 Mother, are post 40% bran flakes really the best tasting cereal of them all? Well, your father says so, and father knows best. Yes, it's Father Knows Best transcribed in Hollywood starring Robert Gung as father. A half hour visit with your neighbors, the Andesons. Brought to you by America's largest selling bran flakes. Post 40% bran flakes. And by Instant Postum, the good tasting drink that's entirely caffeine free. I shot an arrow into the air. It fell to earth I know not where. A thing like that can be very, very serious. Especially if that little prankster Cuban is on the sending end of that arrow. And this particular arrow just happened to fall in Springfield right smack dab in the center of the White Frame house on Maple Street. And someone you'd never suspect is wearing the biggest engagement ring you ever saw. Let's find out who gradually along with the rest of the family. Like this. Kathy, you're hardly eating any dinner, aren't you hungry? Not too. Haven't you noticed anything different about me? Like... Anybody want the rest of those sweet potatoes? Okay, and I might as well finish them. Bud! Well, nobody said anything. You didn't give them a chance. I'll pass you the butter, bud. Here. Well, you don't have to stick your finger in my eye. Cut it out. Didn't you notice anything different about my left hand, I mean? Yeah. It's clean for a change. That's not what I meant. I'm only trying to make you notice something. My finger... I'm sure Kathy's only trying to be polite. Bud, put Betty's dessert down. Huh? Oh, I was reaching for the cream and I guess Betty's dessert was sort of in the way. You see, Margaret Bud has a slight impediment in his reach. Kitten, what are you waving your hand for? I was just... I sincerely hope that if and when Ralph and I are married, conduct will be a little more dignified around this dinner table. And I sincerely hope that if and when you and Ralph are married, Ralph will have a dinner table of his own. Father. Betty, are you really engaged to Ralph? When she's not engaged to Glenn Vodge, she is. Bud. Are you really, Betty? I'll bet you haven't got a ring like this one. If it's anybody's business, Ralph feels that we should wait until we are mentally adjusted to each other. Words, words, words. Pass me the cream, please. But you might pay attention to some words, other than please pass what's for dessert and mom, I'm hungry. Ralph believes that before two people make a domestic contract, there should be a complete meeting of the minds. Sure, they ought to have their heads bumped together. Mother, a person can't say one intelligent word around this house. All he thinks of is his stomach. You gotta eat so you can think. You think so you can eat, that's life. Do you want some cream? You want my dessert, Bud? I'm not too hungry. You sure you don't want it? Okay, hand it over. There sits a young man of quick decisions. Oh, Kathy, why do you have to stick your finger in my eye every time you pass something? I won't even try to lead up to something. But it seems like the only thing people want to talk about is Bud's stomach. Kit and I'm sorry, really. It seems like everything gravitates toward Bud's stomach. Let me see that left hand of yours. Well, look at that sparkler with you. I'm engaged. Isn't anybody going to say anything? In case I get hungry later, are there any cold beans in the icebox? That looks like quite a ring. Yes, indeed. You're rather young to be getting married. In fact, I hardly know what to say. Bud, have you any comment? Me? This is a pretty momentous occasion, you know. Yeah. Where'd you get that big chunk of glass? It's not a chunk of glass. It's a genuine imitation zircon. Oh, yeah? It's pretty corny, if you ask me. Now wait, this is Kathy's big moment. May I ask Kitten who the fortunate young gentleman is? Sure. It's Paul Bedeker. Bedeker? Kitten, just how long have you known, Paul? Oh, just eons and eons. Eons and eons. Well, just what would that amount to in standard time? 13 days. He just moved here. 13 days is an eon? Kathy, I don't seem to recall this particular young man. Particular? He can't be very particular. That won't do. Bud, if you can't be nice, just don't say anything at all. Yes, and sit down. The family dinner table is not just a place to stuff yourself with food. But I gotta go. If Mrs. Bedeker will excuse me. Bud, sit down. Holy cow. Now, Kitten, I realize that where love is concerned, the solitary beat of a heart can be an eternity. But still, how well can you get to know a man in just 13 days? Oh gee, daddy, he's got nine freckles on his nose and a gold filling in his tooth. How well can you know a man? Well, I was thinking more along economic lines. A girl her age? Holy cow. Now, let's all calm down and talk sensibly. Why do we always have to get into an uproar? Where were we? Now, this young man... I'll get it, I'll get it. You pass for me, I'll take it in the day I live. Probably Joe Phillip. Marvelous invention to telephone. Look at a move. Jim, don't you think you're carrying this too far with Kathy? Why don't you simply tell her she's too young to think of such things and let it go with that? Now, honey, I'm just playing a little game with her. It's all in fun. I know. But you've played these little games with the children before. That didn't always work out so well. Well, the main thing is not to have Kathy ridicule. This is very serious to her. I've got to get that over to Betty and Bud. I'm sure they'd forget about it if you would. Why don't you... Mother, will you please make Kathy get off that phone? I'm expecting a very important call from Ralph. What we need in this house is a switchboard. She's just yakking with that Betteker character. Hey, Dad, will you make Butterhead get off the phone? I'm expecting an important call from Joe Phillips. Don't call Kathy Butterhead. Can't you say something nice about her just once? Okay, so she's lovely. She's engaged. She uses the phone all day. Betteker. Holy cow. He's jealous. He wouldn't know if I've ever been engaged before. I hope you told him the truth, kitten. Oh, Daddy, I just couldn't tell him about Stevie. Oh, brother. Father, I refuse to stay in a house so saturated with a name, but a name discussions. All right, Princess. You can leave. Just as soon as you help Bud stack the dishes. Betty, you aren't just mad because I've got a ring and you haven't, are you? Why don't you turn green? She won't have to wait long. That phony ring is turning her finger green. Go apologize to Kathy. Go on now, right now. Well, hey, Dad, I got to wait for a call from Joe Phillips. We got to go someplace. You don't leave this house until you find Kathy and apologize to her. Go on. Holy cow. Girls, trouble, trouble, trouble. I'll get it. I'm right here. Hello, Joe, where you at? Over at Bird Quimby's? Betty, go see if you can find Kathy. But what if Ralph calls? I can probably persuade him to call again. Go on. Oh, Joe, I thought that crazy sister of mine decided to get married. I heard her feelings. You see, Margaret? Now I've got to use diplomacy and appeasement. It's like I said, you have to handle these things delicately. How long are you going to be at Bird's? Oh, well, I got to find her and apologize first. Lucky you haven't got a sister. OK, so long. That fiddle-faddle. Girls, trouble, trouble, trouble. All right, Mr. Anthony, what are your plans now? What I intend to do now is invite Kathy's little fiance, Paul Ludlow Bedeker, to spend the day with us. Tomorrow, probably. What's the point in that? Well, we'll expose the future groom to our way of life around here. I can't think of any better way to discourage him. Oh, Jim. Furthermore, if he's a real boy, he'll be hungry all day. But Kathy cook for him. This will be the shortest engagement in history. Of all the ridiculous ideas. There's nothing ridiculous about it. You've got to play the game, roll along with it. Besides, let's start early to show our children the pitfalls of hasty marriage. Because I found her. Did Ralph call? No. Well, kitten, come here. Let Daddy wipe those tears away. Daddy? I know, I know. But sorry, too. He's looking for you so he can apologize. Well, kitten, how would you like to invite Paul Bedeker to spend the day with us tomorrow? Okay, I can't find her any... Oh, there you are. Well, go ahead, bud. Okay, shrimp. I'm sorry I said that about the ring. That's all right, bud. I'll get it, I'll get it. I told Joe Phyllis my sister was getting married. She's got a ring and... Hello? Well, please. Paul? He said goodbye forever. I tried to tell him it was Cathy, but he... Oh, this is the end, the absolute end. Now what? Well, when I told Joe I didn't say which sister was getting married. And I guess he thought it was Betty. Please, oh, please, let me... So Joe told Bert Quimby's sister and she called Ralph to congratulate him. Oh, fine. Well, we can... Don't talk to me. He's gone. Now, Betty, it's not so... I'm glad you enjoy little games. It looks like you're going to play a double-header. Oh, it looks like Father has really put his foot in it this time. Well, if he only had all his facts straight, he might have made a smarter decision. Yes, having all the information is always important. For example... When it comes to breakfast, you've probably been hearing about brand and the important keep regular benefits of brand for years. And maybe you've actually tried it. Only you weren't quite satisfied with the flavor. If that's the case, I have some good news. Yes, the fact is, something wonderful has happened to brand. That's right. The post people have created a wonderful new flavor for their post 40% brand flakes. They call it magic oven flavor. And after trying it, I've had friends say they like new post brand flakes better than any other cereal. And that's important because now your ounce of prevention post brand flakes gives you the important keep regular benefits of brand in a cereal you really enjoy day after day. Now, Mother, I hope all this helps you solve the problem of what cereal to serve your family. Start serving them new post brand flakes. Eat them for flavor. Eat them for health. You'll win both ways. So when you do your marketing this weekend, remember. For goodness sakes, eat post brand flakes. So good is so good for you. Yes, ask your grocer for America's largest selling brand flakes. Post 40% brand flakes. So good. And so good for you. It's rather frightening when you think what a cure or a little 10 cent ring can cause. As far as the future, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ludlow-Bettica are concerned, things are working out fine. But on the other hand, love has dealt Betty Anderson a cruel blow. At any rate, on this new day in the Anderson home, things are moving along like this. Jim. Hiding out. Margaret, I am not hiding out. Well, you should be. You and your plan. I thought that little boy was supposed to get sick of Cathy's cooking. Just give him time. He can't stand much of it. Can't stand much of it. He's working on his seventh hamburger in four hours. Oh. Well, maybe you'd better send Cathy in here for a moment. I can't. He's just entered the store for more hamburger. Got her trained already, huh? Well, don't worry. Jim, I'm not worried about Cathy. It's Betty I'm worried about. She's desperate. Ralph has just disappeared from the face of the earth. Smart boy. I mean, he's just letting Betty stew a little. She's called all the hospitals. They hate her at the missing persons bureau. Now she wants to drag the lake. Well, it's OK with me. Just as long as she doesn't drag it in here. Oh, stopping silly. I'm sorry, honey, but Betty's problem isn't my fault. If you will refresh your memory. I know, dear. But you insisted on going along with Cathy's whim. The least you can do is humor Betty a little too. Will you at least sympathize with her? Of course I will. I didn't realize she was taking it so seriously. Where is she now? She's on the phone. She's practically got the whole town looking for Ralph. Right now she's talking to Glenn Rogers. Oh, oh. She didn't call him. Glenn called her. He's offered to drive around to look for Ralph. Mother. Yes, Betty? Could you come here a minute? Yes, dear. Jim, please try to do something. Mother. Yes, dear. I'm coming. Will you, dear? Sure, sure. And send little Paul in here, will you? I haven't even had a talk with my prospective son-in-law yet. And it's about time, I think. Where's Dad at? Hey, Dad. Where are you at? I'm at the den. Oh, hey, Dad. I'm here. I'm here. Where have you been at? Joe and I have been trying to find out where Ralph is. We went everywhere. He wasn't there. That young man is really lost. Yeah. Hey, Dad. Did you hear about Glenn Rogers? Did I hear what about Glenn Rogers? His cousin is here. No kidding. He's got one of those little English cards. It's keen. Say, I just got an idea. If your idea has anything to do with buying one of those overgrown scooters, the answer is no. But gee, Dad. Excuse me, Jim. But Master Paul Lullo-Bettiker sends his compliments. And will you please step into the kitchen? Sure, sure. Wait a minute. I thought I asked him to come to me. He's busy cooking waffles. Waffles? Mm-hmm. He wants everything ready, so when Kathy comes back with more hamburger, they won't lose any time making waffle burgers. Oh, now wait a minute. No, dear. You have to go along with them, remember? Now run along. I'll stay here and call Ralph's mother again. Maybe she's heard something. I'll come with you, Dad. Waffle burgers, huh? Never mind, Bob. I want to talk to this young fellow alone. Well, I thought maybe if there was an extra waffle burger or two. Just stay away from the kitchen. Oh, you don't mind if I just stand outside the door and smell them, do you? I don't care where you stand. Just don't come in here. How are you getting along? Okay. Well, I thought by this time you'd be a little tired of Kathy's cooking. She doesn't fry the best hamburger in the world, you know? I know, but I showed her how. Oh. Oh. As a matter of fact, Paul, I wanted to have a little serious talk with you. Okay. Sit down. Well, thank you. Paul, let's see. You're nine years old, I believe. No, nine and a half. Oh, I thought you looked a lot older than none. I'm sorry. That's okay. Paul, you're pretty sold on marriage, are you? Yeah, sure. I suppose you realize this marriage business takes money. What do you intend to do about money matters? We figure we can live on the allowance I'm going to get. 75 cents a week. Hmm, 75 cents. Then there's Kathy's allowance of 50 cents. I was figuring that in the 75. Oh, I see. Well, remember now, I'm not trying to discourage this marriage, but do you realize that house rent alone can sometimes cost over 75 cents a week? Oh, that's taken care of, Mr. Anderson. Good, good. We're going to live here. Well, that clears that up. Just another little thing, Paul, my boy. The wedding alone is going to cost a considerable amount. Flowers, church and all that. We're going to a lobe. Girls like to be romantic. I know, I know. But do you think you can find a minister to marry you? You're supposed to be at least 12, you know. We're just going to jump over a broomstick. How is that again? Well, my grandmother says that all two people have to do is jump over a broomstick. And they're married. Well, now that's a new one. My grandmother knows everything. She says if you bury the left hind leg of a tree frog in a red ant hill on the night of your wedding, you'll never fight. Your grandmother said that? Yes, sir. Your grandmother must be a very remarkable woman. All our family is. I can see that. Hamburger, Paul. Okay, there's the waffles. Get busy. Now, hold on a minute, kids. I think this is. Oh, Jim, come here. All right, all right, I'm coming. Jim, Betty's in the den and you've got to talk to her. She's in an absolute daze. What's the matter with you? Margaret, those kids out there in the kitchen. This is ridiculous. Oh, just let them alone. They'll get over it, like you said. Now please talk to Betty. I don't know. These things can't happen to other people. Betty, are you in there? Yes, father. Princess, I'm sure everything will be all right. Ralph is just, well, I'm sure he... I mean, young men are like that, Betty. He probably thought. It's all right, father. You've all done your best. Hey, dad, dad, those kids won't give me any of their waffle burgers. Not even a taste. But Anderson, all you can think of is food. And he might be at the bottom of the lake. He who? Ralph. You think they could at least give me a taste? But get out of here. Holy cow. Now, Betty. Hello? Just a moment. It's for you, Betty. Hello. I suppose it's my duty, really. All right, then. I'm going out for a little while. Are you going out to look for Ralph? Well, yes. Don't worry about me. I am worried about her, though, Margaret. I know there's nothing wrong with Ralph, but just the same, she can work herself into a terrible state. I wouldn't worry too much, Jim. Wish us luck. Now, hold on, kitten. You're not going out and jump over a broomstick. Get married, I mean. Paul, nah. We're going to pack our waffle burgers and go out and look for buried treasure. We want to get a lot of money before we get married. And Paul's grandmother says if you take three hairs from a yellow cat's tail and put them on a pointed oak stick, it will lead you to buried treasure at sundown. My grandmother knows everything. All hail to your grandmother. Don't be too long. Well, there's one problem solved, Jim. Yes. Now if I could only get Betty straightened up. Hello? Yes? Ralph! Ralph! Well, bless you, boy. Just a minute. I'll call Betty. Betty, have you gone? Betty? Don't get so excited, Jim. Betty! Betty! Yes, father? What on earth? It's Ralph. He's on the phone. Oh. Well, I don't care to talk to him right now. It's Ralph. He's a... What? What did you say? Father, Glenn Rogers' cousin was kind enough to lend Glenn his little English car to help me look for Ralph. I just can't let Glenn down now after all the trouble he's gone through to help me. But, Betty, you don't have to look for Ralph. He's not lost anymore. He's on the phone. Father, it's the principle of the thing. Glenn's cousin has done Glenn and me a great favor to let him down now would definitely brand me as a traitor. Excuse me, Father. Glenn's on his way over. Margaret? Yes, dear? This has been a very trying day. Do you suppose the kids left any of those waffle burgers? And now, before our final surprise of the show, here are the Andesons quietly gathered in the kitchen for a little snack. More waffle burgers, Jim? Uh, no thanks, Margaret. But I will have some more Postum. Gee whiz, Daddy. That's your third cup. Listen, Kathy, it wouldn't matter if it were my sixth cup. Postum can't hurt you. No caffeine, no coffee nerves. Remember? Jim's right, friends. Instant Postum contains no caffeine. Nothing to cause you sleepless nights or upset your nerves. Of course, many people aren't bothered by caffeine. But if you are, if caffeine causes you sleepless nights or jittery nerves, switch to Postum. Switch to Instant Postum and sleep. Postum is the swell tasting, completely safe drink for the whole family. Get Instant Postum tomorrow. It's been a rugged 24 hours for Jim Andeson with two daughters in a romantic uproar at the same time. But thanks to Jim's understanding and applied psychology, things are back to normal again. Of course, Jim isn't entirely satisfied that there won't be a recurrence of some of the symptoms. Like this. Margaret, I refuse to worry about Betty's triangular romance anymore. But I wonder if this thing with Kathy is settled. I'd forget it, Jim. Well, they didn't find any treasure. I just hope that they don't decide to get married without it. Kathy! So what if they do? Just go along with it, dear, and nothing will happen. That's not what worries me. It cost me about five dollars for hamburger. The way he cooks. You call me daddy? Yes, kitten. Ah, still engaged to Paul, are you? What happened? Don't you like his looks all of a sudden? Oh, no, it isn't that. He's a fine, strong personality. Oh, yes, I know. Well, now if it isn't his looks or his personality, what can it be? The truth, daddy. I can't stand his cooking. Turn us again next week when we'll be back with Father Knows Best, starring Robert Young as Jim Andeson. Until then, good night and good luck from the makers of Post 40% Brand Flakes, America's largest-selling brand flakes, and Instant Postum, the drink that's entirely caffeine-free. In our cast were Rhoda Williams as Betty, Gene Vanderpile, Ted Donaldson, Norma Jean-Nilson, and Michael Chapin. Ladies, for a happy family at the start of each day, start serving breakfast the Post 10s way. It's the handy, thrifty way to let everybody choose his own favorite cereal. Post 10s brings you ten individual packages of seven famous Post Serials. Raisin Bran, 40% Brand Flakes, Post Toasties, Grape Nuts, and Grape Nuts Flakes. And Post 10s is the only assortment with two leading sweet-coated cereals. Popular new crinkles and delicious, candy-coated sugar crisp. Try this popular assortment of famous Post Serials. Get Post 10s today. Father Knows Best was transcribed in Hollywood and written by Paul West and Carl Hertzinger. This is Bill Foreman speaking. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.