The Adventures of Ozzie and HarrietThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet is an American sitcom, airing on ABC from October 3, 1952 through March 26, 1966, starring the real life Nelson family. After a long run on radio, the show was brought to television where it continued its success, running on both radio and television for a few years. The series stars Ozzie Nelson and his wife, singer Harriet Nelson, and their young sons, David and Eric "Ricky" Nelson. Don DeFore had a recurring role as the Nelsons' friendly neighbor "Thorny".
The Rivals
Oct 3, 1952
David has a rival, and his name is Will Thornberry - his next door neighbor.
The Poet
Oct 10, 1952
Ozzie and Harriet read the newspaper and talk about Nancy Walker.
The Pills
Oct 17, 1952
Ozzie decides to diet so he can fit into a pair of size 33 pants.
The Fall Guy
Oct 24, 1952
Ozzie quickly regrets advising David against allowing people to take advantage of his good nature.
Halloween Party
Oct 31, 1952
On Halloween night, Ozzie and Thorny make plans to attend a non-costume party as Satan and a Scotsman. Meanwhile Ricky and David attend a Halloween Party at school and the Nelson household is besieged by children demanding candy - or else.
Riviera Ballet
Nov 7, 1952
Ozzie has tickets to the Riviera Ballet, but Harriet doesn't want him to go because the actresses will be wearing skimpy bathing suits.
David the Babysitter
Nov 14, 1952
David gets a babysitting job and Ozzie is worried about David and the baby.
Rick Goes To A Dance
Nov 21, 1952
Ricky receives a perfumed letter from his neighbor, Julie Thornberry, inviting him to his first dance.
Day After Thanksgiving
Nov 28, 1952
Having come home the previous day from Aunt Ellen's without any Thanksgiving leftovers, Ozzie and the boys become obsessed with a craving for more turkey
Thorny's Gift
Dec 5, 1952
Ozzie is outraged after he doesn't receive a timely 'thank you' for the birthday gift he sent to Thorny.
Harriet's Hairdo
Dec 12, 1952
Harriet decides to try a new hair style but it doesn't go over well with the Nelson men. Ozzie gently tries to suggest he wants her to go back to the look he's used to.
The Boys' Christmas Money
Dec 19, 1952
The boys want to earn extra money for Christmas, so Ozzie gives them permission to look for work.
The Late Christmas Gift
Dec 26, 1952
Ozzie and David receive Christmas gifts after Christmas from Grandma Nelson.
Newspaper Write-up
Jan 2, 1953
Ozzie becomes upset, and increasingly obsessed, by a newspaper tribute to him that messes up his name.
Basketball Players
Jan 9, 1953
Ozzie and Thorny's discussion about basketball escalates until they challenge each other to a game. They include their sons in the grudge match but then begin having second thoughts.
Stop Worrying
Jan 16, 1953
Ozzie discovers his family worrying about different things, and admonishes them, as well as rationalizing them out of their concerns. But later he reads a magazine article and seems to have trouble fighting off worry himself.
The Tuba Affair
Jan 23, 1953
Ozzie wants to establish that he's head-of-the-household, and Harriet wants to be a good wife. Marital strife ensues.
The Rover Boys
Jan 30, 1953
While discussing The Rover Boys' books with Thorny, Ozzie takes off to check out a book at the library, hoping to prove Thorny wrong. But when he's caught with a big book, one of his boys' teachers is convinced he knows a lot about the Peloponnesian War and asks him to lead a book discussion. Ozzie is just too proud to admit the truth and decides to learn everything he can before the PTA meeting.
Separate Rooms
Feb 6, 1953
David and Ricky finally get their own separate rooms - with hilarious results.
The Valentine Show
Feb 13, 1953
Ozzie and Harriet are concerned that David will blow all the money he's saved on a new girl he's taking to a Valentine's Day dance.
The Traffic Signal
Feb 20, 1953
There's a new traffic signal, and no one knows who should take the credit or get the blame.
The Dental Receptionist
Feb 27, 1953
Ozzie soon regrets a flirtatious moment shared with his dentist's new southern belle receptionist.
The Speech
Mar 6, 1953
Ozzie painstakingly rehearses for a speech.
The Safecrackers
Mar 13, 1953
While in Herb Dunkle's empty office, Ozzie teaches Ricky how to crack a safe.
Brother Beesley's Philosophy
Mar 20, 1953
Andy Beesley gives Ozzie a new outlook on life: Enjoy life, while you can. Ozzie takes this philosophy to heart and sends the family on a spending spree down at The Emporium - a spending spree he soon regrets.
The Bowling Alley
Mar 27, 1953
Fearing that Ozzie is coming down with a cold, Harriet orders her husband to spend the evening convalescing and then goes shopping with a friend. Ozzie manages a rapid recovery when Thorny reminds him of a date they made to go bowling.
The Orchid and the Violet
Apr 3, 1953
It's spring, and love is in the air, so Ozzie wants to surprise Harriet by having a bunch of violets delivered to her. When orchids show up, instead, Ozzie suspects they're from an old rich boyfriend of Harriet's.
The Pancake Mix
Apr 10, 1953
Hasty Tasty Pancake Company is offering a double-your-money-back guarantee, so Ricky decides to apply for a refund.
Whistler's Daughter
Apr 17, 1953
Ozzie has some fast talking to do, after Harriet falls under the impression that he was taken in by an attractive young door-to-door saleswoman.
The Fish Story
Apr 24, 1953
To prove a point, Ozzie starts a rumor in the neighborhood by tricking his best friend Thorny into believing that the fish are biting like crazy in Mud Basin.
Night School
May 1, 1953
Ozzie finds out from Thorny that he is taking adult education courses at the local high school in the evenings. So Ozzie decides to take some classes and Harriet signs up too.
The Traders
May 8, 1953
Ozzie tries to teach Ricky and David how to get a good deal in the swap trades they make with friends.
Boxing Matches
May 15, 1953
Ozzie gets roped into agreeing to fight Thorny in a boxing exhibition match to be held at an evening Boy Scout rally.
Door Key for David
May 22, 1953
David is given his first house key and the responsibility that goes with it.
The Play's the Thing
May 29, 1953
Ozzie is brimming with enthusiasm about appearing in the PTA pageant's play, until he learns that his role is the front end of Robin Hood's horse.
Monetary System
Jun 5, 1953
David and Ricky would like an increase in their allowances so Ozzie develops a point system regarding household chores. He includes every family member but regrets it as it points out that one person is doing very little of the tasks.
Who's Walter?
Jun 12, 1953
Harriet encounters an older man who worked at an amusement park she and Ozzie frequented when they dated. She invites him to dinner where he thinks Ozzie is named Walter, then spends the evening telling stories about Harriet and Walter.
Curiosity
Jun 19, 1953
Ozzie and Harriet try to kill each other's cat with curiosity.
Oscillating Ozzie
Jun 26, 1953
Ozzie is stuck in his conservative routine, until he has a chat with the ever-exuberant Emmy Lou.
