 Mother is Maxwell house the best coffee in the whole world? Well your father says so and your father knows best Yes, it's father knows best transcribed in Hollywood starring Robert Young as father a half-hour visit with your neighbors the Andersons brought to you by Maxwell house the coffee that's bought and enjoyed by more people than any other brand of coffee at any Price Maxwell house always good to the last drop This is the time of year I think when most people become restless the weather's bad summer vacations are a long way off It's one of those times when you wish you could just get away from it all for a while Spend a weekend in the country and relax Well before you get any such ideas Let's stop off in Springfield at the white frame house on Maple Street and see how the Andersons were affected one fine Friday by a notion just like that like this Mother if you don't only speak to father about it. I'm sorry Betty, but I don't think it's a good idea Gee whiz all right Kathy stop playing with your cereal and drink your milk Well, it isn't as though we wanted something stupendous Creepers Janie Liggett's father takes them all the time I know dear but the Liggetts have more money than we do Joe Phillips fathers and any richer than we are and they've been away twice Everybody can have fun But us all we ever do is stay home and drink milk Well, of course, there's another way of doing it if it's so terribly important why don't you ask your father? You mean me I Mean all of you. All I can do is say no mother's absolutely right as soon as father comes down We'll have but ask him. Oh good Why do I have to ask him? It was your idea That's right leave all the dirty work to me. You always do anyway. I bet he but doesn't want to do it He never wants to do anything. Is that so? Yes, that's so I do more around here than you and Kathy put together You do not I do too Good morning everybody Who carries the garbage out I do who takes care of the ashes I do good morning bud I work harder than any kid in this neighborhood and you know it bud when there's grass. I have to cut it Leaves I have to rake them sidewalks. I have to sweep them bud every time It's nose gets handed a shovel me every time someone has to go to the store who gets called me, but any time there's Any time that this is bud Yes, dad. Good morning Good morning dad That's better Now as soon as your mother hands me my coffee. There you are dear Thank you. You may tell me the reason for that impassioned recitation of sterling if highly questionable accomplishment huh What's the beef bud? Well Betty said that I ought to ask you and I just said I wouldn't in a few million well-chosen words Well gosh, why should I it was her idea in the first place what was what we were talking about What were you talking about Betty's idea? Let's start all over again from the beginning good morning, bud Good morning beautiful day. Isn't it Jim dear just a moment Morgan. I'm trying to sneak up on this thing What thing dear Margaret, please one at a time? All right, bud Betty had an idea and you don't see why you should because when it snows you have to run errands with a shovel Then what is that what I said? Thank you father yes, Betty father we were thinking that is we all thought Well, what I mean is it'd be just as good for you it would oh, of course And you'd probably have a much better time than anybody where what? Where would I have this wonderful time? Where we were talking about I see good morning, bud Morning dad beautiful day isn't it? Margaret if you'll just have a little patience, please. I got a lot closer that time Well gee whiz if somebody doesn't ask him I'll be late for school Would it ease the situation if I said no without anybody asking me Well, I was just trying to help Here you are dear nice hot cereal smells wonderful cream and sugar, bud, please okay, dad. Thank you father daddy Dan yes, we were just wondering do you supposed to be all right just this one if we all went away the mountain for the weekend Is that the question yes no Hmm tastes good to see where you see kids It wasn't hard at all was it all you have to do speak right up, but you said no that's right Holy cow Joe Phillips didn't even want to go to the mountains and his father took him Good the ligates go practically every weekend, and they have a wonderful time fine Everybody goes except us. We don't ever get to go any place. You know, it's a funny thing We've got a comfortable home warm clean practically bulging with modern conveniences, but is anybody satisfied? No, you'd rather spend the weekend shivering in some flea trap in the woods But father it's fine sure why this sudden passion for the mountains What's the matter with Springfield? Oh gosh? We want to get out in the snow. What do you think that is in the backyard confetti? We Mean lots of snow father millions of bushels of snow, okay, I'll talk to Ed Davis and see if we can borrow some of theirs Father I've got a brand new ski suit, and I've never even worn it and what good are my skates And what good is a sled without hills, and they don't have any big hills in Springfield They keep all the hills in the mountains Look kids, you don't think I like to say no. Who do you it's just that? Well, we can't afford it. It doesn't cost very much father really it doesn't Betty knows a place near Crestland We can rent a cabin for practically nothing, and it doesn't even have water in it. So look at the money Will you explain to them it's right on the edge of a lake father, and and you can even rent an ice boat and the hills are 300 miles long. Why is it that I always have to be the villain? Everybody seems to think I stay awake nights trying to figure out ways to make my family miserable Oh, you know we don't Jim. It's just that this would be so much fun for the children, but it wouldn't Margaret That's what I'm trying to tell you. I know those little cabins you can get for practically nothing They're one-room shanties with no improvements except built-in pneumonia But Joe Phillips told Joe Phillips was sick for a week after their last trip, wasn't they well sure and his father was flat On his back for two weeks. I know dad, but nothing happened to Mrs. Phillips How can you tell Helen Phillips could have a galloping case of sleeping sickness and nobody'd ever know the difference Well, I'm just trying to explain Jamie Liggett's family goes to a place Betty. Yes, father. We are not the ligates. I know father Nobody can afford to do what the ligates do But father and that includes the ligates Father if you'll only let me tell you tell me what we don't mind roughing it for a few days Do we heck? No gosh, it'd be worth getting pneumonia Kathy. Well, wouldn't it? It may be that I very old-fashioned ideas But I believe that a father has certain obligations to his family and keeping them alive happens to be one Now let's not talk about it anymore I'll be 50 years old before I get a chance to use my slag Fine, you can take your grandchildren for a ride Daddy you're silly I am huh sure they'll have their own slag Margaret wait till you hear what happened. Where are the kids? Well, come on down. We're going to the mountains Most amazing thing you ever heard What happened once in a million years Everybody take it easy father what happened well, mr. Gribble came into my office this afternoon and we We were discussing families and children and first thing you know, I told him how I was letting mine down Jim dear you aren't really well. I'm not now mr. Gribble says we can use his hunting lodge A hunting lodge, holy cow. Wait till I tell Janey Lidgett Well, Jim, I thought you didn't want to go to the mountain Margaret I didn't want to go to one of those shacks the kids were talking about but Gribble's hunting lodge Well, that's a different story. You can just imagine what kind of a place he has. Oh father You're wonderful. You're just the most wonderful father anybody ever had and how well don't just stand there go on upstairs and pack Jim you don't mean now Of course, I mean now if we want to get there before dark we've got to leave 10 minutes ago Takes over two hours to get there, but I can't go now father. I have a date tonight and tomorrow night so have I Well, if this isn't You said you wanted to go to the mountains didn't you sure but we didn't mean today Holy cow Jim we can't possibly go on such short notice where our clothes aren't ready and then we have to buy food Gribble said the place was loaded with food And what kind of clothes do you need shove a couple of sweaters in a suitcase and you're all set What'll I tell Billy Smith and Dick Andrews? What'll I tell Joe Phillips? I don't care what you tell them I told mr. Gribble. We'd be happy to use his hunting lodge and we're going to use it I thought you wanted to use your sled Oh, that's right Father you don't even like the mountain. I love the mouth You said it wasn't any fun. I'm starting to have fun right now. See But you said we'd all get pneumonia I don't care if we all get double pneumonia You said you wanted to go to the mountains and you're going to the mountains if I have to drag you Well, let's start packing after all I know father knows best Like it or not the family is going to take that trip to the mountains We'll see how they fare in just a moment But right now ladies with all coffee prices high these days. It really pays to remember Maxwell house is true economy Yes, and here's how one lady found that out when coffee prices went up She started shopping around thinking she could find a cheaper coffee that would do but when she brought one home Her husband turned thumbs down too weak. He said so she put a lot more in the pot But still her husband wouldn't drink it up. It may be strong now. He told her but the flavors all wrong This coffee just doesn't have what it takes and Meal after meal leftover coffee went to waste Then she realized Maxwell house is true economy Sure, it is because you get so many more truly good cups of coffee from every pound Discover the wonderful difference that vacuum packing means the extra freshness and clear rich taste See how much more your husband and you enjoy that wonderful flavor So good to the last drop you drink every drop you'll say Maxwell house is true economy So get your money's worth and more remember in your cup on your table Maxwell house is true economy always good To the last drop Well a few peaceful hours have gone by and on the edge of a quiet mountain road white with new fallen snow We find the anderson's the air is crisp and clear and because of the altitude just a trifle thin Maybe that's why poor Jim is puffing just a little or perhaps. There's another reason like this Okay, bud when I give you the word give it the gas Okay, dad. Are you ready? You bet? Well, let's go Okay, but that's enough I said that's enough turn it off. Okay Hey No good country roads Always getting stuck didn't work on dad. No, it didn't work now. We're good and stuck Well, father, I told you we were going off the road. You told me everybody's always telling me Look at the tree. Look at the sky. Look. Look. Look. How do you expect me to see anything? We aren't off the road. We're still on the road. We're halfway through the road Oh dear, maybe we ought to go back home Margaret. How are we going to go anywhere? We're stuck. Well, I mean after we get out Let's worry about it when we get out if we get out Now let's not start that again catty Jim I told you we should have brought some food. Well, how did I know we were going to get stuck? We should have been there an hour ago But you want me dad? No, I just want to hear your name It's such a beautiful name so warm and friendly Holy cow now, what did I do? Nothing come on out here and help me push. Okay The chains won't take on that. I don't know what it is. It doesn't seem to be the snow so much I think we got into some kind of a hole Dog on thing looks like the Grand Canyon Betty Slide over and back of the wheel Just a minute Kathy put it in load when I give you the signal let the clutch out fast. Do you understand? There's nothing so complicated about it What is it Kathy? Well, good for us. Maybe now we'll get out of here Hello there. I said hello. We're stuck in the snow Have a little trouble Yes, we're stuck in the snow. No Sure looked like you had trouble We are we're stuck. Hey, I said we're stuck. Can you pull us out with your tractor actors, huh? I didn't say we were actors. We want you to pull us out of the snow Putting on a show, huh? I said turn the motor off. You seen young fella. I said we're stuck in the snow Well, you don't have to shout. I ain't deep We'd appreciate it very much if you'd pull us out. Oh stuck in the snow, huh? Yes, we certainly are Well, won't be much of a job Where are you putting on the show? I Told you before we're not actors. No, no Then what are you doing putting on a show? Putting on a show. I never even mentioned the show. I said we were stuck in the snow. Oh No, I thought you said show No Well, don't make much difference never go anyway Here grab on to this tow rope. All right. Want me to hook it up dad? Yeah, go ahead, bud I'll wrap it around the bumper a couple of times better hook it onto the frame, bud. Okay. I sure could have sworn you said you was actors No, we're just up here for the weekend The friend of ours is letting us use his hunting lodge. Maybe you know him JP. Gribble Gribble No, can't say to do what he looked like. Well, he's rather large as a very deep voice about 50 years old very dignified Hey, you mean the fellow it comes up from Springfield fatso Yes, he lives in Springfield Well, you ain't gonna get the fatso's place this way. I'm not no sir. You're heading down to the lake. Oh Yes, you took the wrong turn back at the corners. I see is it very far from here. No Won't take you more than 20 or 30 minutes I'll show you a special shortcut save you three or four miles anyway Hi, dude, son. I think I've just about got it. Okay. I'm out from under there Hurry up, bud. You've been very kind and I want you to know we appreciate it Oh shucks ain't hardly nothing What are people for if not to help one another if you can't be neighborly? I always say you might just as well go some place and lay down That's all I'm doing being neighborly. Well, it isn't everybody who would go to all this trouble for complete strangers Okay, son. Well, I'll have you yanked out of there in no time. Thank you. You'll never know how grateful we are Oh, that's okay. Would you like to give me the money now? We What well tainted I don't trust you but these here tractors don't go very fast a couple of fellas got away He's slick as a whistle. Oh Worked very neighborly. Uh, not so as you could notice it Well, hand up the $15 and we'll get going $15 Hi ain't it Why it's outrageous. Yeah, I know But don't forget I got a split with a fella what dug the hole Are you stopping Jim? Oh, it's no sense going any further. I can't even see the road Boy it sure snowing Father, I told you we were on the wrong road. We are not on the wrong road He said turn left after the small bridge and then right at the fork, but he said two miles and you went almost five Well, I have a very silly habit when I make a turn. I like it to be on a road But would you rather go floating around in somebody's cornfield? Oh, Jim, please don't get upset. I'm not getting upset But we're not lost. Well, where are we? How do I know? Stop asking silly questions dad what do you see something out there? Where over there in back of those trees father, it's a house I don't see any Oh, that's no house. It looks more like a cattle shelter. Well, it's better than being cooped up in the car. My legs are paralyzed I'm hungry Jim we've got to do something we can't sit here all night. Maybe someone lives here dad They might know where mr. Gribble's place is. All right, let's go ask him Boy that wind's cold. Well, don't just stand there. Let's go Jim wait a minute bud margaret. There's no need for you to come along If you don't mind dear we'd rather margaret. I'm perfectly capable of asking Oh, you mean they might have some food Right now if I had to choose between a mink coat and a cup of coffee, I'd be reaching for the cream and sugar Well, come on Kathy. I'll carry you Thank you daddy Let's go bud When I think of where I could be right now Betty sitting in a nice warm movie eating nice hot popcorn Betty this whole thing was your idea My idea and if I hear so much as one word of complaint out of you. So help me. I'll Paddle you bull-egg it father That's telling her daddy that goes for you too She will I wanted to stay home. We're too warm and comfortable. No, we've got to be like the ligates and the phillips Got to go to the mountains for the weekend Look at this place the worst-looking dump. I've ever seen The door's locked Well, don't you think you ought to knock first? There's nobody inside dad. I looked through the window Oh dear now, what are we going to do bud? You've got heavy shoes on see if you can kick the lock off the door Oh jim. Do you think it's all right margaret? Go ahead bud. Okay dad. Don't kick it too hard. You might shove the whole building over Gosh that was easy. Don't feel too excited about it samson A large termite could have done the same thing Well, let's go on in. Oh, I'm scared. There's nothing to be afraid of Kathy go on in Oh Jim isn't this place awful? Well, this is what they wanted a weekend in the mountains Aren't there any lights? No And the bath is probably the first door on the left and 300 yards straight ahead Dad here's a candle. Well light it. Okay What's the matter where up in the wall? Kathy It's just a trophy Kathy probably shot by whoever owns this horrible joint See there's a plaque under it. Oh, I don't like it. Let me have the candle bud. There you are dad Oh, look Kathy. There's nothing to it. See it says black bear 840 pounds Oh, no Jim, what is it? December 1st 1938 jp. Gribble So that's mr. Gribble's hunting lodge Looks like the family's got to make the best of a very poor bargain and that brings up a mighty important point Ladies when you buy coffee remember Maxwell house is true economy Sure Maxwell house is true economy Of course, you can find cheaper coffees if the price tag is all you consider But just consider this Is there any economy when you have to use lots more coffee to make it strong enough yet even then you can't get the flavor you want Is there any economy when the flavor is so lacking your family leaves coffee unfinished in the cup? Figure it out. You'll say Maxwell house is true economy So many more cups of wonderfully good coffee in every pound so rich and extra flavorful So good to the last drop you always want more Yes, there's good reason why more people drink Maxwell house than any other brand at any price Maxwell house is true economy So tomorrow get your money's worth and more get Maxwell house Always good to the last drop The horrible night is over at last now. It's saturday morning The storm has passed the sun is shining and the entire world seems brighter and far more cheerful To most people that is good morning. Good morning, dear. Did you sleep well like a top? I'm still spinning Oh my back I'll never get it straightened out Where are the kids? They're outside in the snow. Oh, they're having a wonderful time See you can see them through the window. I can see them through the wall Margaret have you ever seen any place worse than this in your life? No, dear. I haven't hunting lodge Just wait till I see that guy grippled. Oh, he meant well, dear He should have heard the build-up. He gave it to Secluded restful the most beautiful view in the country. Well, there is a nice view Jim. Sure, especially through the roof. Look at it Well, you'll feel better after a nice hot breakfast. Oh, you found the food, huh? Uh-huh a whole closet full good I haven't eaten since noon yesterday. Well, what would you like some nice hot beans? Margaret? Don't be ridiculous. I'll have eight dozen eggs and about 40 sausages. No sausages, dear. How about some nice hot beans? Oh, thank you. I'll just have eggs. No eggs, dear. How about some nice hot beans? Margaret, I don't like beans. Why can't I? Margaret yes, dear You mean yes, dear a whole big closet full of beans No trouble no brown to the very last you know what Yes, instant Maxwell house means great coffee instantly in your cup Here's real instant coffee all pure Maxwell house coffee in instant form enjoy instant Maxwell house Instantly good to the very last you know what Join us again next week when we'll be back with father knows best starring robert young is jim anderson With roi bargy and the Maxwell house orchestra and yours truly bill form Don't forget membership cards for the robert young good drivers club are waiting for you at your local NBC station Get a man-to-man or dad-to-daughter pledge and sign up today Be a good driver get your membership card in the robert young good drivers club today Now 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 screengill theater, which follows immediately over most of these stations Next barbara stanwick and robert taylor in double indemnity on mbc