Episode 1
Art of Salesmanship
30m
Jim tries to encourage Bud to take after him in salesmanship.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell Rogers, Roswell Rogers, Paul WestGuest stars Ralph Dumke, Juney Ellis
TV series
Father Knows Best
1954TV-G6 seasons6.7 / 10
Family man Jim Anderson copes with the everyday problems among his wife Margaret and their three children as they experience day-to-day changes.
Streaming, rental and purchase options
Where to watch in United States
Checked Jul 22, 2026
Father Knows Best is available to stream on Peacock, Peacock Premium, Prime Video, Shout! Factory TV (Via Amazon Prime), Fubo, Amazon Freevee, Hoopla, Pluto TV, Shout! Factory TV, The Roku Channel, and Tubi in United States. You can also rent or buy it from Google Play and Amazon. Use the direct links below to open the provider.
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Synopsis
Family man Jim Anderson copes with the everyday problems among his wife Margaret and their three children as they experience day-to-day changes.
Season 2 episodes
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Where to watch Father Knows Best
Episode 2
Father's Private Life
30m
Jim comes home tired one day and is harangued by the kids. So, he and Margaret set up new rules to give him some time to relax—but it ends up backfiring.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Tina Thompson
Episode 3
Lessons in Civics
30m
A new highway is getting built, and for that the old community hall is going to be pulled down. That's something Jim wouldn't like to see since the hall is a historical monument, and also, memories from his youth are connected with this hall. Everyone from the family sees how much the hall means to Jim, and they use different ways to organize help.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Dorothy CooperGuest stars James Todd, Lane Bradford, Ken Hardison
Episode 4
First Disillusionment
30m
Bud loses a job to a boy who fakes his resumé, which leads him to believe it is alright to do this himself
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Hal Taggart, Peter Miles, Peter Heisser
Episode 5
Woman in the House
30m
Margaret is forced to invite a woman over who makes her uncomfortable because she is Jim's friend's wife.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Harry Hickox, Mary Webster
Episode 6
New Girl at School
30m
Bud learns that the girl he likes is dating his best friend.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Sue George, Peter Heisser, Richard Eyer, Anne Barton, Don Bender, Paul E. Burns
Episode 7
Kathy Makes Magic
30m
Kathy gets a new magic set, from a trade with a friend, and becomes convinced she can truly wield magic.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell Rogers, Herman J. EpsteinGuest stars Pete Heisser, Harry Antrim
Episode 8
Advantage to Betty
30m
Betty has recently taken up tennis at school and is chosen for a photo shoot for the paper. This causes friction between her and her doubles partner, Eula, who is the team’s best player.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Tamar Cooper, Harry Cody, Charles Tannen
Episode 9
The Big Test
30m
Bud is accused of cheating because he is suddenly getting high grades in class.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Jack W. Harris
Episode 10
Father Is a Dope
30m
After commenting on a sitcom (“Father Does It Again”) the family watches together one night, Jim speaks about how TV fathers are often portrayed as dumb in comparison with their families. Later, he plans on going hunting and starts believing that Margaret and the kids are secretly trying to get him to stay.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Herb Vigran, Harry Antrim, Robert Foulk
Episode 11
Spirit of Youth
30m
When Jim gets an invitation to a dance for his class reunion—class of ‘33—the kids start behaving as if their parents are ancient. Then, when the kids at their alma mater treat them the same, Jim and Margaret deal with the thought of getting older.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Dorothy CooperGuest stars Steven Terrell, Kathryn Grant
Episode 12
Bud, the Ladykiller
30m
Bud gets irritated by a girl (whom he refers to as “Dumb Dora”) who has a crush on him, hurts her feelings when his irritation leads to cruelty, and must make amends.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Sumner Arthur Long, Dorothy CooperGuest stars Susan Odin, Pete Heisser, Jimmie Bates
Episode 13
Margaret's Premonition
30m
Margaret has a premonition of danger for Jim’s upcoming business trip, and tries to get Jim to postpone it. But Jim believes it’s a bunch of superstitious nonsense, and insists on going anyway.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Robert Foulk, Vivi Janiss
Episode 14
Stage to Yuma
30m
Tate Idsen saves a stagecoach from savage Indians in a flashback sequence.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellGuest stars Lester Matthews
Episode 15
Bad Influence
30m
Bud gets in trouble when his latest friend turns out to be a kleptomaniac.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell Rogers, Herman J. EpsteinGuest stars Lee Erickson
Episode 16
Betty Hates Carter
30m
Betty is indignant when Jim arranges a date for her with an old insurance salesman buddy’s son, Carter.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Robert Easton, Cindy Robbins, Joseph Mell
Episode 17
Jim, the Tyrant
30m
Jim comes home early from work, after a long, hard day, and expects to gain comfort from his family, but is quickly disillusioned when they all are too absorbed in their own interests and tasks to pay attention to him. This just makes his mood more sour and he declares at dinner that if he must, he will become a tyrant. This leads to unwelcome consequences.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell Rogers, Herman J. Epstein, Herman J. EpsteinGuest stars Sarah Selby, Jimmy Bates
Episode 18
Betty's Brother
30m
Bud is having trouble in school and the family are hard-pressed to find out why. Eventually, Jim and Margaret come to the conclusion that, since he’s entered high school, he’s lost his confidence over being constantly compared to Betty and her accomplishments.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Paul West, Herman J. EpsteinGuest stars Sam Flint, S. John Launer
Episode 19
Betty Earns a Formal
30m
Betty gets a job to pay for a new, expensive formal for the Cinderella Ball at the country club.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Paul WestGuest stars Grandon Rhodes, Claire Carleton, Barbara Pepper
Episode 20
The House Painter
30m
Jim has a bet with Betty and Margaret concerning human nature, integrity and the man painting their house—Mr. Everett.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Parker Fennelly
Episode 21
Bud, the Wallflower
30m
Bud seems determined not to go to a Senior/Freshman dance that is Sadie Hawkins-themed.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Paul WestGuest stars Paul Wallace, Anthony Sydes, Jimmy Bates, Yvonne Lime, Gail Ganley
Episode 22
The Bus to Nowhere
30m
Betty becomes irritable with her family as she goes through an existential crisis.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Yvonne Lime, Pitt Herbert, Kathleen Freeman, John Qualen
Episode 23
Kathy, the Indian Giver
30m
Kathy is taught about fair trading from her father—and ends up trading her doll for a real baby.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Kay LenardGuest stars Jimmie Bates, Reba Waters, Lois January
Episode 24
The Historical Andersons
30m
When Bud receives an assignment to write a term paper about a Revolutionary War hero, he ends up researching the life of a relative—Major Nathaniel Oliver Anderson.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell Rogers, Roswell Rogers, Herman J. EpsteinGuest stars Claudia Bryar, Don Bender
Episode 25
The Grass is Greener
30m
Jim’s old college friend, Charlie Bradley, a successful industrial tycoon, is in town. Charlie, along with Jim, were a part of a group known as The Four Musketeers, in college. Of the four, Jim appears to be the least ‘successful.’
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Dorothy Cooper, Herman J. EpsteinGuest stars Frank Wilcox, Paul Harvey, Richard Norris
Episode 26
The Persistent Guest
30m
Bud’s new friend, Fred, won't leave the Anderson house.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Paul WestGuest stars Frank Bank, Virginia Christine, Ray Walker, Barry Truex
Episode 27
Family Reunion
30m
The family tries to think up excuses to keep from going to Margaret's family reunion.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Lillian Powell
Episode 28
Family Dines Out
30m
Betty tells a wealthy friend, Eloise Sanders, that she’s going to a charity dinner at a club. But it’s expensive and she hasn’t asked her father, yet.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell Rogers, Dorothy Cooper, Herman J. EpsteinGuest stars John Dennis, Mary Hennessy
Episode 29
Bud, the Boxer
30m
Bud gets in a tussle with a boy, Eddie, at school, then dreads facing him the next day because the kid wants to fight him. Jim makes Bud face him in a boxing ring to settle it, knowing that Bud will have to face Eddie, eventually. Later, Jim has Bud take boxing lessons.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Paul West, Paul West, Ben GershmanGuest stars Joel Cranston, Skip Torgerson
Episode 30
Betty, Girl Engineer
30m
Betty takes a vocational guidance course and signs up to get practical experience to become an engineer, but she gets a lot of flack for it because she’s a girl.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Roger Smith, Yvonne Lime, Leon Tyler, Jack Harris
Episode 31
The Martins and the Coys
30m
Jim and a family friend, Frank, fight over an insurance claim and dissolve their friendship over it. Betty and his son, Bob, are dating and this affects them, too.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Paul WestGuest stars Ann Doran, Tristram Coffin, Don Garner
Episode 32
Dilemma for Margaret
30m
Margaret is asked to represent her branch of the PTA by giving a speech, but later decides against doing so because of some mischief Betty gets into.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Kay LenardGuest stars Barbara Woodell, Sam Flint, Eilene Janssen
Episode 33
Hero Father
30m
Bud boasts to his friends, Sandy and Kippy, that his dad can get Duke Snider’s All-Stars to come to Springfield.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Dorothy Cooper, Herman J. Epstein, Dorothy CooperGuest stars Tommy Ivo, Kenneth Tobey, Paul Wallace, Duke Snider
Episode 34
Father, the Naturalist
30m
Jim fights the elements to collect plants for Kathy's nature folder.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Anne Loos
Episode 35
The Ten Dollar Question
30m
Jim makes a bet: the kid who doesn't tattle for one week will receive ten dollars.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Dorothy Cooper, Barbara Hammer, Barbara HammerGuest stars Frank Sully, Wilson Wood
Episode 36
Adopted Daughter
30m
Kathy finds a receipt for $25 from the adoption center and believes she was adopted.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell Rogers, Roswell Rogers, Carl HerzingerGuest stars Tina Thompson, Linda Lowell
Episode 37
Betty's Graduation
30mfinale
While the family is readying for Betty’s graduation, Betty becomes conflicted about the event.
Episode credits
Directed by William D. RussellWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Barbara Woodell, Sam Flint, Paul Brinegar
Episode information updated Jul 24, 2026
More about Father Knows Best
Cast
Robert YoungJim Anderson
Jane WyattMargaret Anderson
Elinor DonahueBetty Anderson
Billy GrayBud Anderson
Lauren ChapinKathy AndersonWilliam Hudson
William Fawcett
Wallace FordCredits
- Created by
- Ed James
- Written by
- Roswell Rogers, Dorothy Cooper, Paul West, Paul West, Paul West, Kay Lenard, Herman J. Epstein, John Kohn, Sumner Arthur Long, Barbara Hammer, Paul West, Herman J. Epstein, Roswell Rogers, Dorothy Cooper, Ben Gershman, Paul West, Carl Herzinger, Paul West, Paul West, Barbara Hammer, Roswell Rogers
Production details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 203
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
CBSUnited States
Columbia Pictures TelevisionUnited States
Themes
familymiddle classsitcom
