Finally, after waiting for 35 years I got to see #23 "Dorothy's Birthday. Thanks to the new commercial release I finally saw this missing episode from my Complete Hazel collection. I started recording Hazel in the mid-1980's from various cable channels. But none of them ever showed Episode #23.

I tell you when I watched it I felt like I couldn't take my eyes off the picture. I wanted to see every moment. I could tell they used some of the original footage from the pilot episode in this program. It was after all almost the same script and exact same storyline. You could see Shirley Booth in the pilot footage wasn't using her Hazel wig, but in the newer footage for the show her Hazel wig was back in action. Also they had to replace the rug in the entranceway of the Baxter house with the checkerboard flooring that was used in the pilot program so all continuity would match. It was fascinating to see how they made slight changes in the character of Mr. B and also how they made Don Defore's Mr. B in this episode stay with Mr. B temperment of Edward Andrews portrayal. Don Defore's Mr. B was more stiff in this show and formal, just the way Edward Andrews played the part. I think Don Defore's version of Mr. B was a more friendly and warmer Mr. B than the one Andrews played him as.

This Hazel set looks fantastic. I do wish they had used the Hazel theme as the background music when you're looking at the menu when you first pop the disc in. Sony did that for Bewitched & I Dream of Jeanie (theme music playing) so it seems they should have afforded Hazel the same honor. I can now say I have the entire Hazel series, no more having to qualify this statement with "except for #23", what a pleasure. And what a joy this program is, it's my favorite show besides George Reeves Superman show. Even though I have all the episodes now on DVD, I can't wait to buy Sony's releases of the rest of this series, please Sony RELEASE THE WHOLE SERIES! Thankyou. And may Hazel forever do her Hazel run while calling "Mr. Beeee".;)

1. I wonder why the syndication packages didn't include this episode as #23 with Don Defore, instead of the other one which seems confusing to someone just tuning in and seeing a new Mr. B.

2. I did notice that the intro and epilogue didn't match the rest of the episode 23. The kitchen set was obviously different in the pilot, as were other rooms in the house. The last scene in episode 23 is everyone having cake at the banquet in the kitchen. Well the banquet isn't in the kitchen in the rest of episode 23, it is only in the new kitchen. I figure the second pilot episode was shot with Defore, and ran short of the 25 minutes, so the first and last scene were added at a later date.

3. I wonder why they didn't start off with the pilot episode, with the original house as episode number one. The house in the pilot episode (Dororthy's birthday) is grander, than the house we would know as the Baxter's. It looks more like a house which would have a maid. It also looks like more of a 50's style house, where the house used for all the other episodes is more modern 60's look. Which may have been the look they were going for. Although, George and Dorothy look the same age, you can tell Hazel and Harold look younger, so this episode was probably shot a year or so before the show was picked up by the network.

In referring to episode 23 it of course was the second pilot shot, same house but a different George. Just confusing that it shows up so late in season one.

That's interesting, I didn't know #23 was also a pilot program. I thought they did it as #23 and just had to get out the original set (checkerboard floor) for continuity reasons when they used footage from the original pilot. I didn't know there were 2 pilots, one with Don and the other without. This also explains why Don's portrayal of Mr. B here is more stiff and formal and less warm as he would portray the character in the series.:)

I ordered my Hazel dvd and can't wait until it arrives. It was one of my favorite shows.