06x21 - Jim's Big Surprise

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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06x21 - Jim's Big Surprise

Post by bunniefuu »

(dramatic music)

- [Narrator] Robert Young,

and Jane Wyatt,

with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin,

in Father Knows Best.

- [Jim] Margaret!

- I'm in the kitchen dear.

(laughing)

- Well what a surprise,

I thought you were gonna play golf this afternoon?

- I was honey butsomething happened today

that made me change my mind.

- Oh, well put these on the top shelf will you dear?

- Sure, anyway I couldn't wait to get home to tell you.

- Say Dad I don'tsupposed you'd consider

letting me borrow your car tonight?

- Sure Bud, be my guest.

I'm telling you honey I--

- Bud put these thefreezer will you please?

- Honey I want to tell you what--

- What is it, a flat tire Dad?

- No, I'm talking about--

- Jim you didn't have a flat tire did you?

- No honey nothing like that. - Bud the freezer.

- Honey I just wanted--- Hello everybody,

what are you doinghome this early father?

- Well I was just trying to tell your mother about it--

- Oh darn I knew I'd forget something, the squash.

- Oh don't worry I have to go to the library this afternoon,

I'll pick some up on my way home,

I'll be right back to help you Mother.

- Margaret I--

- Gas t*nk's empty, is that it?

- No Bud.

- What were you trying to say dear?

- Well this morningabout o'clock I got--

- Bud the ice cream drawer.

- Oh excuse me.

- Green or yellow? - What?

- Squash. - Oh green.

- Hi everybody, guess what?

- Oh what is it angel?

- I'm gonna have my very first diving lesson this afternoon.

- [Margaret] Oh that's great,

- [Bud] Make sure there's water in the pool. (laughing)

- Naturally, Daddy aren't you going to say something?

- I've been trying to say something

for the last five minutes.

- Oh Jim, I'm sorry, forgive us.

- What is it father?

- Well I was merely going to suggest

that I think all of you ought to be around about,

four o'clock this afternoon.

- The finance company's going to pick up the car?

- No Bud.

- Well why four o'clock Jim?

- Oh I, might have something to tell you then,

sort of a surprise, a rather big surprise.

- Well why can'tyou tell us now?

(talking over each other)

- Well if I tell you now it wouldn't be a surprise.

(audience laughing)

- Oh.

(Hawaiian music)

- I hope you're happy, you got us all excited now

about your big surpriseand what do you do?

You sit and watch television.

- Oh it's not long before four o'clock Princess,

you'll know then.

- Can't you give me justa hint of some kind?

- I want to watch this Betty, it's a wonderful program,

all about Hawaii, its music, its customs.

It must be a wonderful country.

- Honestly father.

- In just a few minutesthey're gonna show

a real Polynesian luau,don't you want to watch?

- No thanks.

Personally I can't stand the suspense around here,

I'll be at the library.

- Alright, but you better be back by four o'clock.

- You know I will.

- And, aloha, 'til four o'clock.

- Aloha. (laughing)

(audience laughing)

- Well.

Oh Margaret here letme help you with those.

- Oh no no no, this is my department.

Well I need something to make the time go by faster

unless you want to tell me now what your big surprise is.

- Well, as a matter of fact maybe I better tell you now.

- Don't you dare.

- I thought that you wanted to know.

- Oh I do,

except I don't think it'd be fair to the others.

- Not even one little small clue.

- No.

I want to enjoy this misery of waiting

just like everyone else.(audience laughing)

- Margaret,

I know I don't say much about all the,

hard work you do around here every day.

It's not that I don't appreciate it.

- Oh I know you do dear.

- I also know that alot of wives have help,

at least someone to do the heavy work.

- Oh Jim Anderson you better stop talking like this

or you're gonna have me feeling sorry for myself.

(laughing)

- Well nevertheless I want you to know how I feel.

I think you should get someone in,

and the sooner the better.

Now you think it over.

I'll,

see you at four o'clock. (whistling)

- [Television Narrator]Now ladies and gentlemen

stay tuned for your favorite afternoon program,

The Richer Life.

Mrs. Van Wininger our wealthy socialite

is discussing the menu for the evening meal with Hazel,

her faithful servant.

- [Van] I think we'll start off with the,

(speaking in a foreign language) Hazel,

then the (speaking in a foreign language),

green turtle soup perhaps,

that is after you've finished all the heavy work

in the house and the cleaning that you do

and all the chores thatI won't have to do.

(dreamy music)

(audience laughing)

- Did you enjoy the (speaking in a foreign language) dear?

- It was wonderful dear.

- Say what was that other stuff we had.

- (speaking in a foreign language) Bud.

- [Betty] Honestly Buddon't you know anything?

- [Kathy] That's soup to you.

- Well it's the first soup I ever had

to use a fork to eat it with. (audience laughing)

- Well I had a littletrouble with it myself,

but think nothing of it.

- No I don't. (audience laughing)

- Margaret you look positively ravishing tonight.

- I spent the entire day at the beauty parlor today Jim,

it helped. (audience laughing)

- [Kathy] I don't have to wipe the dishes tonight

do I Mother?

- You certainly don't, not with Hazel working for us.

- Say how is Hazel at cutting grass?

- Oh she's good at everything.

You know Hazel did your work.

- Hey great that will give me more time

to spend with the guys on Saturday.

- I don't have to hurry home from school anymore.

- Oh life from now on Margaret

is going to be one long vacation.

- Oh, right away.

Yes, and in order to celebrate,

Hazel has fixed a very special dessert.

(gasping) - Oh isn't it lovely?

- Wow.

So special I'm not sureI know how to eat it.

- Well the only way to eat that dessert Dad

is with a fire extinguisher. (laughing)

(dramatic music)

(audience laughing)

- [Television Narrator] And so ends today's episode

of The Richer Life.

Will Mrs. Wininger be able to free herself

from this tangled web. (audience laughing)

(upbeat music)

- Dad? (audience laughing)

- Goodbye Ms. Haven. - Bye bye.

- And thanks for the lesson. - Oh you're welcome Kathy.

- Oh bye the way your father was just here.

- He was?

- He stopped by to see how your first diving lesson went.

Sorry you missed it.

- Did he say anything to youabout a surprise he has for us?

- No we were busy talking about your swimming lessons

and a new pool here.

You don't have a pool at home do you Kathy?

- No, why?

- Well your father was so interested in ours.

He looked at the depth and size and how it was made.

He seemed to know so much about it

I thought perhaps your had one.

- Oh no.

(audience laughing)

You say he was asking about the size

and everything of the pool?

- He certainly was.

- Did he ask how much one cost?

- I believe he even asked about that.

- And he was still interested?

- He certainly was.

You know Kathy, boy,

if all the parents would take the interest in their children

that your mother and father do,

it's so important.

- I think you just told me what my Daddy's surprise is.

- What? - And what a surprise.

What a great big wonderful surprise, yeah!

- Mom, Mom. - What?

- Wait until you hearwhat Dad's surprise is.

- Oh Bud, how do you know?

- Oh, (laughing) just you wait.

- Wait, where's Father is he home yet?

- Not yet Betty he hasfive minutes more to go,

but now Bud, Bud tell me.

- Just synchronize your watches.

- Oh what a day this is gonna be.

- In just a few minutesyou're going to see

the most spectacular, the most terrific--

- Somebody paging me? (audience laughing)

- Yeah, where'd you hide it, come on.

- Come on Father make the page official.

- Well,

where's Kathy?

- [Betty] Oh.

- Maybe we should wait for her.

- I think so.

- She knows about it Dad, she's bound to.

In fact I'll bet everybody in town knows it.

- Well the word must've gotten around pretty fast.

- Hello dear.

- Say I don't supposethat little ole envelope

just happens to have a little ole set of keys in it

does it Dad? - Keys?

- Keys?- Keys?

- Go on tell them Dad.

- Tell them what?

- Ah come on,

the way you were wheeling that big convertible around town,

you can't keep it,

I almost gave it away didn't I?

- Oh that. (laughing) - Yeah that.

- That car belongs to Herb Stanford.

He let me take it while he was servicing mine. (laughing)

What is that what you,

thought the surprise was?

- Yeah.

I'm sorry Bud.

- Oh don't pay anyattention to him Father.

He probably thinks we're gonna

drive across theocean to Hawaii.

Oh I guess I gave it away this time.

(audience laughing)

- Hawaii? - Hawaii?

- Hawaii, I don't understand Betty.

- Oh come on Father,

you've been dropping clues all over the place about it.

First that television show you were watching

and there's these books you ordered from the library.

Hawaii our th state. (audience laughing)

- Well I just finished reading a book about Mars too Betty,

but that doesn't mean I'm planning a trip there.

(audience laughing)

- You mean, that that isn't your surprise?

- No Princess I'm sorry.

- What is it then?

- Well whatever it is Jim, we'll love it, you know that.

- I'm beginning to doubt it.

Maybe you'd better read it first

and then see if you think it's worth mentioning.

- Oh Jim,

how wonderful.

- Daddy.

Daddy have you told themyour big surprise yet?

Please may I tell them?

- You mean you know Kitten?

- Well I'd be pretty stupid if I didn't.

It's a swimming pool isn't it Daddy?

(audience laughing)

- No Kitten it isn't a swimming pool.

- It isn't?

- No I'm sorry.

- Jim the children don't know what's in this letter

so naturally they can'tshow their appreciation.

Now I want you all to listen.

- Oh no Margaret please, I don't--

- Just wait dear, wait.

I know they're all going to be very very proud of you.

"Dear Jim the Chamber of Commerce

"in cooperation with the PTA

"requests your presenceat their next meeting

"where it will be my pleasure

"to present you with this year's Gold Key Award.

"As you know this honorgoes to that citizen

"the committee considers the ideal father of the year."

Signed, "Daniel Campbell, Mayor."

(dramatic music)

- That's very nice Daddy,

but when are you gonna tell us your big surprise?

- Kathy Anderson.

- No she's right Margaret, compared to,

convertibles, trips and swimming pools.

I don't think it's a veryexciting idea myself. (laughing)

Well I have some work to do.

I'll see you all later.

Oh.

(dramatic music)

- I've never been so ashamed of you.

- What did we do?

- Well you never even offered your father congratulations,

you just sat there saying nothing.

- I didn't know what to say.

- Well I want you to go in the den and apologize.

(dramatic music)

- We're awfully sorry we didn't think your surprise

was a very good one Daddy.

- Well I am too Kathy.

Maybe one day I can come up with something

a little more exciting.

- Dad I know we said all the wrong things and everything,

but, well really what's so out of line

about wanting a convertible?

Half the guys in school have them.

- And a lot of my friends go to Hawaii, even Europe.

- And a lot of people have swimming pools.

- I know, and believe me,

I'd love to be able to give you those things,

but it takes more money than I make.

- Well, how do other people do it Dad?

People like the Bradmans and the Joneses and the Turners,

well they all have two cars.

- They all go to Europe or some place,

almost every year too.

- And they have swimming pools too.

- Yeah and they don't make that much money.

- Well for one thing Bud those people you mentioned,

like a lot of other people,

are great followers of the dollar down,

dollar per week installment plan.

- That's a pretty good plan huh?

- Sometimes it is Kitten,

but a lot of times it isn't,

because when you live from day to day like that

you're gambling on everything going perfectly,

and life just isn't like that.

If something goes wrong,someone becomes ill,

and you lose everything.

I think I'd be the worst kind of a father

if I took chances like that.

You see the one thing I want for all of you

is a college education.

I happen to think that'sthe most important thing

you can think about.

- Yeah but a good looking car

can be pretty important too Dad.

- But in the long run Bud,

which do you think will give you the most prestige?

- A good looking car or a college degree?

- Judging by your reactions I must be wrong.

Maybe I'm giving you something you don't want,

let alone appreciate.

- Well that's not true Father you know that.

- No I don't know that, not at all.

(dramatic music)

It's my own fault Margaret.

Why should I expectthe kids to get excited

about a Gold Key?

I wish I'd never mentioned it.

- Jim. - Hmm?

- I'm just as guilty as the children.

- What do you mean?

- Well when you told us you had a surprise

I was thinking, well, along material lines too.

- Don't tell me I disappointed you too Margaret.

- Well of course not, Icouldn't be more happy

or pleased with your surprise.

It's just that, well dear I,

I think it's human nature to want expensive things,

luxuries.

- So what do you want honey that you don't have?

- Oh I have everything I want dear.

It's, I was just merelytrying to explain

why the children acted as they did.

- Well you don't haveto explain I understand.

I don't blame them.

Tell me, what did youthink the surprise was?

You'll have to go some to top the others. (laughing)

- Oh it's too ridiculousto even mention.

- A mink coat?

A yacht, cruise on the Riviera?

- Oh, I thought perhaps you were going to walk in here

with a, (laughing) with a maid, in a white crisp uniform

and clean up the place--(banging)

Clean up the house with one hand

and whip up some (speaking in a foreign language)

with the other.

Oh I have an imagination too dear.

- Well that's the one request that makes sense.

I told you I wanted toget someone in to help.

- Oh but not at theprice we'd have to pay,

as much as I would love it.

- Well we can stretch the budget that far.

- Oh I don't mean money.

You see the way it is now,

everyone in this family has to contribute something.

Betty hurries home from school to help me

and Kathy does variousthings around the house.

Things that I could domyself in half the time,

but it brings her home too

and I think it teaches her responsibility,

and as for Bud, he's at an age where I think it's better

for him to have definite duties that keep him home

rather than hanging around street corners

with too much time on his hands.

So, for the time being, let's leave things just as they are.

- You know,

I think the committee made a mistake,

they should've given the Gold Key to you.

- Oh no, it went to the right person.

It's because of you that I feel this way.

You've been my candidate for ideal father for many years.

(emotional music)

- Oh, I wish the rest of the Andersons felt that way.

- Oh. (laughing)

Are you ready dear?

- Yeah.

- Well come in the dining room a minute will you?

- Well honey we're going to eat out

before this meeting starts, we better get going.

- I know dear.

- Personally I'll be glad when the whole thing is over.

- Oh you.

- Have to sit around and listento a lot of silly speeches.

What am I gonna do with a Gold Key when I get it?

- This is our surprise Dad.

- [Children] Surprise.

(emotional music)

- This is our way of telling you

that we think you're theideal father every year.

This is from us, for you.

(emotional music)

- Ms. Kathleen Anderson, reportcard ending first semester,

spelling A, English A, conduct B.

(audience laughing) (laughing)

Arithmetic, I can't make it out Kathy.

- You're not supposed to it might spoil your appetite.

(audience laughing)

I'll try harder next semester, honest.

- Thank you Kitten.

(emotional music)

This is to certifythat Ms. Betty Anderson

because of her high scholastic standing, has been elected

to Omega Tau Delta Honorary Scholastic Society.

Princess,

congratulations.

(emotional music)

- I really had to do some digging

to come up with something Dad.

Up until this morning all I had was a bill

for Scratched Thunder and two tickets to the baseball game.

(audience laughing)

(laughing)

but I just made the deadline with that.

- James Anderson Junior,

because of his interest in the advancement of fellowship

and leadership has been nominated

as a member of the student body council.

Congratulations son.

- Well my gift is on the table Jim.

A very special dinner.

- I may not be the ideal father but I know one thing.

I have the ideal family.(laughing)

- Of course Dad if you happen to have an unusually good year

I could still go for a convertible.

- I wouldn't be exactly insulted

if you decided to hire at least a part time maid.

- And sooner or later Father

we're going to have to see Hawaii.

- One thing you don't have to worry about,

getting a swimming pool.

- Oh?

- I'd much rather have a yacht instead.

(laughing)

- Well we may not be the richest family,

but I'll be we're the most normal.

(audience applauding)

(dramatic music)
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