Season 1
SEASON ONE
#1 Bud Takes Up The Dance
Original Airdate: CBS October 3, 1954
In this pilot episode, Bud anxiously prepares to attend his first dance and needs all the family support he can get. Written by Dorothy Cooper and Directed by James Neilson.
Interesting Notes: Watch for Jim Anderson smoking a cigarette! It’s the only time in the entire series he will light up (outside of the Kent Cigarette sponsored opening credits).
#2 Lesson in Citizenship
Original Airdate: CBS October 10, 1954
After Jim tells his family to help others, he winds up fighting bums, the courts and a social club. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by William D. Russell.
#3 The Motor Scooters
Original Airdate: CBS October 17, 1954
Bud wants a motor scooter but Margaret is dead set against it. Written by Harry Clark & Sumner Long and Directed by William D. Russell.
#4 Football Tickets
Original Airdate: CBS October 24, 1954
Jim has only two tickets to a football game and must decide whom to take with him. Written by Phil Davis and Directed by William D. Russell.
#5 Live My Own Life
Original Airdate: CBS October 31, 1954
Bud moves out and finds he can’t cook, clean or take care of himself. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by William D. Russell.
#6 Grandpa Jim’s Rejuvenation
Original Airdate: CBS November 7, 1954
After a series of mishaps, Jim feels he is over the hill and is ready for an old folks’ home. Written by Phil Davis and Directed by William D. Russell.
#7 Bud’s Encounter with the Law
Original Airdate: CBS November 14, 1954
Jim receives a summons to appear at the police station, but he can’t read the charge because the document was accidentally tossed into the washing machine. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by William D. Russell.
#8 Thanksgiving Story
Original Airdate: CBS November 21, 1954
Jim plans to take his family out for Thanksgiving dinner, but his family has other plans. Written by Dorothy Cooper and Directed by William D. Russell.
#9 Second Honeymoon
Original Airdate: CBS November 28, 1954
When Jim decides to take Margaret on a second honeymoon, he is constantly worrying about the kids. Written by Paul West and Directed by William D. Russell.
Interesting Notes: The Brady Bunch uses the same story line for their pilot episode 15 years later.
#10 Typical Father
Original Airdate: CBS December 5, 1954
Jim thinks Betty plans on eloping with her current boyfriend. Written by Dorothy Cooper and Directed by William D. Russell.
#11 Margaret Goes Dancing
Original Airdate: CBS December 12, 1954
Margaret and Jim both join social clubs which they find are boring. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by William D. Russell.
#12 Christmas Story
Original Airdate: CBS December 19, 1954
Jim, appalled by his family’s Christmas attitude, decides to recapture the Christmas spirit by cutting down his own tree. Written by Paul West & Roswell Rogers and Directed by William D. Russell. Guest Star: Wallace Ford.
Interesting Note: This episode will be rebroadcast in December 1958 as episode 147 with the cast reminiscing about the adventure.
#13 Sparrow in the Window
Original Airdate: CBS December 26, 1954
An injured sparrow serves to reunite the family after a violent argument. Written by Harry Clark & Sumner Long and Directed by William D. Russell.
Interesting Note: This episode defines the series and sets the course for its format in the future. In the previous 12 episodes Jim kind of messed things up as he did in the radio show. Here, his role as a strong, wise person is established which will remain with him not only through the Father Knows Best series, but carry into the Marcus Welby M.D. series as well.
#14 Boy’s Week
Original Airdate: CBS January 2, 1955
Jim receives a traffic ticket and must face his son Bud who has been appointed Judge of the Day. Written by Paul West and Directed by William D. Russell.
#15 A Friend of Old George’s
Original Airdate: CBS January 9, 1955
A pesky old man arrives at the Anderson home and spoils a birthday party for Kathy. Written by Dorothy Cooper and Directed by William D. Russell.
#16 Bud, the Snob
Original Airdate: CBS January 16, 1955
Jim helps Bud overcome his shyness toward women. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by William D. Russell.
#17 The Promised Playhouse
Original Airdate: CBS January 23, 1955
Jim promises to help Kathy build a playhouse, and then spends an uncomfortable night in the child’s new abode. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by William D. Russell.
#18 Jim, the Farmer
Original Airdate: CBS January 30, 1955
Jim, fed up with the city, embarks on a search for a quiet farm on which to settle. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by William D. Russell.
#19 Father of the Year
Original Airdate: CBS February 6, 1955
Bud and Betty write an essay they believe will nominate their dad as Father of the Year in a contest run by a local paper. Written by Dorothy Cooper and Directed by William D. Russell.
#20 The Mink Coat
Original Airdate: CBS February 13, 1955
Jim, who is suddenly hit with more bills than he can handle, teaches the family about keeping to a budget. Then he buys Margaret a bargain mink coat, which causes havoc. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by William D. Russell.
#21 The Matchmaker
Original Airdate: CBS February 20, 1955
Margaret plays a matchmaker in a scheme to unite her cousin Louise and her sometimes boyfriend Tom. Written by Dorothy Cooper and Directed by William D. Russell.
Interesting Notes: This is the only episode in the series where the story line will continue the next week. You could say its (part 1 of 2).
#22 Bud, the Bridesmaid
Original Airdate: CBS February 27, 1955
Bud acts as bridesmaid in a plan to enable Tom and Margaret’s cousin Louise to be married. Written by Dorothy Cooper & Barbara Hammer and Directed by William D. Russell.
#23 Proud Father
Original Airdate: CBS March 6, 1955
Jim Solves his children’s problems in school by accepting an invitation to be the emcee of the next PTA meeting. Written by Dorothy Cooper and Directed by William D. Russell.
#24 Father Delivers the Papers
Original Airdate: CBS March 13, 1955
When Bud injures his back, Jim reluctantly takes over his paper route. Written by Roswell Rogers & Dane Lussier and Directed by William D. Russell.
#25 No Partiality
Original Airdate: CBS March 20, 1955
Kathy and Betty both vie for the attention of the same man. Written by Roswell Rogers, Alan Woods & John Kohn and Directed by William D. Russell.
#26 Close Decision
Original Airdate: CBS March 27, 1955
Bud admits he didn’t tag a runner in their church baseball game, prompting Reverend Swain to praise the boy for his honesty. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by William D. Russell.
