 Mother, is Maxwell House really the only coffee in the world? Well, your father says so, and your father knows best. Yes, it's Father Knows Best transcribed in Hollywood starring Robert Young's father. A half hour visit with your neighbors, the Anderson's, brought to you by America's favorite coffee, Maxwell House. The coffee that's always good to the last drop. Beyond the last horizon's rim, beyond adventure's farthest quest, somewhere they rise, serene and dim, the happy, happy hills of rest. Well, rise they may, these restful hills, but there's one thing on which you can depend. They have nothing to do with Springfield or the White Frame House on Maple Street. When it comes to rest, the Anderson's live in a world apart, a world in which sanity itself sometimes hangs by a slender thread. Like this. Jim. Jim! What? What's the matter? This is the fourth and last time. Are you or are you not going to get out of bed? I don't know. What time is it? Nine o'clock. It is, huh? It certainly is. To tell you the truth, I don't feel so hot. Why, Jim, what is it? I feel kind of achy all over. Darling, if you'd only said something. How could I say anything? I was asleep. I'd better call Dr. Simmons. Leave Dr. Simmons alone. But if you don't feel well... I don't need him, Margaret. I'm coming down with a little cold and I don't need a doctor to tell me to stay in bed and keep warm. Jim. I'll do it myself and send him a bill. Jim, you're sure there's nothing really wrong with you? Of course I'm sure. Outside of feeling miserable, I feel fine. Oh, dear. Now what? The girls are coming over this afternoon to play bridge. Honey, just pretend I'm not even here and we'll all be happy. Well, how about some breakfast? No, I couldn't eat a thing. I just want to lie here and rest. But if you don't eat? Rest. All right, Jim, if you're going to be stubborn... I'm not being stubborn, but I'm the one who doesn't feel well. I won't be out of this room for two minutes before you'll think of something you want. I want to rest. Very well. I'll be downstairs if you need me. Yes, dear. Thank you very much. I want to rest, that's all. I'm not asking any special favors. I just want everybody to leave me alone. That's what I want. Margaret! Margaret! Yes, Jim? Is there any coffee? If there isn't, I can fix some. That'll be fine, honey. Just a little peace and quiet, that's all I want. Take it easy over the weekend and Monday I'll be a new man. The way I feel now, I don't even care who the new man is. Get a little rest, that's the only way to get cold. It's right here on my desk. Well, then that's where it ought to be. Well, it would be if you hadn't taken it. I didn't either take it. You certainly did. Bud. I certainly didn't. Bud! You want me, Dad? Yes, come in here, please. And don't you tell him I took it, because I didn't. Dad, I had a glass retort from my chemistry set right on my desk. And if you're going to let her take anything she feels like taking. I did not take it, Daddy. I didn't even see it. Kathy. And he has no right to say I did. Kathy. Either. Kathy. Yes, Daddy? Why aren't you in school? It's Saturday. Oh, I would have to pick Saturday. Why don't you go outside and play? It's raining. It isn't raining, it's snowing. It's raining. Kathy. It's snowing. Bud. Well, it's rainy snow. Look, both of you. Oh, no, it isn't possible. Father, look at this ad in the Herald Formals for $11.95. Betty. And last week they were over $20. It's the biggest bargain since we bought Alaska. We bought Alaska? Not personally, Kathy. It's, uh, Betty, I'm in no condition to talk about dresses. But Father, I'm going to a New Year's party, and I don't have a thing to wear, but not a thing. Well, you can go as the New Year. Father. Boy, would she make a hit. Bud. Just as well. Now look, all of you, I'm trying to get a little rest, so will you please try to be quiet? Don't you feel well, Father? I feel awful. Hey, wait a minute. Bud, Father just told you. You've got my measuring glass. Betty, if that belongs to Bud... It was on my desk, and what right has she got to go into my room and take stuff? See, you said I took it, and I didn't. Kathy, I paid for the chemistry set with my own money, and she's got no right to touch it. Bud. How did I know it was yours? It's just a silly old glass. Betty. Well, if it's so silly, why don't you leave it alone? Stop it. I didn't even touch it. I said stop it. Betty, give Bud his glass. But I'm going to wash my hair, Father, and... Give it to him. Jumping creepers. When you don't feel well, your mother and I show you every consideration. We make you comfortable, read to you, bring you your meals, and we're happy to do it. I'm not asking for anything like that. All I want you to do is leave me alone. That isn't too much, is it? Of course not, Father. Gosh, if anybody told us, we wouldn't have made a sound. I'm sure you wouldn't. Well, what's going on in here? A convention? The children were just leaving, weren't you? You bet, Dad. Come on, Kathy. Come on, where? We're leaving. But I don't want to leave. I want to stay here and ask Daddy. Here's your coffee, dear. Oh, thank you. Margaret, are all children that noisy? Darling, there are only two kinds of children. Noisy ones and sick ones. Just be thankful that ours are healthy. They don't have to be that healthy. I'll be downstairs if you want anything else. I was healthy when I was a kid, and I didn't drive my father into a nervous breakdown. He said you were worse than any of ours. Is that so? I was one of the quietest kids in Springfield. Everybody said I... Margaret? Fine thing, starts an argument and then walks away. Just like a woman. But I just finished telling you... Dad, if you'd like to borrow my radio, I can hook it up in here for you. Thank you, bud. But I'll do fine without a radio. I won't be using it, and I kind of am going down to the playroom to invent something. No, bud, but... It won't take me a second, Dad. All I have to do is plug it in. Just leave it, bud. If I want it, I'll plug it in myself. Okay, Dad. If you want anything else, just let me know. Thank you, bud. Thank you very much. That's just what I need, a radio. I don't feel bad enough. Whistle and chirp with Lizzie Glurk. Thank you, Father. Yes, I'm resting. Like a yo-yo with St. Vitus Dance. Thank you, Father. We give you a pretty bad time, don't we? No, Betty. It's just that... What are you going to do? I brought the pillows in from my room. I don't want any more pillows. I don't like a lot of pillows, Betty. Please! I was perfectly all right. There, isn't that better? Yes, it's fine. Now, just close your eyes and we'll go on a long journey. What? I'm going to read to you. Betty... I want you, Father. It's the least I can do. Betty, if you'll just... Yes, Father. Go ahead. Yes, Father. We watched her breathing through the night. Her breathing soft and low. As in her breast, the wave of life kept heaving to and fro. Our very hopes belied our fears. Our fears, our hopes belied. We thought her dying when she slept. And sleeping when she died. At last... Betty... Yes, Father? What's the name of that lovely thing? The Death Bed by Thomas Good. Isn't it beautiful? Can't you just see her wasting away? Uh... How much did you say those dresses were? 11.95. There's a $20 bill in my wallet. Go buy a dress. Oh, thank you, Father. And don't rush it. See if you can't take all day. Oh, I will, Father. You're an angel. And bring back the change. Yes, Father. Death Bed. Fine way to cheer a man up. Hello, Daddy. Kathy, what on earth? Well, that's very nice. Kathy, but I told your mother... I carried it up all by myself. But I don't want any... Kathy, look out! Mommy said it! Kathy, you... Oh, no. Kathy, when they say breakfast in bed, they don't mean you dump it in. Kathy, stop that wailing and get some of these dishes out of my lap. Orange juice and cereal and coffee. Margaret! Everyone wants to spend the day in bed. I'm going to leave town for a month. Sorry, but Jim doesn't feel very well today. Well, yes, I know Mr. Gribble, but he can't possibly come to the phone. He's resting. Father, what he wouldn't give for a little rest. Peace and quiet can mean so much to a man now and then. Just like some things can mean a lot to you ladies. For instance, it'd mean a lot, wouldn't it, to pour a cup of your coffee for the world's greatest coffee expert. And hear him say, best coffee I ever tasted. Yes, that'd really warm your heart. Because that number one expert is your husband. Of course, your grocer calls us experts, too. Our Maxwell House Coffee is America's favorite brand. But once you've brewed the coffee, the expert with the final word is that man of yours. And if you'll make his coffee Maxwell House, we're mighty sure he'll say, best coffee I ever tasted. In fact, if he doesn't, we'll give you your money back. And here's why. We know there's no coffee taste like Maxwell House, because no coffee's made like Maxwell House. In all this world, there's only one recipe for that famous good to the last drop flavor. A recipe demanding certain fine coffees blended just so. And that recipe is ours alone. So tomorrow, get yourself a pound of Maxwell House. Serve your husband a cup. If he doesn't say, best coffee ever. Why, just send us the can and unused portion, and we'll gladly refund the price you paid. Our address is right on every familiar blue tin. Tomorrow, serve coffee that'll please the world's greatest coffee expert. Serve your husband Maxwell House Coffee. Always good to the last drop. Great changes have taken place since last we saw the Anderson's. Jim isn't feeling any better, of course, and he's done mighty little resting. But there have been changes. Well, one change anyway. You see, now it's Saturday afternoon, like this. Kathy! Kathy! Can I speak to you for a minute, please? I... You can practice some other time. Okay. It hasn't been near the piano for three weeks. Now she's got to do it all in one day. Doesn't know which end of a piano is up anyway. I don't know why she keeps on taking lessons, except maybe to get even with the teacher. He's Daddy, isn't it pretty? Yes, it's, uh, beautiful. Kathy... Yes, Daddy? Why don't you, uh, go somewhere? I don't know any place to go. Uh, find your brother and help him. You send him downtown with Betty. Oh. Well, why don't you go shopping with Mommy? She isn't going shopping. She's going to play bridge in the living room. Why don't you go next door to the Davises? You can play with Patty. We don't know what to play. Well, play, uh, games. Must be dozens of games you can play. Like what? Actress. You and Patty can act out stories. I used to do it all the time when I was a little boy. You played actress? I acted out stories. Like, uh, Ichabod Crane and the headless horseman, Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates. Daddy. Yes, Kathy? If you want to get rid of me, why don't you say so? I want to get rid of you. Please. Thank you very much. Parents. If they want to get rid of you... I don't know. Sometimes I wonder if we shouldn't have gotten a puppy instead. Now what happened to the darn thing? Margaret! Where's that detective magazine I was reading? Which detective magazine? The one Hector Smith wanted to borrow. You loaned it to Hector Smith. But I wasn't through with it. Margaret! I have to answer the door. Find a bunch of friends I have. Don't even wait until you're finished with a magazine before... Margaret! Just a minute, Jim. Oh, no. She comes up here, so help me out. Kill myself. What do you want, dear? Nothing, not a thing. Make believe you never even heard of me. Jim. Hold your ass, kids. Here we go again. I hadn't the faintest idea you didn't feel well. But, my, you certainly do. I certainly do what? What? What? What do I certainly do? You look awful, and I think it's just a shame. Well, I haven't shaved today, Helen, and I... All right, come on. Let's get out of bed. Come on. What? Get out of bed. Get out of bed. How am I going to help you if you just lie there? Helen... And don't think I can, too. Did you ever meet George as Aunt Mildred? No, but if you... She was at death's door. That's what she was. At death's door. And I pulled her through. I certainly did. Helen, if you'll just go downstairs with the rest of the girls... Jim, will you please stop arguing with me. Now, go into the bathroom and stand in the tub. Stand in the tub? What for? Oh, man, they're all alike. George keeps saying the same thing. What for? What for? And what do you tell him? Well, it's perfectly simple. I have the most wonderful cold pills, but you have to take them in warm water. I've got to stand in the tub. Well, you certainly don't want to get water all over the floor, do you? Margaret! Come along, Jim. Upsie-daisy. Helen, please. You're fighting me. Helen, Margaret was speaking to you. She was? Helen. Hello, Margaret. It's nice seeing you, dear. Honey. Why, Jim? Not you, Helen. I was talking to Margaret. Well, I should hope so. Helen, Dorothy and Lucille are waiting, and if we're going to play... Hey, what's going on up there? We'll be right down, Dorothy. I'm not going to move, Margaret, but not a foot. Helen. This poor boy lying helpless and alone. Helen. Looking to us for comfort and sympathy. Helen. How can we leave him friendless? And did you say something, Jim? I just want to rest, Helen, so why don't you and... Margaret, you better come downstairs. I think Lucille's getting ready to blow a gasket. Hi, Jim. Hello, Dorothy. Helen. Won't you please... What, Jim? You got a cold? No, I feel fine. As a matter of fact... Isn't he brave, Dorothy? He wants to fight it all alone. Like a mother lion having her babies in the jungle. Margaret, where do you keep the hot water bottle? Dorothy, if you'll just forget about me. I'm sure Jim will be much happier. A turnover, Jim. What? We'll put it right in the middle of his back. Get it good and hot. And then when he can't stand the pain for another second... Dorothy, if you'll just help me get him into the bathtub. Helen. She wants me to stand up, Margaret. That's all. You wouldn't have any camp for oil, would you? We could rub that on his neck and then wrap it with... I've been giving these same pills to George for years, week after week, day after day. And those, Dorothy, will you please go down and tell Lucille? We'll be right down there. George had four colds in one weekend, but hadn't been for these pills. I don't want any pills. Of course he doesn't. Turn over, Jim. And I don't want any camp for oil. Isn't he stubborn? Turn over, Jim. Margaret, will you please ask him to leave me alone? Helen. We're only trying to help you, Jim. Get over on the other side of the bed, Helen. We'll flip him. Dorothy, please. Well, who's winning? Lucille, I'm awfully sorry. Lou, you remember how sick my Jimmy was last week? Why don't you leave the poor man alone? Oh, don't be ridiculous. Helen. I'm not being ridiculous. All he needs is plenty of hot water and lemon juice. Lemon juice? For a cold? Margaret. Girls, if you'll just... Look at this, Margaret. It says right here on the bottle. Dr. Scholl... Oh, that's the wrong bottle. My mother raised six children, and she never gave us anything but hot water and lemon juice. Well, it just happens that I was the head of the Red Cross Bandage Wrappers. And if you're going back to an old-fashioned thing like hot water and lemon juice... Oh, fashion! Margaret. I've seen some of the shirts you bought for Sam. And if that's your idea of new fashion... I had that bottle right in my purse. Well, I wouldn't exactly call your husband a fashion plate. If you'll just go downstairs. Why, he's thrown away better clothes than your husband's wearing right now. Maybe he throws them, but he doesn't throw them far. Girls, if we're going to play bridge... Bridge? I wouldn't play bridge with her if my life depended on it. It better not the way you play. Well, I'm sorry, Margaret, but I've just developed the worst headache. Well, if you're leaving on my account, you needn't bother. Girls, I'm sure we can straighten this whole thing out if you'll only listen to me for a minute. Ellen. Hello, Jim. Isn't there someplace else you'd rather go? I don't think so. Did you have anything in mind? Wouldn't you like to go home or someplace? Oh, good gracious, no. It's always so noisy over there. And here it's so peaceful and quiet. Margaret! All right, Jim, but I'll have to leave you. Margaret's calling me. That's all right, Helen. I understand. Take good care of your cold feet. I will. Goodbye, Helen. Did you call me, Jim? No, I just said goodbye. I don't know. I'm good to my children. I'm kind to animals. I help more old ladies across the street than any ten men in Springfield. Not again. Kathy! Why aren't you at Patty Davis's? Kathy, stop it! Lesson on Monday. Yeah, I wasn't going to give you a cold. Well, tell her to keep her foot off the pedal. It sounds as long as it's loud. Heavenly dress you've ever seen. Fine. Put the change on the dresser. It's blue, the dreamiest, creamiest blue. Put the change on the dresser. But borrow two dollars, but he said you could take it out of his allowance. Put the change... What? Well, they were having a sale on chemistry sale. Where is he? In the playroom. But not twice in one day. Margaret! On the second horizon's rim, beyond adventure's farthest quest, somewhere they rise, serene and dim, the happy, happy hills of rest. Weekend, is this your problem? On your grocer's shelves, so many different kinds of coffee. And how are you to choose the one brand that gives you the most in flavor for your money? Now that's something the world's greatest coffee expert can help you find. So check with your husband. He's the expert we mean. From your grocer's, bring home that famous blue tin with a big white cup and drop. Serve Maxwell House coffee to your husband. When he smiles and says, best coffee I ever tasted, you'll know Maxwell House has the most in flavor. You'll know it's your best coffee by. Start enjoying Maxwell House coffee tomorrow. And count all the truly good cups of coffee you get from each pound. I think you'll be convinced. You get more for your money with Maxwell House coffee. Always good to the last drop. It's Monday now, and in the Springfield office of the Cavalier Life and Casually Company, the manager, one James Anderson Sr., is diligently engaged with a daily grind. Leslie, what did I say, Miss Thomas? The enclosed form covers application for damages to glass and general furnishings on premises of the insured. You seem rather high. No, no. Cross that last part out. All right. The estimate must be considered to be extremely conservative, in view of the fact that damage was caused by two separate and distinct explosions. Please let me... You know how to finish it. I think so. What's next? There's a memo for Mr. Buckley. I don't know. I can't even think straight. Of course it's none of my business, but I don't think you should have come in today. No. What you ought to do is go home and spend a nice, quiet day in bed. If you have trouble getting the youngsters to eat a hot cereal these cold mornings, just tell them how hop along Cassidy goes for hot post-weetmeal. Hot post-weetmeal has such a wonderful nut-like flavor, and it's chuck full of solid, whole wheat nourishment, the kind that Hoppy goes for and your youngsters need. Hot post-weetmeal cooks in just three and a half minutes. And be sure to tell the kids it's Hoppy's favorite hot cereal. Hot post-weetmeal. You'll see. You'll agree. It's the best hot cereal you ever ate. Join us again next week when we'll be back with Father Knows Best, starring Robert Young as Jim Anderson, with Roy Barkey in the Maxwell House Orchestra, and yours truly, Bill Foreman. So until next Thursday, good night and good luck from the makers of Maxwell House, America's favorite brand of coffee. Always good to the last drop. Father Knows Best was transcribed in Hollywood and written by Ed James. Now stay tuned in for Dragnet, which follows immediately over most of these stations. Exciting Dragnet is next. Three times mean good times on NBC.