BASEBALL ON TV — “Father Knows Best” (Featuring Duke Snider)

Episode: “Hero Father” (1956)

REVIEWED BY MARK A. LARSON
Editor & Publisher

Even though Brooklyn Dodgers’ centerfielder Duke Snider only appeared in two short scenes on the half-hour show, his name was mentioned 32 times … but who’s counting?

“The Duke of Flatbush” is definitely the Anderson family’s center of attention on this 1956 episode of the “Father Knows Best” family comedy.

1949 Bowman

Father Knows Best ran from 1954-60 and supposedly represented the typical American family of the era: Ever wise head-of-the-household Dad; stay-at-home Mom; and three kids. … Even the title of the show is oh-so-’50s.

The episode begins with teenage Bud and his friends seeing a poster announcing “Duke Snider’s All-Stars’” upcoming touring schedule. They all love baseball, but realize their town of Springfield is too small for Duke and his team to make a stop (even though the All-Stars will probably be passing through on the way to a bigger city). However, knowing his father is a well-respected – and well-connected – citizen, Bud tells his skeptical friends his Dad can get the Duke to add Springfield to their schedule.

Upon returning home, Bud asks, but even his Dad (Jim) thinks it’s impossible. Later, Bud’s Mom, suggests that maybe a game for charity might convince Duke. Jim thinks it over and since he’s involved in helping raise money for a new hospital wing, he gets ahold of Snider by phone. The Brooklyn Dodgers’ star agrees to holding a charity game in Springfield if Jim can raise enough money to cover expenses and to guarantee ticket sales (the All-Stars will split the proceeds 50/50 with the charity). Jim agrees, but only has a few days to pull it off. Lucky for him, someone wants to help.

Enter Mr. Bramer (played by character actor Kenneth Tobey). He’s a business owner in town and offers to put up all the money they need. (He’s also the father of Bud’s friend, Sandy.) With the big game now secured, everyone is excited. But this is TV, so of course there’s a catch.

When its time to turn over the check, Bramer reveals his ulterior motive: He wants Jim to twist some arms on the city’s zoning commission to allow him to build an industrial plant wherever he wants. Upstanding citizen that he is, Jim refuses and Bramer withdraws his support. Now the game is off.

There’s a melodramatic subplot involving single-father Bramer and his son, Sandy. When he finally realizes how he will look in his son’s eyes, Bramer does a “one-eighty” and reinstates his financial backing (without strings, this time) and puts up the money after all. … Finally, on game-day there’s minor panic: No one can locate Snider – or youngest daughter, Kathy. Turns out they’re playing catch in the driveway.

It’s a good show, although the Kathy character – at least in this episode – is a bit cloying and annoying. The Duke is shown briefly mid-episode on the phone with Jim … and in full uniform in the final driveway scene with Kathy.

From left to right: Robert Young , Jane Wyatt, Kenneth Tobey & Duke Snider as he appears on the show

⦿ Main Cast ⦿

◉ Robert Young – as James “Jim” Anderson … the Father
◉ Jane Wyatt – as Margaret Anderson … the Mother
◉ Elinor Donahue – as Betty Anderson (aka “Princess”) … the older Daughter
◉ Billy Gray – as James “Bud” Anderson … the Son
◉ Lauren Chapin – as Kathy Anderson (aka “Kitten”) … the younger Daughter

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⚫️ Father Knows Best was a staple on TV for six seasons from 1954-60. Over 200 episodes aired during that period, first on CBS, then NBC, and then back on CBS.

⚫️ Several sources indicate Robert Young left the series in 1960 because he was tired of playing the same character and wanted to pursue other acting opportunities. At the time, the show was actually near the top of the TV ratings. (Eight years later, Andy Griffith did almost exactly the same thing, with his show then at the very top of the ratings.)

⚫️ Robert Young, who played an insurance agent on Father Knows Best, changed professions – trading in his briefcase for a stethoscope – and starred as the title character in “Marcus Welby, M.D.” The show ranked Number One on television during its second season. From 1969-76, 170 episodes aired on ABC.

⚫️ One of Jane Wyatt’s most notable roles after Father Knows Best was as Mr. Spock’s mother, Amanda Grayson, on the 1967 “Star Trek” episode “Journey to Babel.” Later, she played the same role in the 1986 movie: “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.”

⚫️ Immediately after Father Knows Best, Elinor Donahue played Mayberry’s young pharmacist Ellie Walker on “The Andy Griffith Show’s” first season in 1960-61. (She was also Andy’s love interest.) … She, too, made a 1967 appearance on the original Star Trek series in the episode entitled “Metamorphosis.”

⚫️ Wikipedia reports that Billy Gray’s life went to pot – at least briefly – as he was sentenced to 45 days in jail in 1962 for marijuana possession. … He, along with all the other original main cast members, reunited in 1977 for two television movies.

⚫️ Duke Snider was an eight-time All-Star who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980. He played centerfield for the Brooklyn – later, Los Angeles – Dodgers from 1947-62 (plus one year each for the Mets and Giants).

⚫️ Snider finished his career with 407 lifetime home runs, 1,333 RBIs and a .295 average. From 1953-57 – five seasons in a row – he belted 40 or more homers. In addition, The Duke topped the 100-RBI mark in six seasons, with an additional three years of 90-plus. He also scored 100 or more runs a half-dozen times, leading the National League three years in a row (1953-55).

⚫️ During his time with the Dodgers, the team won six pennants and two World Series. Snider was a powerhouse in the post-season. In 36 Fall Classic games, he batted .286, had 26 RBIs and put 11 over the outfield fence. Those 11 home runs rank fourth on the all-time list for World Series shots … behind only Mickey Mantle (18), Babe Ruth (15) and Yogi Berra (13). He’s the only player to hit four or more homers in two Series (1952 and 1955).

⚫️ After his on-field career ended, Snider moved to the broadcast booth – first, for short time with the San Diego Padres and then for many years for the Montreal Expos.

⚫️ On a personal note, Snider was a very gracious and affable autograph signer when I encountered him at a card show in the late 1980s. In fact, among the 30 or so Hall-of-Famers I met briefly during that era, he was probably second to only Brooks Robinson in the “nice guy” department. Granted, those were very short interactions, but he left a very positive, lasting impression.

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NOTE: To find out if this show is available in your area, use a search engine and type in: “Where to watch FATHER KNOWS BEST” … In general, know that some television programs are currently only available on DVD, so check your local library … Others may not be available at all at this time.

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