Father Knows Best

Bud is extremely excited for the new school year to start. He is, however, shocked to find a very popular teacher has not returned but has been replaced by a Mr. Beckman. The rest of the class wants to make trouble for Beckman, but Bud stands up and shows he is willing to accept the new man and help him win the confidence of the rest of the class.

Betty is excited to be chosen as tutor for the football team. Her enthusiasm wanes when she is teamed up with Muley Orkin, a social awkward young man. The tutoring goes badly as Muley has concentration issues and is clearly infatuated with Betty. Muley asks Betty to go to the dance with him. She initially declines, but decides to join him only to have him dump her for another girl at the dance.

Margret receives the title deeds to a second property; Jim suggests she take responsibility for cleaning and renting out the property. They meet the neighbor, Mr. Boomhauer, who is a very unpleasant man who does his best to talk down the property. Margret is served with court papers after she begins work on the property that endangers his rose garden.

Bud is convinced to join the school committee for a yearly picnic. He ends up being up in charge. When others do not pitch in, Bud ends up having things go wrong.

The Anderson's former gardener returns for a visit to get help with his new job. Fronk is going to be a gardener for a government building but first has to pass a civil service exam. The Anderson's pitch in to help him study.

Problems arise, as a result of Margaret enrolling in her daughter Betty's junior college English class.

Bud finds out he is considered one of the football team's best player. He thinks he can do just about anything. But when he does breaks one of the team rules, he is suspended from playing one game - against a strong team.

Kathy's class has to write a civil war essay. The essays will be entered in a contest and the winner will meet Greer Garson who is in town for the premier of her period-piece civil war movie. Kathy is convinced she will win.

When there is nothing to eat for breakfast, the kids think Jim should get upset. They think he is just too reasonable. However, when it is time to teach Margaret to drive, he is not as reasonable.

Bud is annoyed at Kathy being irresponsible, and tells Jim and Margaret they need to be firm with her. Jim and Margaret decided to let him have a chance at child-rearing. Bud finds it more difficult than he realized.

Betty reads a story she wrote for school involving her family. In the story a devil named Harry Beal is trying to get the children's souls, Jim fights him and agrees his soul in exchange for his kids. But will the family let him sacrifice his soul?

Kathy makes a wish on an old horseshoe that she'll get a pony, and she'll name him Cookie.

Bud is thinking of joining the army after he is out of school in two years. Margaret starts treating him with exceptional kindness because she will lose her son.

Betty becomes a counselor for a 3-day summer camp - the same camp Kathy is attending. When Betty finds out Kathy has been reading her diary, Betty decides to make Kathy work hard at camp.

Bud gets a set of bongo drums. He envisions himself as a musician that all the girls will love. However, his practice drives the family crazy.

Kathy's class was assigned to write a biography of their fathers, and Jim is one of the father's invited to be honored. Kathy is excited to have her father attend the meeting. Jim is asked to attend a business meeting the same day and time.

A friend of Betty's seems to juggle boyfriends all the time, and Betty feels bored with her constant boyfriend. Betty gets asked out by another classmate and decides to try the exciting life with two boyfriends.

Bud tries his hand at mind-reading.

Jim worries that Margaret is spending a lot of time with a furniture maker and his wife, helping them solve their problems. Margaret does not seem to have enough time anymore to be with her own family.

The Anderson's neighbor accuses Bud of causing property damage because his jacket was left in the yard. Bud denies doing the damage but evidence points to him. Betty says it is circumstantial evidence and says they should hold a trial.

Betty is excited about a date with a popular guy at college and wants to make sure the family looks their best. That includes making Bud clean up and moving his old jalopy. Turns out Bud already met the family and did them a favor.

Bud & Betty's cousin Millie visits the Anderson's. Betty is upset to share her room and have a country bumpkin in town. Jim tells Betty she has to help Millie make friends. Millie shows up and is beautiful and gives Betty a new outlook.

Jim Anderson surprises his son Bud with a new hunting rifle and promises to take him hunting for the weekend. Bud wonders aloud if they really will go on this trip together - just the two of them - because in the past, their father-son dates were often interrupted by Margaret and the girls.

The Insurance Company where Jim works is buying a new building for expansion. The building is a local hangout for Betty's college, and the students love it. The students campaign to stop the sale of the building and repair the old building.