August 25th, 1949 - NBC Radio debuted "Father Knows Best". The show went to TV in 1954

Ah! Those were the good old days. When a family would gather around the radio after dinner to listen to their favorite shows! And a few years later they would gather around the television as many of their favorite shows moved to the new medium. Besides Father Knows Best other shows to make the move from Radio to TV include The Life Of Riley, Duffy's Tavern, Richad Diamond Private Detective, and Our Miss Brooks.

....was the successor to "MAXWELL HOUSE COFFEE TIME" (starring George Burns & Gracie Allen, during its last four seasons; it ended when they moved to CBS in the fall of '49 for Block Drug's "Ammi-Dent" toothpaste ["THE AMMI-DENT SHOW"] on Wednesdays), taking its Thursday night time period [8:30-9pm(et)] on NBC on August 25, 1949. As created by Ed James, "FATHER KNOWS BEST" was originally a "silly sitcom", full of "wacky" misunderstandings and misadventures surrounding the Anderson family [if you listen to some of the early programs, you'll understand what I mean]. Bill Forman was the announcer [Marvin Miller usually delivered the Maxwell House commercials]; Roy Bargy conducted "The Maxwell House Orchestra" {the show's theme, through 1952- "Let's Have Another Cup Of Coffee"}. It didn't become a comedy/drama (along the lines of "THE GOLDBERGS" and "THE ANDY GRIFITH SHOW") until it moved to TV in 1954.

:tv:

Robert Young looks funny with a mustache.

By the way, the original title of the show was 'Father Knows Best?' with a question mark. Evidently, there was some question as to whether or not the radio version of Jim Anderson really did know best.

I have just about all the episodes and it is a very enjoyable radio show--although you won't confuse it with the TV show. Jim here, YELLS.....A LOT!
And Bud is a complete dimbulb! Margaret would end up being played by at least 3-4 actresses. The radio Kathy sounds a lot like the TV one in tone and personality.