Item Description

"Father Knows Best", a popular American TV and radio sitcom of the 1950s and 1960s, portrayed an idealized vision of middle-class American life of the era. It was created by writer Ed James who made an audition disc on December 20, 1948. On the audition disc, the father is known as Jim Henderson rather than Jim Anderson.

Eight months later, 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 by General Foods, the series was heard Thursday evenings on NBC until November 19, 1953.


This collection of "Father Knows Best" shows features 114 shows on 2 CDs. Each episode is presented in the .mp3 format. There are many hours of entertaining "Father Knows Best" programs.

The CDs are labeled and provided in a highly protective jewel case. A list of the programs on the disc as well as the date the program originally aired (if known) is also provided.

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR EQUIPMENT WILL PLAY MP3 FORMATTED FILES BEFORE PURCHASING THIS ITEM.

IT IS ULTIMATELY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER TO ENSURE THAT HIS OR HER EQUIPMENT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE MP3 FORMAT.


A note concerning sound quality. The sound quality for the shows in this collection is very good to good. It is difficult to find perfect recordings from the golden age of radio due to the equipment used for recording and the fact that many of the recordings were made 60, 70 or even 80 years ago.

Episode Listing for the Father Knows Best programs included in this collection:

FKB - 481220 - Audition Show
FKB - 500112 - The Elusive Card Game
FKB - 500504 - An Uncontrolled Dog
FKB - 500511 - The Golf Challenge
FKB - 500518 - Betty's Screen Test
FKB - 500525 - Superstitious Folk
FKB - 500608 - Time For A New Car
FKB - 500615 - Father's Day Trip
FKB - 500622 - A New Housekeeper
FKB - 500629 - New Arrangements
FKB - 500706 - Vacation Arrives
FKB - 500907 - An Efficient House
FKB - 500914 - Family Car Stolen
FKB - 500921 - Who Has The Time
FKB - 500928 - The New Girlfriend
FKB - 501005 - Family Spending
FKB - 501012 - The Skunk Must Go
FKB - 501026 - A Spooky Cemetery
FKB - 501102 - Too Many Problems
FKB - 501109 - The Bad Barbeque
FKB - 501116 - Enterprising Kids
FKB - 501123 - Thanksgiving Show
FKB - 501207 - A French Teacher
FKB - 501214 - Father Becomes Ill
FKB - 501221 - A Hans Christian Anderson Family Christmas
FKB - 501228 - Party Preparations
FKB - 510104 - Taking On City Hall
FKB - 510111 - Missing Furniture
FKB - 510118 - Recreation Woes
FKB - 510125 - Sound Matchmaker
FKB - 510201 - Ranch Inheritance
FKB - 510208 - What Was His Name
FKB - 510215 - Orchid For A Lady
FKB - 510222 - Always Tell Truth
FKB - 510301 - Rehearsing A Play
FKB - 510315 - Tax Interruptions
FKB - 510322 - Helping Out The Boss
FKB - 510329 - Both Bosses Visit
FKB - 510405 - It Pays To Borrow
FKB - 510412 - Carrot Costume Party
FKB - 510419 - Anniversary Secret
FKB - 510426 - Aunt Martha Visits
FKB - 510503 - A Missing Salesman
FKB - 510510 - Junk Around The House
FKB - 510517 - Locked Out Of The House
FKB - 510524 - Anniversary Event
FKB - 510531 - Going To New York
FKB - 510614 - Father's Day Picnic
FKB - 510621 - Mother Drives A Car
FKB - 510628 - Wedding Preparation
FKB - 510705 - Meaning Of Freedoms
FKB - 510920 - A Discussion Of Diet
FKB - 511101 - Tie
FKB - 520417 - Automatic Washer
FKB - 520515 - Smooth Household
FKB - 520703 - Vacation Arrives
FKB - 520911 - Watching The Dog
FKB - 520918 - Weekend Activity
FKB - 520925 - Should Women Work
FKB - 521009 - Betty And The Crooner
FKB - 521016 - Bud Quits School
FKB - 521030 - A Carnival In Town
FKB - 521106 - Selling The House
FKB - 521113 - The Missing Pipes
FKB - 521120 - The Phantom Prowler
FKB - 521211 - A Worried Waitress
FKB - 521218 - The Kids Revolt
FKB - 521225 - Shared Christmas Gifts
FKB - 530101 - Southern Manners
FKB - 530108 - Second Family Car
FKB - 530115 - The Boy Next Door
FKB - 530129 - Bud Likes Girls
FKB - 530205 - Aunt Thelma Visits
FKB - 530212 - Babysitter Misery
FKB - 530219 - Modernizing The Home
FKB - 530226 - Banged Up Fender
FKB - 530305 - Overdue Vacation
FKB - 530312 - To Build A Brick Wall
FKB - 530319 - The Missing Wedding Ring
FKB - 530326 - Uninsured Robin
FKB - 530402 - Bud's Panama Cat Business
FKB - 530409 - How To Face Problems
FKB - 530416 - Family Getaway
FKB - 530423 - Old Father Time
FKB - 530430 - Springtime Woes
FKB - 530507 - The Good Old Days
FKB - 530514 - Sophisticated Bud
FKB - 530521 - Paper Drive
FKB - 530910 - Remembering Names
FKB - 530917 - Big Inheritance
FKB - 530924 - Mind Your Manners
FKB - 531001 - A Date Mix-Up
FKB - 531008 - The Value Of Money
FKB - 531015 - Life Of The Party
FKB - 531022 - Too Many Peanuts
FKB - 531029 - Halloween Blues
FKB - 531105 - Moving To Chicago
FKB - 531112 - Betty's Engagement
FKB - 531119 - Missing Uncle
FKB - 531126 - Thanksgiving Dinner
FKB - 531203 - Too Many Rabbits
FKB - 531224 - Christmas Program
FKB - 531231 - New Year's Eve Babysitter
FKB - 540107 - Taking Pictures
FKB - 540114 - An Unusual Bet
FKB - 540121 - Mink Coat Woes
FKB - 540128 - Trash Can Lids
FKB - 540204 - The Telephone Mix-Up
FKB - 540218 - Betty's Freedom
FKB - 540225 - Check Writing
FKB - 540301 - False Elopement
FKB - 540304 - Spring Cleaning
FKB - 540318 - Income Tax Mixup
FKB - 540325 - Rainy Day Activity

IMPORTANT NOTE!: The CD presented for sale contains radio programs recorded and preserved in the MP3 audio format. The MP3 format allows for audio compression and can allow the storage of over 50 hours of audio per CD. The MP3 format is compatible with many newer DVD and portable CD players, as well as MP3 players. The MP3 format is also playable on Windows based computers using Real Player, Windows Media Player or other players.

Attention EBay: After a careful search of the Library of Congress and the United States Trademark and Patent Office, it has been determined that the programs listed for sale here are in the Public Domain. They are being offered with the understanding that no valid or active copyright, trademark, and/or patent exist for them. These recordings are sold for private home listening and use only. No broadcast rights are stated, implied, or given. Historical Media assumes no responsibility for unauthorized use of these programs. The Library Of Congress has ruled that old radio broadcasts are within the Public Domain, since they were not qualified for copyright protection when presented, nor was any attempt to place them under such copyright protection when the opportunity existed in 1978-1979 when the copyright law regarding these programs was revised. Radio shows created before January 1, 1978 are protected by the Copyright Act of 1909. These shows are listed in accordance with current EBay policies concerning selling Old Time Radio Public Domain materials.

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