Radio Retropolis

The Father Knows Best Radio Podcast #64- The Phantom Prowler

Margaret is selected as the model mother with the ideal home by the Springfield Parents Association.  But when the magazine editor comes to do an article about her, things are far from ideal in the Anderson household. Commentary on the different style of comedy featured which was based in farce and misunderstanding. One of the few episodes where audiences truly laughed out loud.  Also, Paula Winslowe is the guest star.

Father becomes "fed up" with increasing house repairs and decides to sell the Anderson house only to change his tune when an eager prospective buyer comes along. Following the episode is an extended commentary on the greatness of the Father Knows Best television series that is not to be missed.

The annual carnival is back in town and the whole family is excited to attend-except spoil sport Jim who prefers a quiet day in the house. Discussion on how Dorothy Lovett and Jean Vander Pyl alternated the role of Margaret so effortlessly in this season. Also annoucer Bill Forman reminds listeners to go out and vote for president in November.  Plus, a discussion on the 1952 landslide Presidential election between Dwight D. Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson which occurred a few days after this broadcast.

When Bud decides to quit high school and go to work, Jim tries to use reverse psychology to outwit his son but, like always, the effort backfires. Commentary on the ludicrous circumstance behind the plot that makes this a somewhat silly episode.  Also discussed is why this series was so successful, in spite of the scripts at times.

The Father Knows Best Radio Podcast #59- Betty and the Crooner

As Margaret reads an article about the concept of careers for married women, Jim gets the wrong impression that Margaret is bored with him and wants to go to work.  When he forbids her to work, she defies him and decides to be a fashion model. Commentary on the statistics of working women in 1951, plus a discussion on raven haired beauty actress Ava Gardner.

With their kids off on their own weekend excursions, Jim and Margaret decide to enjoy an absolutely carefree weekend trip, which turns out not to go exactly as planned. Commentary on the character of Jim softening his tone due to Robert Young's protest of the show focusing too much on the joke and not enough on the family.  Also, the relevance of Postum-the show's new sponsor.

Betty is babysitting Pierre, a highly valuable dog of an important contact for her, at the Anderson home in which Jim decides to hide the dog to teach her a lesson about responsibility from her only to misplace Pierre himself.  Commentary on Vander Pyl who was best known for playing Wilma Flintstone as well as the switch from Maxwell House to Postum as the show's sponsor.

Jim believes that the household would run much smoother under his watch and takes over while Margaret heads out of town to visit her parents. But all does not go as smoothly as he had hoped. Commentary on interview Robert Young gave decades later about how much he really didn't enjoy the tone of the radio series.

Jim receives the ugliest tie in the world and has no idea who sent it to him. Commentary about Jean Vander Pyl replacing Dorothy Lovett as Margaret in this episode.  Plus, today's guest star went on to one of the great cult classic television shows of all time.

Jim is impressed by an article he saw in a magazine about a nutritionist's guide to healthy living and insists the whole family switch to this new diet.  Gone is June Whitley as Margaret Anderson and in is Dorothy Lovett.

Jim tries to teach his kids the meaning of freedom when he witnesses his kids being too self-absorbed into their material things.  This is also the very last episode for June Whitley who plays Margaret. Special commentary on how the message in this show should be a wake-up call to everyone today given how divisive America is politically these days.  Plus, a discussion on June Whitley's possible reason for leaving the show after this episode.

Margaret’s cousin Louise got lonely bachelor Tom Chapman to propose in a previous episode and today is the day they get married...until Jim ruins everything. Commentary on the classic wedding which was established in the 1950s, guest star Isabel Jewel, and Jim's vast mental library of quotes part two.

Jim thinks it’s time Margaret learn how to drive to allow her more independence. When it’s time to get her behind the wheel, Jim realizes that things aren’t as easy as they seem. Commentary on the limitations placed upon women, guest star Ben Weldon,n and the great migration to the suburbs. Finally,  Jim critiques the big problem of this episode and why it fails.