E08 · 1956-10-31 · 30 min

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 but himself.

S03 E09 · 1956-11-07 · 30 min

The Old Days

Jim and Margaret complain about the children's sloppy clothes. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, Lauren Chapin. Dotty: Yvonne Lime.

S03 E10 · 1956-11-14 · 30 min

Whistle Bait

Betty's esteem is low after another girl gets all the attention she used to get.

S03 E11 · 1956-11-21 · 30 min

The Great Guy

S03 E12 · 1956-11-28 · 30 min

The Family Goes to New York

S03 E13 · 1956-12-05 · 30 min

Betty Goes Steady

S03 E14 · 1956-12-12 · 30 min

The Good Prospect

The Andersons try bringing an old man out of his dream world. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, Lauren Chapin. Mr. Lydom: Don Beddoe. Mrs. Lydom: Mary Adams. Kippy: Paul Wallace.

S03 E15 · 1956-12-19 · 30 min

The Angel's Sweater

S03 E16 · 1956-12-26 · 30 min

The Promising Young Man

The boss's son goes to work in Jim's office. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, Lauren Chapin. Ward: Willis Bouchey.

S03 E17 · 1957-01-02 · 30 min

Margaret Hires a Gardener

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

S03 E18 · 1957-01-09 · 30 min

Swiss Family Anderson

The Anderson family becomes shipwrecked on a deserted island.

S03 E19 · 1957-01-16 · 30 min

Brief Holiday

S03 E20 · 1957-01-23 · 30 min

The Lawn Party

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

S03 E21 · 1957-01-30 · 30 min

Short Wave

While listening to Buds short wave radio the family overhears a distress call from a boat.

S03 E22 · 1957-02-06 · 30 min

Carnival

Bud squanders Jim's money at a carnival. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Lauren Chapin. Burt: Dick Foran. Kippy: Paul Wallace.

S03 E23 · 1957-02-13 · 30 min

Betty and the Jet Pilot

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

S03 E24 · 1957-02-20 · 30 min

Trip to Hillsborough

Looking for adventure, Bud travels to a neighboring town. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, Lauren Chapin. Kippy: Paul Wallace.

S03 E25 · 1957-02-27 · 30 min

An Evening to Remember

The Anderson home is disrupted by a visit from actor Cornel Wilde. Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, Lauren Chapin. Hansen: Lloyd Corrigan.

S03 E26 · 1957-03-13 · 30 min

Bud Buys a Car

Bud buys a car for $10. Jim: Robert Young. Margaret: Jane Wyatt.

S03 E27 · 1957-03-20 · 30 min

Safety First

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

S03 E28 · 1957-03-27 · 30 min

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 to Bud preventing a bank robbery, making him the hero of the town.

S03 E29 · 1957-04-03 · 30 min

Betty, the Track Star

3Apr57 Betty becomes flower queen and wins a track race all in the same day.

S03 E30 · 1957-04-17 · 30 min

The Spelling Bee

S03 E31 · 1957-04-24 · 30 min

Bud, the Philanthropist

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

S03 E32 · 1957-05-01 · 30 min

Baby in the House

Jim and Margaret takes care of a baby Betty is baby-sitting so she can go out.

S03 E33 · 1957-05-08 · 30 min

Class Prophecy

Henry 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.

S03 E34 · 1957-05-15 · 30 min

The Art of Romance

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

S03 E35 · 1957-05-22 · 30 min

Margaret Disowns Her Family

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

S03 E36 · 1957-05-29 · 30 min

Grandpa Retires

Jim 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.

S03 E37 · 1957-06-05 · 30 min

Shoot for the Moon

Sageman helps the Andersons regain their self-confidence.

S04 E01 · 1957-09-25 · 30 min

Follow the Leader

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

S04 E02 · 1957-10-02 · 30 min

The Awkward Hero

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

S04 E03 · 1957-10-09 · 30 min

The Good Neighbor

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

S04 E04 · 1957-10-16 · 30 min

Bud, the Executive

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

S04 E05 · 1957-10-23 · 30 min

Sentenced to Happiness

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

S04 E06 · 1957-10-30 · 30 min

Mother Goes to School

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

S04 E07 · 1957-11-06 · 30 min

The Indispensable Man

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

S04 E08 · 1957-11-13 · 30 min

Kathy's Big Chance

Kathy competes in an essay contest judged by Greer Garson.

S04 E09 · 1957-11-20 · 30 min

Margaret Learns to Drive

Jim tries to teach Margaret how to drive a car.

S04 E10 · 1957-12-04 · 30 min

The Way of a Dictator

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

S04 E11 · 1957-12-11 · 30 min

Mr. Beal Meets His Match

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

S04 E12 · 1957-12-25 · 30 min

Kathy Makes a Wish

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

S04 E13 · 1958-01-01 · 30 min

Man With a Plan

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

S04 E14 · 1957-01-08 · 30 min

Big Sister

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

S04 E15 · 1958-01-15 · 30 min

Calypso Kid

Bud practices the bongo drums to impress his new girlfriend.

S04 E16 · 1958-01-22 · 30 min

Father's Biography

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

S04 E17 · 1958-01-29 · 30 min

The Rivals

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

S04 E18 · 1958-02-05 · 30 min

Bud, the Mind Reader

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

S04 E19 · 1958-02-12 · 30 min

Margaret's Other Family

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

S04 E20 · 1958-02-19 · 30 min

The Trial

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

S04 E21 · 1958-02-26 · 30 min

Revenge is Sweet

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

S04 E22 · 1958-03-05 · 30 min

Country Cousin

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

S04 E23 · 1958-03-12 · 30 min

Poor Old Dad

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

S04 E24 · 1958-03-19 · 30 min

Betty's Crusade

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

S04 E25 · 1958-03-26 · 30 min

Young Love

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

S04 E26 · 1958-04-02 · 30 min

Tell It to Mom

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

S04 E27 · 1958-04-16 · 30 min

A Friend in Need

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

S04 E28 · 1958-04-23 · 30 min

A Medal For Margaret

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

S04 E29 · 1958-04-30 · 30 min

The Weaker Sex

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

S04 E30 · 1958-05-14 · 30 min

Jim, the Answer Man

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

S04 E31 · 1958-05-21 · 30 min

Bud Quits School

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

S04 E32 · 1958-06-04 · 30 min

A Matter of Pride

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

S04 E33 · 1958-06-11 · 30 min

Betty Finds a Cause

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

S05 E01 · 1958-09-15 · 30 min

Vine Covered Cottage

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

S05 E02 · 1958-09-22 · 30 min

Be Kind to Bud Week

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

S05 E03 · 1958-09-29 · 30 min

Kathy's Romance

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

S05 E04 · 1958-10-06 · 30 min

Voice From the Past

Bud prepares for the arrival of the homecoming queen.

S05 E05 · 1958-10-13 · 30 min

Frank's Family Tress

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

S05 E06 · 1958-10-20 · 30 min

Always Plan Ahead

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

S05 E07 · 1958-10-27 · 30 min

Second Wedding

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

S05 E08 · 1958-11-03 · 30 min

Bud, the Caretaker

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

S05 E09 · 1958-11-10 · 30 min

Betty, the Pioneer Woman

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

S05 E10 · 1958-11-17 · 30 min

Fair Exchange

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

S05 E11 · 1958-11-24 · 30 min

Bud, the Snob

S05 E12 · 1958-12-01 · 30 min

Margaret Wins a Car

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

S05 E13 · 1958-12-08 · 30 min

The Great Experiment

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

S05 E14 · 1958-12-15 · 30 min

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 process got stranded in a cabin.

S05 E15 · 1958-12-22 · 30 min

The Basketball Coach

Jim becomes the coach of Bud's basketball team.

S05 E16 · 1958-12-29 · 30 min

Kathy, Girl Executive

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

S05 E17 · 1959-01-05 · 30 min

The Good Samaritan

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

S05 E18 · 1959-01-12 · 30 min

The Ideal Father

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

S05 E19 · 1959-01-19 · 30 min

Big Shot Bud

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

S05 E20 · 1959-01-26 · 30 min

Hard Luck Leo

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

S05 E21 · 1959-02-02 · 30 min

Bud, the Campus Romeo

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

S05 E22 · 1959-02-09 · 30 min

Crisis Over a Kiss

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

S05 E23 · 1959-02-16 · 30 min

Kathy Grows Up

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

S05 E24 · 1959-02-23 · 30 min

A Man of Merit

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

S05 E25 · 1959-03-02 · 30 min

Betty Makes a Choice

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

S05 E26 · 1959-03-09 · 30 min

It's a Small World

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

S05 E27 · 1959-03-16 · 30 min

Two Loves Has Bud

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

S05 E28 · 1959-03-23 · 30 min

An Extraordinary Woman

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

S05 E29 · 1959-03-30 · 30 min

The Art of Romance

S05 E30 · 1959-04-06 · 30 min

Formula for Happiness

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

S05 E31 · 1959-04-13 · 30 min

Bud and the Debutante

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

S05 E32 · 1959-04-20 · 30 min

The Promised Playhouse

A flashback show about building a playhouse for Kathy.

S05 E33 · 1959-04-27 · 30 min

The Meanest Professor

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

S05 E34 · 1959-05-04 · 30 min

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.

S05 E35 · 1959-05-11 · 30 min

Bud Has A Problem

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

S05 E36 · 1959-05-18 · 30 min

The Great Anderson Mystery

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

S05 E37 · 1959-05-25 · 30 min

Margaret Goes Dancing Flashback

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

S05 E38 · 1959-06-01 · 30 min

The Gold Turnip

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

S06 E01 · 1959-10-05 · 30 min

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.

S06 E02 · 1959-10-12 · 30 min

Bud Branches Out

Bud falls in love with his college French professor.

S06 E03 · 1959-10-19 · 30 min

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 another person to represent their city- someone who looks more like an average American.

S06 E04 · 1959-10-26 · 30 min

The Imposter

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

S06 E05 · 1959-11-02 · 30 min

Bud Plays It Safe

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

S06 E06 · 1959-11-09 · 30 min

Bicycle Trip for Two

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

S06 E07 · 1959-11-16 · 30 min

First Disillusionment

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

S06 E08 · 1959-11-23 · 30 min

Margaret's Old Flame

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

S06 E09 · 1959-11-30 · 30 min

Kathy Becomes a Girl

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

S06 E10 · 1959-12-07 · 30 min

Bud, the Willing Worker

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

S06 E11 · 1959-12-14 · 30 min

Turn the Other Cheek

Both Jim and Kathy are doublecrossed by their friends.

S06 E12 · 1959-12-28 · 30 min

Good Joke on Mom

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

S06 E13 · 1960-01-04 · 30 min

Betty's Double

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

S06 E14 · 1960-01-11 · 30 min

Father, the Naturalist

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

S06 E15 · 1960-01-18 · 30 min

Bud Hides Behind a Skirt

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

S06 E16 · 1960-01-25 · 30 min

Togetherness

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

S06 E17 · 1960-02-01 · 30 min

Second Best

Betty competes in the college fencing tournament.

S06 E18 · 1960-02-08 · 30 min

Kathy's Big Deception

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

S06 E19 · 1960-02-15 · 30 min

Cupid Knows Best

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

S06 E20 · 1960-02-22 · 30 min

The Big Test

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

S06 E21 · 1960-02-29 · 30 min

Jim's Big Surprise

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

S06 E22 · 1960-03-07 · 30 min

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 assistant.

S06 E23 · 1960-03-14 · 30 min

Bud, the Speculator

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

S06 E24 · 1960-03-21 · 30 min

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.

S06 E25 · 1960-03-28 · 30 min

Adopted Daughter

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

S06 E26 · 1960-04-04 · 30 min

Family Contest

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

S06 E27 · 1960-04-11 · 30 min

Love and Learn

Bud falls in love with his English Tutor

S06 E28 · 1960-04-18 · 30 min

Blind Date

Betty dates a boy everyone regards as a loser

S06 E29 · 1960-04-25 · 30 min

Betty's Career Problem

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

S06 E30 · 1960-05-09 · 30 min

Bud Lives It Up

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

S06 E31 · 1960-05-16 · 30 min

Not His Type

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

S06 E32 · 1960-05-23 · 30 min

Betty's Graduation

When Kathy refuses to graduate from high school, the family tells her about Betty's reluctance to graduate from High School, too. This is a recut version of episode 63. It is not part of the syndication package and is considered ""lost"".