In the post-war years, America developed a new economic base with a new and ever-increasing standard of living. This new middle-class lifestyle, coupled with the baby boom that ran throughout the 1950s, created suburbia — with housing developments, highways, shopping centers, and all of the other hallmarks of this new society becoming the norm.
As always, radio reflected the culture of its audience — and never more so than with the rise of the situation comedy in the late 1940s.
Originally, Father Knows Best was not much different than similar situation comedies of the period, the concepts of which were basically that “daddy is a well-meaning dumbbell, but we still love him.” However, by the time the show first aired over NBC on August 25, 1949, most of the clichés had been removed, and thanks to excellent writing and the outstanding acting talents of the principals, these hilarious slices of everyday life rise above the norm to makeFather Knows Best one of the highlight series of late-era network radio entertainment.
As portrayed by Robert Young, who co-created the series with writer Ed James, the title character of Jim Anderson is a successful insurance salesman. He is ambitious, likeable, and a good provider for his family -- though he often grows exasperated by the turmoil of his everyday home life. The plots generally begin quite simply -- Jim surprises his wife Margaret (June Whitley) with tickets to a show, for instance -- then quickly become complicated as the plans, schemes, commitments, and miscommunications of their three children, Betty (Rhoda Williams), Bud (Ted Donaldson), and Kathy (Norma Jean Nilsson) and their friends and neighbors get in the way.
Heard today, Father Knows Best still retains its ability to hilariously reflect the interpersonal relationships of a typical American family, because, though times change, people don’t; raising good kids today is no easier or less complicated than it was in 1950.
The twenty shows in this collection have been digitally restored, resulting in ten full hours of family-friendly radio entertainment from one of the best and most enduring situation comedies of all time.
Saving Money to Buy a Boat
Thursday, September 6, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Maxwell House Coffee
Billiard Table
Thursday, September 27, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Maxwell House Coffee
Birthday Present
Thursday, October 11, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Maxwell House Coffee and Jello
Gossip
Thursday, October 18, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Maxwell House Coffee
Neckties
Thursday, November 1, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Maxwell House Coffee
The Music Business
Thursday, November 15, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Maxwell House Coffee
Meteor
Thursday, November 29, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Maxwell House Coffee
Attic Auction
Thursday, December 6, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Maxwell House Coffee
Christmas Party
Thursday, December 13, 1951 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Maxwell House Coffee
Motor Scooter
Thursday, January 24, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Crosley
An Evening Out
Thursday, January 31, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Crosley
Valentine Party
Thursday, February 14, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Crosley
Flowers and Candy
Thursday, March 13, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Crosley
My Name is Sam
Thursday, May 1, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sustaining
Kathy's Twin Sister
Thursday, May 8, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sustaining
Car Troubles
Thursday, May 22, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sustaining
Sorting Through Old Trunk
Thursday, May 29, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sustaining
Aunt Ethel
Thursday, June 5, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sustaining
Lead Your Own Life, Bud
Thursday, June 12, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Post 40% Bran Flakes and Instant Sanka Coffee
Engagement Ring
Thursday, September 4, 1952 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Post 40% Bran Flakes and Instant Sanka Coffee
