The Danny Thomas Show (Season 4)

Boarding School (Episode 1)

Writer: Bill Manhoff

Air date: 1956-10-01

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Danny decides that the kids have become too unruly without their mother to help parent them. So, he decides to send them to boarding school to help give them the proper guidance they need.

The Nelson Eddy Show (Episode 2)

Writer: Bill Manhoff

Air date: 1956-10-08

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Danny and Jesse search for a performer to replace him in the club while he’s stuck at home with a broken leg. Danny settles on Nelson Eddy.

Problem Father (Episode 3)

Writer: Barbara Hammer

Air date: 1956-10-15

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Terry is dating a new, popular, wealthy, cultured boy, and this makes her hyper-sensitive, and insecure, about her father.

Be a Pal to Your Son (Episode 4)

Writer: Bill Manhoff

Air date: 1956-10-22

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Danny feels bad about spending so much time working and tries being a friend to Rusty, as well as a father.

Den Mother (Episode 5)

Writer: Henry Garson

Air date: 1956-10-29

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Danny makes the supreme sacrifice when son Rusty complains he's the only Cub Scout in the pack not represented at the den-mother meetings.

Terry at the Crossroads (Episode 6)

Writer: Bill Manhoff

Air date: 1956-11-05

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Terry is disappointed when a guy, Bobby, she has a crush on doesn’t ask her to the junior prom. Danny worries she’s too athletic and cavalier about her appearance, since she no longer has a mother to guide her, and is encouraged by Liz to talk to her.

Danny Goes to Texas (Episode 7)

Writer: Henry Garson

Air date: 1956-11-12

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Danny’s agent gets him a gig at a birthday party in Texas—much to Danny’s chagrin.

The Diary (Episode 8)

Writer: Arthur H. Dales

Air date: 1956-11-19

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: When Terry comes home upset one day, Danny tries, to no avail, to get her to confide in him. When this fails, Ben and Liz encourage him to check Terry’s diary for clues, so he can help her.

Talented Kid (Episode 9)

Writer: Arthur H. Dales

Air date: 1956-11-26

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Danny plans on Rusty joining him in singing on a show, but is quickly disappointed when, during their first rehearsal, Rusty sings off-key. He then bemoans the fact that his kid lacks talent.

Danny's Comeback (Episode 10)

Writer: Jack Elinson

Air date: 1956-12-03

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Danny’s doctor has said he’s ready to go back to work. Danny disagrees.

My Fair Vocal Coach (Episode 11)

Writer: Henry Garson

Air date: 1956-12-10

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Danny takes a talented vocal coach with stage fright under his wing.

Pride Takes a Holiday (Episode 12)

Writer: Henry Garson

Air date: 1956-12-17

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Danny gives Terry advice about swallowing her pride, instead of indulging in it, then has to face the same choice himself.

Christmas and Clowns (Episode 13)

Writer: Henry Garson

Air date: 1956-12-24

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Rusty invites a bunch of circus people, with nowhere to go for the holidays, over for Christmas dinner.

Liz's Boyfriend (Episode 14)

Writer: Bill Manhoff

Air date: 1956-12-31

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Liz is finally in love and brings her boyfriend over to have dinner with the family and Benny.

The School Teacher (Episode 15)

Writer: Jack Elinson

Air date: 1957-01-07

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: When Danny goes to see Rusty's fourth-grade teacher, they end up butting heads—and he ends up challenging her.

Danny's Date (Episode 16)

Writer: Jack Elinson

Air date: 1957-01-14

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Danny has his first date since his wife died, and the kids are determined to ‘protect’ him.

Girl from Iowa (Episode 17)

Writer: Henry Garson

Air date: 1957-01-21

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: A young girl pleads with Danny to help her get started in show business.

Danny Goes Social (Episode 18)

Writer: Jack Elinson

Air date: 1957-01-28

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: After being invited by Gloria Ridgely—an attractive socialite from his audience—to a champagne supper, Danny giddily accepts and decides to ditch the traditional anniversary celebration at Pizza Charlie’s with Benny, Liz and Jesse.

Lobster Story (Episode 19)

Writer: Bill Manhoff

Air date: 1957-02-04

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: When Danny finds out some washed-out comic is doing a bit he’s known for, he decides to go confront him—and is surprised by what he finds.

The Flashback Show (Episode 20)

Writer: Arthur Stander

Air date: 1957-02-14

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: For his birthday, Danny makes a special trip home from his tour of night-club engagements. He is somewhat disappointed when it appears daughter Terry and son Rusty have forgotten this momentous event!

Danny's Fiance (Episode 21)

Writer: Laurence Marks

Air date: 1957-02-21

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Danny brings home a woman from Chicago to meet the kids. The kids see he’s serious about her, dislike her, and decide to intervene.

My Friend Harry (Episode 22)

Writer: Henry Garson

Air date: 1957-02-28

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Harry Ruby offers Danny a part in his upcoming biopic.

Uncle Tonoose Pays a Visit (Episode 23)

Writer: Arthur Stander

Air date: 1957-03-07

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Uncle Tonoose comes bearing a gift that Danny doesn’t want.

The Model (Episode 24)

Air date: 1957-03-14

Runtime: 30 min

Overview: Terry decides to quit school in favor of a modeling career, much to Danny's dismay. He connives to discourage her from leaving school without arousing her suspicion.

The Orphan Asylum (Episode 25)

Air date: 1957-03-21

Runtime: 30 min

Little League Umpire (Episode 26)

Air date: 1957-03-28

Runtime: 30 min

Danny Meets Kathy (Episode 27)

Air date: 1957-04-04

Runtime: 30 min

Men Are Men (Episode 28)

Air date: 1957-04-11

Runtime: 30 min

Little Miss Moppet (Episode 29)

Air date: 1957-04-18

Runtime: 30 min

Danny's Proposal (Episode 30)

Air date: 1957-04-25

Runtime: 30 min