Harriet Nelson Movies
Those who know Harriet Nelson only for her two decades' worth of services as "America's Favorite TV Mom" on Ozzie and Harriet and Ozzie's Girls may be surprised to learn that she enjoyed a healthy career as a singer/actress long before network television was a commercial viability. Born Peggy Lou Snyder into a show business family, she chose the alliterative professional cognomen of Harriet Hilliard when she was hired as a vocalist by bandleader Ozzie Nelson. She was signed to an RKO Radio movie contract in 1936, and one year later married Nelson, though she remained Harriet Hilliard for the rest of her years in films. Most of her movie assignments were musicals and comedies, though she was capable of dramatic performances in such films as Confessions of Boston Blackie (1941) and The Falcon Strikes Back (1943). After several years of experience as a radio actress and singer on other people's programs (she briefly played the mother of "the mean widdle kid" on The Red Skelton Show), she and her husband Ozzie launched their own radio sitcom in 1944, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Featured on the series were the Nelson's two sons, David and Ricky Nelson (who were played by anonymous child actors until the boys insisted upon appearing as themselves). After a joint appearance in the 1952 Universal comedy Here Come the Nelsons, Ozzie, Harriet, David, and Ricky Nelson brought their successful radio program to television, where they remained until 1966. In 1973, Ozzie and Harriet, minus their offspring (Ricky Nelson was by now a successful recording artist, while David Nelson was a TV director) tried to make the magic happen again in the syndicated sitcom Ozzie's Girls, which proved to be a failure. After the death of her husband in 1975, Harriet Hilliard occasionally made appearances in such TV productions as Once an Eagle and Smash-Up on Interstate 5 (both 1976), and on more than one occasion made nostalgic guest appearances in her established TV series persona. In addition to her own sons, Harriet Nelson was the mother-in-law of actress Kristine Harmon (sister of actor Mark Harmon) and the grandmother of actress Tracy Nelson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1952
Fresh from radio and TV, "America's Favorite Family" stars in Here Come the Nelsons. That's right: this harmless little comedy is purely a vehicle for Ozzie, Harriet, David and Ricky. Since there must be a plot, the scriptwriters contrive to have Harriet uncharacteristically express jealousy over the presence of Ozzie's former schoolmate Barbara Schutzendorf (Barbara Lawrence). Meanwhile, Ozzie seethes when handsome young Charlie Jones (Rock Hudson) pays a bit too much attention to Harriet. To prove that he's still got what it takes, Ozzie competes against Charlie in a rodeo held in honor of the town's centennial (this sort of plot device usually happened to David or Ricky on the TV show). For no reason other than there are extra reels to go, little Ricky is kidnapped by a pair of bank robbers, played by Sheldon Leonard and Ed Max. Here Come the Nelsons was directed by Frederick De Cordova, whose other credits for Universal included such deathless entries as Bedtime for Bonzo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1952
If anyone can be labelled a television auteur, that man was the inimitable Ozzie Nelson. Not only did Ozzie produce, direct, star and occasionally write the long-running (1952-66) TV sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, but he also supplied the cast from his own home! You remember the dramatis personae: ex-bandleader Ozzie Nelson, the bemused, stammering paterfamilias whose source of income was always a matter of conjecture; Harriet Nelson, nee band singer/actress Harriet Hilliard, eternally the voice of calm and reason; David Nelson, the goody two-shoes older son; and Ricky Nelson, the mildly rebellious younger son and teen singing idol. The "Adventures" were among the least adventurous in television history, ranging from Ozzie's search for a gallon of tutti-frutti ice cream to Ricky's efforts to steal a moose head from a rival fraternity house. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1952
Having convinced the execs at ABC that his popular radio show could be successfully transferred to television by conceiving the theatrical feature Here Come the Nelsons, bandleader/comedian/producer Ozzie Nelson launches his 14-year TV run on The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet. Joining Ozzie in these "adventures" are, of course, his wife Harriet and his sons David and Ricky, respectively 15 and 11 years old at the outset of the series. The first of the show's 435 episodes is "The Rivals," originally broadcast October 3, 1952. Other memorable season one outings include "Halloween Party," which features a decidedly pre-Leave It to Beaver Jerry Mathers as a trick-or-treater, and "Boys' Christmas Money," a classic Yuletide episode which would be rerun in whole or in part (as a "flashback") for years and years to come. While many of the earliest episodes revolve around various rites of passage for the Nelson kids (Ricky goes to his first dance, David is given his first house key, etc.), most of the first 39 Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet episodes focus on -- who else? -- Ozzie and Harriet, with ample screen time given to Ozzie's friend and neighbor Thorny Thornwell, played by future Hazel co-star Don DeFore. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1953
The matriculation of ABC from a regional to a national network in 1953 did a world of good for the network's best sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet. Although the series did not crack the Top Ten or even the Top 20 during its second season on the air, it was extremely popular in those cities serviced by an ABC affiliate -- and even in other cities where ABC had to share a station with CBS or NBC. The season's first episode couldn't be more typical for the Nelson family, with confusing reigning supreme as Ozzie (Ozzie Nelson) and Harriet (Harriet Nelson) purchase new chairs for the living room. With the Nelsons' sons David Nelson and Ricky Nelson still very young, their characters ("David" and "Ricky," naturally) continue taking a back seat to the grownups. However, the boys are given quite a few opportunities to shine, notably in the unforgettable (and frequently rebroadcast) Christmas episode "The Miracle," featuring a lengthy flashback in which Ricky Nelson plays his dad Ozzie and David Nelson is seen as Ozzie's older brother Al. Also worth noting is the episode in which David celebrates his 17th birthday, allowing Ozzie to trot out his family's home movies for the first (but definitely not the last!) time. Since the Nelsons remain center-stage in all of the episodes, the series' colorful cast of supporting characters has not yet been fully formed. Still, Don DeFore is prominently featured as Ozzie's pal Thorny Thornwell; and in "New Neighbor," Frank Cady (years before his Sam Drucker turns on Petticoat Junction and Green Acres) is introduced in the role of Doc Williams. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1954
Season three of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet yields a mere 28 episodes in contrast to the 39 seen in each of the previous seasons, but there is still ample time to savor the talents of Ozzie Nelson, his wife Harriet Nelson, and their ever-growing sons David Nelson (now 17 going on 18) and Ricky Nelson (13 going on 14 -- and not yet a singer). Typically, the opening episode sets forth a family crisis: should Ozzie and Harriet go out on the town for their wedding anniversary, or should they stay home and chaperone the boys' party. Other episodes this season focus on David and Ricky's maturing process, notably the one in which David is poised to earn 50 dollars when he grows to Ozzie's height, and another outing in which Ricky goes out on his first blind date. Although not reflected in the series' current syndication and home-video package, season three of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet set the pattern for all seasons to come by interspersing new episodes with "classic" reruns, several of these given a new coat of paint by being presented in flashback form with newly-filmed "bookends." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1955
About the only major change occurring during the fourth season of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet is the introduction of a new supporting character, Ozzie's neighbor and friend Joe Randolph, played by the ubiquitous Lyle Talbot. Otherwise, it is the same hilarious mixture as before, with paterfamilias Ozzie Nelson getting into various degrees of mischief due to misunderstandings or misguided ego trips, wife Harriet Nelson bringing her husband down to earth with her understated common sense, oldest son David Nelson maneuvering his way through the minefields of higher education and dating (he's in college now, studying psychology), and youngest son Ricky Nelson still feeling his oats (though not yet closing every episode with a song). Memorable season four episodes include the season opener, "David's Engagement," in which Ozzie jumps to the conclusion that David is about to wed; "Homemade Ice-Cream," the first of several outings devoted to Ozzie's obsession with frozen confections; "Football Hero," wherein high school freshman Ricky is torn between joining the football team or signing up for the school band; "A Day in Bed," a typical "mountains out of molehills" episode in which Ozzie encounters all manner of obstacles when he chooses to sleep late on his day off (His day off? When does he ever go to work?); and the prescient "Music Appreciation," built around David's fondness for classical music vs. Ricky's devotion to pop songs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1956
Placed in a cultural history context, the fifth season of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet takes on an importance of earth-shattering dimensions. Not that the basic format of the series has changed all that much: Ozzie Nelson still rules the roost in his family home even without any visible means of support (though for the first time, a passing mention is made of his previous "life" as a popular bandleader); Harriet Nelson remains the family's voice of reason and common sense; and sons David Nelson and Ricky Nelson continue to pursue higher education and the fairer sex. (In one memorable episode, David goes on a date with Carol Morris, 1957's Miss Universe.) As for the supporting cast, Don DeFore, Frank Cady, and Lyle Talbot are still on hand for sporadic appearances as the Nelsons' neighbors Thorny Thornwell, Doc Williams, and Joe Randolph, with Mary Jane Croft added to the cast as Joe's wife (and Harriet's best friend) Clara Randolph. Beyond all this, season five marks an extremely significant development in the realm of popular music. For it is in the episode "Ricky the Drummer," originally telecast April 10, 1957, that 16-year-old Ricky Nelson makes his national singing debut, performing Fats Domino's "I'm Walkin." The extraordinary audience response to this golden moment encouraged series star/producer Ozzie Nelson to showcase Ricky's vocal talents in countless future episodes -- and thus, in the humblest and unlikeliest of surroundings, was a major rock & roll idol and icon born! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1957
Season six of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet still finds Ozzie Nelson, as cheerfully "unemployed" as ever, gently ruling the roost at the Nelson family household, with level-headed spouse Harriet Nelson at his side. Oldest son David Nelson is now in his third year of college, dividing his time between his studies and his fraternity, Kappa Sigma: indeed, the season opener is titled "Fixing Up the Fraternity House." And high-schooler Ricky Nelson, already launched on his spectacular career as a pop singer, gains more and more prominence this season for his soulful renditions of such hits as "Bebop Baby," "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?," "I'm Confessin'," "I'll Walk Alone," and "Shirley Lee"; and in the season's Christmas story, Ricky performs on TV for the first time (in the context of the show, that is). Additions to the supporting cast this season include Gordon Jones as the Nelsons' new neighbor Butch Barton, brought in to fill the gap left by the defection of Don DeFore in the role of Thorny Thornwell; and Skip Young as chubby, giggling perennial college student Wally, here introduced as David's fellow frat member. Otherwise, things go on pretty much the way they've been going on for the past five seasons, notably in the episodes "Ozzie's Triple Banana Surprise" and "Tutti-Frutti Ice Cream," both of which focus on Ozzie Nelson's by-now-legendary obsession with frozen dairy products. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1958
Season 14 of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet is the series' first season in color -- and its last on the air. Diminishing ratings were only one of the many factors motivating the decision to pull the plug. Series star Ozzie Nelson and his wife Harriet Nelson wanted to explore new and different professional vistas; oldest son David Nelson was now pursuing a prolific career as a director; and Ricky Nelson would rather have been singing than acting. (And his fans agreed!) The end of the series also effectively put an end to the acting careers of David's wife June Blair and Rick's wife Kris Nelson, both of whom had, for the past several seasons, been afforded star billing along with the rest of the Nelsons. Rather surprisingly, two new semi-regulars are added to the show during its terminal season: Greg Dawson and Sean Morgan, cast respectively as Greg and Sean, two of perennial college student Ricky's frat brothers. The series ends quietly and amusingly with episode number 435, "The Game Room," in which Ozzie wants to convert his sons' former bedroom into a den for himself, much to the dismay of the sentimental Harriet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1958
So here's the setup for season seven of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet: Ozzie Nelson continues to wear several hats as top-billed star, producer, director, and co-writer; Harriet Nelson is still on hand to dispense wisdom and common sense to her scatterbrained husband and her ever-growing children; oldest son David Nelson is poised to graduate from college and begin a career in law; and youngest son Ricky Nelson, now a college boy himself, is rushed by David's fraternity, Kappa Sigma. Also, in "Ricky the Bullfighter," we are treated to the first of many episodes in which one of the Nelson boys takes up an unusual hobby to impress a girl. Finally, future leading man James Stacy joins the supporting cast as the Nelson boys' frat brother Fred. For many viewers both past and present, this seventh season of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet is memorable primarily for the many moments (usually at the end of episodes) in which Ricky Nelson renders a slow-dance ballad or rollicking rock tune. Added to Ricky's repertoire this season are such favorites as "It's Late"," "You Tear Me Up," and "I Can't Help It." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1959
Halfway through its eighth season on ABC, the popular domestic sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet briefly underwent a title change -- at least in the on-screen credits -- to The Adventures of the Nelson Family. This was a reflection of the fact that fewer and fewer episodes are devoted to the "adventures" of paterfamilias Ozzie Nelson and his wife Harriet Nelson, and that more and more time is afforded to the exploits of sons David Nelson and especially Ricky Nelson -- "especially" inasmuch as college-boy Ricky is by now a bona fide pop music idol, with more people listening to his records than tuning in to his TV show. Meanwhile, David has graduated college and become a law clerk, after briefly considering a life on the high seas. (This, of course, occurs on-camera; in real life David was pursuing a career as a dramatic actor in such films as The Big Circus, and preparing to follow in dad Ozzie's footsteps by becoming a director.) Memorable episodes this season include "David the Sleuth," an especially funny takeoff of the private eye series Peter Gunn; "Rick Gets Even," in which Rick (he's seldom billed as "Ricky" anymore) performs "It's You" and romances a very young Tuesday Weld; and "The Circus," in which both Nelson boys show off their remarkable acrobatic skills. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1960
Whether it was known by its official title The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet or its temporary on-screen title The Adventures of the Nelson Family, the fact remained that the sitcom about "America's favorite family" entered its ninth season in the fall of 1960. Still in charge of the proceedings both on and off camera is paterfamilias Ozzie Nelson, with wife Harriet Nelson subtly providing the real power behind the throne. Oldest son David Nelson (who in real life was prepping for a career as a director) is now a junior partner in a law firm; and youngest son Ricky Nelson is presumably working his way through college with his many local gigs as a pop singer -- several of which are televised, and thus pop up on the TV set that Ozzie and Harriet install in the wall of their bedroom during this season. New additions to the series' supporting cast include Joe Flynn as David's boss Mr. Kelley, Constance Harper as legal secretary Connie Edwards, Roberta Shore as Ricky's off-and-on girlfriend Joyce, and future My Three Sons regular Barry Livingston as Barry, a neighbor kid. Oh, and let us not forget June Blair, real-life wife of David Nelson, who this season makes her first appearance in the role of David's fiancée -- also named June. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1961
The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet launches its record-breaking (for a TV sitcom) tenth season with "Dancing Lessons," in which Harriet Nelson goads her two-left-feet hubby Ozzie Nelson to improve his terpsichorean skills. It is one of the few times during season ten that the focus is exclusively on nominal stars Ozzie and Harriet; for the most part, the attention is concentrated on the couples' now-grown sons, David Nelson and Ricky Nelson. David is now a partner at his law firm, and now married to wife June, played by David Nelson's real-life spouse June Blair, who this season is listed in the regular starring cast for the first time. Ricky (who prefers to be known as Rick) continues pursuing his college activities, not only as a student teacher but as spiritual leader of the Kappa Alpha fraternity: His best pal on campus (who used to be David's best pal) is still rotund Wally (Skip Young), the world's oldest undergraduate. And of course, Rick persists in his ever-burgeoning singing career, usually backed up by the Four Preps. The season ends with "Little Handprints in the Sidewalk," one of the series' multitude of "cheater" episodes, utilizing footage from the past nine seasons of The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1962
- Add The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet: Season 11 to QueueAdd The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet: Season 11 to top of Queue
In its 11th year on the air, The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet continues to follow the formula established in its most recent seasons. Though top-billed, Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Nelson have ceded the series' "stardom" to their now-adult sons, David Nelson and Ricky Nelson -- especially Ricky, who (in these pre-Beatles years) continues to top the charts with his popular singing efforts. While a handful of season 11 episodes are focused on the "oldsters" -- notably "The Adventurers," in which Ozzie and his pal Joe (Lyle Talbot) agree to participate to a parachute jump -- the bulk of the "adventures" focus on David, now a lawyer married to wife June (stilled billed as June Blair despite her real-life status as Mrs. David Nelson) and Ricky, who is still in college studying gosh-knows-what while pursuing an active social life with the Kappa Alpha fraternity. Speaking of the Kappa Alphas, David and Ricky's mutual pal Wally (Skip Young) now has a steady girlfriend named Ginger, played by Charlene Salerno. As before, the season's highlights largely consist of Ricky's musical performances. This year, his repertoire includes "I Will Follow You," "My One Desire," and "You Don't Love Me Any More." And in the season's classic final episode "June Music Festival," Ricky honors his fans with "Gypsy Woman," "I Got a Woman," and "That's All," while sharing the spotlight with musical guest stars Bud and Travis, The Brothers Four, Jennie Smith, and the Garrett Square Dancers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1963
Season 12 of the ABC sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet opens with a brace of "leftover" episodes from season 11, "Torn Dress" and "Secret Agent." The remainder of the season consists of 25 new episodes, interspersed with classic reruns from seasons past. Ozzie Nelson remains the series' nominal star (not to mention producer and director), with Harriet Nelson as level-headed and deadpan as ever in the role of "Harriet." As for the Nelson sons, David Nelson, now a lawyer has moved into his own home with wife June (played by David's real-life spouse June Blair); and Ricky Nelson does not seem inclined to ever leave college, though he has begun squiring an attractive co-ed named Kris -- played by Kristin Harmon, who will join the regular cast upon becoming Mrs. Ricky Nelson both on- and off-camera. By mid-season, Ricky has taken a job as a clerk at David's law firm, though he still hangs around with his increasingly aging fellow college students -- notably Wally (Skip Young), who has apparently found his life's calling as a soda jerk at the campus malt shop. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1964
Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Nelson are both suffering from "empty nest" syndrome as Ozzie & Harriet enters its 13th season. While the elder Nelsons remain in their familiar suburban home (complete with that garish-looking brass eagle over the fireplace!), their sons David Nelson and Ricky Nelson have flown the coop. David is a lawyer, married to wife June (played by June Blair, the real-life Mrs. David Nelson). And Ricky, a law clerk and perennial college student, is likewise wed to the lovely Kris (played by Ricky Nelson's genuine spouse Kristin Harmon). And oh yes, Rick is still singing whenever he gets a chance -- and in one episode, "The Ballerina," we are treated to the spectacle of a dancing Ricky Nelson. (And he's not bad at all!) As for David and Rick's overaged college pal Wally (Skip Young), he is looking past his soda jerk job and seeking out "real"employment, evidently at the behest of his erstwhile sweetie Ginger (Charlene Salerno). Outside of the usual Nelson family shenanigans, The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet made sitcom history this season with its unprecedented 400th episode, the otherwise unremarkable "Dave, the Fraternity Advisor." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, (more)
- 1976
This disaster movies chronicles the many dramas of the people involved in a 39 car smash-up on a California freeway. The wreck occurs on the final day of a holiday weekend. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Former stuntman Hal Needham employed several of his old professional comrades in his made-for-TV Death Car on the Freeway. Shelley Hack plays a TV reporter investigating a series of freeway murders. Some demented van driver is swerving around and about, killing female motorists. This being Los Angeles, Shelley has at least a million suspects-daily-to choose from. This otherwise standard thriller is pepped up by the presence of several TV veterans, including George Hamilton, Frank Gorshin, Peter Graves, Dinah Shore, Harriet Nelson, BarbaraRush and Abe Vigoda. Director Needham also turns up in a cute supporting role. Death Car on the Freeway first aired September 25, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Nick Newell (Gary Coleman) doesn't like being called a "genius," but the word certainly fits. The 13-year-old is starting as a freshman at Brighton University, and he's excited to be in a class taught by his idol, famous astronomer Jason Mills (Robert Guillaume). He gets along great with his roommate, Steve (Dean Butler), and gains the friendship of a pretty co-ed named Julie (Kari Michaelsen). Unfortunately, Nick's brain power doesn't prepare him for the problems that arise from being younger than everyone else on campus. Anxious to make a good impression on Professor Mills, Nick tries too hard and only embarrassess himself, plus his grades are slipping for the first time in his life. Nick also develops a massive crush on Julie, who considers him more of a younger brother than a love interest. When Julie and Steve become interested in each other and Professor Mills criticizes an extra-credit project, Nick despairs and decides to take a bus back home. He's surprised to find out how much he's loved, though, when his friends follow and beg him to return. ~ Fred Beldin, All Movie Guide
