FATHER KNOWS BEST: BETTY HATES CARTER (TV)

Summary

The first of two programs on this asset.

One in this comedy series about the Anderson family -- Jim and Margaret and their children Betty, Bud, and Kathy.

An old friend of Jim’s is in town for an insurance salesman’s convention, and Jim has set Betty up on a blind date with his son Carter. Betty is furious at her father’s presumptuousness and immediately decides to resist any attempts to set her up with Carter. Carter comes over for dinner that night and, despite Betty’s protests that he could be “homely,” turns out to be very tall and handsome. He and Betty sit down and she explains to him how she doesn’t want to go on a date with him simply from her father’s recommendation. Carter understands and leaves, both willfully ignoring the obvious attraction between the two of them.

Carter returns the next day to retrieve a letter he accidentally left in the Anderson house. When Betty enters they sit down for a long conversation, despite having (in their words) “nothing in common.” Jim returns to find they have been talking for the past two hours. To make a point about “free choice,” Betty sets Carter up on a date with her friend Janie.

When Carter visits again, Jim sees him and Betty engrossed in each other. On the night of the date, Janie comes to visit Betty and is convinced that she is merely using her to get rid of Carter. Betty gets Janie to leave and gets emotional. She lashes out at Jim for what she perceives is his fault. Jim talks to Janie about the situation; she realizes that Betty and Carter are crazy about each other and says she’ll resolve it. Carter arrives at the Anderson house; Janie told him she’s sick, thus leaving him available. Finally giving in, Betty agrees to go on the date with him. Commercials deleted.

This asset also includes "Father Knows Best: Bud the Executive" (For summary and credits, see ACCNUM 105869.)

Details

• NETWORK: NBC
• DATE: December 28, 1955 8:30 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:51:15
• COLOR/B&W: B&W
• CATALOG ID: B:03623
• GENRE: Comedy
• SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
• SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1954-1955 / 1958-1960; NBC - 1955-1958
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Eugene B. Rodney … Producer
• William D. Russell … Director
• Roswell Rogers … Writer
• Ed James … Based on characters created by
• Robert Young … Cast, Jim Anderson
• Jane Wyatt … Cast, Margaret Anderson
• Elinor Donahue … Cast, Betty "Princess" Anderson
• Billy Gray … Cast, James "Bud" Anderson Jr.
• Lauren Chapin … Cast, Kathy "Kitten" Anderson
• Robert Easton … Cast, Carter Mawson
• Cindy Robbins (See also: Cynthia Chenault) … Cast, Janie Little
• Joseph Mell … Cast, Dave