(CBS, NBC, 1954–1960)
Cast: Robert Young (James “Jim” Anderson Sr.), Jane Wyatt (Margaret Anderson), Elinor Donahue (Betty Anderson), Billy Gray (James “Bud” Anderson Jr.), Lauren Chapin (Kathleen “Kathy” Anderson).
Basis: An insurance salesman (Jim Anderson) and his wife (Margaret) contend with the antics of their children: Betty, Bud, and Kathy.
Setting: The town of Springfield.
Address: 607 South Maple Street (a white frame house) in the town of Springfield.
Telephone Number: Springfield 2274 (later Springfield 4657 and Poplar 5-400).
Town History: Springfield was founded in 1857 by pioneers Jonas and Agatha Wentworth.
Jim Anderson
Occupation: Insurance salesman and manager of the General Insurance Company (also called the Cavalier Casualty Insurance Company; he occupies Office 201).
Sedan License Plate Number: 2K46 475
Character: Jim is known for his ability to resolve family problems, although he often uses psychology to make his children solve their own problems. Jim is seen smoking a cigarette in the first episode only and enjoys reading (although constantly interrupted) the newspaper (the Springfield News). He and the former Margaret Merrick were married on the 20th (no month given), and each year they donate $25 to the Children’s Home Society. In high school, Jim sponsored a “Most Kissable Lips Contest” (of which Margaret says she won). Jim began working at the age of 14, driving a truck for Hotmeyer’s Feed and Grain. His first car was a Model-T Ford for which he paid $5. He plays the piano and as a kid raised an albino gopher. Jim’s specialty is annuity policies. In 1960, Jim was awarded the Gold Key when he was voted “Father of the Year” by the city council and later served as the head of the Safe Driving Program.
Relations to Jim: Susan Oliver as Milly Anderson, Jim’s brother’s (Wilbur’s) daughter.
Jim Anderson (Robert Young) reads to his family. Clockwise from upper left: Betty (Elinor Donahue), Bud (Billy Gray), Margaret (Jane Wyatt), and Kathy (Lauren Chapin). NBC/Photofest © NBC
Margaret Anderson
Character: Margaret Portia Merrick was born in the town of Lemon Falls (a short distance from Springfield). She enjoys being a housewife and mother and normally lets Jim deal with the children’s problems (as the children appear to have more confidence in their father to help them when they get in trouble). She rarely takes time for herself and is totally devoted to her family. Sketchy information is given regarding how Jim and Margaret met. It is first said they met in college (State University; also called Springfield College). Margaret was a sophomore and Jim a senior (Class of 1931; later said to be Class of 1933). It is next mentioned they were high school sweethearts and married in 1937 in her parents’ home in a simple ceremony, as they couldn’t afford a church wedding. Margaret was a member of the Iota Theta Sorority House, and Jim would serenade her by playing the song “Juanita” (the only one he knew) on his banjo. At the annual family reunions, Margaret is charged with bringing the homemade baked beans to Lemon Falls; she is also a member of the Women’s Aid Committee and the Women’s Club of Springfield.
Relations to Margaret: William Hudson as Tom, her cousin, and Lillian Powell as Iona, her cousin.
Betty Anderson
Education: Springfield High School, then Springfield Junior College (where she is on the debating team). The Hovel, also known as Hanno’s Place, is the campus eatery and hangout; later, the hangout is the Campus Malt Shop. She held a job as a grocery store (Hixon’s Country Market) salesgirl for Peachy Peaches canned peaches and was a camp counselor at Indian Springs Summer Camp.
Character: The eldest of the children and the smartest (she hopes to become a teacher). Betty is called “Princess” by Jim and was chosen by Hollywood Photoplay magazine as the girl who most resembles movie star Donna Stewart (Elinor Donahue in a dual role; her picture was submitted by the Women’s Club of Springfield). Betty says, “Anything you want to know, just ask father.” Unlike other family members who have official first names, Betty is only known as Betty. Elinor Donahue personally related the fact (as Betty was the name of Robert Young’s wife, who was always called Betty). When Betty felt it was time to spread her wings, she moved into an apartment (number 3) with her girlfriend Jean (Donna Jo Gribble) at the Wellington Arms only to find that she missed the family and returned to the nest hours later. “Bewildered” and “Dream of Romance” are the lipstick shades she enjoys using the most. In 1960 episodes, she is seen displaying an interest in photography (including developing the pictures she takes) and was crowned the 1960 Campus Queen and the Flower Queen of Springfield Junior College. A vocational test taken by Betty indicated that she should pursue a job as an engineer (which she did during spring break and signed up with the county surveying crew).
Bud Anderson
Character: James Anderson Jr., called Bud, is the middle child (born in 1941). He attended Springfield High School, then Springfield Junior College. He has a fascination with cars and hopes to become an engineer (although this is a recurring theme; one 1960 episode finds Bud stating that he intends to become an insurance salesman like his father. He even acquires a job with Arthur Higgins, an insurance salesman, when Jim suggests that it would be better if he started with someone else and then worked his way into his father’s office). He is a member of the Beavers baseball team. Jobs (that are said to be his first) vary by episodes—from grill cook at Snow’s Drug Store to paperboy for the Springfield News to gas station attendant (at Shepherd’s Service Station) to grocery store box boy. He wears a size 8½ shoe and calls Betty “Tallulah.” Bud attempted to play the piano and then the accordion and finally mastered a musical instrument—the bongo drums. As a member of the high school football team, Bud, a kicker (jersey number 66), was called “The Hope of Springfield High.” He also has a reputation as “The Classroom Casanova.” Bud’s jalopy license plate is 3X 4535 (later HGR 143). When Bud gets scared or upset, he hides in the basement; his homing pigeons are Charlie and Mabel.
Kathleen Louise Anderson
Education: Springfield Elementary School, then Springfield High School.
Character: Called Kathy, she is the youngest of the children and called “Kitten” by Jim (Margaret calls her “Angel”; Bud calls her “Squirt,” “Shrimp,” and “Shrimp Boat”). She has a plush teddy bear (named Bear) and a favorite doll (Genevieve), receives an allowance of 35 cents a week, and was a member of the Maple Street Tigers. She is also a member of the Little Squaws of America Troop (later a Girl Scout) and member of the Pocahontas Tribe, District 19. She enjoys ice skating (at the Snow Palace), and in one episode she had a kitten named Fluffy. Greer Garson (who guest starred in one episode) is Kathy’s favorite actress, and her greatest desire is to visit Hawaii. Mr. Quigley is the name Kathy gave to an injured sparrow she found and nursed back to health.
(NBC, 1959–1960)
Cast: Bob Sweeney (Fibber McGee), Cathy Lewis (Molly McGee), Barbara Beard (Teeny), Addison Richards (Dr. John Gamble), Harold Peary (Mayor Charles La Trivia).
Basis: A tolerant wife (Molly) and how she copes with the never-ending trouble caused by her husband, Fibber, an expert liar.
“Can I watch the fight, Mister, can I?” are the words often spoken by an adorable nine-year-old girl named Teeny. Teeny lives next door to Fibber McGee and his wife, Molly, a married couple who love each other but constantly argue over everything, mainly the predicaments that result when Fibber does what he does best: embellish the truth as often as possible.
Fibber and Molly live at 79 Wistful Vista in the town of Wistful Vista. Fibber is an amateur inventor and has earned a reputation as “the world’s greatest liar” (he doesn’t mean to lie, but circumstances always force him to do so). Molly is totally honest and devoted to him. Fibber believes he is a man of stone (until he meets a man with a chisel), can tackle any job (until he tries), and can resolve any problem (if he puts his mind to it). Fibber finds that stretching the truth seems to work best for him—until he gets in so deep that additional lies cause additional problems and the famous verbal arguments when Molly has to come to his rescue.
Fibber claims, “The McGees’ may not be in the blue book, but we’re in the phone book.” Fibber is a member of the Wistful Vista Men’s Club and the president of the Chamber of Commerce. His past history dates back to the days of vaudeville, where he performed with Fred Nitney in an act called “Nitney and McGee, the Two Likeable Lads.” Fibber’s favorite meal is a buffet supper (“He goes around the table like Seabiscuit [famous racehorse] on a fast track”), and lemon meringue pie with spumoni ice cream is his favorite dessert. Everyone, including Molly, calls Fibber “McGee” (Fibber is rarely mentioned). Molly buys her dresses at Polly’s Department Store.
John Gamble, called Doc Gamble, is the town physician (about Fibber, he says, “I took an oath to tend the sick and I have never known anyone sicker”). Charles La Trivia, the mayor, is called La Triv by Fibber, and Teeny lives at 81 Wistful Vista. The series is adapted from the long-running radio program of the same title.