 In a moment you'll hear Robert Young starring in Father Knows Best, but first this listening reminder Tomorrow evening on most NBC radio stations listen to the great comedy shows presented by Phil Harris and Alice Faye and by Bob Hope there's my element fun on the fast-paced Bob Hope show when tomorrow night He trades gags and songs with guest star Bob Crosby Of course less brown and his band of renown will be on hand to furnish the musical backing and you'll be pleasantly entertained by all Concerned so make it a date to hear the Bob Hope show tomorrow evening And then stay tuned for Phil Harris and Alice Faye and another half hour of mirth and music Friday's fun day on NBC radio And now it's Father Knows Best on NBC Now listen to Father Knows Best transcribe starring Robert Young as father Another half hour visit with the folks in the White Frame house on Maple Street sit back and enjoy life with the Anderson Kathy Bud Betty Margaret and Jim has the head of this typical American household again sets out to prove that father knows best Not too many years ago an ingenious inventor by the name of Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone This is an instrument which makes it possible for two people to talk to each other even though they may be some distance apart It's done with wires Now the telephone turned out to be a pretty popular gadget In fact so many people acquired telephones that there just wasn't wire enough to give everyone a private line So some people have party lines in the town of Springfield the Anderson's have just been placed on a party line And it's creating considerable interest like this Bud what are you doing? I'm listening you ought to hear this conversation Bud Anderson put down that telephone What's the matter you're not supposed to listen to other people's conversations why not they didn't know I was listening Margaret I'm home. We're in the den dear. Oh, hello, honey. Hello, dear. How was your day? Fine? Oh, hello, bud. What are you doing? Just standing here This been a real good day Margaret remember Don Sheridan his wife's the big wheel in the social set Yes, I had a note for Mrs. Sheridan today. Yeah Well, I met him today and he mentioned that his wife wanted you to join some exclusive club that she runs or something That's what she said in the note. I couldn't believe it nice people to know if things go right I just might get the insurance on that automobile agency of his a big fat account Well, there's a saying in town if you're in with the Sheridan's you're in period I think I'll call Pauline Chambers and tell her about that note from Mrs. Sheridan. She knows her quite well Oh Those people are still talking. What's the matter somebody on our line? Yes The phone company called this morning and said we'd have to be on a party line temporarily till I get some new equipment or something. I Wonder who they are Who you're talking about? I was just wondering who the people are on our line. Well, it doesn't matter Maybe it's a good thing to have somebody else on the line give us a little rest around here In fact the way the kids use this telephone those people whoever they are will be lucky if they get a chance to call the operator This chair feels good That's it I'm a little concerned About what? Well, it seems the new people have been on the line every time I picked up the phone today. Just coincidence I hope we don't have any trouble with them Did you see this little story here on the first page? I haven't looked at the paper story about a couple who got married down in Texas the other day That's so unusual about a couple getting married in Texas. I imagine it happens every day Yeah, but get this the groom was 90 years old and the bride was 87. Oh They're taking a honeymoon trip to Florida on a tandem bicycle. Oh, that's interesting. What does it prove dear? I don't know. I guess it shows that people as they grow older nowadays or younger than they used to be Yes, I suppose so. Well, it's true. Look at us for instance. I don't want to go to Florida on a bicycle What I mean on he is that 40 or 50 years ago people our age considered themselves middle-aged What are you leading up to? Well, it kind of an interesting thing happened today. I was downtown You've seen my red shoes. I can't oh, excuse me father. Go ahead princess. No, you were talking and I interrupted What were you saying? Oh, I was just telling your mother that sort of an interesting thing happened downtown today It's one of those things. That's kind of hard to explain. What happened. Why is it hard to explain? Well, it's odd. I Was in the car driving along and this other car pulled up and sort of drove alongside of me I thought at first it was some friend of ours somebody I knew Then I looked over to see who it was and I didn't recognize her her a woman Yeah, and a quite young and attractive woman and she kept looking over at me and smiling. Oh, no What do you mean? Oh, no An attractive girl smiled at your father Betty now don't spoil it let him live a little After all it's not Impossible I Didn't say it was impossible. It just seems I mean Well Why? Princess I didn't ask her why and I only mentioned it because it seemed kind of interesting and Unusual she probably thought you were someone she knew a friend of her father's maybe Possibly but it seems so odd she could see very plainly. We weren't more than 10 feet apart No, I can understand it dear. You're just young-looking and handsome and irresistible. Oh now, honey I didn't say that you're being silly mother At father's age now just a minute. Let's leave my age out of this On the other hand though it follows what follows our psychology prof was saying yes Today how you can always tell when a man has reached middle-aged he begins to think young girls are smiling at him Why bet he princess the only reason I mentioned the incident was because by the way mother I'm having dinner over at Janie Liggett's if it's all right. I don't mind if Mrs. Liggett invited you Yes, I'd better call and tell Janie. It's okay That's funny. Is there somebody on our line? Oh, no, they're not still talking They're not talking but the receiver must be off the hook. I can hear a conversation like in a room Well hang up Betty. Don't listen. I wasn't listening. Oh Don't be grumpy father. Just because I told you what I psychology that has nothing to do with it I was gonna stay over at Patty Davis's but I didn't I came home. What happened? Oh Patty's father thinks he's so cute Always dancing around and acting silly. I like my daddy a lot better Well, thank goodness. I have someone on my side. Oh Father don't be so touchy. I like you a lot better daddy. Thank you kitten You're a nice old daddy Now wait just that was the wrong thing to say shrimp boat. You're in trouble now princess. Do you mind? I didn't say anything Betty. You'd better come out in the kitchen with me Well, I'll explain it to you All I said was that the point is Betty that your father has reached the age where he's not really old at all But he needs to have someone as sure in that he isn't Well, I'm going over to Janie's. We'll probably go to the library Call us if you want us to pick you up. I will this family trying to keep everyone happy Dear, are you still in the den? Yes, I'm still here. Where'd Kathy go? I don't know She gave her nice old daddy a pat on his nice old head and disappeared Oh Jim stop being silly, you know the children say things they don't mean it They don't even think I don't know you know the old saying about truth from the mouths of babes. Oh fiddle Wasn't gonna say this but I'm positive that mr.. And mrs. Sheridan are inviting us into their crowd just because of you Oh, undoubtedly probably think I'll make a peachy chaperone. Hey dad. What is it bud? What goes with our phone? I've been trying to get Joe for an hour. There's always somebody on a yacking away. Oh dear Who can they be talking to? Yackety yackety yackety. Well, they can't talk forever. Just wait till they hang up I've been waiting and I have calls to make I want to call Pauline and ask her about mrs. Sheridan How to approach her and all I I'll admit I'm a little nervous nervous. Why well, I've never met the Sheridan's We want to make a good impression. Don't worry. We will I know she's been around asking questions about us People have told me how relax Margaret. She'll find out soon enough what kind of people we are I just got to get hold of Joe. Why don't you go over there? No, I told him I'd call him I can't use the phone somebody on their Gavin away. They won't quit. Have you tried the phone here in the breakfast room? It's the same one as in the den. This is just an extension. Are they still talking? Yeah, they're still having women always talking. Why don't you tell them to hang up? No, they wouldn't you know the whole trouble They're on the same line. We're on let's get them off Yeah, how I don't know Maybe we could scare them off how Well, what if they thought we were a bunch of gangsters or something real tough? Yeah Look, I'll put the phone here on the table so they can hear us talking Well kid, I guess the old man did all right when he knocked over the bank last night Yeah, pops a real good burglar. Hey, they stopped talking. They're listening God, he said I could go with him on his next job. It isn't gonna be much. We're gonna hijack a beer truck. Oh Goodie now we can have beer I got oil up my get pop says we may have to plug a couple of guys Hey, it worked. They hung up boy. You're pretty smart, bud. I wonder who they are I don't know one name. It kind of seems like I heard somewhere Mrs. Sheridan Didn't we? Why we sure did To a father knows best in just a moment There's wonderful radio entertainment all day long when you keep your dial tuned to this same NBC station You'll enjoy such fun-packed programs as the Bob Hope daytime show Tommy Bartlett's welcome travelers Jay Stewart with it pays to be married and a host of others So be sure to keep your dial set to the NBC radio network You'll hear your favorite daytime dramas on NBC to such perennial favorites as the Road of Life Pepper Young's family the right to happiness backstage wife Stella Dallas the woman in my house and young Witte Brown All of these well-liked daytime programs are yours for the listening every weekday Monday through Friday on the NBC radio network Remember what we said about looking into the future It just can't be done and with conditions shaping up as they are in the white frame house on Maple Street Maybe it's a good thing It's bad enough to know what's happened already what with bud and Kathy trying to discourage the people on the Anderson's party line No, we won't even think about what might happen next Let's just go back to Margaret and Jim in the den happily unaware of what transpired in the breakfast room a few moments ago You know you're right dear. Hmm right about what I shouldn't worry about what kind of an impression We'll make on Mrs. Sheridan. Of course not. We're a perfectly respectable family That's what I told you I think I'll call Pauline anyway Well wonder of wonders the people on our line have hung up. I told you they would you just have to be patient That's all it's just that I've heard that Mrs. Sheridan is so well strict and proper about everything Hello Pauline This is Margaret fine Say I have some news. I received an Pauline Something's just come up. I'll call you back in a few minutes. Bye Well now what Jim I distinctly heard a receiver being picked up those people on our line were listening in honey You're letting your imagination run away with you. Why would anyone want to listen? I don't know but I heard them lift the receiver Jim there must be some way of finding out who those people are there is ask them Oh, you can't do that. I don't see why not hey mom You should have heard it heard what Kathy and I fix those people on our line. I bet they won't bother us anymore What have you been doing? We scared them out They were gabbing away, so I left the phone off the hook and Kathy and I talked real loud so they could hear us Oh, bud after they heard us. I'll bet they'll never use the phone again. They might even leave town I don't understand it was a slick idea we pretended like dad was a gangster what? Sure scare them. We said a lot of stuff about how you robbed a bank and you and I were gonna hijack a beer truck But you didn't What's wrong with it? You want them to quit hogging the line, don't you? Yes, but now you should have heard him boy. Did they hang up the phone quick? They didn't want to take any chances with tough characters like us But you shouldn't have done that. We don't know who those people are Well, you don't have to worry. They're nobody. We know somebody named Mrs. Sheridan. Well, it doesn't make it Sheridan oh that does it bud. Are you sure? Well, I heard one woman call the other one Mrs. Sheridan Why is it somebody you know somebody? I know but she's she's all this is the end the absolute end Why but Anderson you stood right here in this den when I was talking about Mrs. Sheridan Maybe that's where I heard the name. Oh No, that explains why she was listening in on my conversation After what she heard before. Oh, what am I gonna do Jim? What am I going to do? Just calm down, honey? Don't do anything. I didn't know who she was But you stood right on that very spot and heard me. I wasn't listening Margaret Please now be reasonable You know as well as I do that Mrs. Sheridan a grown-up intelligent woman is not going to be taken into By a couple of kids playing gangsters. No, you're right. She wouldn't She'd know it was just the children acting silly. She'd overheard adults talking that would be different Hello Well, you must have the wrong party Jim who is it? Some girl today when you drive your car alongside mine, and I smile at you and you smile at me That this is the moment I live for I didn't dream of you every night ever since I first see you me I mean well, how do you hang up hang up? My wife says to hang up. I Don't know how you found me, but I'm not the one Jim hang up. I'm sorry miss No, I can hang up Goodbye miss Must be good by my love Goodbye Jim what in the world? How do you like that? That woman I told you about the one that smiled at me this morning Must have found the number somehow. What did she want? Me I guess Jim I just know Mrs. Sheridan was listening in on the line. What did the woman say? Oh my gosh What did she say? Well, she said she dreamed of me every night Called me her doll, baby Well, that's all I can imagine what sort of people Mrs. Sheridan thinks we are by now. Why didn't you explain to her? To Mimi That surely wasn't her name Mimi honey, I didn't have anything to do with this. I can't help it if women tracked me down Jim well, we're finished. That's all this will be all over town. You know how people talk now honey. It's easily explained how Well, this girl just called me up. That's all What could I do? It can't be explained, but you believe me. Don't you honey? She drove her car alongside mine. Can I help it if she? Well you and your fatal fascination. It's not my fault. I can't help it I'll get it. I'd better answer it if this is Mimi. Hello Hello, Mrs. Sheridan Yes, yes, I received your note Yes, I'll be at home. Oh I'd I'd be delighted to see you. All right. Goodbye Well, Mrs. Sheridan she's coming right over Why don't we just gather up the children and leave? Well, what did she say? She has something to speak to me about and it's quite important. I know she heard everything first bud Now you and Mimi I can't face her. That's all I just won't be here Now wait a minute Margaret if she wants to jump at conclusions let her jump We've done nothing wrong. This whole thing is We're in here Betty. I decided not to go to the library after all so I What's the matter? The roof has just fallen in Well, what do you mean? You'd better start packing your things Betty before this is over. We'll probably have to leave town I don't get it. Well princess. It seems your Doddering old father has charmed a certain unknown French lady named Mimi right out of her socks Father you're kidding. He didn't do it intentionally that we know but it's been done This this Mimi called up here the one who smiled at him in the car this morning She didn't yes, she did How she tracked me down. I'll never understand but you know how some women are Don't look so proud of yourself Well, let's face it honey. It isn't every day a man my age turns out to be quite so devastating. Oh Fiddle well if you're so devastating Maybe you'd like to explain how all this happened to Mrs. Sheridan sure I'll explain to her no you won't There's a car stopping out in front there. She is What am I going to say to her? I don't think it's important. I'm much more interested in father in this sudden charm Betty stop it. He's completely unmanageable now Oh Here she is. I suppose there's nothing to do but go and face it. I'll talk to her if you want honey never mind Mrs. Addison yes, I'm Mrs. Sheridan. Won't you come in? Thank you You must think a little odd my calling you and coming over this way, but there's something I feel remiss discuss Yes, I think I understand Won't you come into the living room? Thank you I believe I know why you're here, Mrs. Sheridan. Yes, I thought you would know Well, I suppose it isn't necessary to explain that we somehow came to share the same telephone line No, it isn't necessary to explain But please believe me what you heard it. Well, I'm terribly embarrassed. Did you hear everything that I heard? I either heard it or heard about it But how much did Mr. Anderson get when he knocked over the bank Mrs. Sheridan interesting work hijacking beer trucks Please you know how children are you know that was all made up. Oh, I sort of guessed it was I have children of my own, you know Thank goodness, but Mrs. Anderson or may I call you Margaret? Oh, please do Your husband and I'll admit I listened on the party line Your husband and me me There's something you should know I know all about it, Mrs. Sheridan believe me. It's nothing. That's what you think There's something about me me that you don't know excuse me, Mrs. Sheridan. I'm Mr. Anderson. Well doll, baby It's silly absolutely silly. I I don't know this girl this me me. She's a perfect stranger Oh, no, she isn't she isn't he knows her very well But Who is she? Your daughter Betty No, Betty you see after you hung up Jim I who had been listening to the whole thing talked to me me When she learned who I was she explained what she had done and why Why that? Rascal, so I knew I had to come over here right away because I knew how you must be feeling Margaret. Oh, thank you so much Oh, it's the funniest thing I've ever heard me me Well, that's all I wanted to tell you Margaret. I'll see you at the club meeting Goodbye, Mr. Anderson. It's been a pleasure meeting you doll, baby It's been a pleasure meeting you I think oh by the way We're getting our private phone lines back tomorrow. Goodbye. Goodbye Well, my irresistible charmer. Where is that girl? Betty Betty Anderson's will be back in just a moment Every weekday evening you'll enjoy a visit with one of America's most famous couples Fiber McGee and Molly now every evening Monday through Friday The NBC radio network brings you an amusing adventure at 79 Wispel Vista with Marion and Jim Jordan Portraying their ever-famous roles of Fiber and Molly you'll chuckle with delight at the wonderful situations in which Fiber becomes embroiled Yes, it's truly entertaining listening from beginning to end five nights a week right here on the NBC radio network Make it a date to hear Fiber McGee and Molly every night You'll be glad you did and remember to keep abreast of the latest news of the world Be sure to listen to Morgan Beatty's news reports weekday evenings on NBC radio Well, it's hard to believe but the Anderson's came through the day with no damages outside of Jim's slightly wounded pride He's nursing that injury right now as he sits in the living room with Margaret still trying to explain Well things like that do happen, honey. Oh, Jim. All right, I remember Fred Hathaway some girl called him up He didn't know who she was Turned out he'd given her his seat on a bus two years before a Likely story besides. I'm not the world's ugliest man second ugliest maybe but not the ugliest I Know dear by the way, where's Betty? Oh, she went out somewhere The point I'm trying to make Margaret is that it's not impossible that some young lady might just might find me attractive Sure, sure Probably for me. I'll get it Hello who? Yes, he's here It's for you dear me. Who is it some southern girl named Laura Says she does hi has to talk to you. Oh, what do you know? When you finish dear tell Betty if she's near the grocery to bring home some potatoes Join us again next week when we'll be back with father knows best starring Robert young as Jim Anderson father knows best as an NBC radio network Production in cooperation with Cavalier Enterprises in our cast for Rhoda Williams is Betty gene Vanderpile Ted Donaldson Helen Strome and Virginia Gray father knows best based on characters created by Ed James is written by Paul West and Roswell Rogers directed by Arthur Jacobson and transcribed as Hollywood. This is Bill Foreman speaking Tonight play truth or consequences on the NBC radio network