The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet (1952–1966)

Very long running family saga, based largely on the actual actors involved. As the sons age we go through their teenage dating problems, then marriage and careers. Ricky became a (real life... See full summary »

Stars:

Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Hilliard, David Nelson

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Ozzie Nelson	...	Ozzie (435 episodes, 1952-1966)
Harriet Hilliard	...	Harriet (434 episodes, 1952-1966)
David Nelson	...	David Nelson (432 episodes, 1952-1966)
Ricky Nelson	...	Ricky Nelson (432 episodes, 1952-1966)

Storyline

Very long running family saga, based largely on the actual actors involved. As the sons age we go through their teenage dating problems, then marriage and careers. Ricky became a (real life) rock and roll star; David joined a law firm.

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | actor name in title | based on radio show | sitcom | brother brother relationship | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 October 1952 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ozzie and Harriet

Filming Locations:

Selznick International Studios - 9336 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stage Five Productions, Volcano Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (435 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Until it was surpassed by The Simpsons in 2004, this was the longest running comedy series in American television history.

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Connections

Referenced in Running on Empty (1988)

User Reviews

So underrated that it's criminal

I concur with the previous posts that Ozzie and Harriet was really a show "about nothing," and was quite funny until the boys got married (even then, it had its moments). Rather than showing how dull and boring the perfect traditional family could be, it celebrated the humor and fun in everyday life and its quirks. Most underrated was the comic talent of Ozzie. Not only was he hilariously adept and creative in his efforts to avoid work around the house, but when the situation resulted in physical comedy he was nothing short of amazing. I remember seeing a rerun 35 years ago, in which Ozzie has to swallow a big wad of ice cream. Just watching him, I could FEEL the brain freeze he got, and I still feel it just remembering. Personally, I like the 1952-1955 episodes with Don Defore as Thorny. The situations were believable but still funny-- Ozzie trying to convince everyone that he bought spot cleaner to help out an old lady instead of buying it to help out her sexy daughter, Ozzie scouring the town for tutti-fruity ice cream, Ozzie fretting over the rain damage that he knows he will get if he permits a nest of birds to remain in his rain gutter, Ozzie trying to send back a pair of chairs sent by mistake, Ozzie having to sleep apart from Harriet because she misinterprets Ozzie's support for separate rooms for the boys. In a way, Ozzie is a more functional and less stupid Homer Simpson. Since some of the shows can be obtained in the bargain DVD bins at Walmart and other places, do yourself a favor and give a few episodes a try.