Father Knows Best (1954–1960): Season 4, Episode 13 - Man with a Plan - full transcript

[Announcer] Here are...

with Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray,

and Lauren Chapin in...

I kind of like the
looks of the Army.

Guided missiles are
the coming thing now.

You get sore feet
if you want it, Bud.

Me... I'm Navy.

I want my home
under me all the time.

I might let the Navy have me.

- Lucky Navy.
- Hey.

Boy, that Sally Dixon. Wow.



How come you never asked Sally

to go to one of
our class dances?

Are you kidding? [chuckles]

I might as well try and
date Audrey Hepburn.

Well, you're her
neighbor. Be neighborly.

You think I want
to get laughed at?

Heck, she goes with seniors.

- Oh, hi, Mom.
- Oh, hello, boys.

- Hi.
- Hi, Mrs. Anderson.

- Homework?
- No.

We're making big decisions.

Oh? What decisions are these?

Thanks, Mom.
What outfit we'll join.

Like it says here, "Plan, man."



Well, aren't you boys a little young
to be thinking about the service?

Well, like they say, we'll be
out of school before you know it,

and now's the time
to pick your branch.

Bud, uh, may I see that?

Well, sure. We just
picked it up today.

- Bye, boys.
- Goodbye.

Goodbye, Mrs. Anderson.

Mom, I was gonna talk it over

with you and
Dad, like it says to.

I know, Bud. I...
I'm very interested.

But, Jim, I know
it's ridiculous.

- Bud isn't old enough
for the service.
- That's right, honey.

But in case he's getting any
serious ideas, let's stop him.

You'll talk to him, won't you?

Margaret, every
boy envisions himself

in uniform at some time.

It's the glamour, the romance.

I saw Jack Doyle...
Lieutenant Jack Doyle...

Yesterday in his uniform.

Oh, he looked simply
dreamy... Dreamy blue.

Oh, Jack Doyle's
a young man, Betty.

But Bud's such
a... He's such a boy.

Jack was only 17
when he went in.

17!

But, Jim, you'll talk
to him, won't you?

All right. If it'll
make you feel better.

Oh, I don't think Bud'll
do anything rash, but...

Well, you talk to
him. You're his father.

I know. I know.

- You promise?
- [door opens]

What did I do?

Nothing, Kathy. We
thought you were Bud.

What did he do?

He hasn't done anything yet.

And he's not going to.

- I'll bet he does.
- Does what?

What he's not supposed to.

What's he not supposed to?

Well, you see, Kathy,

Bud's thinking about
joining the Army.

Oh, boy! Then you
don't have to go to school.

I don't think it's
something to laugh at.

Bud hasn't even finished
high school, you know.

Well, he will. They want him to.

Well, if he has to keep going
to school, why join the Army?

Well, you see, Kathy,
every boy has to fulfill

his service obligation
at some time.

What's a service "obiogilation"?

[chuckling]

Well, kitten, if you were a boy,

sometime after
your 18th birthday,

you'd be called up for
two years active duty

in some branch of the service.

Like United States Marines?

[door opens]

What did I do?

Come in, Bud.

Did Mom show you the
pitch? What do you think, Dad?

Well, uh, what do I think?

Well, surely you're
not serious about this.

The heck I'm not.

Guess it's the first time
I've ever been serious.

- All us men are making plans.
- Men?

When you enlist,
you're a man, boy.

Harold Johnson's home on leave,

and he said right off, when
he enlisted, he was 17.

17? If I hear that once again...

Not without his parents'
consent, Margaret.

Written.

Bud, surely you're not thinking

of quitting school and
joining the service?

Oh, heck, no. I ain't stupid.

Heck, no, Father.
He ain't stupid.

Well, since we're all agreed

you're gonna finish
your schooling,

why are we even
talking about it?

Wait a minute. They want you to
talk about it. Take the long view.

The long view?

Plan, man. Enlist when you
finish high school. Get it over with.

Well, what about college?
You are going to college, Bud?

Well, sure. But the
beauty of the long view

is I go in before
going to college

rather than be pulled
away from my studies.

Oh, that'd kill you.

Yeah, and the other way is
to wait around to be drafted.

Heck, I could grow to
be 26 just waiting around.

Waste half a lifetime.

Yeah, it makes sense.

Well, I can see where it would be
pretty difficult to plan for the future

when you don't even know
when you're gonna be called.

No, I think Bud's
reasoning is pretty sound.

- Thanks, Dad.
- Oh, boy! Then it's all settled.

What's all settled?

Bud's going in the service.

- Just a minute, young lady.
- What are you so happy about?

I get your room.

Why, Kathy!

Well, it's bigger.

Just whose side are you on?

I'm on your side, if
you'll make room for me.

I got the feeling I was
the only one fighting it.

Well, I'm afraid we
can't fight this, honey.

We'll just have to face it.

Men are all alike.

They never get away
from playing soldier.

Honey, I know if it
were up to mothers,

we wouldn't need soldiers.

But it's his obligation
to serve two years.

We'd miss him whichever
two he was gone.

- And as I told Bud...
- I heard you.

Well, you're proud of him.

You have him in
the Army already.

Well, he's thinking ahead.

And the service
might be good for him.

Well, as they say,
he'll be trained,

he'll be stronger.

It will fiddle with
his character,

make a man out of him.

Why, honey, after
two years of service,

you won't even
recognize old Bud.

That's what I'm afraid of.

Oh, I know you're right.

I just don't want
to let go of him.

Well, if you think it's
any picnic for a father...

Look at my gray hair.

Anyway, he won't be going in

till he graduates
from high school.

But that's only two years off.

Oh, I love you.

- May I start?
- Not till your mother
gets here, kitten.

- What's she being
so mysterious about?
- I don't know.

I want to show you the
Marine stuff after dinner, Dad.

- Oh?
- Yeah, I kind of like
their uniforms up close.

Harold Johnson dropped
by school today in his,

and you should've
seen the girls.

They stood around like cows

just wishing he'd
ask them for a date.

So that's it.

Well, that's not important
to me, of course. Not me.

But you wouldn't mind.

Well, you know how it is, Dad.

Girls go for a uniform.

That's one of the things a
serviceman has to put up with.

[laughs]

Would you like this, dear?

A steak?

[Kathy] A steak?

For me? Thanks, Mom.

I left it out, and it defrosted,

so I thought I'd better cook it.

- Naturally.
- [chuckles]

Let me know if you want it
cooked a little more, dear.

- Well, what about me?
- That isn't fair, Mother.

Betty, would you please bring
Bud the steak sauce? I forgot it.

Well! The star boarder.

- Bud.
- Yeah, Dad?

You might wait
for the rest of us.

Well, Mom wants
to know how I like it.

[Kathy] I had to wait,

but you get to do
everything you want to.

There is such a thing
as manners, you know.

Manners? Him?

I hope he gets Emily
Post for a drill sergeant.

What's everybody
picking on me for?

- What did I do?
- Nothing, dear.

And it seems to me that you people
could be a little more considerate of Bud.

After all, he isn't gonna have
home-cooked food very long.

How was it, dear?

- Hi, kitten.
- Hi.

What's wrong with you?
This is Saturday morning.

No school. Be gay.

I'm just waiting.

- Waiting for what?
- For Bud to get up.

He isn't up yet?

I can't play my records
until he's slept out.

Well, he's slept out.

You better check with Mommy.
She says it won't be long

before he has to
get up every morning

the minute the bugle blows.

I'll take it.

You, uh...

You weren't at
the office very long.

Look, honey, this
is going too far.

It's been over a week, and you've done
everything for him except comb his hair.

You, the advocate
of self-reliance.

Oh, Jim, let me take it up.

Margaret, where's
your good sense?

You're giving Bud the
conquering hero treatment,

and he hasn't even
been off the property.

We all love Bud,

but for you, Margaret, you're
not being very sensible about this.

Oh, let me know if
he wants another egg.

Never mind.

Thank you, dear.

[bugle screeching]

What's going on?
What's the matter?

Your breakfast, sir.

- Thanks, Dad.
- Oh, I'm sorry.

- I'll get up.
- Oh, no. You need your rest.

How's your juice?
Chilled to your taste?

That's fine, Dad. Where's Mom?

Oh, your mother's worn
out from waiting on you.

Simply exhausted.
But I hope I'll do.

Uh, how are your eggs?
May I salt them for you?

Pepper?

Uh...

I get the very
uncomfortable feeling

you're pulling my leg.

May I butter your toast for you?

Oh, it's already buttered.

[laughs]

May I run downstairs
and get you some jelly?

- I think I better get up.
- An excellent idea.

Up out of bed! Get moving!

There's a lawn to be mowed,

unless you expect
your mother to do it.

- Heck, no. Not me.
- Oh, no.

You let her do everything else
for you. Wait on you hand and foot.

Well, I don't ask her
to. She just wants to.

Look, son, all women
behave in an unusual way

when someone's
going into the service.

- They can't do enough for you.
- Yeah?

[Jim] Wonderful, but you don't
have to take advantage of it.

It's only natural that when
you say you're going to serve,

a lot of doors are
suddenly open to you.

That doesn't mean you
have to walk through them.

There is such a thing
as restraint, and, uh...

Do you hear me?

Yeah, I hear you.

Do you read me?

Loud and clear.

Now what?

I'm gonna mow the lawn.

- Oh, hi, Sally.
- Hi, Bud.

- Been shopping?
- Yeah.

- I've been mowing the lawn.
- Oh. Ooh.

It makes my mother happy to
have me around on Saturdays.

- I help her a lot.
- Oh. That's very nice, Bud.

Because before you know
it, boys are off to the Army,

and their mothers miss them so.

Oh, I hadn't thought of that.

Well, a boy has
to think about it.

And I've been reading
a lot about the Army.

- You have?
- And in the Army, Sally,

when you've got a goal,
an obtainable objective...

Yes?

The only thing to do is attack.

Strong offense.
That type of stuff.

- Don't you agree?
- Guess so.

Okay, then, Sally. There's a
school dance Friday night, and...

I'm going with Ronnie.

Oh. Well, I know I asked late.

But I've had a lot of other
important things on my mind

since I decided to
go into the Army.

You understand how it is.

Oh, I understand, Bud.

Well, I'll be seeing you.

Oh.

Hey, Bud, what did
you say about the Army?

Oh, I decided to enlist.

A man's gotta make his plans.

But you've always
seemed so young.

- You women are all the same.
- Oh?

You all react in an unusual way

when a guy goes
into the service.

Like my mom. She
can't get used to the idea

that before you know it,
it'll be goodbye, high school,

and I'll be shipping out.

- Where?
- Oh, almost anywhere
in the world,

where people need protection.

I can hardly believe it.

One day, you're a schoolmate,

little Bud Anderson,
and then suddenly...

Well, that's the way a
man grows up... sudden.

[snaps fingers]

Well, I'm sorry about the dance.

I know your last few days
home are so important.

You never know
how many you have.

Here today, gone tomorrow.

But you do understand
that I already have this date?

I can't let Ronnie down.

I understand.

By the way, is, uh,

Ronnie going in the service?

Well, he hasn't said
anything about it.

Oh, I see.

What do you mean?

Well, I guess some
men have to stay home

while others have to serve.

Well, under the circumstances,

maybe I could change my plans.

I'll call Ronnie.

Are you sure now?

I don't want to take
advantage of a civilian.

Gee, Sally, this is the nicest
dance I've ever been to.

I'm glad we got to go to
a dance together before...

- Bud?
- Yes, Sally?

Until you told me you
were going into the service,

I never realized how
serious it is... being a boy.

Oh, well, it's pretty
serious all right.

But that's life.

You know, Bud, you're right.

You suddenly seem changed.

There is something
mature about you.

Sally,

would it be all right with you

Uh, could you...

Would you... Now
that I'm going away...

If you want to.

I won't mind.

Mother.

- It's bright.
- Mmm.

When did you decide
on the Army, Bud?

The Army? Uh...

Well, uh, they've
all been after me.

You understand.

Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines.

How did you ever
make up your mind?

Well, they're... They're
all good, of course.

Uh, pretty much
the same benefits...

30-day leave with pay.

When do you propose to leave?

When? Uh...

Oh, well, the Army doesn't
consult you about that.

Then it can be any moment.

Bud, we have to do
something about it.

Yeah? What can we do?

I'll give you a
going-away party.

Going-away party?

Tomorrow night. It'll
be your night, Bud.

- But why?
- Because you're going away,
silly.

Well, Sally, you can't give
me a going-away party.

- Why not?
- Well...

Wouldn't it seem a
little conceited of me?

Bud, you have
nothing to say about it.

It'll be my party for you.

Father.

Uh, tomorrow night.

- Well, listen, Sally...
- Look, Bud,

before you know it, you may
be in Alaska, Hawaii, Italy.

I'd never forgive myself.

Until tomorrow night,

at your farewell party.

Tomorrow night?

Bud, you've known about
the party since last night.

Why did you wait until
now to tell me about it?

Well, I was hoping I could
figure it out on my own.

Anyway, I felt like a goof.

What worries me is why...
Why you'd tell a nice girl

like Sally Dixon
that you've enlisted.

Well, I didn't tell her that.

Not really.

Well, she must've
gotten that impression,

otherwise why the
going-away party tonight?

Well, uh, she kind of assumed
I was going in right away.

She said she'd
never forgive herself

if she didn't give me a party.

You know how girls are, Dad.

- Tell me.
- Well,

they react in an unusual way

when they hear you
may go in the service.

Look, son, you're in a bad fix.

A girl is giving you
a going-away party,

and, uh, you're not going away.

Yeah, I know.

Well, then, what do
you propose to do?

- Go to bed?
- [laughs]

That would be the easy way out.

No, as I see it, you
have, uh, two alternatives.

Yeah? Two? Gosh, I
couldn't even think of one.

What a brain, Dad.

Since you let it be known that
you were going into the service,

perhaps you'd better go in.

What?

That would be the
honorable thing to do... enlist.

Dad, I'm not ready
to go in the service.

Then why are you
wearing that uniform?

What uniform?

The one you've been
wearing since you got this idea.

You have your mother acting
as if you're home on leave.

- Girls giving you parties.
- Dad...

You're reaping all the benefits,
and you haven't even heard a bugle.

- Dad...
- Now, then, you say the Army
is your first choice.

All right.

I'll go down with you first
thing Monday morning.

- Dad?
- Yes, son?

What's the other way?

Well, Bud, this is what
you're really going to do.

You're going to your
going-away party.

- What?
- And you're going to
tell them the truth.

Dad, I can't face Sally

and the rest of those kids.

Heck, I'd be the
laughingstock of the school.

And Sally'd never
even look at me again.

I'll admit, if I were
in your shoes,

I'd rather walk
post on the Sahara.

Bud, that's what you're
going to have to do.

Well, maybe you got
something there on the Sahara.

Everything all right?

Well, uh, yes, Margaret.

Old Bud's just getting
ready to go to Sally's party.

I've always liked Sally Dixon.

Say, thanks for not telling
Mom about the mess I'm in.

And believe me, son, she's a pretty
good one to have in your corner.

But if you want it this
way, it'll be our secret.

- Hey, I better get going.
- You see?

Now that you've honestly
faced your problem,

you can't wait to
get it off your chest.

That's right. Before
too many kids get there.

Maybe I can even
call the whole thing off.

Good luck, son.

I bet General Pershing didn't
even get a sendoff like this.

- [doorbell rings]
- Shh!

Quiet, everybody. That's Bud.

Now everybody
hide. I'll get it, Mother.

He's gonna flip
when he sees this.

- Oh, hi, Sally.
- Hello, Bud.

Nobody here, huh?

Come on in with me.

Say, Sally, uh, I was...

- Surprise!
- Surprise!

- Surprise, Bud!
- Welcome back, dear.

[chattering]

- Congrats.
- How'd you talk your parents
into it?

- When you cutting out, Bud?
- I think it's much fabulous,
Bud.

- Look, he's in a trance.
- Like wow.

[chattering]

[Man] He's got it made.

Hey, look, he's in a trance.

Bet you didn't realize you had
so many friends, did you, Bud?

Bud, can I be your pen pal?

I'd be much happy, like, wow.

[imitates bugle call]
Attention, everybody.

Quiet! Quiet!

Sally's got something to say.

Bud.

From all of us.

Yeah, we all pitched in.

It's just a little proof

of the many, many
friends you have.

When you use it,
wherever you go,

please remember how
much we think of you.

We're all sorry to
see you going away,

but we're all proud of you.

Open it.

[chattering]

[Woman] A shaving kit.

[Man] Now you're a man, man.

I can't accept it.

Can't accept it?
What do you mean?

You don't understand.

- I don't deserve it.
- [doorbell rings]

Bud, don't be so modest.

- Good evening.
- Thank you, Mrs. Dixon.

It's very nice
of you to call us.

I hope you were
not inconvenienced

by this last-minute invitation,

but it suddenly occurred to me

it would be a lovely surprise

for Bud to have you both here.

Thank you.

[Man] Oh, come on.
You'll be fine, Bud.

[chattering]

Jim... [mutters]

What gives, Bud?

Yeah, I don't believe you.

Well, like I started to say,

I don't want you to think
I don't appreciate this.

I just can't accept
it because...

Well, the truth of the matter is

this is a pretty mixed-up deal.

You see, I was
making plans all right,

thinking about the service,

and it got to be
really important.

I guess I got to
feeling pretty important.

I don't want to disappoint you,

but I'm not going
in the service.

It's as simple as
that. I haven't enlisted.

Now, wait, please.

Bud isn't going in the service

for two years

despite all his hopes and plans,

but don't blame Bud.

Blame me

because I won't let him.

Now, this is a great
disappointment to Bud,

but as you all know,

he can't enlist before he's
18 without my signature.

I won't sign.

Well, Mrs. Anderson, I think
that's very understandable.

I hope all of you
will understand.

Bud has to graduate
from high school first.

A man should serve his
country at his highest capacity.

I... I read that in a book.

Besides, we need Bud at home.

Oh, he's so helpful,

I don't know how we'd
get along without him.

What about our party?

Well, it's still a party,

and for a better reason.

Bud isn't leaving.

- [Woman] Go have some punch
and sandwiches.
- [chattering]

Gosh, Mom, you're the greatest.

What did I tell you about
having her in your corner?

What branch of the service
did you want to go into, Bud?

Me? Well, my first choice
was guided missiles.

Oh, gee, that sounds
much dangerous, like, wow.

Well, that's life.

And then the Navy was after me

and the Marines

and the Air Force, of course.

They're still hounding me.

You think you can
stand that for two years?

Uh-huh.

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