Season 5
SEASON FIVE
#134 Vine Covered Cottage
Original Airdate: CBS September 15, 1958
Betty’s boyfriend Ralph asks Jim for his daughter’s hand in marriage. Written by June de Roche and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#135 Be Kind to Bud Week
Original Airdate: CBS September 22, 1958
When Betty becomes more friendly to Bud, he assumes that she must have an ulterior motive. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#136 Kathy’s Romance
Original Airdate: CBS September 29, 1958
Kathy’s new boyfriend is more fascinated by Jim than by her. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#137 Voice From the Past
Original Airdate: CBS October 6, 1958
Bud prepares for the arrival of the homecoming queen. Written by Dorothy Cooper and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#138 Frank’s Family Tree
Original Airdate: CBS October 13, 1958
Frank, the gardener, claims his relatives are famous Spanish entertainers, who Jim lines up for a program. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#139 Always Plan Ahead
Original Airdate: CBS October 20, 1958
Jim realizes that his family never plans ahead, so he sets out to teach them a lesson. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#140 Second Wedding
Original Airdate: CBS October 27, 1958
On their wedding anniversary, Jim and Margaret decide to remarry. Written by Paul West and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#141 Bud, the Caretaker
Original Airdate: CBS November 3, 1958
Bud accidently dents his vacationing neighbor’s car. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#142 Betty, the Pioneer Woman
Original Airdate: CBS November 10, 1958
Betty dresses as a pioneer and hits the trail with a handcart to prove that modern women are as capable as pioneer women were. Written by Ben Gershman and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
Important Note: Dick York guest stars. Six years later will get a lead role as Darrin Stephens in Screen Gems TV hit “Bewitched”.
#143 Fair Exchange
Original Airdate: CBS November 17, 1958
Betty brings an Indian exchange student home for the weekend. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury. Rita Moreno guest stars.
Important Note: This episode tackles the topic of cultural diversity and respect. It has a 1950’s corniness to it but was daring in its day because American High Schools at the time were in the process of being de-segregated and there was a lot of tension between cultures.
#144 Bud, the Snob
Original Airdate: CBS November 24, 1958
This is a recut version of episode 16 with flashback sequences. Jim recalls how Bud needed help in overcoming his shyness with women. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#145 Margaret Wins a Car
Original Airdate: CBS December 1, 1958
Margaret wins a car in a raffle, but frustrates her children when she uses the car to help an orphanage rather that going on a drive with them. Written by John Elliotte and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#146 The Great Experiment
Original Airdate: CBS December 8, 1958
Jim wants his family to learn all about the modern world and persuades them each to do something different on Saturday afternoons. Written by Dorothy Cooper and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#147 The Christmas Story
Original Airdate: CBS December 15, 1958
This is a recut version of episode 12 with flashback sequences. 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.
#148 The Basketball Coach
Original Airdate: CBS December 22, 1958
Jim becomes the new basketball coach when the old one moves away. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#149 Kathy, Girl Executive
Original Airdate: CBS December 29, 1958
Bud decides a power lawnmover will let him make more money and persuades the family to invest in his venture. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#150 The Good Samaritan
Original Airdate: CBS January 5, 1959
Bud tries to do good deeds for others, but it seems that people just resent his help. Written by Dorothy Cooper and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#151 The Ideal Father
Original Airdate: CBS January 12, 1959
Uncle Charlie is convinced that Jim’s children are spoiled when they ignore him on his birthday. Written by Paul West and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#152 Big Shot Bud
Original Airdate: CBS January 19, 1959
Bud decides to buy his mother an expensive bottle of perfume with money collected for the Sunday School. Written by Ben Gershman and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#153 Hard Luck Leo
Original Airdate: CBS January 26, 1959
Jim’s cousin Leo visits the Andersons, stating that he has never been given a break by his past employers or fellow employees. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#154 Bud, the Campus Romeo
Original Airdate: CBS February 2, 1959
Bud’s overinflated ego causes the girls in his class to start an anti-Bud campaign. Written by John Elliotte and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#155 Crisis Over a Kiss
Original Airdate: CBS February 9, 1959
Bud gets a crush on a new girl and takes her to lover’s lane where he finds Betty in a nearby car. Written by John Elliotte and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
Important Note: This is quite a daring episode for the time, in which the topic of relationships is discussed.
#156 Kathy Grows Up
Original Airdate: CBS February 16, 1959
Kathy wants to be treated like an adult, so Margaret sacrifices attending an adult social so Kathy can attend with him. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#157 A Man of Merit
Original Airdate: CBS February 23, 1959
Jim is involved in a race to be named the outstanding citizen in community affairs. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#158 Betty Makes a Choice
Original Airdate: CBS March 2, 1959
Betty has a hard decision to make regarding a dancing try-out. Written and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#159 It’s a Small World
Original Airdate: CBS March 9, 1959
Margaret must decide between attending the women’s club luncheon or joining Jim on a trip to New York. Written by Dorothy Cooper and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#160 Two Loves Has Bud
Original Airdate: CBS March 16, 1959
Bud must decide which of his two girlfriends he will take to the school prom. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#161 An Extraordinary Woman
Original Airdate: CBS March 23, 1959
Jim and Margaret are visited by a famous author on African culture, who also happened to be interested in Jim during college. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#162 The Art of Romance
Original Airdate: CBS March 30, 1959
This is a recut version of episode 97 of the same name. While Jim gives Bud advice to win over his girl Judy, she is getting advice from Margaret on how to win over Bud. Written by Paul West and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#163 Formula for Happiness
Original Airdate: CBS April 6, 1959
After Jim dreams that he appears on television and reveals the secret of happiness in life, his dream starts to come true. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
Important Note: This is considered one of the best episodes of the series. It combines drama and suspense with a beautiful, spiritual ending where the true formula for happiness is revealed to the audience.
#164 Bud and the Debutante
Original Airdate: CBS April 13, 1959
Bud gets in over his head when he dates a wealthy girl. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#165 The Promised Playhouse
Original Airdate: CBS April 20, 1959
This is a recut version of episode 17 with the same name. 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.
#166 The Meanest Professor
Original Airdate: CBS April 27, 1959
Bud regrets writing a demeaning article about one of his professors, but doesn’t know how to remedy the situation. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#167 Live My Own Life
Original Airdate: CBS May 4, 1959
This is a recut version of episode 5 with the same name where Bud goes out on his own and finds he can’t cook, clean or take care of himself. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by William D. Russell.
#168 Bud Has A Problem
Original Airdate: CBS May 11, 1959
Bud blames his teacher instead of himself when he gets a poor grade in physics. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#169 The Great Anderson Mystery
Original Airdate: CBS May 18, 1959
When the TV set breaks down during a mystery program, the Andersons play detective to solve the crime. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
#170 Margaret Goes Dancing
Original Airdate: CBS May 25, 1959
This is a recut version of episode 11 with the same name. Margaret and Jim both join social clubs which they find are boring. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by William D. Russell. This is the only episode that is still considered “lost”.
#171 The Gold Turnip
Original Airdate: CBS June 1, 1959
Bud believes that he is too mature to participate in the traditional high school graduation activities. Written by Roswell Rogers and Directed by Peter Tewksbury.
