Harriet Nelson
Harriet Nelson will always have a secure place alongside Barbara Billingsley and Jane Wyatt in the "TV's Golden Age Mom Hall of Fame." For fourteen years, she, husband Ozzie Nelson, and their two boys, David Nelson and Ricky Nelson, were the quintessential role models of the '50s ideal nuclear family. Harriet, the daughter of actors, was practically born in a trunk. She made her debut amid the footlights at age 6 weeks with her parents. The Iowa beauty attended St. Agnes Academy in her early years. Quite a dazzler in her youth, she was playing vaudeville when she attracted the attention of saxophone-playing Ozzie Nelson and was hired by him as vocalist for his orchestra in 1932. They married three years later. Harriet had a bold, sassy edge to her that proved a perfect counterpoint to Ozzie's genial, stumbling personality in their off-the-cuff routines. During the '40s, they were regulars on Red Skelton's radio show and even took over the comic's time slot when Red was drafted into the army. As Harriet Hilliard, she moved to leading lady status in a number of cool, snazzy war-era musicals, the most notable as "second lead" to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in Follow the Fleet (1936). Other minor efforts included Cocoanut Grove (1938), Sweetheart of the Campus (1941) with Ozzie, Juke Box Jenny (1942), and Honeymoon Lodge (1943), also with Ozzie. Breezy, tuneful films, but nothing to write home about. Once Harriet partnered with Ozzie in their own radio series "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" in 1944, the family-oriented woman's career became unequivocally bound to his. They extended their devoted radio audience to TV (1952-1966). The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet (1952), which now included both their sons, made household names of the entire clan. David followed in his father's footsteps as director/producer, while Ricky turned pop teen idol with such hits as "Hello, Mary Lou" and "Travelin' Man," songs that were introduced on the show. Following the show's long run, Ozzie and Harriet lay back a bit and settled in Laguna Beach, California, touring occasionally on stage. A second series entitled Ozzie's Girls (1973) lasted only one season. Following Ozzie's death in 1975, Harriet turned somewhat reclusive, save for a few mini-movies or guest spots. She never fully recovered from son Ricky's death in a plane crash in 1985. She was the doting grandmother of actress Tracy Nelson and of twin rockers Matthew Nelson and Gunnar Nelson, who were simply called "Nelson." A heavy smoker most of her life, she never smoked in public, feeling it did not befit her "perfect mom" image. She died of emphysema and congestive heart failure in 1994.
Follow the Fleet
as Connie MartinWhen the US Navy fleet docks at San Francisco, sailor Bake Baker tries to rekindle the flame...
Movie pageThe Falcon Strikes Back
as Gwynne Gregory (as Harriet Hilliard)The Falcon is framed for the murder of a banker and the theft of war bonds. He makes his escape...
Movie pageThe Kid with the 200 I.Q.
as Prof. ConklinA 13-year-old genius goes to college and tries to cope not only with campus social life, but...
Movie pageThe Movie Orgy
as Self (archive footage)Clips from assorted television programs, B-movies, commercials, music performances, newsreels,...
Movie pageSmash-Up on Interstate 5
as June PearsonIn this made-for-TV disaster movie, the lives of a group of motorists are chronicled...
Movie pageDeath Car on the Freeway
as Mrs. SheelA determined TV reporter is out to find a maniac who is methodically attacking lone women...
Movie pageConfessions of Boston Blackie
as Diane ParrishA murder is committed during the auction of a valuable statue. The prime suspect is Boston...
Movie pageSweetheart of the Campus
as Harriet HaleRuby Keeler teams with the Nelsons (of TV and radio fame) as the singer in Ozzie's band. The...
Movie pageThe Life of the Party
as Mitzi MartosA singer finds another heir (Gene Raymond) to marry, to avoid the one (Joe Penner) her mother found.
Movie pageNew Faces of 1937
as PatriciaA crooked producer makes money from Broadway flops by selling more than 100% interest to...
Movie pageDisneyland '59
as SelfWalt Disney and Art Linkletter co-host a live celebration of Disneyland's 1959 expansion that...
Movie pageHoneymoon Lodge
as Lorraine Logan aka Jenny HockadaylHoneymoon Lodge is a musical variation on the old Awful Truth plotline. Divorce-bound Bob and...
Movie pageThe First Time
as CharlotteAn emotionally troubled teenage girl drops out of high school and travels with her boyfriend to...
Movie pageCocoanut Grove
as Linda RogersBand tries to get an audition for a job at a prestigious nightclub.
Movie pageHere Come the Nelsons
as Harriet NelsonThe homespun Nelson family must deal with various comical situations, including an encounter...
Movie pageTake It Big
as Jerry ClintonJack Haley plays Jack North, the nether end of a vaudeville horse act who inherits a western...
Movie pageHi, Good Lookin'!
as Kelly ClarkAn usher at a radio station studio pretends to be an executive at the station in order to help a...
Movie pageGals, Incorporated
as Gwen Phillips (as Harriet Hilliard)The story of a nightclub.
Movie pageHi, Buddy
as Gloria BradleyDick Foran and Harriet Hilliard (aka Harriet Nelson) top the cast of the Universal musical...
Movie pageThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as SelfThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight...
TV Show pageNight Gallery
as Helena Millikan (segment "You Can Come Up Now, Mrs. Millikan")Rod Serling narrates an anthology of fantasy, horror and sci-fi stories from a set resembling a...
TV Show pageLove, American Style
as Mrs. GarberAn anthology comedy series featuring a line up of different celebrity guest stars appearing in...
TV Show pageLove, American Style
as Martha PickardAn anthology comedy series featuring a line up of different celebrity guest stars appearing in...
TV Show pageLove, American Style
as uncreditedAn anthology comedy series featuring a line up of different celebrity guest stars appearing in...
TV Show pageThe Love Boat
as Henrietta McDonaldPassengers who search for romantic nights aboard a beautiful ship travelling to tropical or...
TV Show pageThe Merv Griffin Show
as SelfThe Merv Griffin Show is an American television talk show, starring Merv Griffin. The series ran...
TV Show pageWhat's My Line?
as Self - Mystery GuestFour panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while...
TV Show pageHappy Days
as uncreditedIn 1950s Milwaukee the Cunningham family must contend with Fonzie, a motorcycle riding Casanova.
TV Show pageThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet
as HarrietThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet is an American sitcom, airing on ABC from October 3, 1952...
TV Show pageFantasy Island
as Winnie McLaineA magical island hosted by Mr Roarke and Tattoo where weekly guests learn valuable life lessons...
TV Show pageThis Is Your Life
as SelfThis Is Your Life is an American television documentary series broadcast on NBC, originally...
TV Show pageDinah!
as SelfDinah's show premiered 9 September 1974 and continued through to 4 September 1981. She started...
TV Show pageFather Dowling Mysteries
as uncreditedFather Dowling Mysteries is an American television mystery series that aired from January 20,...
TV Show pageAloha Paradise
as uncreditedAloha Paradise is an American comedy series that aired on ABC on Wednesday night from February...
TV Show pageOnce an Eagle
as Harriet NelsonOnce An Eagle is a 1976 nine-hour American television mini-series directed by Richard Michaels...
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