When Red Skelton was drafted in March of 1944, Ozzie Nelson was prompted to create his own family situation comedy. The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet launched on CBS on October 8, 1944, making a mid-season switch to NBC in 1949. The final years of the radio series were on ABC (the former NBC Blue Network) from October 14, 1949 to June 18, 1954. In an arrangement that amplified the growing pains of American broadcasting, as radio "grew up" into television, the Nelsons' deal with ABC gave the network the option to move their program to television. The struggling network needed proven talent that was not about to defect to the more established and wealthier networks like CBS or NBC.
DC Comics' The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet comic book (October-November, 1949)The Nelsons' sons, David and Ricky, did not join the cast until the radios show's fifth year. The two boys were played by professional actors prior to their joining because both were too young to perform. The role of David was played by Joel Davis from 1944 until 1945. Tommy Bernard and Henry Blair appeared as Ricky. Other cast members included John Brown as Syd "Thorny" Thornberry, Lurene Tuttle as Harriet's mother, Bea Benaderet as Gloria, Janet Waldo as Emmy Lou, and Dick Trout as Roger. Vocalists included Harriet Nelson, The King Sisters, and Ozzie Nelson. The announcers were Jack Bailey and Verne Smith. The music was by Billy May and Ozzie Nelson. The producers were Dave Elton and Ozzie Nelson.
Ozzie and Harriet 441119 007 Enters Essay Contest Ozzie and Harriet 450128 017 Ozzie and the Hypnotist Ozzie and Harriet 450311 023 Tax Return and the Blue Suit Ozzie and Harriet 450520 033 The New Arrival Ozzie and Harriet 450812 037 Antique Vase Ozzie and Harriet 450826 039 David Sells Ozzies Suit Ozzie and Harriet 450902 040 The Dripping Faucet Ozzie and Harriet 450909 041 David Fights Ozzie and Harriet 450916 042 Lodge of Unicorns Ozzie and Harriet 450923 043 Apartment Building Next Door Ozzie and Harriet 450930 044 Exaggeration Troubles Ozzie and Harriet 451007 045 The Princes Gift Ozzie and Harriet 451014 046 Ozzie and Harriet 460623 082 Ozzie Thinks He Will Be A New Father Ozzie and Harriet 461201 096 Ozzie Runs For Office Ozzie and Harriet 461208 097 Rickys Third Prize In School Ozzie and Harriet 470223 108 Bowling Ozzie and Harriet 470302 109 March 3rd Dilemna Ozzie and Harriet 470420 116 Disintegrating Family Ozzie and Harriet 470914 125 New Dress Ozzie and Harriet 471012 129 Retreat from Civilization Ozzie and Harriet 471026 131 The Handy Man Ozzie and Harriet 480116 143 Jury Duty Ozzie and Harriet 480123 144 The Argument Ozzie and Harriet 481017 167 Ozzie Promises to Take the Boys Hiking Ozzie and Harriet 481024 168 The Matchmaker Ozzie and Harriet 481031 169 Haunted House Ozzie and Harriet 481107 170 Ozzie Is in a Rut Ozzie and Harriet 481121 172 The Third Degree Ozzie and Harriet 481128 173 Intellectual Curiosity Ozzie and Harriet 481205 174 Guests Bing Crosby Lindsay Crosby Ozzie and Harriet 481212 175 Worrying About Worrying Ozzie and Harriet 481219 176 The New RadioPhonograph Ozzie and Harriet 481226 177 No Show for Christmas Ozzie and Harriet 490102 178 The Knitting Contest Ozzie and Harriet 490109 179 Sports Heroes Ozzie and Harriet 490123 181 Card Tricks Ozzie and Harriet 490130 182 Ozzie Takes Bus Driving Test Ozzie and Harriet 490206 183 House Cleaning Ozzie and Harriet 490213 184 Valentine Card Ozzie and Harriet 490220 185 Invitations to Dinner Ozzie and Harriet 490227 186 The Nelson Bank Ozzie and Harriet 490306 187 Crystal Ball Ozzie and Harriet 490313 188 Income Tax Problems Ozzie and Harriet 490320 189 Argument About Rover Boys Ozzie and Harriet 490327 190 Complaints Ozzie and Harriet 490410 192 Nosy Neighbors Ozzie and Harriet 490417 193 Easter Show Ozzie and Harriet 490424 194 Impressing Girls Ozzie and Harriet 491028 208 Advice Ozzie and Harriet 500602 239 The Bridal Shower Ozzie and Harriet 500609 240 The Party Ozzie and Harriet 510601 280 Have a Cigar Ozzie and Harriet 511005 285 Sales Resistance Ozzie and Harriet 511116 291 Sidewalk Superintendents Ozzie and Harriet 511214 295 Going to a Concert Ozzie and Harriet 520125 301 The Dental Receptionist Ozzie and Harriet 520404 311 The Boat Builder Ozzie and Harriet 520418 313 Home Town Baseball Team Ozzie and Harriet 520425 314 Too Much Change Ozzie and Harriet 520509 316 Invitation to Dinner Ozzie and Harriet 521128 331 The Handy Man Ozzie and Harriet 530501 353 The Baseball Manager Ozzie and Harriet 530626 361 Be on Time Ozzie and Harriet 530918 363 David Discovers Girls Ozzie and Harriet 530925 364 Upholstery Prize Ozzie and Harriet 531009 366 Too Many Ties Ozzie and Harriet 531016 367 The Street Light Ozzie and Harriet 531030 369 HomeMade Ice Cream Ozzie and Harriet 531211 375 A Cup of Coffee Ozzie and Harriet 531225 377 The Lost Christmas Gift Ozzie and Harriet 540108 379 Fifi La Plume Ozzie and Harriet 540129 382 The Electric Train Ozzie and Harriet 540212 384 The Loud Shirt Ozzie and Harriet 540219 385 Come as You Are