05x21 - Bud, the Campus Romeo

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Father Knows Best". Aired: October 3, 1954 - May 23, 1960.*
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The series, which began on radio in 1949, follows the lives of the Andersons, a middle-class family living in the town of Springfield.
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05x21 - Bud, the Campus Romeo

Post by bunniefuu »

(dramatic music)

- [Announcer] Robert Young

and Jane Wyatt,

with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray, and Lauren Chapin

in Father Knows Best.

- Three chocolate sodas.

- Coming right up.

- Oh, I can't wait for Sue Hammond's party Friday night.

- I know, it's gonna be a blast.

The girls inviting boys.

- I know just who I'm going to ask.

- Who?

- I'll let you in on something.

I think I'll ask Bud Anderson.

Isn't he a doll?

- Well now hold everything.

I've got my brand on Bud.

- Carol Fleming, you've never even been out with him.

- Well that's only because he's never asked me.

But don't think I won't ask him.

- Just you try and get him.

I'll ask anybody I want out.

- It's ridiculous for us to fight over Bud.

For all we know he may already be taken.

- Oh, Doris, you're so right.

All the girls flip their lids over Bud.

- And why not?

He's just the best looking boy in the whole school,

that's all.

- [Girl] Did you see him at the game?

- [Girl] Oh yes!

Oh, he just looked so wonderful.

(slurping)

- What was that?

(laughing)

- Hi.

- Well, here's our wandering boy.

- Oh hi.

Mommy, we can eat now.

The missing link is here.

- Do you know you're holding up dinner?

I'm starved.

- I was boning up for achemistry exam at the malt shop.

(phone ringing)

- How, by mixingchocolate with vanilla?

- I'll get it, it's probably for me.

Hello?

Hi Carol.

- Bud?

Do you know about the party Sue Hammond's giving

Friday night?

- Well I believe I heardit mentioned somewhere.

- Well, the girls are asking the boys.

So I'm inviting you to go with me.

- Well...

Carol, my plans for the party are,

well they're a little indefinite right now.

It's kind of an involved situation.

It's swell of you to call and ask me.

Well, maybe in a dayor two when I know more

than I know now.

Okay.

Goodbye, Carol.

- In a day or two?

Who does he think he is?

- Gosh, Mom.

Do I have to go out with the first girl who asks me?

- It might be wise to cinch your bid, as they say.

It's going to be a lovely party.

- Incidentally, the Hammonds have asked your mother and me

to help chaperone.

- Well I'll see you there.

- Now Dad, there'll be a mad scramble

to see who rates Bud Anderson.

- Naturally.

But I'll wait and acceptthe most tempting offer.

- You have the pick of the crop, naturally.

- Naturally.

You see I have reason to believe

that this won't be the last call.

- Oh Bud, stop being so silly and make yourself useful.

Bring in the bread.

- [Girl] Isn't he a doll?

Practically all the girls flip their lids over Bud.

- [Girl] Oh, he's just the best looking boy

in the whole school, that's all.

- Pardon me, am I interrupting some sort of ritual?

- Oh, hi Dad.

No, I was wondering if I needed a shave.

- You've been standingin front of that mirror

long enough to grow a beard.

But I doubt if that'll help you with your chemistry exam.

- Say Dad.

What is there about some guys

that throws all the girls for a loop?

That certain magnetism that they just can't resist.

(growls)

- Stop it, Bud.

Let's not go off the deep end just because one pretty girl

asked you to take her to a party.

- Oh, don't get me wrong, Dad.

I'm not conceited.

I'm just trying to figure out why all the campus dolls

want to go out with me.

- When you find out, let me know too.

(phone ringing)

Now is this the--

- Hold it, Dad.

That's probably for me.

- It's probably Ralph for Betty,

so let's get on with the chemistry.

- [Margaret] It's for you, Bud.

- Who is it, Mom?

- [Margaret] She didn't say.

- Thanks Mom.

Hello?

Oh, hi Nancy.

- Bud, if you're free on Friday night,

I'd like you to go with me to Sue Hammond's party.

- Oh.

Well, Nancy.

My plans are a little indefinite right now.

Yeah, maybe you better not count on me.

Thanks a lot for asking.

Sure, I'll see you around.

Goodbye Nancy.

Nancy Collins.

- Bud Anderson, what's the matter with you?

- Obviously he's running a popularity poll on himself.

- I feel slightly ill.

- Well so maybe I'm a little choosy.

- Well I'll never ask a boy for a date.

I'll be a lonely sinister first.

- Spinster, Kathy.

- Take it from me, shrimp.

When you're a little older

and a guy with that certain something comes along,

you'll ask him.

It's the way the cells gel.

Look, when I buy a suit, first I like to make sure

I've seen all the merchandise.

I just may hold out for Sue Hammond.

Might as well escort the homecoming queen.

- You're crazy.

She only goes for halfbacks.

- Hi Claude.

- Oh hi Sue.

- Hey, Tiger.

(roars)

- How are you, Sue?

- Tiger?

- That's another word for animal magnetism.

- Hello Claude.

- Oh, hello Janet.

Janet Mason.

That's the type that notices me.

Leads her class, in domestic science.

- Sorry Claude, either you've got it or haven't.

- Ain't it swell.

I invited Bud Anderson to the party,

and I've never been so embarrassed in all my life.

He said his plans were indefinite.

He said he might callme back in a day or two.

- Can you tie that?

- Sure.

He didn't even say he might call me back.

- I'm glad his linewas busy when I phoned.

- Look, I wouldn't go out with him now

if he were the last boy on Earth.

- Well I hope nobody asks him.

- I've got it!

Let's start an anti-BudAnderson campaign.

- It's a deal.

- Okay.

(bangs)

- And don't you ask him either, Janet.

- I hardly know Bud Anderson.

Besides, he wouldn't want to go with a girl

taller than he is.

- Anybody's taller than he is.

He's a worm.

- Seems like a pretty popular worm.

- Hi Doris.

Got your date for tomorrow night?

- Do you know anybody who is anybody who hasn't?

- Greetings.

Your dinner jacket just arrived from the cleaners.

- Okay.

- Well, who's thelucky girl going to be?

- Well I'm still thinking about it.

- Well you better think fast, the party's tomorrow night.

- Well heartbreaker, have you decided

who the lucky girl will be?

- What if I haven't?

And why's everybody have to make somebody else's business

all theirs, huh?

- I hope you're in a better mood

when you talk to Sue Hammond.

- Why should I talk to Sue Hammond?

- She wants you to call her.

- She does, huh?

She does?

Boy, did I call my sh*t!

How about that, Dad?

I've been asked by the hostess.

- Well, I'd say that's a feather in your cap.

- You know, I told Claude this morning

that I was holding out for Sue Hammond.

(laughs)

Might as well date the homecoming queen.

(phone ringing)

- Don't forget, it has to be ready by tomorrow night.

Hello?

- [Bud] Sue?

This is Bud Anderson.

- Oh, yes, Tiger.

I've been waiting for your call.

- Well your wait is over.

(growls)

- I wonder if you'd do me a great big favor.

- Sure, anything at all.

- Well, could you give me Claude's new phone number?

I...

Claude?

Is he taking you to your party?

- Oh no, I have a houseguest who doesn't have a date

and I wanted to get Claude for her.

- Oh.

Well yeah, sure, I can give you his number.

It's Fairfield .

- Thanks loads, Tiger.

(growls)

See you at the party, of course.

Bye now.

- Oh, cheer up, Bud.

Eat a good breakfast.

- Yes, if you don't eat, son, you'll be too weak to dance

even if you get aninvitation to the party.

And I'm sure you will.

- Don't feel bad, Bud.

Some girl who can't get anybody else

may call you at the last minute.

- Well do you think I'd go now?

Do you think I'd be third, fourth, or maybe fifth choice

to some wallflower?

You're darn right I would.

- Swallow your prideand phone Carol Fleming.

After all, when she invited you the other day,

you said you might call her back.

- What good would that do?

You think one of the most popular girls in school

would wait around for a stupid dope like me?

Excuse me.

I'm gonna go to school.

(phone rings)

- Hello?

- Hello, Carol?

This is Bud Anderson.

- Who?

- [Bud] Bud Anderson.

I was wondering if you were all set for the party tonight.

- Bud Anderson.

If you think I've been sitting here

waiting for you to call me back,

well you're very much mistaken.

I have another date.

- Well, I promised I'd call you.

- Goodbye.

Guess what.

Bud Anderson called me this morning.

- No.

- Surely he didn't think you'd dangle for two days

waiting for him to make up his mind.

- He is simply petrified

because nobody's asked him to the party.

(chuckling)

- Janet, do you have a date yet?

- The only boys I feel I can ask have already been taken.

- Oh, come on.

Let's think of somebody new.

- I can't ask some boy who'snever paid any attention to me.

- Well you've got to get acquainted, Janet.

- I'd like to.

Every girl wants to be liked.

But I can't throw myself at them.

I'd be too embarrassed.

Are you girls still thumbs down on Bud Anderson.

- He's out, but definitely.

- Don't get any ideasabout asking him, Janet.

That would be very unwise.

- You know you're being considered for the pom poms.

- Really?

- And everybody knows we're the best club in school.

- I told you I never considered asking Bud.

- Well don't ask him now.

Or you'll never be a pom pom.

- It's about time for class.

Come on, come on.

(register rings)

- Two candy bars, a nickel change.

Thank you, Janet.

- I'm trying to gain some weight, Mr. Perkins.

(chuckles)

- Well, there's never a young girl

that can pamper a sweet tooth.

I'd say you're pretty lucky.

- Oh, not so lucky, I'm afraid.

- I guess you're lookingforward to the big party tonight

like everybody else, huh?

- Oh, I guess I won't go.

- Well now, I thought sure you and your favorite young man

would be there with bells on.

- It just so happens my favorite young man

doesn't know he's my favorite.

I'm in no position to tell him.

It's a dark tale, Mr. Perkins, full of campus intrigue.

So I'll just go home and curl up with a good candy bar.

Isn't that exciting?

- Well.

- So you see, I'm not so lucky.

I've got to go home now, Mr. Perkins.

Bye.

- Call again.

- Hello Bud.

- Hi Janet.

- Thank you.

- Well Bud, what can I do for you?

- Oh, nothing.

I just thought I might run into some of the g*ng here.

- I guess they're all home getting ready for the party.

You know, I got a kick out of you the other day,

hiding under the table while all those pretty girls

argued over you.

- Big deal.

- How you gonna work that

and still keep all those girls happy?

- I'm not going to the party.

- You don't tell me.

- No, I was a dope, Ifooled around too long.

Now everybody's got a date.

- Not everybody.

I happen to know a very nice girl that doesn't have a date.

- Yeah, who?

She just walked out of here.

- Oh, her.

- I take it you don't know Janet very well.

- Well, she's not my type.

- Sure she's new around here, and she's kind of shy.

- I don't know anything about her.

- You know, I've noticedsome very lovely flowers

growing high up on the mountainside.

Few people ever get a chance to appreciate them.

They're kinda remote.

I figure that's how it is with Janet.

She's got some splendid qualities.

All they need's a chanceto show themselves.

- Well, that could be.

- Well, I just thought I'd mention Janet.

Seems a shame, though.

Both of you gonna miss out on the party.

But you'd rather not go

than to offend those other girls.

- Where does Janet live?

- Across town, I think.

We could look it up in the phone book.

- No, I think I'll skip it.

- Janet.

- Oh, hello Bud.

What are you doing way over in this neighborhood?

- Oh, I was just taking a walk.

I like to walk.

Have you got a minute?

- Of course.

- Care to sit down?

- Well all right.

- I guess you're all setfor the party tonight.

- Well, not exactly.

My plan's a little vague.

- So are mine.

- Well I had this date, you see,

with a friend from out of town

that I've known for a long time.

But I'm not sure that he can make it.

- That's funny.

You know I'm in the same boat?

My date had to cancel out on me at the last minute.

- That's too bad.

- Of course, if I'd have had more time,

I could've made other plans, but...

- Of course.

- Sure is gonna be a swell party.

My folks are gonna help chaperone.

- Oh, that's wonderful.

I know you'll bedisappointed not to go.

- Janet.

I was thinking.

If your boyfriend doesn't get back,

well, under the circumstances,

well, I was thinking that maybe you and I

could get together.

That is, if you'd consider it.

- I'd like to very much, Bud.

But I'm afraid I better not make any new plans now.

- Well, I just thought...

There's no sense in bothof us missing the party.

- No, there really isn't.

But maybe my date willcall at the last minute.

- Sure.

But if he doesn't,

do you think you might?

- Don't count on it too much.

He never disappoints me.

I better go in now.

- So long, Janet.

(door closes)

Thanks anyway.

- Here, you better take this.

Just in case.

- What for?

- Well if a girl should call,

you'll want to buy a corsage.

- Yeah, sure.

Thanks Dad.

- Well, I hope we see you there, dear.

Good night, children.

- Night. - Have fun.

- See you later.

- You know what this has taught me, Bud?

To always say yes to the first boy who asks me out.

- [Girl] You know you're being considered for the pom poms,

but inviting Bud might just clear your chances for a bid.

Don't ask him now, or you'll never be a pom pom.

Don't ask him now or you'll never be a pom pom.

You'll never be a pom pom.

You'll never be a pom pom.

You'll never be a pom pom.

Never be a pom pom.

Never be a pom pom.

(upbeat jazz music)

(chattering)

- Hey Sue.

- Sue, let's get the food.

- Certainly.

That's about the umpteenth time somebody's asked me

why Bud isn't here.

I feel a little guilty coming to the party.

- Oh, we had to, we promised the Hammonds.

Jim, doesn't Carol Fleming look lovely?

- Yes.

She must think we look lovely too, she keeps watching us.

- This must be embarrassing for Mr. and Mrs. Anderson.

But Bud had it coming.

- Don't look now, but look.

- Hey, Bud.

What do you say?

- Hi Janet.

- Hello son.

- Janet Mason, I'd like you to meet my mother and father.

Janet Mason.

- [Margaret] Glad to know you, Janet.

- Hello, Janet.

What a beautiful dress.

- Thank you.

The corsage makes it.

Very happy to meet you both.

- Where are Mr. and Mrs. Hammond?

- Oh, they're seeing tothings in the kitchen.

This crowd's getting hungry.

- Shall we work up an appetite?

- All right.

- Nice of you to phone me and ask me to be your date.

- I'm very glad I did, Bud.

(clapping)

Bud, will you excuse me a minute, please?

- Sure.

- Well, can this be ourbig sh*t ladies' man

with the wallflower?

Why, do you know Bud could've brought any girl in school.

Including Sue Hammond.

- Oh sure, Bud's got so many girlfriends,

he can afford to be charitable.

- I thought you had no idea of asking Bud.

- But I didn't have at the time, Carol.

- We warned you, Janet.

- The pom poms will dropyou, that's for sure.

- But you have no right to tell me who I can invite.

Pom poms or no.

- Excuse me.

I didn't realize that coming with me

would make trouble for Janet.

But you girls have got it all wrong.

She didn't invite me.

It wasn't her idea at all.

I begged her to ask me.

So don't blame her, blame me.

- Do you mean to admit that Bud Anderson,

the classroom Casanova, actuallywent crawling for a date?

- Hey, what's going on?

- That's right.

I practically got down on my hands and knees to her.

When it's a girl like Janet, you swallow your pride.

- Say, if a guy like Bud flips for Janet, she must be okay.

- She's okay in my book.

- It's the only club for you, Janet.

The pom poms...

(all talking at once)

- Excuse me.

Hey look you guys, you want to dance with my date,

you'll have to stand in line.

Shall we?

(audience applauding)

(dramatic music)
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