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BIOGRAPHY: OZZIE AND HARRIET: ADVENTURES OF AMERICA'S FAVORITE FAMILY (TV)

Summary

One in this series of documentaries which examines the professional and personal lives of a wide range of individuals, both those in the public eye and those of historic note. This documentary chronicles the lives and careers of four generations of the Nelson family, with a focus on the members of the long-running popular television show "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" (1952-1966). Using biographical narration, interviews, broadcast excerpts, and archival footage, the program contrasts the wholesome image of the sitcom Nelson family with the behind-the-scenes problems of the real-life Nelsons, especially sons, David and Ricky, who literally grew up in front of the television audience. The program begins by tracing the lives and careers of Ozzie and Harriet prior to their successful television series. Highlights include: background information on the musical and acting careers of Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Hillard's parents, and Ozzie and Harriet's entry into the world of entertainment through their parents; the rise of the Ozzie Nelson Orchestra, and the fateful meeting between Ozzie and singer Harriet Hilliard; their marriage soon after Harriet began performing with the Ozzie Nelson Orchestra; the Nelsons' performances together and individually in radio and film while the Orchestra continued touring; a history of their early careers, including Harriet's appearances in the film "Follow the Fleet," and their work together on radio programs such as "The Red Skelton Show"; and the birth of their sons David and Eric, in 1936 and 1940 respectively. Next, Art Linkletter, Fred de Cordova, and Dr. Joyce Brothers comment on the popular appeal of the radio (1944-1954), then television, show "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," based on the real life of the Nelson family. Joe Byrne discusses the Nelsons' different approaches to the television program and their very public life. The program then chronicles how Ricky's music career was launched with the help of Ozzie and the family television series. Sally Hughes and Connie Harper Nelson remember the birth of Ricky's life as a rock 'n' roll performer with his song, "I'm Walking," and Sharon Sheely and Dwight Yoakum comment on Ricky's musical talent. The documentary then focuses on the 1960s during which Rick and David began to have their own careers and families while the television series still continued; and as new cultural ideals and musical styles took over America, the Nelsons became outdated and had to evolve. Pete Fornatale and Rick Nelson's sons, Gunnar and Matthew, sum up the changes Rick went through during this era with "The Stone Canyon Band." Next, the program examines the personal lives of the Nelson clan, including Ozzie's illness and eventual death; David's marital life; Rick's tumultuous relationship with Kristin Harmon Nelson Tinker; and Kristin Tinker's custody battle with Mark Harmon for son Sam Nelson. It also explores the ways in which, while their parents continued to lead troubled existences, Rick's daughter Tracy Nelson developed a successful acting career in spite of serious health problems, and sons Gunnar and Matthew followed in Rick's footsteps as musicians. The program ends with a discussion of Rick's and Harriet's deaths and the continuing legacy of the Nelson family. Commercials deleted.

Details

  • NETWORK: A&E
  • DATE: June 21, 1998 Sunday 8:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:30:33
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:55014
  • GENRE: Public Affairs/Documentaries; Arts documentaries
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Biography; Television personalities; Television - Production and direction
  • SERIES RUN: A&E - TV, 1998
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Michael Cascio … Executive Producer
  • Carolanne Dolan … Supervising Producer
  • Andrew Tilles … Supervising Producer
  • Selina Lin … Producer
  • Peter Jones … Producer, Director, Writer
  • Robert Israel … Music by
  • Peter Graves … Narrator
  • Joyce Brothers
  • Joe Byrne
  • De Cordova, Fred
  • Pete Fornatale
  • Mark Harmon
  • Sally Hughes
  • Art Linkletter
  • Connie Harper Nelson
  • David Nelson
  • Gunnar Nelson
  • Nelson, Harriet (See also, Hilliard, Harriet)
  • Matthew Nelson
  • Ozzie Nelson
  • Nelson, Rick (See also: Nelson, Ricky)
  • Sam Nelson
  • Tracy Nelson
  • Sharon Sheely
  • Red Skelton
  • Kristin Nelson Tinker
  • Dwight Yoakum