Now listen to Father Knows Best Transcribe, starring Robert Young as Father, Welcome to Springfield and another half hour is it with the folks in the White Frame House on Maple Street.

Sit back and enjoy life with the Anderson's Kathy, Bud, Betty, Margaret and Jim has the head of this typical American household again sets out to prove that mother knows Best.

Well.

This is New Year's even Springfield, just as it is everywhere else.

But there's a something special about this New Year's Eve at the White Frame House on Maple Street.

For the first time in years, things have worked out so that Jim and Margaret could go out to a New Year's party instead of spending it at home with the children.

And right now party preparations are nearing completion.

Like this, Margaret, I.

Need some help with these cuff links.

They put so much starch in the cuffs.

I can hardly bend them around my wrist.

They keep snapping back at me.

John, wear my white shoes tonight, yes, Kathy, but take some white shoe polish and clean them.

I'll just get some journey again.

Clean them anyway.

Now, then, Jim, give me your cuff links.

Hmm.

You know, I can hardly believe we're actually going out this New Year's It is hard to believe.

How many years is it now that we've been trying to get to the Stevens New Year's Party?

You'd think they would have stopped inviting us by now.

Well, tonight we'll make up for all the years we've missed.

Of course, it makes you feel a little older to realize that your children are finally old enough to go somewhere where's that New Year's Eve?

But it's kind of a good feeling too.

Gives you a sense of freedom.

Yes, Kathy, is it all right if I wear blue shoes tonight?

It would be fine, But you don't have any blue shoes.

I do now.

I got hold of the wrong bottom of shoe polish.

Oh dear, I'll be there in a minute, Kathy, Where did you say she was going tonight?

Oh?

Just over to Patty Davis's house.

Patty's grandmother is going to be there to stay with the girls.

Hey, where's the.

New black bow tie bought to wear tonight?

Mother?

I'll put it right here on the bed.

Mother, I snag these stockings.

Do you have an extra pair?

Of real sheer dark ones.

Look in my top door.

I think there's one pair in there.

Those are the ones I snagged.

Oh well, did you look at it?

There's none there either.

Well maybe you can.

That won't work either.

The only solution I can see, mother, is for us to exchange dockings.

I should wear the snagged ones well.

After all, Mother, it doesn't matter so much how you're.

Well.

I mean when a person gets to be.

Well in a crowd of elderly married people who looks at anyone's legs.

Well, there's your father and mister Davis and mister Phillips and mister Leggett and mister Stevens and mister Study.

Have you seen an elderly black boat tie anywhere?

I've got problems of my own.

Oh I'm sorry, mom, Betty.

I may be caught up in the Stanley Steamer crowd, but I plan to wear these dockings tonight, even though, oh.

Wait, I think I might have another pair in my room.

Mom, I can't imagine where that tie went to.

Where's that check in flannel shirt of mine?

But you can't wear that to a party.

It hasn't got any holes in it.

I know that, And it's clean, but I want you to dress up.

Why all it's gonna be there is just some fellas and some girls.

Nobody but people.

Huh.

Well, if you want to call girls people.

Well, even though it is limited to people, I want you to dress up.

Wear your white shirt.

It won't look very good with blue jeans.

Who said you were going to wear blue jeans?

Wear your good blue suit.

I thought that was the Sunday school.

Well you can wear it tonight too, after all, this is New.

Year's and at your first New Year's Eve party?

Well okay, but a blue suit doesn't look so hot with tennis shoes.

Tennis shoes, well, gosh, we're gonna play games tonight and I don't want to slip look bad.

Needs to be sure footed, that's fine, but need suction grip souls on the turns?

Look bad tonight?

Do you want me to lose the games?

Of course not, but.

Wear your good shoes and stop badgering your mother.

Well okay, if you want your boy to be a wallflower, Oh wait.

A minute, wallflower, do you know where my new I didn't think, so, what do you suppose happened to that tie?

Margot?

Are you sure you didn't pick it up.

I haven't even seen the tie.

Jim was right there on the bed.

What could have happened to it?

Mommy?

How do I look at my new black hair ribbon?

Does that answer your question?

Jim?

How does it look?

Huh?

Well, it looks fine, kitten, except that happens to be my necktie.

Oh, dear Jim, And you go down and get the phone.

My nail polish is still wept, and the.

Mother is probably Ralph worrying about if I'm going to be ready on time.

He always thinks he has to wait for me, and I don't know where he ever got that idea, because he never has.

To wait for me.

I never make him wait.

I can't remember one single time that I ever.

Made him wait.

Well, don't stand there talking, go down and answer the phone.

Let him wait.

The feminine female mind is a wondrous thing.

Indeed, what does that mean?

Daddy?

I wish I knew kittens?

Then please give me back my tie.

All flibberty gippets.

Come on, Kathy, we'll go find you another ribbon.

We'd better figure out what to do about your shoes, too.

Oh, I got them fixed.

I made two tone shoes.

Out of them.

Oh fine blue and red.

Red?

Where did the red come from?

Well, see, when I was trying to scrape off the blue polish.

With a knife, a knife, I cut my finger and so I got off the mcura comb.

Say no more?

And the red and the blue looked so pretty.

I just finished them up that way.

I'll bet they look great now.

Yeah, they do, but we'll have to get a new bottle of Mecura comb.

That stuff doesn't spread as far as shoe polish.

Mother, how about your brown Oxford?

Are they good enough to wear?

Mother?

That was missus Davis.

She said, Patty's in bed.

In bed, she ate up the missiletoe and got sick.

Oh my, So Kathy can't go over there tonight?

Oh ge will it?

Oh?

Well, I know what that means.

Here, Kathy, you can have the tie.

I won't be wearing it tonight.

Well I'll wait a minute, Jim, all's not lost.

And here I thought that for once we had New Year's Eve all organized.

Well, it'll still work out.

I'll call a sitter to stay with Kathy.

Oh heck, I don't want to sit her.

I want to go with you and Daddy.

Luck Angel.

By the time we're ready to leave.

It'll be your bedtime.

You said I could stay up until nine thirty tonight.

Where you can, I'll go down and call missus Treeley.

She's usually available.

I don't want Missus Trey.

Missus tree always wants to read me a bedtime story to put me to sleep.

Well, you like bedtime stories, all right, don't you sure?

But she always falls asleep instead of me.

I see.

I have to keep waking her up so many times that I lose interest in the story.

Well, I think this is something we'd better look into.

We're not paying her to come over here and sleep.

Don't pay her anything at all.

Maybe she'll stay away.

Well, I doubt if she'll be able to make it tonight.

We'll soon find out if it comes your mother, how'd you make out, Margaret?

No luck with Missus Treeley.

She's already taken for tonight, and so is Missus Freeman.

Good day.

But Missus Brophy said she was pretty sure she could find somebody to send over who I don't know, Well, whoever.

It is, I don't like her, but you haven't even seen her yet, Kathy, Oh gosh, if I don't like her without even singr think how much worse it will be when I do see her.

Yeah, I think I'll eat some missiletoe and go over and be sick and dead with Patty.

I forgot to tell you that I'm supposed to take a box lunch to this party.

A box lunch, well, for goodness sakes, But why didn't you tell me before I forgot?

Well, it's hardly time to fix one now.

Oh.

I won't need much, just enough for me and whatever girl gets me.

Well, let me think one.

You just throw a couple of things together, like save fire, a couple of chicken, some ashed potatoes, calm on the cob, string beans, apple pie.

But I'm not going to fry any chickens for you tonight.

I can tell you that right now.

Why don't you go down in the kitchen and see what you can find for some sandwiches.

There's some peanut butter and jelly.

Well, what's wrong with that?

What do you think?

I am a vegetarian?

I want meat.

Come on, Bud, I'll go down with you and see what we can find.

I'm a little hungry myself.

Okay, wait for me, I'm hungry too.

Oh boy, do you have to make so much noise when you go downstairs.

I told you I should have worn my tennis shoes tonight.

Oh sure, they have super such and cup cushion soles.

I'll bet that's your sitter, Kathy.

Go let her in.

I don't like her.

Well let her in any way.

You might be surprised and like her.

No, I won't.

Well, don't keep her out there waiting, Okay, tell her your mother will be down in a few minutes.

Come on, bud, let's see what we can find in the kitchen.

Open the front door.

Hello, Daddy says for you to come in.

Well, thanks, Hi there, how are you?

Huh?

Hey, who are you?

Well, I'm Freddy's dollars.

I'll bet you're Kathy?

Is that right?

Uh?

Huh?

But how did you know?

My aunt told me my aunt is missus Brothy Brophy.

You mean you're my sitter?

You hit?

Yeah.

It does seem kind of funny, doesn't it.

But see, I'm making my own way in college, and I pick up a buck wherever I can.

You're really going to stay here and play with me.

That's the deal.

Look what I brought along first to play with you?

Any good at ping pong?

Gee?

Golly boy, come on, we'll set it up on your dining room table.

Have you got a good big one?

Yeah, it's right through this way.

Okay, gee, you sure are pretty Kathy.

I think we're gonna get along great.

Here's the table.

Now what do we do?

Well, you take one end of this net and go around the other side of the table.

Yeah, that's the idea.

Who's that?

That's just my old sister.

Don't let her nowhere in here?

Caddy?

Did you hide my gloves?

Is that your sister on the hall?

Yeah?

That's her.

Come on, let's play.

Wow, she's no fun, she's no.

Good at games.

Kathy.

Where are you?

Oh?

Here you are?

Caddy?

Did you.

Where?

Well?

You go away?

Betty?

This is my sitter, sitter.

Yeah, I'm working my way through college.

Oh, dear missus Brophy send you.

Yeah, she's my aunt.

Oh, my name's Freddy's allers, what's yours?

It's Betty?

Betty?

Gee, that's my favorite name.

Want to have a game of ping pong?

No, wait a minute, you're going to be.

Here all evening.

Yeah, that's the deal.

Come on, Freddy, let's play.

Betty, go answer the phone.

Somebody else will get it.

Now, here's a good way to hold the paddle, Betty.

Some players hold it this way, but I prefer to to Betty.

Bet Oh, there you are telephone all right, brother dear Ah.

Nice to have met you.

Freddy, Yeah, nice to have met you.

Come on, Freddy, let's play.

Hey.

Who's he?

Who's Freddy?

That's Kathy sitter?

Sitter howling Cat's dad?

Get a load of that sitter.

Who's on the phone, Ralph?

Yes?

Did you say the sitters?

He take a peek in the dining room.

Hello, Oh, yes, Ralph.

Well, no, I'm not ready yet, Ralph.

I'm afraid I'm not going to make it.

See him dad.

Yeah, Well, Ralph, I have.

A simply utterly crushing headache, and I just don't think I can go to the party tonight.

Wait a minute, Betty.

Oh, I'm awfully sorry, Ralph, but I just wouldn't be any fun at all tonight.

Now listen here, Betty.

Well, I'm sorry to Ralph, but this came up awfully suddenly.

It certainly did.

Well, Thank you, Ralph, I will goodbye, Betty.

I'm ashamed of you.

Why, father, you wouldn't want me to go out with a crushing headache, would you?

No, no, of course not.

In fact, now that I think of it, I'm glad you did that.

You are certainly now that you're going to be home, we won't need the city.

I will tell leave you at all.

Act two, Father knows best.

In just a moment tomorrow, over the entire coast to coast facilities of the NBC Radio Network, you're invited to tune to the pageant of the Roses as NBC takes you to Pasadena, California for the Rose Parade.

You'll want to hear every minute of it on this station of the NBC Radio Network.

Later in the day, NBC will again switch to Pasadena for a play by play description of the world famed Rose Bowl football game, the Spartans of Michigan State College co champions of the Big Ten versus the Bruins of UCLA Pacific Coast Champions.

Check your local newspaper for the times of the broadcasts on this same NBC station.

Well, what started out to be the first well organized New Year's even the history of the Anderson family has now become a mixed up chamow.

When Kathy's plans fell through, they had to get a sitter for her, and when the sitter turned out to be a handsome young man.

Betty called off her date with Ralph, and now Jim is upsetting Betty's little scheme by letting the sitter go home like this.

You see something just came up, mister.

What did you say?

Your name was?

Freddy Zaler?

Sir?

Yes, well, Freddy, it looks now as though our oldest daughter won't be going out tonight.

She won't.

Hey wait, it seems that she has a crushing headache.

Gosh, that's too bad.

She's got to go out, Benny.

Well, she's called off her date.

Already, old glue pots.

And as long as she's going to be here, Freddie, I guess we won't need a sitter after all.

However, we'll pay you anyway, as long as you were good enough to come all the way.

Over other I think I've changed my mind.

My head seems to feel a little better now I might call Ralph and go after all.

Maybe, good, good, Well, are you sure you're going to go?

I think so?

At any rate, we'll need someone to stay with Kathy.

I see well, Freddie, I guess you'd better stick around until the princess makes up her mind.

What she's going to do that is if you don't mind.

Oh, I don't mind at all, not at all, sir.

Come on, Freddy, let's get going.

Here.

It's my turn to bat.

It's your turn to serve candy.

Okay, my turn to serve the bath.

Come on, dad, I'm coming bud.

My.

I'll bet that's a fascinating game to play.

Yeah, here, you want to try it?

Oh no, you've got a headache.

You'd better sit down.

Would you like to have me get you a drink of water?

Would you slush?

I'll be right back now.

Listen, Betty, he's mine.

Excuse me, mister Anderson.

Could I please get a glass of water?

Oh?

Sure, help yourself.

There's some glasses not covered right next to the saint.

Oh thanks.

I don't think you've met my son.

This is but Freddy's alive.

Hi.

Bye?

Say you wouldn't have an aspirin tablet?

Handy?

Would you?

Has Kathy giving you a headache already?

No, it's for Betty.

Well, I'll tell you, Freddy.

I doubt if an aspirin would have much effect on the kind of headache Betty has.

Just to give her the water, yes, or I will.

I'll take good care of her, sir, what's wrong with him?

I don't know.

He snapped his snood.

He'll get it back as soon as Betty leaves.

Now, then, what was your problem?

No problem, I just can't find hardly anything for my box launch.

Well, let's see what have you got in here so far?

Apples that's good.

Still pickles, You need a whole jar of them.

Pickles are hard to carry loose.

I see wieners.

These aren't cooked, bud, they're not bad raw.

I might be able to put them on the radiator for a while to sort of warm them off.

Wait a minute, why do you need two packages of wieners?

Well, she might want some too.

I see, well, what else we got here?

Donuts, cookies, pretzels, box of crackers, bottle of ketchup.

I just put in one.

I thought we could share that.

Can of minced ham, can of homony.

But you've got to cook homedy?

Is that what that is?

I thought it said honey, hell me?

I thought honey would go good with the pretzels.

Yes, delicious, can of corned beef, cann of vienna, sausages, can of salmon.

But this was used to be a box lunch, not a canned lunch.

I know, but where can you get a box of simon?

What's this in here for?

Ahead of cabbage?

Well?

I thought maybe I could trade that off for something if I get hungry.

Yeah, that you should worry about, Jim.

I'm ready, let's go.

So what do you think I could take?

Dad?

On the side of beef?

Would be nice?

Hurry up, Jim, we'd better go.

I just call the Stevens and told him we're late.

But we're on our way.

Margaret, I don't think we should leave just yet.

A situation has come up with a sitter.

I know all about it.

Kathy just told me come.

On, but Margaret, I was just wondering if we ought to leave him on chaperone.

Doesn't seem quite proper.

He is a stranger.

No he's not.

He's Missus Brophy's nephew.

He's a wonderful boy.

Dad.

Where can I get a side of beef this time of.

The night, I don't know, Bud, Come on, Jim, we're terribly late now.

Look at the clock.

Oh my gosh, how did it get that late.

Well, we've all just been fooling around.

We've got to go.

Yeah, okay, that uh Freddy is awfully good looking.

Oh, stop being a father and let's go.

This is our New Year's night out.

Remember, yeah, okay, I know good and well.

Betty never intended to call Ralph back and go out with him.

She's waited long enough, so he's sure to have made other plans by now.

Oh now, Jim stop it, daddy.

Will you come in play ping pong with me?

I thought you were playing with Freddy.

No, they're in the living room, sitting on the davenport by George.

I knew it.

You knew what well?

I mean, Uh, maybe I'd better go in there and just sort of well.

You know, check.

Oh, for heaven's sake, Jim, you remind me of my father.

Oh dear, that's probably the Stevens wondering what happened to us.

But tell them we're on our way.

Come on, Jim, wait, it might be an important call.

Oh dear.

Oho, Oh hi, Joe, it's just Joe.

Come on wait.

I forgot to get a handkerchief, I think, Jim come back.

Hey, I'm glad you called Joe.

What are you putting in your box?

Lunch?

What you've eaten already?

I look what time it is?

Well, how was it?

Did the girls draw names and all that?

Who got me?

Claude Messner?

Uneven number?

Huh?

I'll show you how to batter serve mommy some other time.

What are you doing now?

Going home?

No?

I haven't got my box lunch ready yet, Jim, hurry up?

Well okay, Joe, see you tomorrow.

Bye.

Anybody wants some pretzels and pickles?

But come on, play me a game, will you?

Huh?

In just a minute, I want to eat a couple of wienings.

First, mother, aren't.

You father ever going to your party?

I'm trying my best to get him out of here.

He's upstairs getting a handkerchief right now.

No, he isn't.

He's in the dining room playing ping pong with Freddy ping pong.

I know what he's doing too, He's protecting his poor little innocent daughter.

Oh fine, old boy.

I'd like to get him on that game myself.

Come on, Cathy, maybe we can get up some doubles hot dog.

Oh wait, children don't start anything.

Oh dear.

Mother, Why does father think he has to protect me?

Because he's a father?

That's why.

Here, Betty put this on so you won't saw your good dress but why don't you know what we have to do now?

I don't think I'm do well.

You will have to have a family of your own.

Now help me with this stuff here.

I think we can put it over on the table there.

Oh, I get you.

I think this is a wonderful plan mother, It's one.

I've been using for years.

We better hurry too, it's just about time.

You're right.

Maybe you better go break up the game and call them out here.

Okay, miss it?

Kathy's happy.

That's it, good girl?

Now that makes it?

Do it?

Wait a minute, that was our point.

She missed the table.

She didn't, did you, Kathy?

No, sir, I'll let them have it.

We'll still beat them all.

Listen to you.

Wait a minute, hold it.

I have a brief announcement.

Mother wants you all to file into the kitchen.

Before we just got the game started.

Come on everyone, yes, ma'am.

Well come on kids.

Remember now it's my serve right in here.

That's it.

Wow, what's all this?

It's time for refreshments?

Help yourselves.

Pickles, pretzels, donuts, corn beef sam Hey, that's my box, lun and one can of harmony.

Yes, and look at the clock.

Everyone.

Huh, well, I'll be happy mine shore away.

Days.

Oh long, Mary, let me be the first to kiss our wonderful hostess.

Hey, that's an idea.

Oh oh boy, this is what I like corn beef.

By George Margaret.

I believe this is the best time we've had since the first year we missed the Stevens party.

Happy here, everybody.

The Andersons will be back in a moment.

New Year's Eve tomorrow, another great year dawns.

But tonight's the nime for celebration of the wonderful days which have passed in fifty three.

Right now is a time for a word of caution.

In your celebrating tonight.

Please follow this rule of good sense.

If you drink, don't drive.

Driving and drinking don't mix.

So remember the number one rule of the professional truck driver.

Driving is a full time job.

The professional driver's good safety record is based upon the fact that when he drives, he's in full command of his senses.

Remember that alcohol and gasoline don't mix, and that the life you save may be your own.

Well, the Anderson's all finally went to a New Year's party, but it turned out to be the one they always attend their own.

The younger celebrants are all fast asleep in their beds now.

Only Jim and Margaret are still up as they tidy up a few things downstairs like this.

You know, Margaret, when you come right down to it, there is no better place to celebrate New Year's Eve than right in your own home with your own family.

Well, I must admit Rie had a wonderful time.

Ah, oh my goodness, that's the matter.

We forgot to call the Stevens to tell them we weren't coming.

Well, I think they figured that out for themselves by now.

Oh, but we should call, Jim, I feel awful.

Well, you're right, but it's pretty late now.

They'll still be going strong.

Call them and explain.

What'll I say?

Just say, well, you'll think of something.

I know they're wondering why we didn't even call.

Please do it, Jim.

Well, okay, I'll just tell them we got stuck here at home again and there was no way to hello.

Who is this, oh Harvey, Happy New Year to you too, Harvey.

This is Jim Jim Anders.

No word at home?

Yeah, huh, well we had to Harvey.

I just called back to thank you again.

It was a wonderful party.

Yeah, so long, Harvey.

To thank him.

Jim, what were you talking about?

I do you like Ed?

He asked me.

Why we left the party so early?

They never even missed us.

Join us again next week when we'll be back with Father Knows Best, starring Robert Young as Jim Anders.

Father Knows Best as an NBC Radio Network production in cooperation with Cavalier Enterprises.

In our cast were Geen vander Pylist, Margaret Rode Williams, Ted Donaldson, Helen Strom, and Gil Stratton Junior.

Father Knows Best based on characters created by Ed James, written by Paul West and Roswell Rodgers, directed by Arthur Jacobson and transcribed in Hollywood.

This is Bill Foreman speaking.

Tonight Here the All Star Parade of Bands on the NBC Radio Network

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