(upbeat theme music)
- [Announcer] Robert Young.
And Jane Wyatt.
With Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin.
In Father Knows Best.
- And I can get this power mower for only,
for only $ , which you'll have to admit is dirt cheap.
- Well, sure, but why don't you go out
and mow lawns with our hand mower?
That way you'll be in business
without anyone having to put up any money.
- That's too slow, Dad.
I can mow three times as many lawns with a power mower.
- Hold the door, will you?
- Okay, that's the only way you can
make money nowadays, mass production.
(laughter)
- Let me get this straight.
You wanna form a lawn mowing corporation,
and you want us to invest enough money
so you can buy a power mower?
- And I'll do all the work,
and everybody'll get a cut of the profits.
After I get my wages, of course.
- I see.
- Mom and Betty have already invested in the corporation,
but you can still get in on it, Dad.
- Lucky me.
(laughter)
Tell me this, you need $ .
So how much did the others invest,
and how much do I have to put up?
- Well, only, not much.
- How much is not much?
- Well, actually, Bettyonly put up a dollar.
But Mom chunked in $ , so that only leaves.
- So that only leaves $ the old man has to chunk in.
That's just about what I figured.
- Look at the big profits you'll make, Dad.
- Bud, I can't be handing out $ every time I turn around.
I'm not made of money, you know.
- Yes, of course, that'sa very nice locket
that Burgess gave you, but that still doesn't mean
that you have togive him a gift.
- [Kathy] But, Mother.
- Certainly not a big expensive gift,
as you wanna give him.
- But, Mother, you don'twant Burgess to think
I come from a cheap family, do you?
- No, but little girls don't go around
giving presents to boys.
- I'm not a little girl anymore.
This shows I'm going steady with Burgess, and well,
oh, Daddy, I wanna talk to you.
(laughter)
I need some money.
- You too?
- Oh no you don't, I saw him first.
- [Kathy] No youdidn't, I saw him first.
- Heaven's sakes, children, can't you leave
your father alone for one minute?
Sometimes I wonder how he has enough nerve to come home.
- Dad and I had already started a business discussion,
and we wanna finish it, don't we, Dad?
- Well, here, empty this and let him relax for a moment.
- But Mom.
- Please.
- Okay, don't go away,Dad, I'll be right back.
(laughter)
- You know, if this big demand for money keeps up,
you and I better take up counterfeiting.
- Here, let me hang up your things, Daddy.
You're such a nice father.
I just love to do things for you.
(laughter)
- All I need is five or dollars to buy Burgess something.
- Five or dollars?
- Well, sure, look at the locket he gave me.
Musta cost a hundred dollars.
- Oh, I doubt that.
- Well, it must have.
It's real silver, and I promised Burgess
I'd never take it off,no matter what happens.
- Not even to take a shower?
- I can only take tub baths from here on.
(laughter)
- Such devotion, but it isn't necessary
for you to buy him a present.
It would be better to do something personal
like making him a batch of cookies.
- Cookies?
Daddy, have you no feelings, no taste?
When a boy gives a girla hundred-dollar locket,
the least she can do is givehim something that costs a lot.
- Well, Kathy, I don't think Burgess
could afford a locket that cost a hundred dollars.
- Yes, he could.
His father quit that salesman job.
He's president of a corporation now.
Manufactures plastic umbrellas,
so Burgess can get all the money he wants from him.
- Well, good for him.
- But, Daddy.
- Hi ya, Bud.
(laughter)
(soft music)
- Kathy, old kid, is that locket really worth a lot?
- Of course it is.
- Well look, if you really wanna buy old Burgess
something expensive, I've got a way
you can make a lot of money.
- Really, how?
- Well I've got thislawn mowing corporation
that'll pay big profitsto its investors.
Now you take that locket it and sell it.
- Sell it, sell my locket?
The locket that Burgess gave me to rivet our love?
I'd die before I'd give this up.
(laughter)
(soft music)
- Hi, Betty.
Say by the way, Betty old pal.
- I've already given youthe one and only dollar
I'm going to invest in your company, old pal.
(laughter)
- I thought you were againstthis corporation idea of Bud's.
- I was, especially when I found out
how much it would cost me.
But on the other hand, maybe we shouldn't discourage him.
After all, it's a legitimate way to raise capital.
And he had the initiative to try it.
Who knows?
His company plan might even work out.
- What are you talking about, Bud's fly-by-night scheme?
- Yes.
- Well I agree weshouldn't discourage him
from being enterprising,but if you've already
turned him down.
- Oh don't worry, he's not gonna give up this easily.
He'll be around again, hammering away at it.
But this time, we'll let him talk us into investing
our money in the corporation.
- Investing what money?
I've already given him all I can afford.
- Well here.
I'll give each of you some money.
If the company fails, we can always sell the power mower
and get our money back.
Here.
- Gee, I wish I couldraise money this easily.
- Well don't just give it to him.
Make him work for it.
Put up a lot of resistance.
Shh, here he comes.
Remember now, make him work for it.
Hi, Bud.
(laughter)
(soft music)
- Well, what was it you started to ask me
in the hallway, old pal?
- I don't wanna ask anything.
- Well, how's the corporation coming?
- What corporation?
(laughter)
- Well, Bud, what kind of
mower machine doyou plan to buy?
- All right, cut it out, don't rub it in.
- Why not?
- Oh, we might even be talked into investing
some more money.
- Oh sure.
- Oh wait, don't you think it would be
a good investment for us?
- You'd lose your shirts.
(laughter)
- Wait, numbskull, look.
I want to invest, really.
- Well, as a matter of fact, I do too.
You talked so convincingly.
- Okay, what's the big joke?
- There's no joke, don't you want it?
Here, take it.
- Is this for real?
- Look, if you don't want it.
- No, I want it.
Dad?
(laughter)
(soft music)
- Boy, we certainlymade him work for that.
(laughter)
- Now that you mention it, it does seem kinda strange.
They didn't put upmuch resistance at all.
In fact, Kathy even came looking for me.
I know Dad gave her the money she chunked in, though.
- Maybe it's a trap.
- Yeah, I keep feeling they know something I don't.
- Maybe they figured out that by the time
you split the profits between all of them,
there won't be much left for you.
- Oh know, you're forgetting that before anybody gets
their profits, I get my wages.
I'm the one who's gonna make the big money on this deal.
I'm the head man.
- Oh, you got the mower already.
May I run it, Bud?
- Hold it, squeegee, just don't handle the merchandise.
Keep your hands off.
- No way, don't forget, I'm part of the corporation.
- You may be part of it,but I'm running it, see,
so let's get that straight right now.
- I'm a bigger part of it than you are.
I put more money in it.
- More of Dad's money, you mean.
So just don't go getting any big ideas.
- Daddy, Bud won't evenlet me touch the mower,
and I'm part owner.
- I just don't want her to ruin it
before I have a chance to startmaking profits for everyone.
- I have some rights in the company, don't I, Daddy?
- Well, now wait.
Hello, Kippy.
- Oh, hi, Mr. Henderson.
- We'd better decide.
- Look, if I'm gonna run this company,
I can't have a lotta interference.
- Well that's what we better decide, who's gonna run it.
- What do you mean?
- Well every corporation has to have a president to run it.
- President? Well I'm the head man.
- Well not necessarily,you're just the fella
we hired to do the work.
That doesn't mean that you can't be president, too,
but you have to be elected.
- Well that's the goofiest.
Okay, then, let's getthis election over with.
- Fine, we'll have the election tonight.
- I hope you win it, Daddy,
so I can have a corporation president for a father,
just like Burgess.
(laughter)
- All right now, write down your choice
of president of the corporation.
Fold your ballot, and hand it in.
- And no stuffing of the ballot box, old pal brother.
- I still don't see why we're doing this.
The company was all my idea,
and I'm the one who's gonna be doing all the work.
- But it's our capital, so vote.
- I wish I'd get at least one vote.
No one ever votes for me.
- Oh, I think there's a chance you might get one vote.
(laughter)
Well, there's my ballot.
- Okay, Betty, write these down.
(laughter)
One vote for Daddy.
Thank you, Kathy.
One vote for Bud.
- Hey, that's Bud's handwriting.
He voted for himself.
- So what?
- I didn't know you could do that.
I wish I had voted for myself.
- And a vote for Kathy.
- Hurray.
(laughter)
- And another vote for Kathy.
- What?
- The last vote is for,
Kathy.
(laughter)
- Now wait.
This is a frame-up, I demand a recount.
- There they are, count them.
Five votes, one for you, one for me and three for Kathy.
- She can't be pres --
- It's a fair, legaland honorable election.
So, Kathy, congratulations,
you are now president of the corporation.
- Hurray for me.
(laughter)
- You're not really areal president, are you?
- Well sure I am.
I was officially elected honestly.
- I never knew they had girl presidents.
- You don't care, do you?
I mean, this won't comebetween us, will it?
- Well I don't know.
I've never gone steady with a corporation president before.
Course I can't say anything against them,
because my Dad's one.
(laughter)
- Yeah, tell me again all the things your dad does
as president of his corporation,
so I'll know how to act.
I need your advice.
- Well, he bosses everything,
and he tells everybody what to do,
and he signs all the checks.
- Tell me about the money again.
- That all belongs to him, of course.
He can do anything he wants with it.
- Good.
Tell me, Burgess, if you could have anything you wanted,
anything in the whole world,
what would you want?
- A -foot cabin cruiser.
(laughter)
- How much do they cost?
- Well, they're expensive.
I bet they cost two or dollars.
(laughter)
- And Burgess wasn't quite sure he liked the idea
of dating a corporation president.
(laughter)
But Kathy played it smart.
She appealed to the maleego and asked his advice
on how to handle her job.
- Well, where did she learn that trick so young?
- That's pure instinct in the female of the species.
(laughter)
- Where's Bud, is he home yet?
- No, I think he'sstill out mowing lawns.
- Well, I'm glad he's working, because I don't feel
the money is growing interest enough.
I'd better have a talk with him.
- Get a load of that.
Will success spoil President Kathy?
(laughter)
- He told me I'd make a lotta big money outta this deal.
But so far.
Oh, there he comes.
Okay, drop it in.
(laughter)
How much did you take in this time?
- Not so grabby.
- Ah, you're doing a little better.
- A little better, whatdo you expect, blood?
(laughter)
I'm keeping this one for guess, see.
- Oh no, I just gave you cents for gas yesterday.
- I used it all up.
I can't run the mower on water, you know.
- No, but maybe you're just wasting gas.
Maybe if you adjusted the motor, it might work.
- Look, I don't need you to tell me how to run the motor.
Now just fork over some gas money.
- Make out a slip for it.
(laughter)
Daddy says I should keeptrack of the expenses.
Just make it out for cents.
(laughter)
(laughter)
(upbeat music)
(laughter)
(laughter)
- Dad, when am I gonna start getting
my wages outta this chintzy company?
- Well, don't ask me, ask the president.
- And there's another thing.
How much longer do I have to put up with that,
that hollow mockery?
She's even starting to boss me around.
- Well, I guess she's just taking her job seriously.
Let her have her fun.
- Well it's no fun for me.
I tell you it's humiliating,
having to ask mylittle sister for money
to buy gas for the mower.
I practically have to get down on my knees and beg her.
- Good, shows she's watching the purse strings
of our corporation very carefully.
Gives me more confidence in her.
- Well that isn't what she gives me.
And I can tell you right now, I'm gonna
throw her out of the company as soon as I can.
(soft music)
(laughter)
- Am I gonna be thrown out of the company?
- No, of course not.
You have some pretty strong supporters
among the board members.
- I hope I don't get thrown out.
At least not for a while.
That'd ruin my plans.
- What kinda plans, corporation plans?
- No, personal.
How much longer do youthink I'll be president?
- Well, that depends on how good a president you are.
And in that connection,I might suggest that
you go easy on bossing Bud.
After all, he's the onewho brings in the money.
- Well, aren't I supposed to boss him?
Burgess' father bosses his workers.
- Well, yes, but a good executive is one
who runs things withoutbeing bossy, understand?
- Well I was justtrying to do a good job.
- You are, but go easy around Bud.
And I think it would be a good idea if you told him
you're gonna call ameeting in about a week.
- I am?
- Yes, and tell him that you're gonna give a financial
report and pay him his wages.
And if there's anything left over,
you'll declare a dividend.
- Check.
(laughter)
- Man this is really keeno?
- Well of course it isn't quite feet long,
but this is all I couldafford, right now.
- Well I never meant you were supposed
to buy me that cabin cruiser.
Shouldn't even have bought me this.
- Oh but I wanted to, because you gave me this.
I've never had it off.
And I never never will.
- I won't be able to saythe same for my boat.
I can't very well wear it around my neck.
- That'd look funny.
- But I sure do like this.
Hey, maybe we could have a date tonight.
Like say me coming over to see you.
- Aw, gee, I'm sorry, Burgess,
but I have to run a corporation meeting tonight.
Business, you know.
- Yeah I know.
You're beginning toremind me of my father.
(laughter)
- Well, um,
maybe we could have thatdate tomorrow night.
- Yeah, okay.
Well, thanks again for the swell boat.
Goodbye.
- Oh, that's all right.
I'll get you something better in a few weeks.
Goodbye, Burgess.
(upbeat music)
- Corporation meetingwill now come to order.
Now first, I'll call the roll.
- We don't want a roll call.
Just open up theprecious treasure chest
and dish out my wages.
- Now, Bud, be patient.
- Everybody here, okay.
Now then, I feel our meeting would be much nicer
if we had some refreshments, so.
- We don't want refreshments.
- We want profits.
- Well you're gonna get refreshments, see.
Daddy, would you pass out the gumdrops?
- Yes, Miss President.
- Oh fine, the board of directors
sitting around eating candy.
- Gumdrop?
- Thank you.
- Oh, thank you.
- Now the next thing I want to take up.
- I don't want any, I just want my wages, that's all.
- We're coming to that,
but first I wanna bringup about you getting out
and mowing more lawns.
- More lawns?
My gosh, I'm, working my head to the bone right now.
Look at the blisters I'm getting.
And for what, a lotta silly prattle.
- Well it's all for your own good.
If you wanna lot of wages,
you'll have to bring in more money.
(laughter)
- Well, I've already brought in nearly bucks.
- But we have expenses.
- What expenses?
A few centses for gasfor the mower is all.
- Of course, there aregumdrops for the board members.
- Hey, wait a minute, did you spend
our money on this candy?
- Well I'm the president, aren't I?
- Well, sure, but you can't spend that money
on just anything you want to.
That belongs to the corporation.
- Well, Burgess' fathercan do anything he wants
with the money in his corporation.
- Oh I doubt that.
- But Burgess said so.
- Well regardless, Kathy, before you spend any more
of the company money on candy,
you better check with the other members.
- Come on, let's get on with this meeting.
Open up the box, and let me have my salary.
- And our profits.
(laughter)
- Here, Daddy, you better figure out this part of it.
- Okay, prez.
- Prez.
(laughter)
- Well, let's see how big a melon we have to slice up.
There ought to be just about, uh,
my gosh, there's hardly $ here.
(laughter)
- [Bud] Four dollars!
- That can't be.
- What did you do with all the rest of the money?
- I spent it.
- Spent it?
- On what?
- On a motorboat for Burgess.
- For Burgess, outta my money.
You can't.
That's stealing.
- Oh now, Bud, that'snot a nice thing to say.
- But she just --
- Okay, calm down and let's find out the facts.
- You said yourself that if I invested in your old company,
I'd have lots of money to buy Burgess a present.
- Well I didn't mean like this.
You're a crook, Kathy, nothing but a crook.
- Oh, Bud.
(soft music)
- Kathy, come back here.
- Wait, Kathy.
Now, Bud, I'm ashamed of you.
- Ashamed of me?
Well, what about her?
Your own daughter, a common embezzler.
(soft music)
- Well sure, Bud, everything you say is true.
But even so, you shouldn't have been so rough on Kathy.
She doesn't understand business.
- Well, okay then, she shouldn't have been president.
I tried to tell you that, but oh no.
- Well it would have been all right if Burgess
hadn't given herthose big ideas.
We shouldn't blame her too much.
- Oh, well, it's all right for you to talk.
You're not losing what I am.
I slaved and sweated and broke my back.
And then got robbed.
- Look, Bud, I know how you feel, but
Kathy just wasn't able to grasp the idea.
- She was able to graspthe money, all right.
And she's gonna pay it all back, every cent of it.
And she oughta be punished too.
- Well I think she's suffering enough right now.
How'd you make out with the president?
- Not well at all.
Well, she has her door locked, and she wouldn't let me in.
- Poor kid, she'sprobably so embarrassed
she can't face any of us.
- She's probably up there laughing at the big joke
she played on everyone.
- Oh, Bud.
- And the worst partof it is she has no way
of paying me back all the money she stole from me.
- Bud, I'm ashamed of you for talking that way.
- [Bud] Well, gosh, Mom,how would you like it
if some little thief stole all the money
you'd knocked yourself our earning?
- [Margaret] Shedidn't steal it.
- [Bud] Well, I don't know what else you'd call it.
- Well, I think our corporationshould be able to meet
a crisis without everyone falling to pieces.
- Hey, there she is!
Kathy!
Come back here, Kathy.
(upbeat music)
- What's that, a message?
- Surprised she didn't tie a rock to it
and aim it at me.
- Oh, hush, Bud.
- It's a note all right, listen to this.
I resign from president.
Sell this, and get your money back.
- Sell what?
- This.
- Oh no, her locket.
- Oh, and that she wasnever going to take off.
- Not even to take a bath.
- Gee, I know how awful she must feel
about giving that up.
I remember how I treasured the first locket
a boy ever gave me.
- Bud, I hope you realize what this means to Kathy.
- Oh, yeah, I know it's worth a lot.
- It's worth a lot only to Kathy.
To her, it's worth much much more
than the three or four dollars it cost.
- Three or four, is that all it cost?
- But these are not things you measure in money.
- Here, Bud, it's not much on what the company owes you,
but, it's a starter.
(soft music)
- Well there probably isn't much
of a market for used lockets.
Better give it back to Kathy.
- You know, I'm beginning to like him.
Isn't that terrible?
(laughter)
(doorbell ringing)
- [Margaret] Oh, I wonder who that could be.
- [Jim] Well, Burgess.
- Hi, Mr. Anderson.
- Come in, Burgess.
- I can't stay.
My dad's out in the car.
He says I mustn't keep this.
Hi, Mrs. Anderson.
He says it's too expensive,
and anyway, us men shouldn't accept gifts from girls.
Unless we're married.
(laughter)
- I see.
- Will you explain it to Kathy?
- Yes, I'll tell Kathy, Burgess.
- Well, perhaps you can explain it
to her yourself, Burgess.
I'll go and tell Kathy you're here.
- Kathy'll be right down, Burgess.
- Okay, but I gotta hurry.
My dad has to get home and do some work.
He's having trouble with his corporation.
- I know exactly what you mean.
(laughter)
- Hi.
- Hi.
You won't hate me for bringing back the boat, will you?
- Oh, no.
- You can take it backand get the money back.
Maybe use the money for yourself.
- Oh I will.
I'll use it to save my life.
And reputation.
- Huh?
- And Burgess, the corporation won't come
between us anymore.
I resigned.
(laughter)
(soft music)
(laughter)
(applause)
(upbeat theme music)
05x16 - Kathy, Girl Executive
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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.
The series, which began on radio in 1949, follows the lives of the Andersons, a middle-class family living in the town of Springfield.