06x05 - Bud Plays It Safe

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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06x05 - Bud Plays It Safe

Post by bunniefuu »

("Waiting" by Don Ferrisand Irving Friedman)

- [Announcer] Robert Young

and Jane Wyatt

with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin

in Father Knows Best.

(birds chirping)- Now, men,

we're playing a tough schedule,

but that's no reason

we can't come through with flying colors.

Now, we have speed, savvy and plenty of beef,

for the most part.

(audience laughing)

That's the kind of combination that wins football games.

All right, A team and Bteam, get on the field.

We'll run through those new plays.

(players shouting)

- What are we supposed to do, play ping-pong?

- Coach can't see us for the muscles.

(audience laughing)

- I'd give my frontteeth to be on the team.

- Oh, football isn't everything,

but it's way ahead ofeverything except women.

(audience laughing)

Hey, you want to double date

with Eileen and me, Friday night?

- What's the catch?

- She may have a house guest and I have to dig up a date.

- Oh, blind date?

No sale.

- Eileen says she lookslike Brigitte Bardot.

- Sold. (audience laughing)

- Excuse me, fellas.

Hey, boys!

Going down to theother end of the field,

sharpen up on those place kicks.

- How do you get this guy to notice you?

- It's a cinch, gain pounds and wear stilts.

(audience laughing)

(Dad whistling) - Dear, Buddy and I

can take care of the dishes.

- I know it, Dear, but after putting away

a wonderful dinner like that, the least we can do is

help clear the table.

- Well, it's nice to have handy men around.

- I wish you'd tell that to Coach Harper.

- Oh, hasn't Coach found out about your educated toe?

- He doesn't even know I'm alive, Dad.

Steve Ellman and I are the only substitute place kickers

and, and all we do is warm the bench.

- Well, I wouldn't feeltoo badly, Bud (laughs).

These days, college football is played by big bruisers

and that freshman team looks like the Chicago Bears.

- Well, now, size isn't everything.

I'm a kicking specialist,

little but loaded - Yeah.

- and, and, I was dynamite in high school, wasn't I?

- Yeah, you kicked one goal all year.

(audience laughing) - Two,

and I was right there with the extra points

when they needed me.

Don't forget, the newspaper used to call me

the Hope of Springfield High.

- Well, why don't you showCoach Harper your press notices?

I'm sure he'll be impressed.

- Modesty prevents me from being too obvious, Dad,

(audience laughing)

but I do have to do something to let the coach know

that I'm not just there tokeep the moths out of the suit.

- It's too bad thecoach hasn't noticed you

as much as his daughter Sally has.

She told me she thinks you're pretty cute.

- Well, I'm afraid she just doesn't happen to be my type.

- Well, Sally Harper is a darling girl.

I don't see why she isn't more popular with boys.

- Hey, no kidding, Betty, did she really say that about me?

- Only last week.

- Maybe I oughta give her a jingle,

might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

- Oh, I thought you saidshe isn't your type.

- Well, on second thought, Sallyhas a lot to recommend her.

I think I'll give her a phone call

and start the ball rolling.

- Are you sure her beingthe coach's daughter has

nothing to do with this sudden romance?

(audience chuckling)

- Dad, please.

(audience laughing)

(cheerful orchestral music)

(dramatic orchestral music) (telephone dial clicking)

- Bud, be sure you date Sally when the Coach is home.

You don't want to miss an opportunity

to blow your horn (laughs).

(audience laughing)

- Quiet, what are you trying to do, crab my act?

- [Betty] You won't needany help doing that.

(audience laughing)

(telephone ringing)

- Hello?

- [Bud] Oh, hi, Sally.

- Hello, Bud.

- I, I thought that if you're not busy Friday night,

uh, we might get together.

- Oh, I'd love to see you on Friday night, Bud.

It's so nice of you to think of me.

- Oh, I've, I've thought about you a lot, no kidding.

Of course, we can't make it too late

on account of I'mgoing out for football.

Maybe we can catch an early movie, huh?

- An early movie will be just fine.

Wonderful!

Yes, see you then, Bud,and thanks for calling.

Bye. (receiver clattering)

Father! - Right here.

- The most wonderful thing has just happened to me.

- Hey, whoa.

Whoa, what happened?

- Bud Anderson asked me for a date.

- Bud Anderson.

Bud Anderson?

(audience laughing)

- You know him, he's out for football.

Oh, he's the cutest boy on the squad.

- Oh, him.

Oh, sure, of course.

Oh, forgive me, Honeybun.

You see, for once, I've got so much good material

that it's running out of my ears.

Just for a second, I couldn't place Bud.

- Well, how could you forget him?

He's such a doll.

- Well, just because he's such a doll

doesn't make him a good football player.

(audience laughing)

I'll say this for him, though, he's got good taste.

(playful flute music)

- Mm.- Ah, yourself.

(audience laughing)

(tranquil orchestral music)

- Well, she took the bait like a hungry trout.

(fingers snapping) (audience laughing)

It's gonna work out okay, you know, Dad?

I think I'm gonna enjoy dating her.

- Wait a minute, Bud, I, uh,

I don't like this.

- Oh, what's wrong with it?

All, all I want to do is plant myself

in the Coach's old subconscious

so that when he has to sent in a sub kicker,

he'll think of meinstead of Steve Ellman.

- [Dad] But, you're just using that girl

for an ulterior motive.

You're not going over there

just because you want to be with her.

- Okay, sit down, Dad.

Now, let me ask you a question.

Suppose the president of your company sends his son

out from the home office and he's no particular prize.

Would you, would you entertain him, take him out to dinner?

- Probably, that's common courtesy.

- Yeah, but don't you entertain him

because you want to stay in good with the home office?

- It's simply good business relations.

- Okay, so what I'm doing is

good football relations.(doorbell ringing)

(audience laughing)

- It's not the same thing at all.

- Hello, Bud.- Oh, hi, Steve

and Eileen. - Hello, Mr. Anderson.

- Hey, Daddy. - Can't stay, just thought

we'd drop by for a minute. - Hello, Eileen, Steve.

- Hi, Mr. Anderson. - You know Kathy, don't you?

- Hi, how are you?

- Well, Eileen's house guest is coming, chum.

You got yourself a date Friday night.

- Oh, gosh Steve, I, I can't make it Friday night.

- What do you mean you can't make it?

You promised.

- [Eileen] We'recounting on you.

- Uh, well, it wasn't definite

and, well, something else came up

and I just made other plans.

- Did you tell Bud his date looks like Brigitte Bardot?

- He's got one that looks like Coach Harper (laughs).

- Why don't you get lost? (audience laughing)

- Well, what goes?

Come on, give.

- Well, I, uh, I just happened to be talking

to Sally Harper tonight and it,

it just kind of worked itself

into a deal for Friday night (laughs).

Well, you know, she's a real keen girl.

- Mr. Anderson, he's kidding, isn't he?

- I'm afraid not, Steve.

Bud's taken quite a sudden interest in Sally.

- I'll say it's sudden.

See you around.

Come on, Eileen.

- Goodnight, everybody.

- [Steve] Goodnight, Mr. Anderson.

- I'm sorry about that, Steve.

- Boy, what a sneaky way to get on the football team.

(dramatic orchestral music)

(cheerful orchestral music) (doorbell ringing)

- Hi, Sally. - Hi, Bud.

I know you want to get an early start,

so I'm all ready to go.

- Well, uh, swell, it's just

that I'm not in that big a hurry.

Maybe we can just relax for a minute?

- Of course, come inside.

(audience laughing)

- Thank you.

(quizzical orchestral music)

- Can I get you something?

- Hmm, oh no, nothing, not a thing.

That's a, sure a good-looking dress you have.

- [Sally] Thank you.

- [Bud] You've got good taste.

- Father gets the credit for this.

He seems to know exactly what I like.

He's just the greatest.

- Yeah, he's, he'squite a guy, all right.

Um, is he home now?

- Oh yes, he's in his study, dreaming up plays and stuff.

He's pretty happy these days.

He thinks has terrific material this year.

- Yeah, uh, of course I guess

he hardly knows I'm even out there.

- (laughs) No, he likes to keep the boys guessing.

He says it keeps them hustling.

What show are we going to see?

- Well, let's see what's playing.

I just happened to bringalong a Movies section,

(audience chuckling)

at least I meant to bring it along.

- What are those?

- Oh, these are just some old newspaper clippings

I was gonna paste in my scrapbook.

I guess I must have stuck 'em in my pocket by mistake,

(audience laughing)

but you wouldn't be interested.

- Of course I would.

- Well, if you insist.

(audience laughing)

- Coach takes wraps off newkicking sensation, Bud Anderson,

Hope of Springfield High.

Why, Bud, this is marvelous.

- Oh, just something from high school days,

nothing much, really.

- Well, it certainly is.

We better look for a movie.

(audience laughing)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(newspaper rustling)

- Is, is that yourfather's favorite chair?

- He loves it.

- I, uh, I forgot to tell you.

The top is down in my car, so you'll probably need a scarf.

Why don't you run out and get one

while I check through the paper?

- Good idea, be with you in a sec.

(playful orchestral music)

(papers rustling) (audience chuckling)

(dramatic orchestral music)

- Well, hello, Bud.

- [Bud] Hiya, Coach.

- Where's Sally?

- Uh, she just went to get her scarf.

We're gonna go to a mearly ervie, uh, early movie.

(audience laughing)

Gotta keep training regulations.

- Yeah, so she said.

I was just cleaning up my study.

Tomorrow's trash pick-up day.

Isn't it amazing how newspapers and litter collect

around the house? (paper crinkling)

(audience laughing)

- Uh, Coach, whydon't you let me

take that trash out for you?

- Oh, I wouldn't dream of letting you do it, Bud,

and I have a lot more picking up to do.

- [Sally] Goodnight, Father.

- [Coach] Oh, good night, Honeybun.

(smooching)

You kids have a good time, huh.

- We're all set to go.

(quizzical orchestral music)

(audience laughing)

That didn't take long, did it?

- Sure didn't.

- Where are the children?

- Oh, Kathy's watching television

and Betty's right here.

- Hello, Princess. - Hello, Father.

- And, Bud just left for Sally's.

- Again?

- He night as well move over there.

(audience laughing)

- You know, if that boymakes the football team,

he'll have one distinction:

he'll be the only guy

who ever won his letterby dating a girl.

(audience laughing)- He's being ridiculous.

I went to the college library today

and more people gave me a knowing look

and said, "I hear Bud's rushing the Coach's daughter."

It was embarrassing.

- Jim, don't you think you ought to put your foot down,

before Bud makes a foolof himself and of Sally?

- No, this is one case he'll have to learn the hard way.

You know, Coach Harper's no dummy.

He'll get wise to Bud,

and so will Sally, if they haven't already.

- Hello, Bud.

- Hi, Coach.

- Come on in.

(door clicking)

Sally will be right out.

Come on, sit down.

- Thank you, sir.

Say, I'm really very sorry I dumped those press notices

(audience laughing) of yours into the trashcan.

Sally really got on me for being so careless.

- Oh, oh, that's okay, Coach.

I, I didn't realize I had 'em with me.

(audience laughing)

I wouldn't want you to think

that I brought 'em overhere just to show you.

(audience laughing)- Oh, of course not, no.

Bud, I'm very glad to find

that you've played somepretty good football.

Sally said your clippings were very impressive.

- Thank you. (audience chuckling)

- When I was playing football, my old coach used to say,

"When a big tackle starts coming at you,

"show 'em your press notices."

(audience laughing)

- Hi, boy, do I need help

- Hi, Sally. - with this stuff.

- Father, did you apologize properly

for throwing outBud's clippings?

- Oh, I certainly did.

I explained the pressnotice situation to Bud,

didn't I, Bud?

(audience chuckling) - Yes, sir, very clearly.

(audience laughing)

- I'll leave you two alone.

I have some work to do.

- What's the matter?

You look so worried.

(moody orchestral music)

- Oh, nothing you'd be interested in.

- Don't say that.

Anything that interests you, interests me, you know.

- Well, I have a feeling

I'm not gonna be playing any football.

- [Sally] Oh, snap out of it.

You mustn't get discouraged.

- Maybe I shouldn't come around here so much, you know?

- Bud?- Yeah.

- When we go to play the MaywoodState Freshmen next week,

the boys making the trip will be the ones

Father considers the team.

- Gee, Sally, you think I have a chance?

- I probably shouldn't tell you this

and I can't guarantee it,

but when Father goes to make up the roster,

I'll be looking over his shoulder--

- Sally, you're the greatest!

(dramatic orchestral music)

- All right, Steve, take it away.

(whistle chirping)

(football thudding)

- Nice going, Steve.

- Okay, Bud, let's see you match that.

(whistle chirping)

(football thudding)

- (sighing) Okay.

(dramatic orchestral music)

(knocking)

- Yeah.

- Am I disturbing you, Father?

- Oh, of course not, Honeybun.

Come on in.

I got me a tough problem.

- [Sally] Anything I can do to help?

- No, in this case, I'm afraid I'd have to rule you out

on the grounds of possible prejudice.

- I get the message.

You're making up the football roster.

- Yep, right now I'm trying to decide

between Bud and Steve.

As far as ability's concerned, there's a toss-up.

- Father, I know it would make things simpler

if I weren't dating Bud.

- Well, it wouldn't be an easy decision in any case,

but that factor doescomplicate things a bit.

It sort of puts me in a spot.

- I realize that,

but is it fair to keep Bud off the team

just because I happen to like him?

(audience chuckling)

- You phrased that question just like a lawyer.

(audience laughing)

- Merely pointing out, if your Honor please,

the possibility of prejudice on the Court's part.

No more questions.

- Sally Harper, you're a designing daughter.

- And, you're the grandest father.

(dramatic orchestral music)

- Hey, g*ng!

The football roster's up, come on over.

- Hey, come on, hey. - Hey, hey.

(students talking over each other)

- Come on, guys. - Come on, walk hard.

- Turn it up. - Come on, I made it, huh?

(students talking over each other)

- Kids, the roster's up.- Hey, I made it.

- Go, on. (talking over each other)

- [Student] Here you you are, now quiet.

Aaron, Adams, Anderson, Bowman--

- Bud Anderson?

- [Student] Well, why not?

He's got Sally in his corner.

(students laughing)

- Hey, Bud, you're playing heads-up football.

(audience laughing)

- Hey, Hotshot, your manager's looking for you.

- Huh?- Sally.

(students laughing)

- Well, here's the fair-haired boy.

- Congratulations, Bud.

- You know, Steve, I, I, I wish

we could both be on the team.

- You must feel simply terrible about that.

We know how you knocked yourself out

to see that Steve got a break.

- Forget it, Eileen.

Bud just played it smart and it paid off.

- Oh, he'll be Captain of the team, someday,

if his carving Kn*fe holds out.

(audience laughing)

- I, I got to run.

- That's right, run Buddy, run.

(audience laughing)

- You don't have to give him such a bad time, Eileen.

- Don't be silly, he had it coming.

- Steve, why did Bud leave in such a hurry?

- Sally, I may as wellgive it to you straight.

Don't count on seeing Bud around so much,

now that he's got what he really wanted.

- What do you mean by that?

- Don't be naive.

Everybody knows he'd never have beaten Steve out

for the team except for you.

- Cut it out, Eileen.

- I won't!

Bud's been using Sally

and she's too nice a girl to get hurt.

- That isn't true.

- Why don't you ask him?

(moody orchestral music)

- Bud, wait!

(door slamming)Bud!

(dramatic orchestral music)

(paper ripping)(knocking)

- May I come in?

(tranquil violin music)

- Sure, Dad.

- Your mother tells me you made the team.

- Yeah.

- You don't seem very happy about it.

You know, cutting football practice this afternoon

is pretty serious.

It could cost you your, um,

hard-won spot on the squad.

- Well, the guys started making cracks

when they saw my name on the roster,

so I just thought I'd give the Coach a fast out.

- Do you think that clears up the whole situation?

- Well, you know it doesn't.

- I'm glad you feel that way, Son.

Well, it seems to me that Coach is the least of it.

- I really feel sorry for the way I've treated Sally

and I know what you must think about me.

- Right now, I'm beginning to feel very proud.

- Why?

- Because you got what you wanted,

but you feel you didn't get it fairly.

Now, you can't live with yourself

till you find some way to straighten things out.

(moody violin music)

- [Bud] What am I gonna do?

- Well, since you asked me,

I'd go to Sally and makea clean breast of it.

She has a right to know the truth,

if you're man enough to tell her.

- That will be the hardest part,

almost like slapping her in the face.

(tranquil orchestral music)

- Father, do you, do you think

Bud was actually using me, just to get on the team?

- Oh, now, Honeybun, I,

I wouldn't pay too much attention to what you heard.

There's a lot of rivalry for positions on the team

and that, that's healthyand it leads to...

(hands slapping)

Now, don't you forget, Bud can play pretty good football

and he was out there trying

before he even started dating you.

- But, you haven't answered my question.

- Well, I haven't got any crystal ball, but I'll predict

that Bud is the kind ofa guy who can go places

without using any petticoat for a magic carpet.

(doorbell ringing)

(dramatic orchestral music)

- Oh, hello, Bud.

- Hi, Coach, is Sally home, sir?

- Why don't you ask her?

(door slamming)

- Hello, Sally, I, uh,

I came over to explain something to you.

- Well, I'll, I (coughs)...

- [Bud] I've put you inan awful spot, Sally.

They're talking around the campus that, that I, uh,

I went with you just to get a leg up on the team.

- Did you?

(moody orchestral music)

- Yes.

I, I know that makes me an awful heel.

I don't know if, Idon't know why I did it.

I guess I figured it wasthe only chance I had.

But now, being on the, being on the team

isn't the important thing.

I, I'm quitting that.

It's what you think about me that really counts, Sally.

- Thanks for telling me.

I know it hasn'tbeen easy to do.

I, I guess there's not much more to say.

- Well, there is one more thing.

Seeing I'm not going to be on the team,

I've got two tickets to the game.

Will you go with me?

We can sit in the stands together.

- But, how can I besure you really want me?

- Because I'm here, asking you,

for, for no other reason than I want to be with you.

- I'll go,

on one condition,

that I'll be in the stands watching

while you kick that extra point.

- Well, I'm, I'm off the team.

I cut practice.

- Excuse me, kids, have you seen?

Hello, here it is.

Bud, I want you to show up at the field early tomorrow.

Sharpen up on your kicking.

- Huh?

- I've, uh, I've got an idea we'll need you

against Maywood State.

(dramatic orchestral music)

- Yeah. (sighing)

Thank you, very much.

I'll be there real early.

(door slamming)

- Oh, isn't he the greatest?

- I think you're the greatest.

(dramatic orchestral music) (audience applauding)

("Waiting" by Don Ferrisand Irving Friedman)

(synthesizer chiming)
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