Episode 1
No Apron Strings
30m
Bud tries to prove he's not tied to his mother's apron strings.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Denise Alexander, Frank Puglia
TV series
Father Knows Best
1954TV-G6 seasons6.6 / 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 Sep 1, 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 3 episodes
Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.
Where to watch Father Knows Best
Episode 2
Never in Twain
30m
On a dude ranch, Betty falls in love with a cowboy only to discover the relationship won't last.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Paul WestGuest stars John Smith, Michael A. Monahan
Episode 3
Betty Goes to College
30m
Jim and Margaret are excited about Betty going to the state college they attended. Betty, who wants to, at first, changes her mind.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Roswell Rogers, Dorothy Cooper, Herman J. EpsteinGuest stars Yvonne Lime, Nancy Evans, Ray Collins
Episode 4
Man About Town
30m
Kippy promises Bud a date with his beautiful cousin, Marissa.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Dorothy CooperGuest stars Eric Feldary, Philip Van Zandt, Paul Wallace, Kathleen Case
Episode 5
The Homing Pigeon
30m
Jim tries discouraging Betty from moving into an apartment. Bud and the family await the arrival of Charlie, a homing pigeon.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Paul WestGuest stars Donna Jo Gribble
Episode 6
Spaghetti for Margaret
30m
The Andersons entertain an aspiring writer—aspiring for 30 years.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Sarah Selby, Herb Butterfield, Don Orlando, George Nardelli, Scott Seaton
Episode 7
Betty's Birthday
30m
After listening to a lecture in class on the origins of giving gifts, Betty announces that she doesn't want a birthday party or presents.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Dorothy Cooper, Herman J. EpsteinGuest stars Yvonne Lime, Eleanor Audley
Episode 8
Bud, the Millionaire
30m
To teach Bud a lesson, Jim gives him ten dollars a week for allowance, but he's not to spend the money on anyone else but himself, even indirectly.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Paul WestGuest stars Paul Wallace, Anthony Sydes, Robert Malcolm
Episode 9
The Old Days
30m
Jim and Margaret complain about the children's sloppy clothes. The kids judge the antiquated attire they choose for a PTA costume party.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Dorothy CooperGuest stars Yvonne Lime, Dawn Richard
Episode 10
Whistle Bait
30m
Betty becomes insecure after she overhears Bud tell Jim that she’s not the kind of girl boys whistle at.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Paul West, Paul WestGuest stars Jerry Janger, Mary Ellen Kaye, Yvonne Lime
Episode 11
The Great Guy
30m
Bud and Kippy get a job working at a newspaper.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Paul Wallace, Whit Bissell, John Ashley
Episode 12
The Family Goes to New York
30m
Jim is reluctant to let Betty go to New York to be a bridesmaid to her friend Barbara—afraid she’ll get hurt, somehow.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Dorothy CooperGuest stars Ann Baker, Ronald Green, Mary Adams
Episode 13
Betty Goes Steady
30m
Betty is going steady according to the rules of her school’s social set. But a guy with a chip on his shoulder challenges her preconceptions.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Roswell Rogers, Cameron ShippGuest stars Yvonne Lime, Robert Vaughn, Ken Clayton, Leoda Richards, Eleanor Audley, Leon Tyler, George Washburn
Episode 14
The Good Prospect
30m
The Andersons try bringing an old man out of his dream world.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyGuest stars Don Beddoe, Mary Adams, Paul Wallace
Episode 15
The Angel's Sweater
30m
Jim’s sister comes for Christmas, and the kids are less than thrilled—particularly, Kathy.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Ludwig Stössel, Katherine Warren
Episode 16
The Promising Young Man
30m
The boss's son goes to work in Jim's office.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyGuest stars Willis Bouchey
Episode 17
Margaret Hires a Gardener
30m
A Spanish immigrant, Frank, fixes the Andersons lawn and then charges a high price.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter Tewksbury
Episode 18
Swiss Family Anderson
30m
The Anderson family becomes shipwrecked on a deserted island.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyGuest stars Don C. Harvey
Episode 19
Brief Holiday
30m
Margaret takes a small, much-needed break from her daily duties.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Sarah Selby, John Banner, Vivi Janiss
Episode 20
The Lawn Party
30m
Bud tells the family they are to set up for a lawn party that is tomorrow.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Paul Wallace, Don Bender, Fred Sherman, Paula Winslowe
Episode 21
Short Wave
30m
While listening to Bud’s short wave radio, the family overhears a distress call from a boat.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Paul WestGuest stars John Bryant, Donald Reed
Episode 22
Carnival
30m
Bud squanders Jim's money at a carnival.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyGuest stars Paul Wallace, Dick Foran
Episode 23
Betty and the Jet Pilot
30m
Betty's new boyfriend, a jet pilot, is transferred to Alaska.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter Tewksbury
Episode 24
Trip to Hillsborough
30m
Looking for adventure, Bud travels to a neighboring town.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyGuest stars Horace McMahon, Percy Helton, Madge Blake, Ralph Sanford, Paul Wallace
Episode 25
An Evening to Remember
30m
The Anderson home is disrupted by a visit from actor Cornel Wilde.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyGuest stars Cornel Wilde, Lloyd Corrigan
Episode 26
Bud Buys a Car
30m
Bud buys a car for $10.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Paul WestGuest stars Robert Paget
Episode 27
Safety First
30m
When Bud receives a traffic ticket, he is forced to become a crossing guard.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Paul WestGuest stars Ethyl May Halls, Dee Pollock, Jimmy Bates
Episode 28
Bud, the Hero
30m
Bud…a hero? A chain reaction of events, starting with a girl who wants to use Bud to make her boyfriend jealous, leads to Bud becoming a hero of the town.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Nancy Marshall, Jimmy Bates, Robert Lynn, Janet Lee Parker, Chet Brandenburg, Mike Morelli, Geraldine Wall
Episode 29
Betty, the Track Star
30m
Betty has to choose between a flower queen contest and a track race, occurring on the same afternoon.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Paul WestGuest stars Tamar Cooper, Fintan Meyler
Episode 30
The Spelling Bee
30m
Kathy is apprehensive about the prospect of competing at the county spelling bee.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Beverly Washburn, Mason Curry, Pauline Drake, Tiger Fafara, Ahna Capri
Episode 31
Bud, the Philanthropist
30m
Bud obsesses over getting credit for a generous donation he made.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyWritten by Roswell RogersGuest stars Paul Wallace, Jimmy Bates, William Leslie, Barry Curtis
Episode 32
Baby in the House
30m
Jim and Margaret take care of a baby Betty is supposed to babysit, so she can go out.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter Tewksbury
Episode 33
Class Prophecy
30m
Henry Pruett, a traveling salesman, knocks on the Anderson’s door. It turns out she, Jim and Henry all attended college together.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter Tewksbury
Episode 34
The Art of Romance
30m
Bud gets advice from Jim on how to win over Judy, while Judy asks gets advice from Betty.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyGuest stars Joan Freeman, Nancy Kilgas, Elizabeth Harrower
Episode 35
Margaret Disowns Her Family
30m
Margaret tries to help a young woman overcome her fear of having a baby.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter Tewksbury
Episode 36
Grandpa Retires
30m
Jim and Margaret are called in to help Margaret's dad, who's about to hand over his printing office and retire.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyGuest stars Ernest Truex, Sylvia Field, Herbert Anderson
Episode 37
Shoot for the Moon
30mfinale
Sageman helps the Andersons regain their self-confidence.
Episode credits
Directed by Peter TewksburyGuest stars Robert Foulk, Royal Dano
Episode information updated Sep 14, 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, Cameron Shipp
Production details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 203
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
CBSUnited States
Columbia Pictures TelevisionUnited States
Themes
familymiddle classsitcom
