"Father Knows Best" (1954)TV series 1954-1960

Directors:

William D. Russell
Peter Tewksbury

Writers:

Ed James (characters)
Sumner Arthur Long (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | unknown

Release Date:

3 October 1954 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family

Plot:

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...

Plot Keywords:

Springfield | Family | Father Daughter Relationship | Father Son Relationship | Mother Daughter Relationship

Awards:

Won 6 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 14 nominations

Cast

Robert Young	...	James 'Jim' Anderson / ... (57 episodes, 1954-1977)
Jane Wyatt	...	Margaret Anderson (57 episodes, 1954-1977)

Also Known As:

I Told You So (USA)

Runtime:

30 min | USA:30 min (203 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

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

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

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).

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?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Boy Meets World: Father Knows Less (#1.3)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

Waiting

Best of the 1950s comedies

I was born the year after this series began and remember it very very fondly. Unlike a program like Leave it to Beaver or even Ozzie and Harriet, this program was both more moralistic and more sentimental - the heartstrings were pulled every program. I watched three episodes the other night (although I was supposed to leave for a train) and was so thrilled by the warmth of it - the sentimentality, the pathos. This family had such an effect on me growing up - neither adult really lost his/her temper, small problems were treated with immense attention.

I just LOVED it - and am sure any non-cynic would.