Father Knows Best
Cast & Crew
Robert Young Jim Anderson
Jane Wyatt Margaret Anderson
Elinor Donahue Betty Anderson ("Princess")
Billy Gray James Anderson Jr. ("Bud")
Lauren Chapin Kathy Anderson ("Kitten")
Sarah Selby Miss Thomas
Robert Foulk Ed Davis
Vivi Janiss Myrtle Davis
Yvonne Lime Dotty Snow
Paul Wallace Kippy Watkins
Jimmy Bates Claude Messner
Eugene B. Rodney Producer
⨁Full Cast & CrewUpcoming TV Airings
The airings below are based on a generic national schedule. Times and dates can vary by TV provider.
Wednesday, September 18
Jim the Farmer
Season 1 • Episode 18
Jim goes through an identity crisis when he decides he wants to lead the simple life.
Wednesday, September 18
Father of the Year
Season 1 • Episode 19
The Anderson children enter an essay into a contest nominating Jim as "Father of the Year.".
Thursday, September 19
The Mink Coat
Season 1 • Episode 20
Jim finds his life being controlled by circumstances when he buys a mink coat for Margaret.
Thursday, September 19
The Matchmaker
Season 1 • Episode 21
Margaret plays matchmaker for her shy cousin.
Friday, September 20
Bud the Bridesmaid
Season 1 • Episode 22
Bud's refusal to help out in a wedding rehearsal plays an important part in a couple's reunion.
Friday, September 20
Proud Father
Season 1 • Episode 23
Jim tells his family that their lack of courage is responsible for his lack of confidence.
Sunday, September 22
Margaret Hires a Gardener
Season 3 • Episode 17
A kindly Spanish man adopts the Andersons and becomes their gardener.
Sunday, September 22
Swiss Family Anderson
Season 3 • Episode 18
Jim considers buying an island when the family starts complaining at home.
Monday, September 23
Father Delivers the Papers
Season 1 • Episode 24
Jim learns what it's like to deliver papers when Bud is ordered to bed for a few days.
Monday, September 23
No Partiality
Season 1 • Episode 25
Jim refuses to interfere when Kathy sets her sights on Betty's boyfriend.
Tuesday, September 24
Close Decision
Season 1 • Episode 26
Jim decides that Bud can't play in the church baseball game because he hasn't done his chores.
Tuesday, September 24
Art of Salesmanship
Season 2 • Episode 1
Jim tries to teach Bud how to be a salesman.
Wednesday, September 25
Father's Private Life
Season 2 • Episode 2
Jim decides that his children should solve their own problems.
Wednesday, September 25
Lesson in Civics
Season 2 • Episode 3
The Andersons try to save a historic landmark that is marked for destruction.
Thursday, September 26
First Disillusionment
Season 2 • Episode 4
Bud loses a job to a boy who was dishonest.
Thursday, September 26
Woman in the House
Season 2 • Episode 5
The Andersons invite the wife of a close friend to be their house guest.
Friday, September 27
New Girl at School
Season 2 • Episode 6
Bud falls for a flirtatious new classmate.
Friday, September 27
Kathy Makes Magic
Season 2 • Episode 7
Kathy thinks she has put a magic curse on Bud.
Sunday, September 29
The Lawn Party
Season 3 • Episode 20
Jim and Margaret are tired of always chaperoning the neighborhood parties.
Monday, September 30
Advantage to Betty
Season 2 • Episode 8
Betty is picked as queen of the sports banquet because of her beauty instead of her ability.
Monday, September 30
The Big Test
Season 2 • Episode 9
Bud is wrongfully accused of cheating in school.
Tuesday, October 1
Father Is a Dope
Season 2 • Episode 10
Jim suspects that his family is conspiring to keep him from a hunting trip.
Tuesday, October 1
Spirit of Youth
Season 2 • Episode 11
Jim and Margaret feel that they are being relegated to the roles of "old fogies.".
Wednesday, October 2
Bud, the Lady Killer
Season 2 • Episode 12
Bud tries to rid himself of the unwanted attentions of a girl.
Wednesday, October 2
Margaret's Premonition
Season 2 • Episode 13
Margaret believes that she has premonitions.
Thursday, October 3
Betty Hates Carter
Season 2 • Episode 16
Betty is enraged when she learns that Jim has arranged a date for her.
Friday, October 4
Jim, the Tyrant
Season 2 • Episode 17
Jim and Kathy go on a free-for-all to determine who will be the family tyrant.