A Warm Vision Of Family Life

atlasmb

As a family-centric sitcom, "Father Knows Best" (and other shows, like "Leave it to Beaver") helped document and/or establish norms of family behavior in the 1950s. Television shows reflect the values of their times, and it's a pleasure to revisit the styles and behavioral standards of Springfield and its seminal family, the Andersons.

The title of the series should not be taken literally, though Jim Anderson (Robert Young) is considered the leader of the family. One episode even makes fun of the phrase. Still, Jim strives to be the breadwinner, the ultimate authority, and a font of wisdom, much as Judge Hardy was in the movies.

Post-war America enjoyed a prosperity that was reflected in the show. Margaret Anderson (Jane Wyatt) is a housewife and caregiver, expected to keep the household neat and running smoothly. The challenge to traditional gender roles that began during WWII is only nascent in 1950s television.

The series began as a radio show in 1949, also starring Robert Young. The father was more sarcastic and all the characters were more caricatured. Young himself said he wanted the television series to have more warmth. You can actually see the tone of the series change throughout its run, much like other shows that find their voice. The earliest episodes of "Father Knows Best" feel more frenzied and overly dramatic---probably a holdover from the radio version---and they play with fantasy and dream sequences. Later episodes feel more relaxed and secure in their voice, having greater warmth and a more genuine feel, eventually feeling like a real family awash in love and comfortable in their roles.

Those viewers nostalgic for the values inherent in the series probably recognize its emphases on individual responsibility and respect for all people. These are values central to the U.S. Constitution and most religions.

Sixty years later, some might disagree with my opinion that respect for all people is still a core principle in American life. However, I feel that the concept of individual responsibility has been eroded by various influences; a longing for that diminished principle may be a factor in some viewer's enjoyment of the series.

Like other shows of its time, the central theme is the priority of the family unit. Home is a dependable place of unconditional love and acceptance, where you belong. This universal virtue is a key reason for its appeal.

score 8/10

atlasmb 8 November 2019

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw5243543/