30 minute comedy sitcom
The series began August 25, 1949, on NBC Radio. Set in the Midwest, it starred Robert Young as General Insurance agent Jim Anderson. His wife Margaret was first portrayed by June Whitley and later by Jean Vander Pyl. The Anderson children were Betty (Rhoda Williams), Bud (Ted Donaldson) and Kathy (Norma Jean Nillson). Others in the cast were Eleanor Audley, Herb Vigran and Sam Edwards. Sponsored through most of its run by General Foods, the series was heard Thursday evenings on NBC until March 25, 1954.
The show is often regarded as an example of the conservative and paternalistic nature of American family life in the 1950s and it is also cited as an overly rosy portrayal of American family life.
On the radio program, the character of Jim differs from the later television character. The radio Jim is far more sarcastic and shows he really "rules" over his family. Jim also calls his children names, something common on radio but lost in the TV series; for example, Jim says, "What a bunch of stupid children I have." Margaret is portrayed as a paragon of solid reason and patience, unless the plot calls for her to act a bit off. For example, in a Halloween episode, Margaret cannot understand how the table floats in the air, but that is a rare exception.
Betty, on radio, is portrayed as a status seeking, boy-crazy teenage girl. To her, every little thing is "the worst thing that could ever happen." Bud, on radio, is portrayed as an "all-American" boy who always seems to need "just a bit more" money, though he gets $1.25 per week in allowance. The actor had an affected 'R.' (Similar to Elmer Fudd, but not quite as pronounced.) Bud is in charge of always having to answer the front door, which he hates. He is also shown as a somewhat dim boy who takes everything literally; for example, Jim might say "Go jump in the lake," to which Bud would reply "Okay, Dad; which lake should I go jump into?" On radio Kathy often is portrayed as a source of irritation. She whines, cries and complains about her status in the family as overlooked. She often is the source of money to her brother and sister, although she is in hock several years on her own allowance.
Text from Wikipedia
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All of our Old Time Radio Programs are in MP3 format. You can play them on your computer, you can transfer them to MP3 players (like the IPod), but, by and large, you cannot play them on stereos, walkmen, or car radios.
The sound quality of Old Time Radio Programs can vary greatly. Some episodes are excellent, others you have to turn up the volume a little and ignore the static. All of the episodes can be listened to and enjoyed. You can listen to our free samples to get a feel for how the programs sound.
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Episode List
Father Knows Best 500112 The Elusive Card Game.mp3
Father Knows Best 500504 An Uncontrolled Dog.mp3
Father Knows Best 500511 The Golf Challenge.mp3
Father Knows Best 500518 Betty's Screen Test.mp3
Father Knows Best 500525 Superstitious Folk.mp3
Father Knows Best 500608 Time For A New Car.mp3
Father Knows Best 500615 Picnic For Fathers Day.mp3
Father Knows Best 500622 A New Housekeeper.mp3
Father Knows Best 500629 New Arrangements.mp3
Father Knows Best 500706 Vacation Arrives.mp3
Father Knows Best 500907 An Efficient House.mp3
Father Knows Best 500914 Family Car Stolen.mp3
Father Knows Best 500921 Who Has The Time.mp3
Father Knows Best 500928 The New Girl Friend.mp3
Father Knows Best 501005 Family Spending.mp3
Father Knows Best 501012 The Skunk Must Go.mp3
Father Knows Best 501026 A Spooky Cemetery.mp3
Father Knows Best 501102 Too Many Problems.mp3
Father Knows Best 501109 The Bad Barbecue.mp3
Father Knows Best 501116 Enterprising Kids.mp3
Father Knows Best 501123 Thanksgiving Show.mp3
Father Knows Best 501221 Christmas Program.mp3
Father Knows Best 501228 Party Preparations.mp3
Father Knows Best 510104 Taking On City Hall.mp3
Father Knows Best 510118 Recreation Woes.mp3
Father Knows Best 510201 Ranch Inheritance.mp3
Father Knows Best 510208 What Was His Name.mp3
Father Knows Best 510322 Helping Out Others.mp3
Father Knows Best 510329 Both Bosses Visit.mp3
Father Knows Best 510920 A Discussion Of Diet.mp3
Father Knows Best 520417 Automatic Washer.mp3
Father Knows Best 520515 Smooth Household.mp3
Father Knows Best 520911 Watching The Dog.mp3
Father Knows Best 520918 Weekend Activity.mp3
Father Knows Best 520925 Should Women Work.mp3
Father Knows Best 521009 Betty & The Crooner.mp3
Father Knows Best 521016 Bud Quits School.mp3
Father Knows Best 521030 A Carnival In Town.mp3
Father Knows Best 530115 The Boy Next Door.mp3
Father Knows Best 530129 Bud Likes Girls.mp3
Father Knows Best 530205 Aunt Thelma Visits.mp3
Father Knows Best 530212 Babysitter Misery.mp3
Father Knows Best 530305 Overdue Vacation.mp3
Father Knows Best 530312 To Build A Wall.mp3
Father Knows Best 530416 Family Getaway.mp3
Father Knows Best 530423 Old Father Time.mp3
Father Knows Best 530430 Springtime Woes.mp3
Father Knows Best 530507 The Good Old Days.mp3
Father Knows Best 530514 Sophisticated Bud.mp3
Father Knows Best 530521 Paper Drive.mp3
Father Knows Best 530910 Remembering Names.mp3
Father Knows Best 530917 Big Inheritance.mp3
Father Knows Best 530924 Mind Your Manners.mp3
Father Knows Best 531001 A Date Mix-up.mp3
Father Knows Best 531008 The Value Of Money.mp3
Father Knows Best 531015 Life Of The Party.mp3
Father Knows Best 531022 Too Many Peanuts.mp3
Father Knows Best 531029 Halloween Blues.mp3
Father Knows Best 531105 Moving To Chicago.mp3
Father Knows Best 531112 Betty's Engagement.mp3
Father Knows Best 531126 Thanksgiving.mp3
Father Knows Best 531203 Too Many Rabbits.mp3
Father Knows Best 531231 New Years Sitter.mp3
Father Knows Best 540107 Taking Pictures.mp3
Father Knows Best 540114 An Unusual Bet.mp3
Father Knows Best 540121 Mink Coat Woes.mp3
Father Knows Best 540128 Trash Can Lids.mp3
Father Knows Best 540204 The Telephone Mix-up.mp3
Father Knows Best 540218 Betty's Freedom.mp3
Father Knows Best 540225 Check Writing.mp3
Father Knows Best 540304 Spring Cleaning.mp3
Father Knows Best 540311 False Elopement.mp3
Father Knows Best 540318 Income Tax Mix-up.mp3
Father Knows Best 540325 Rainy Day Activity.mp3
