TV series
Bachelor Father is an American sitcom starring John Forsythe, Noreen Corcoran, and Sammee Tong. The series first premiered on CBS in September 1957 before moving to NBC for the third season in 1959. The series' fifth and final season aired on ABC from 1961 to 1962. A total of 157 episodes were aired. The series was based on "A New Girl in His Life", which aired on General Electric Theater on May 26, 1957. Bachelor Father is the only primetime series ever to run in consecutive years on the three major televisions networks.
Availability
Checked Sep 3, 2026
Bachelor Father premiered September 15, 1957. We don't have a confirmed streaming, rental or purchase option yet.
Bachelor Father is an American sitcom starring John Forsythe, Noreen Corcoran, and Sammee Tong. The series first premiered on CBS in September 1957 before moving to NBC for the third season in 1959. The series' fifth and final season aired on ABC from 1961 to 1962. A total of 157 episodes were aired. The series was based on "A New Girl in His Life", which aired on General Electric Theater on May 26, 1957. Bachelor Father is the only primetime series ever to run in consecutive years on the three major televisions networks.
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Episode 1
When Peter falls in love the entire Gregg household suffers. Bentley learns that Peter's lady love is employed by the neighborhood supermarket and he offers to give him pointers on how to win the young lady's affections.
Directed by Sidney LanfieldWritten by Seaman Jacobs
Episode 2
Bentley's dog, Jasper, decides a neighbor's prize winning camellias are even tastier than dog biscuits, which leads the neighbor to threaten a lawsuit.
Directed by Bretaigne Windust
Episode 3
Bentley, Kelly and Peter visit Gisele MacKenzie on a movie set. While they are there Peter trips and later his cousin talks him into suing Gisele.
Directed by Sidney LanfieldWritten by Seaman Jacobs
Episode 4
Kelly plans a party hoping to take advantage of her friends' talents. Bentley, realizing that he and others are serving as Kelly's means to an end decides it's time to teach her a lesson.
Directed by Sidney Lanfield
Episode 5
Kelly decides that Howard is not very suave and sophisticated. So she decides to change him into the likeness of Uncle Bentley.
Directed by Bretaigne WindustWritten by Laurence Marks
Episode 6
Peter decides he needs a television set in the kitchen so that he can watch his favorite western show. But Bentley firmly refuses to grant Peter's wish.
Written by Jerry Davis
Episode 7
Eccentric Grandpa Ling, a relative of Peter's comes to visit. Bentley discovers that Grandpa has a habit of taking things he likes and leaving an item he considers of equal value in exchange.
Directed by Sidney LanfieldGuest stars Helene Stanley
Episode 8
Kelly develops a warped attitude about money after she has dated a millionaire. To teach her a lesson, Bentley decides to play the part of a fortune hunter.
Directed by Norman AbbottWritten by John KohnGuest stars Jeffrey Silver
Episode 9
Rufus, a dog belonging to a friend of Kelly's, is accused of biting a man. Kelly persuades Bentley to defend Rufus in a court hearing.
Where to watch Bachelor FatherEpisode 10
Bentley is shocked when huis teenage niece, Kelly, asks him for her own house key. He firmly refuses to let her have one.
Where to watch Bachelor FatherEpisode 11
Bentley is going to direct Kelly's high school play, ""The Courtship of Miles Standish."" Peter wants to play the part of John Alden but Bentley refuses to cast him.
Directed by Sidney Lanfield
Episode 12
Bentley encounters a young lady who feels that he ought to live a more purposeful life. She perscribes an active schedule for Bentley.
Written by Seaman JacobsGuest stars Sue Ane Langdon
Episode 13
Bentley plays cupid when he learns that his secretary and his friend Chuck are dating. Bentley suggests they get married, but Chuck insists that he won't wed until Bentley does.
Written by Jerry DavisGuest stars Sue Ane Langdon
Episode 14
Bentley is mystified by Kelly's strange behavior and he questions her about it. Kelly shocks her uncle with the news that someone in her high school class is getting married.
Written by Martin Ragaway
Episode 15
Bentley decides to accept a job in Washington, D.C. and announces to Kelly and Peter that they are leaving California.
Guest stars Sue Ane Langdon
Episode 16
Nominated for president of the student council, Kelly plans a hard hitting campaign.
Where to watch Bachelor FatherEpisode 17
For a school project, Kelly and Howard must grow something in the garden. In a generous mood, Bentley offers to help them.
Directed by Bretaigne Windust
Episode 18
Kelly informs Bentley that the high school combo, slated to play at an upcoming dance, is sadly in need of organization. Bentley tries to solve the problem by talking his friend Chuck into helping the orchestra.
Directed by Sidney MillerWritten by Jerry Davis, Laurence Marks
Episode 19
Peter receives a picture of a lovely girl from a marriage broker and falls madly in love.
Directed by Bretaigne Windust
Episode 20
Kelly wants to bleach her hair blond to impress a new boyfriend but Bentley won't allow it.
Where to watch Bachelor FatherEpisode 21
Kelly and her friends are practicing hard for an upcoming drum majorette contest but Uncle Bentley notices that one of the teenagers doesn't seem to be interested in rehersals.
Directed by Sidney Miller
Episode 22
A neighbor asks Bentley to join him in a protest to the city about the location of a traffic signal. Bentley is willing until he meets a pretty girl who favors the present location of the signal.
Directed by Sidney MillerWritten by Seaman Jacobs
Episode 23
Bentley's friends seem to have dandy times with their sons so this gets Bentley thinking about making Kelly a companion.
Where to watch Bachelor FatherEpisode 24
Peter turns businessman by selling homemade fortune cookies to restaurants and helping in the operation is Kelly who is acting as an assitant.
Directed by Earl BellamyWritten by Seaman JacobsGuest stars Sue Ane Langdon
Episode 25
Kelly's latest romance shocks Uncle Bentley after she becomes bored with her high school friends and begins dating an older man.
Directed by Ezra Stone
Episode 26
Kelly becomes a career woman when she volunteers to help Uncle Bentley in his law office. However, she impedes not speeds up due process of the law.
Written by Seaman JacobsGuest stars Sue Ane Langdon
Episode 27
Bentley's latest case is Sense vs. Sentiment when he wants Kelly and and Peter to throw out all of their useles keepsakes.
Directed by Bretaigne Windust
Episode 28
Kelly wants to be an actress but Uncle Bentley responds with a blunt ""No."" However, the true spirit of ambition prevails.
Directed by Norman Abbott
Episode 29
Kelly is back to work in Uncle Bentley's office. This time it's because she doesn't want to be treated like a child.
Guest stars Sue Ane Langdon
Episode 30
Bentley meets the perfect woman but the young lady is dubious about his qualifications and has some interesting ideas about turning him ino the perfect man.
Directed by Norman AbbottGuest stars Sue Ane Langdon
Episode 31
Bentley visits a travel agency and loses his head when he schedules a resort vacation for Kelly, a visit to San Francisco for Peter and in a final burst of inspiration, a fishing trip for a couple of friends.
Directed by Earl BellamyGuest stars Charles Lane
Episode 32
A witness tries to bribe Bentley (John Forsythe). Elena: Patricia Huston. Chuck: Pat McCaffrie. Kelly: Noreen Corcoran.
Written by Seaman Jacobs
Episode 33
At a Red Cross pep rally, Frank Curtis launches into a wild account of his wartime exploits. His own story a ringing success, he decides to create a similar aura of heroism for Bentley.
Directed by Earl BellamyGuest stars Sue Ane Langdon
Episode 34
Peter decides to become a man of importance when his girlfriend gives him the brushoff. Bentley hatches a plan to boost his ego.
Directed by Earl BellamyGuest stars Sue Ane Langdon
Episode 35
Kelly is fascinated by a young man who spends all his time at the beach.
Directed by Earl BellamyGuest stars Sue Ane Langdon
Episode 36
Bentley is about to read the will to a late clients's relatives when the lights go out. When they come on again, the will is gone.
Where to watch Bachelor FatherEpisode 37
Kelly is for an idea for Uncle Bentley's birthday gift so a friend of Bentley's suggests a surprise birthday party instead and offers to help select the guest list from Bentley's little black book.
Written by Sam LockeGuest stars Sue Ane Langdon
Episode information updated Sep 3, 2026
Available now in United States
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John ForsytheBentley Gregg
Sammee TongPeter Tong
Noreen CorcoranNoreen Corcoran
Evelyn Scott
Ian Carmichael
Ryan O'Neal
Charles Lane
Lennie Weinrib
CBSUnited States
NBCUnited States
ABCUnited States