Old Time Radio Downloads > Comedy > Father Knows Best

Written by freelance writer Ed James, Father Knows Best was a radio and television comedy series aired from the 1950's to 1960's. It featured the story of middle class American family, most especially of the family's head Jim Anderson (who was originally known as Jim Henderson based on James' audition disc), which was played by Robert Young.

 

The radio version started on August 25, 1949 on NBC Radio. Apart from Young, the series also starred June Whitley (and later Jean Vander Pyl) as his wife Margaret, along with Rhoda Williams, Ted Donaldson, and Norma Jean Nillson as their kids Betty, Bud, and Kathy.

 

With General Foods as the main sponsor, Father Knows Best was heard every Thursday evenings until its last episode on November 19, 1953. On 2008, the series had its film adaptation, which starred Tim Allen. 

Father-Knows-Best

Please enjoy these old time radio shows:

Air Date Title Synopsis
 1950-11-09  055 The Bad Bar Be Cue
 1950-11-16  056 Enterprising Kids
 1950-11-23  057 Happy Thanksgiving

+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Maxwell House Coffee, Post Wheat Meal. Thanksgiving without the kids is not much of a celebration. Robert Young, June Whitley, Rhoda Williams, Ted Donaldson, Ed James (writer), Bill Forman (announcer), Roy Bargy and His Orchestra. 
 1950-12-07  059 A French Teacher

 1950-12-14  060 Father Becomes Ill
 1950-12-21  061 Christmas Program

+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Maxwell House Coffee. A Christmas fable about Hans Christian Anderson and his many children's characters. Robert Young, Norma Jean Nilsson, Ted Donaldson, Rhoda Williams, June Whitley, Eleanor Audley, Bill Forman (announcer), Roy Bargy and His Orchestra, Clarence Nash (as the duck). 
 1950-12-28  062 Party Preparations

+ NBC net. Sponsored by: Maxwell House Coffee, Post Wheat Meal (Hopalong's favorite cereal). The Andersons are tired of eating turkey...and then Jim wins a 35 pound turkey...that's still alive! Her name is, "Irene." Clarence Francis, the president of General Foods, talks about highway safety. Robert Young, Norma Jean Nilsson, Ted Donaldson, Rhoda Williams, June Whitley, Eleanor Audley, Bill Forman (announcer), Ed James (creator, writer), Clarence Francis, Roy Bargy and His Orchestra. 
 1951-01-04  063 Taking On City Hall
 1951-01-11  064 Missing Furniture
 1951-01-18  065 Redecoration Woes

Other Comedy Shows you may enjoy:

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WHO TODAY LISTENS TO THESE OLD TIME RADIO PROGRAMS?

Recently OTR was sold and traded, on records and cassettes, by people who had grown up during the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's who had grown up listening to these shows. With the internet and mp3s, new generations of listeners are discovering these delightful old time radio shows and to their surprise, enjoying them immensely. Some of the references and nuances are out of date, but it turns out that a well told story is a delight to young and old alike.


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WHO TODAY LISTENS TO THESE OLD TIME RADIO PROGRAMS?

Recently OTR was sold and traded, on records and cassettes, by people who had grown up during the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's who had grown up listening to these shows. With the internet and mp3s, a new generation of listeners are discovering these delightful old time radio shows and enjoying them immensely. Some of the references and nuances are out of date, but it turns out that a well told story is a delight to all ages of old time radio fans.


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