Father Knows Best (1954–1960): Season 1, Episode 15 - A Friend of Old George's - full transcript

Robert Young...

and Jane Wyatt.

With Elinor Donahue,

Billy Gray, and Lauren Chapin...

Oh! Coast clear, Mrs. Anderson?

All's clear. Kathy's next door.

I decided to decorate
her birthday cake

with chartreuse and olive
green nasturtiums this time.

I understand
perfectly, Mr. Belmont.

I feel a little
"nasturtiumy" myself today.

Wish Kathy a Happy
Birthday for me.



I will. Thank you.

Miss Dersham's. Ew.

Betty'll help you. Won't
you, dear? Yeah, I guess so.

Hey, did you get
these tires where I said?

The man says there's at
least 10 or 20 miles left on 'em.

Now come on. Hurry up.

Hi, honey. Hello, darling.

Is Kathy around? She's
playing with Patty Davis.

Oh. Well, times have
certainly changed, Margaret.

Little girls used to ask
for dolls and doll buggies.

Now they want tool kits.

Maybe she's gonna be
an engineer. I don't think so.

This morning she said she wanted
to play left field for the Dodgers.

Aw, the table looks nice, honey.



I'll bet you've been
working all day.

I have, but it was fun.

I think birthdays are
very special occasions.

And I think you're a
very special occasion.

Jim, this is Kathy's birthday.

I know. I just wanted
to thank you for her.

Now, I have an added
surprise for all of us.

What is it? Well, after
dinner, I thought it would be...

Kathy!

Well, Little Big Ears,

don't you know it isn't
polite to eavesdrop?

I wasn't eavesdropping.

Then what were you doing?

Well? I'm waiting for an answer.

I'm waiting until I
can think one up.

It's my birthday.

You have to be nice to me today.

Don't ya?

All right, Kitten.

Happy Birthday!

Thank you, Daddy.

Now, what's the
surprise for all of us?

Well, after dinner, we're
all going... to the circus!

A real circus?
Oh, how wonderful!

You bet.

Can I give some of my surprise
birthday cake to the elephants?

By all means.

I'm sure they'd be more
surprised than you were.

Oh, boy! Wait till I go
and tell Patty Davis.

Hurry back! We have
to eat dinner right away,

or we won't make the show.

Mmm, prime rib!

I had to pawn the
family jewels to get it,

but I thought we
ought to celebrate.

Hello, Father. You home?

No, I'm in Upper
Sussex grouse hunting.

Father! Hi, Dad. You home?

It's already been
established that I am.

That's nice, 'cause there's
somebody at the front door

that wants to see you.

Oh? Who?

Says his name is Lyle Riebert.

Lyle Riebert?

I don't know anybody by
that name. What's he look like?

I don't know.

Was he tall?

No.

Short?

Sort of.

Thin? Kind of.

I know I'm impulsive, but why
don't you go see for yourself? Yeah.

Betty, would you turn off
the flame under the potatoes?

I don't seem to be able to
get through the line here.

He said he was a friend
of George Noonan's.

A friend of George Noonan's?
Margaret, did you hear that?

He's a friend of
George Noonan's.

Good old George.

He was just about the
best friend I ever had.

Old Jughead George.

Well, maybe old Jughead's
friend would like to come in.

I can't wait to hear
about good old George.

Don't take too long, dear.
Dinner's practically ready.

Betty, you'd better go
get Kathy. All right, Mother.

Here. Mash.

Well, well, well.

I'm sorry my son
kept you waiting.

Come in, Mr. Riebert.

The name is Hiebert.
Oh, I mean Hiebert.

But you can call me Lyle.

All right. Lyle.

Any friend of George's
is a friend of mine.

Well, I'm... I'm sure
glad to hear that.

Let's go in the living
room where we can talk.

Yeah, well, I shouldn't stay
very long. Oh, nonsense.

You can surely
stay a few minutes.

I have a million things
to ask you about George.

Here. Sit down. Sit down.

Thank you.

Now, tell me, how is old George?

Fine. Just fine.

Gosh, I haven't seen him in,

well, I guess, not
since we left college.

My, you certainly have a nice
home here, Mr. Anderson. Thanks.

Is, uh, George still
with the police force?

Oh, Mr. Noonan is a judge now.

A judge? You don't say!

You lived here
long, Mr. Anderson?

Uh, quite a while.

Tell me, how is Edna?

Edna?

You know, George's wife.

Oh, yes, of course.

I've never met her.

You've never met Edna?

N-No.

Have they been
married very long?

Well, about 20 years, I'd say.

Is that right?

I said, uh, mash them,
not massacre them.

Okay.

Oh, my biscuits
are gonna be ruined!

Well, I'll tell Dad we're
ready to eat. No, no, no.

We'll give them, uh, a few
more minutes to reminisce.

Oh, I knew the minute
I walked into this house

that the people who live
here are happy, comfortable...

Tell me, how is George's golf
game? Still as bad as ever?

Golf? Well, I really don't
know, Mr. Anderson.

You see, I... I don't
play golf myself.

Do you play golf, Mr. Anderson?

Whenever I get a chance, I do.

Well, good for you!

Is, uh, George still
living in, uh, Brookfield?

Oh, yes.

Anyway, when I met him, he was.

You know, I met Mr. Noonan

under very funny circumstances.

Oh? Very funny.

I... I was driving through
Brookfield on my way here, and, uh,

well, I guess I was
driving a little fast, but...

But don't you think $50 is
a little steep for speeding?

Well, I guess it depends
on how fast you were driving.

Oh, well... Mmm.

Well, anyway, it was
when Mr. Noonan was...

I mean, Judge Noonan
was fining me the $50

that I happened to mention I
was on my way to Springfield.

Yes?

Well, what did, uh...
What did George say?

You mean about my speeding or
about being on my way to Springfield?

No, about
Springfield... About me.

Oh. Well, he said I should
stop in and say hello to you.

Well, good old George.

That is, he said, if I could
slow down long enough

to see that I was
in Springfield.

Oh, I felt that last
remark was uncalled for.

Why, I'm sure George
didn't mean anything by it.

Gee whiz, Mom. How
long can they reminisce?

Dad's not that old.

Mr. Noonan is obviously a very
good friend of your father's, Bud.

He probably has a million
questions he wants to ask.

You knew Edna, is that right?

Hmm? Edna.

You know, his... wife.

Oh, yeah. She went
to school with us, too.

That's where George met her.

Oh, well, isn't that romantic.

Any children?

The last I heard, they
had two. Two boys.

Isn't that wonderful!

Say, Dad? Mm-hmm?

Mother said to remind you that
you wanted your prime rib rare.

Oh, yes. Thank you, Bud.

Oh, Bud, I want you
to meet Mr. Riebert.

Hiebert. Oh.

Hiebert. This is my son
Bud. How do you do, sir?

Well, it's nice to
know you, son.

Sit down. Sit down.

Prime rib, eh?

My, that's one of
my favorite foods.

They don't know how to fix
prime rib in restaurants anymore.

They either get it too rare,
too well-done, too tough.

Oh, my! I don't know when
I've had a good prime rib dinner.

Lyle, will you excuse
me for just a moment?

Well, of course.

I'll bet your mother's a
pretty good cook, huh, Bob?

Bud. I mean Bud.

Jim, the dinner's
practically ruined now.

We're gonna miss the circus
if we don't eat right away.

I know, Margaret, but I've
run into a slight problem.

What do you mean? Well,
it's kind of hard to explain.

Oh, Mommy, is my
birthday dinner done?

It's done all right. Well-done.

Don't tell me
Mr. Riebert's still here?

I can't get rid of him.
I'm gonna miss the circus.

Can't you hurry him along?

You don't know him or
you wouldn't suggest that.

Just tell him we have
this dinner planned,

and then he'll
have to excuse us.

That's right, dear. Be honest.

I'll stay out here and cook,
and you be honest. Ah-ah-ah.

He's a friend of your friend.
He's not a friend of my friend.

He's not a friend of my friend.
He doesn't even know him.

Well, then, in that case,
just ask him to leave.

Surely he can take a hint.
He doesn't react normally.

My birthday's ruined!

Do something,
Father. And hurry, dear.

Oh, all right.

Yes, sir, Bob, everybody
should have a hobby.

Now, my hobby is streetcars.

Streetcars?

Oh, do you wanna
catch a streetcar, Lyle?

There's one leaving
in a few minutes.

Oh, my goodness, no. I
don't want to catch one.

I was just explaining
to Bob here... Bud.

Explaining to Bud
that's my hobby.

Collecting streetcars?

No. Not collecting them.

J-Just pictures, data,

old prints, history,
things like that.

Father? Mm-hmm?

Mother said to
tell you that, uh,

she hopes you like aged
cheese with your burned prime rib.

Does Mrs. Anderson fix
prime rib with aged cheese?

My, that sounds intriguing.

Oh, Betty, this is Mr...
Ah-ah-ah. Hiebert.

Yes. Well, how do you do, Betsy?

Sit down.

Ah, my.

We were having such a
nice chat about old times.

Was there, uh,
anything else, Betty?

Yes. Mother said to tell
you that dinner's ready,

and why don't you tell
Mr. Riebert that we have to eat?

Oh, now, she shouldn't
have done that...

Inviting me to dinner this way.

What she meant was,
this is a birthday dinner.

A birthday dinner!

Well, now, how in the
world did your mother know

that yesterday was my birthday?

Oh, no, this is
Kathy's birthday.

My youngest daughter's
birthday. Isn't that a coincidence?

Well, if we're sharing
a birthday dinner,

I'd better go freshen up.

Uh, there's no
need to do that, Lyle.

Oh, it's no bother.

I'll just go get my
suitcase. It's on the porch.

Has he gone?

Well, don't just stand there.
Let's eat. We're late already.

If you'll just tell me
which bedroom I can use,

I'll go put on a clean shirt.

Margaret, honey,

you'd better set another place.

Well, what grade
are you in now, Bob?

Bud. Ninth grade.

You don't say.

Bob, would you mind
passing the butter, please?

Sure.

My, time certainly
does fly, doesn't it?

It certainly does.

How's that, Mrs. Anderson?

Margaret was just reminding me

that it's, uh, time to
serve the birthday cake.

A birthday cake.

My, my, my.

I haven't had a birthday
cake since I was a... youngster.

I thought it was
my birthday cake.

We're, uh, uh,
sharing it, Kitten.

I'll clear the table.

You don't want any
more, do you, Mr. Hiebert?

Uh, well, uh, now
that you mention it,

I wouldn't mind just another
little piece of that meat.

Just a little piece.

Well, I'm afraid we're
down to the bone now, Lyle.

Oh, what a shame.

We've got some leftover
meatloaf in the icebox.

Homemade? We
finished it last night.

Well, never mind.

I'll help, Mother.

Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah.

Put his plate down, Betty.

Okay.

Katie, I believe I'll just have
some more of that gravy, please.

Thank you.

What time's it
getting to be, Dad?

Well, it's getting
late. I know that.

Oh, I-I'm not holding up
anything, am I? Oh, no.

Oh, no?

He is too!

Oh, I know. You're getting
anxious for that birthday cake.

Well, so am I.

Uh, maybe we'd better go in
the living room, uh, for the cake.

Yeah, let's do.

That's a good
idea. I'll tell Mom.

Oh.

All right.

Oh, I...

I'll just take this with
me, if you don't mind.

By the way,
Mr. Anderson, did I tell you

that I have a picture of the very
first streetcar in the United States?

You don't say.
Horse-drawn, of course.

Horse-drawn, you say.

Must've been a
very talented horse.

What'd he use,
crayons or charcoal?

Say, that's a good one.

I'll have to remember that one.

No, you see, what I meant was

the horse pulled the streetcar.

Oh.

Yes. My, you people certainly
have a sense of humor.

Oh. Oh, Katie, here
comes our birthday cake.

♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy Birthday, dear Kathy ♪

♪ And Lyle ♪

Of course.

♪ And Lyle ♪

♪ Happy Birthday to you ♪
♪ Happy Birthday to us ♪

Oh, my, Mrs. Anderson,
you're so thoughtful.

Oops. You've only put
nine candles on there.

That's because I'm 9 years old.

That's all I had, Mr. Hiebert.

Oh, well, that's all right.

Come on, Katie. Let's
blow 'em out together, huh?

Make a wish. I already did.

I wish we could
go to... Kathy, blow.

That's what I wish
we could all do.

Come on now.

Ah, good!

We did it, huh?

Jim, while, uh,
Betty cuts the cake,

you can help me with the coffee.

All right, hon.

Mr. Anderson, on your way back,

would you bring a couple
more of those biscuits, please?

All right, Lyle.

Here. Uh, I'll do that, Betsy.

Now, let's see.
There are six of us.

Now what?

Well, I'm not going to take
him to the circus with us.

Your strategy so far
hasn't been so good.

If I could only think of
something. Dynamite?

Not strong enough. Something
that wouldn't hurt his feelings.

Oh, he hasn't got any,
otherwise he wouldn't be here.

I've got it.
Margaret, I've got it!

Why didn't I think
of this before?

Oh, Mother, what
are we going to do?

I don't know.
Here. Take these in.

And see if you can get
his plate away from him.

I'll probably lose a hand.

Believe me, Mrs. Anderson,

you have been so nice to me.

The next time I
come to Springfield,

I'm going to bring my sister.

She will just love all of you.

Bud, would you get the phone?

Sure, Mom.

Thank you.

Uh, Mrs. Anderson,

would it be all right
if I had seconds?

Please do.

Hello? Who?

You must have the wrong number.

Bud, listen to me. I'm upstairs.

I want you to call
Mr. Hiebert to the telephone.

Well, if you want to
talk to Mr. Hiebert,

wouldn't it be easier
to come downstairs?

Bud, stop trying to
analyze the situation.

Never mind how I'm doing this.

And I don't want the
telephone company

to know how I'm
doing it, either.

Okay, okay. If you want
to play games, I'll call him.

It's for you, Mr. Hiebert.

Me? That's right.

Well, I can't imagine
who'd be calling me here.

It's right over there.

Thank you.

H-Hello?

This is Lyle Hiebert. Really?

A friend of yours told me that
you were interested in streetcars.

And believe me, this is a
collection to end them all.

Oh, well, I certainly
wouldn't want to miss that.

Uh-huh. W-Wait. Wait.

Uh, just let me get
that address again.

Uh, 7000 Kester Avenue.

Fine.

Yes. I'll hurry right
over. Good-bye.

Thank you.

We're certainly sorry you
have to go, Mr. Hiebert.

It's a shame. Thank you.

Sure you've got
everything? Yes, thank you.

I'll open the door.
You leaving, Lyle?

Yes. That phone
call was from a friend

who wanted to tell me
about a streetcar collection.

He said the place closes in just a
few minutes, so I'll have to hurry.

You don't say.

Oh, and thank you, all,
for a wonderful evening.

Oh...

You know, old George
was certainly right.

He said there wasn't enough
you people would do for me.

Well, I'll have to write to old
George and, uh, thank him.

Yes, well, good-bye. Good-bye.

Good-bye. Bye.

It was very nice
to have met you.

Now, if we hurry, we can
just about make the circus.

Oh!

♪♪

I'm sorry, Kitten.

I guess I should've bought
the tickets ahead of time.

That's all right, Daddy.

Well, I guess we
might as well go home.

Uh-oh!

It's Mr. Hiebert. Oh, no!

Let's go before he sees us.

Hoo-hoo!

Well, well, well!

I never thought I'd
see you people here.

We didn't, either. You
going to the circus?

Oh, we were, but I guess
we're too late. They're sold out.

Nonsense. I'll see that
you get in. Come on.

Mr. Hiebert, I don't
think you understand.

There isn't any room. Larry!

You just leave it to
old Lyle to fix you up.

Yes, Mr. Hiebert?

Larry, see that my
friends get into the show.

If there aren't any seats,

put some in right down in front.

Yes, sir, Mr. Hiebert.

Are you connected
with the circus, Lyle?

Oh, yes. I've been
manager now for over a year.

Manager? Oh!

And do you know what?

You've given me an idea.

You folks have
been so nice to me,

I'm going to watch
the show with you.

Oh! Come on.

Oh, uh, Mr. Anderson,

you know that address
someone gave me out on Kester?

Uh, yes.

Well, either someone
was spoofing me,

or else I made a mistake,

but there wasn't
one trolley car there.

I-I'm sorry, Lyle. Oh,
no need to be sorry.

I met the nicest
family at that address.

Name of Rogers. Bill Rogers.

And when I mentioned
that you and I were friends,

well, sir, they said any
friend of Jim Anderson's

was certainly a
friend of theirs.

I tell you, Mr. Anderson,

there's just nothing
like meeting new friends.

Closed-Captioned By J.R.
Media Services, Inc. Burbank, CA