http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2100802854/ozzie-and-harriet-reviving-an-american-treasure

Here it is you guys, and wow, is it great!! I can't imagine the amout of time and work Sam Nelson has been putting into this project, but it's fantastic! I am proud to be the second backer, and am sponsoring an episode. I hope to sponsor at least one or two more before the goal date.

Any little bit helps, I think all of us O&H fans can pull this off! And what an honor to participate :)

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2100802854/ozzie-and-harriet-reviving-an-american-treasure

Here it is you guys, and wow, is it great!! I can't imagine the amout of time and work Sam Nelson has been putting into this project, but it's fantastic! I am proud to be the second backer, and am sponsoring an episode. I hope to sponsor at least one or two more before the goal date.

Any little bit helps, I think all of us O&H fans can pull this off! And what an honor to participate :)


I just got done reading the outline for the project. What a massive undertaking Sam is taking.

I want to sponsor an episode....though it's hard to choose just one!

I'm calling dibs on "Ricky the Drummer"! LOL! This definitely can be pulled off very sucessfully. As big of a following as this show has, people will be flocking to donate!

Yes, I think it's a great idea, and a great way to get this project done.

I'm sponsoring an episode, and would hope to sponsor maybe one or two more by the time they reach their final goal. I've already signed up as a backer, but not sure how you let them know the episode you want to sponsor?

There's too many to choose from! But I do have a few very, very favorites :)

It looks like they are anticipating the project will take a couple of years to complete, as the date to receive my rewards on my email is Dec. 2013. It's quite an undertaking, but I'm excited he wants to do ALL the episodes, complete, plus extras!

Having access to the 435 episodes is great! I wish Sam the best and hope we are kept informed on the progress of this great undertaking.

I'll of course do something - just can't make up my mind yet. But will soon.

sponsoring an ep:)

Thank you everyone for informing me of this as I do not particpate in any social media. I have been trying to get "The Nelson Estate" to begin such an endevor for years, fear not, now is the time for myself and factual avatar to seriously step up!

Would be great if all 14 seasons and 435 episodes could be released in their original uncut form. I'd like to see this released as a complete series set, for starters they could produce a limited number of sets, say 1,000 sets, if those sell out and there is still demand they could always produce more sets.

Well, it made it to "Yahoo News"! :clap:

'Ozzie and Harriet' Uses Internet to Kickstart TV Restoration - Grandson Reaches Out for Help to Revitalize Classic TV Series

Sam Nelson, youngest grandson and estate manager of TV icons Ozzie and Harriet Nelson announced today he is taking a modern approach to reviving their classic American TV series “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” through fundraising internet site Kickstarter.com. The TV restoration funding project officially kicks off Wednesday, September 21, 2011 on Kickstarter.com and will last 45 days.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) September 20, 2011

Sam Nelson, youngest grandson and estate manager of TV icons Ozzie and Harriet Nelson announced today he is taking a modern approach to reviving their classic American TV series “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” through Kickstarter.com. Nelson is reaching out to the millions of fans of “America’s Favorite Family” through the popular Internet fundraising platform to raise funding for the beloved classic television restoration project to revive and restore the longest running live action TV sitcom in history.


“My grandfather Ozzie Nelson always believed that our family was in the business of connecting with people through all popular media -- which included radio, TV and film in his day,” said Sam Nelson. “And I hope to continue his vision for the Nelsons through the Internet to revitalize this national treasure. I was immediately drawn to Kickstarter.com not only for its success rate in getting projects funded, but it also allows people to connect with our family and intimately participate in the rebuilding process with us.”


After gaining access to the family vaults for the first time in 45 years, Nelson began documenting the experience of organizing and archiving generations of Nelson family history spanning film, television, and radio. Among the materials found, were the original elements for the entire television series including rare never-before-seen footage. Unfortunately, due to time and neglect, much of these film materials had begun deteriorating. It was at that point that Nelson became interested in the idea of creating a project to save the Nelson history by rebuilding and reviving the series while simultaneously documenting the journey along the way.


Nelson's revitalization project, "Ozzie and Harriet: Reviving An American Treasure" will have only 45 days to achieve its fundraising goal ($10,000 US), or all pledges will be cancelled and the project will not be funded at all. The project officially kicks off Wednesday, September 21, 2011 on Kickstarter.com.


Unlike most projects on Kickstarter that focus on bringing new untested concepts to fruition, this project takes it a step further by breathing new life into a classic piece of Americana, and gives contributors the unique opportunity to actually be a part of the history making process.


An added advantage to Kickstarter is their merchant partner Amazon.com, which enables each project the convenience of receiving funds from anywhere in the world.


With a total of 435 episodes produced and an unprecedented run of 14 years on national television (ABC network October 3, 1952 through September 3, 1966), “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet”, considered the flagship for all prime time family TV shows, certifies still as the longest running live action sitcom in the history of television. Rock’n’Roll Hall of Famer Ricky Nelson (father to Sam and well-known siblings TV/Film actress Tracy Nelson and multi-platinum singer-songwriters Matthew and Gunnar Nelson) launched his music career as a teenager on the popular TV sitcom performing his hit songs at the end of every episode each week. The Smithsonian plans to honor the Nelson family this year.


To learn more about the project, visit the project's pitch page at:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2100802854/ozzie-and-harriet-reviving-an-american-treasure

Weblinks: ozzieandharriet.com / Facebook.com/ozzie.harriet / Twitter.com/OzzienHarriet


To arrange press interviews with Sam Nelson, contact samhio98(at)gmail(dot)com.###


Liz Motley
NELSON
(786) 897-7414
Email Information

Just a little over 4,000 to get to the first goal of 10,000 so the project is a go.

It would be nice if the initial goal could be made within a week of the launch!

Great to see different media outlets carrying the news the promoting the project.

One Week....Phase 1 goal.......DONE!

Over 18k and counting. YES! So glad Sam is doing this. I've wanted this show released by seasons for years. Proud to be a backer of this project.:)

What's the latest on this project?

The most recent information I found on Facebook was someone who posted they found this info on a Home Theater Forum:

I found this over at Home Theater Forum. Hey John,
Thanks for checking in. Yes indeed. You can inform everyone that we are about three seasons in. We have been digging deeper into the the vaults looking for items, photos, clips, etc, to include as bonus features. All of it is painstaking, as you can imagine, but will be well worth it when we get it all in order.
I will be sure to fill you in as we go.
I hope all is well
Speak soon
Respectfully
Sam

This was maybe two weeks ago? Other than that, I haven't heard any news.

I know Sam mailed out the t shirts cause I just got one & it's awesome.

I know Sam mailed out the t shirts cause I just got one & it's awesome.

Really? I haven't received my item yet, I'm supposed to get a Rick Nelson cd signed by the family, and season one, which I guess isn't ready. My daughter was supposed to get one of the Ozzie sketches (that she's planning on giving to me) and she hasn't gotten anything as of yet, either.

I know we've been wondering what has been going on with the project. I decided to try and contact Sam via kickstarter to see if might be able to update us. I have received a reply! I thought everyone here might be interested:

Hi, Sam, I hope you are doing well. We haven't had any updates on the project in quite a while, and I know all of us Ozzie and Harriet fans are hoping the project is still ongoing. We are looking forward to hearing the progress that has been made. Please let us know when you have the opportunity.
Thank you,
Cathy

Hi Cathy,
Thanks for checking in. I was going to do a new post this coming mon on the progress of things in total, as thats when I am getting the full listing from the company we are using. Additionally, I will be posting the status of family company progress as well. As you know it will def take some time as it is an episode by episode process (quality wise), but I am told things are well underway. We all appreciate your patience and will have much more news coming this coming week.
Speak soon
Respectfully
Sam

So it looks like we should get an Official Update next week! :)

That will be nice! I for one am tired of looking at faded, dull public domain prints!! Are they still taking donations for this project?

That will be nice! I for one am tired of looking at faded, dull public domain prints!! Are they still taking donations for this project?

This is the most recent information I have on that, and this is from early January:

Hope everyone is well and healthy. I just want to give a quick update and let everyone know that we are well underway with digitizing and are about finished with the first season. We hope the momentum continues. Also the T-shirts are in and we are getting send out packages underway. Lastly, due to overwhelming response, for anyone who would like to still donate. Its easy: please send a check to:

Ozzie and Harriet Trust c/o KSA Management

16161 Ventura Blvd.

Ste C-538

Encino, CA 91436

Here is the latest message from Sam Nelson:


Dear Kickstarters,

Happy end of summer! Its been a little bit of time and I just wanted to let you all know about the progress of things on the Ozzie and Harriet restoration front.

As you can imagine, the first films have been the "roughest" to weed through and work with. Some have suffered shrinkage because of time, bad missing edits, and or really bad sound. Its been a bit of a see as it comes, with one episode looking and sounding great, and the next one, not so much, so the first season or so we expect the process to be slower than the rest. Fingers crossed. The plus side is that the episodes that have been completed so far look and sound great!

As you all know, we were unable to achieve our full financial goal to get the entire series completed, but have been actively pursuing a DVD distrib ution deal to help complete the full restoration. We have had a couple of bites which is very encouraging but nothing has solidified just yet, but as soon as we are locked in I will let you all know. The other option is the possibility of a Kickstarter part 2. But nothing is in the works until we finish this first bath of transfers.

All in,everything is going smoothly and productively and we are excited to keep it up. Any questions feel free to contact me here.

Again, thank you to everyone for your support. I hope everyone is staying healthy and happy.

Sam


Also, one backer asked whether October remains a possibility for an initial DVD release. Sam responded:


There has been a lot of behind the scenes going on to try and get things in order. Also, as I have come to find, is that much of the process is pretty mundane. I will make sure to give more consistent updates from here on. With regards, to DVDS by Oct, it is highly highly unlikely. There is, as i mentioned, much work that varies from episode to episode to do that I could not have foreseen without getting into the episodes. A case by case basis. Also, in terms of the release, it be very important that the entire family be on the same page about it. It will come, but the process is what it is, a process. Thanks for your support. More to come soon.

Sam

Thanks for the update! Sounds like there is a long way to go, but at least it is moving

Also, one backer asked whether October remains a possibility for an initial DVD release. Sam responded:


There has been a lot of behind the scenes going on to try and get things in order. Also, as I have come to find, is that much of the process is pretty mundane. I will make sure to give more consistent updates from here on. With regards, to DVDS by Oct, it is highly highly unlikely. There is, as i mentioned, much work that varies from episode to episode to do that I could not have foreseen without getting into the episodes. A case by case basis. Also, in terms of the release, it be very important that the entire family be on the same page about it. It will come, but the process is what it is, a process. Thanks for your support. More to come soon.

Sam

Got the update, but didn't see the inquiry and the response, thanks for passing it along :)

Got the update, but didn't see the inquiry and the response, thanks for passing it along :)

Hi jesmelric - thanks for all that great stuff you put on You Tube!:wave:

:wave: Hi, so glad you enjoy it! I do have more stuff to post, I hope to get something posted soon. I have an O&H project that I am working on for myself, and it's taking a bit of my time. I think I've gotten a little obsessive, lol. :)

:wave: Hi, so glad you enjoy it! I do have more stuff to post, I hope to get something posted soon. I have an O&H project that I am working on for myself, and it's taking a bit of my time. I think I've gotten a little obsessive, lol. :)

Sounds like a great obsession to me lol!

It is :) I'm making my own chronological set of all my episodes, so I can enjoy them until Sam's set comes out. It's a labor of love, cause it's taking a whole lot of time and work, lol.

It is :) I'm making my own chronological set of all my episodes, so I can enjoy them until Sam's set comes out. It's a labor of love, cause it's taking a whole lot of time and work, lol.

Well, when you love a show, the time and effort are worth it. I started doing what you did, in an Excel spreadsheet. But I've been so busy with my job, and managing my diabetes (it's relatively well controlled but keeping it that way is a lot of work!) --I've fallen off on tracking what O & H I have.

If I count what's on You Tube, I probably have access to around 250-275 eps. Wish I had more of course, but this is ample to have a good feel for the show.

When I was tracking I was amazed how many copies I had of the same ep. LOL seven copies of The Tigers Go To A Dance, six of The Fraternity Rents A Room. And it is interesting to see how the cut eps compare to the uncuts. Sadly, I have maybe 20 or so totally complete (run times of about 28 min).

I am VERY much looking forward to Sam's rollout. He's clearly dedicated and I know what he presents will be of high quality.

Well, I'm actually not just making a list, I'm making a dvd set with the best copies I have of each episode, in chronological order. I have 380+ episodes, so it is a LOT of work.

Like you I have a LOT of duplicates, as well (Dave's Car Payment, anyone?) I have a HUGE box of dvds and for each disc I have to type up the titles, then dig out the episodes which is a huge task. Then rip the episodes, build the dvd, shrink it and burn it. I'm about 66 dvds in, it really is a labor of love. I thought about not doing it once Sam's project was announced, but I know his will take quite a while, so this will tide me over :)

I am lucky enough to have quite a lot of complete episodes, of course I am including those first. Then I have some that are complete but no commercials, then some that are cut terribly. Those are a last resort, if it's the only copy of an episode that I have.

I am looking forward to Sam's, remastered and uncut set, it will be so wonderful! But it's been a year already and it seems to still be a ways away, so I decided to go ahead and do this. I'm just starting season 12 so the end is in sight, lol!

I have over well 300 episodes I forget exactly how many, I have a notebook with all that ifo. But all my episodes are on VHS ! Most of them are what I taped from when the show was on Disney, So these tapes are 20-25 years old. I started doing some of them and transferring them to dvd and going in chronilogical order but it is very time consuming and I didn't get very far. That was a couple years ago I started that project and so many things came up and got in the way I haven't gotten back to it. But I really do want to get them all on dvd at some point. And some of the ones on Disney, if they were included in the Best of Ozzie and Harriet .. episodes Dave picked out and were shown on Saturdays .. and they have a little intro from Dave with a little nuggest of info about the episode.

For instance for the A Flower A Day episode from season 14, Dave said that Ozzie never failed to send Harriet a dozen roses for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, her birthday, and their Anniversary.

I'd really like to preserve those little gems. :)

I have over well 300 episodes I forget exactly how many, I have a notebook with all that ifo. But all my episodes are on VHS ! Most of them are what I taped from when the show was on Disney, So these tapes are 20-25 years old. I started doing some of them and transferring them to dvd and going in chronilogical order but it is very time consuming and I didn't get very far. That was a couple years ago I started that project and so many things came up and got in the way I haven't gotten back to it. But I really do want to get them all on dvd at some point. And some of the ones on Disney, if they were included in the Best of Ozzie and Harriet .. episodes Dave picked out and were shown on Saturdays .. and they have a little intro from Dave with a little nuggest of info about the episode.

For instance for the A Flower A Day episode from season 14, Dave said that Ozzie never failed to send Harriet a dozen roses for Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, her birthday, and their Anniversary.

I'd really like to preserve those little gems. :)

Yes, converting from vhs is time consuming, but you probably want to do it soon. I recently started converting some exercise tapes that are about 10 yrs old and some were already messed up, rolling picture, etc. I need to hurry up and convert the rest before they are unusable.

I'm always looking for new episodes, I wonder if you have any that I don't? I'm always looking to trade if you are interested. I can trade for vhs as I have a converter :)

Yes, converting from vhs is time consuming, but you probably want to do it soon. I recently started converting some exercise tapes that are about 10 yrs old and some were already messed up, rolling picture, etc. I need to hurry up and convert the rest before they are unusable.

I'm always looking for new episodes, I wonder if you have any that I don't? I'm always looking to trade if you are interested. I can trade for vhs as I have a converter :)


I just moved a couple weeks ago, so all my stuff is who knows where. lol

What kind of vhs converter do you have. Do you have one that it goes through the computer or thorugh the tv to a dvd recroder. I have a dvd recorder that I hooked a vcr up to and was doing converting some stuff but the dvd recorder started messing up a lot and not working, wasnt even that old.

Yes, converting from vhs is time consuming, but you probably want to do it soon. I recently started converting some exercise tapes that are about 10 yrs old and some were already messed up, rolling picture, etc. I need to hurry up and convert the rest before they are unusable.

It depends on the brand of VHS tape. I have a large collection of black and white movies on TDK tapes that date to the 1980's and 1990's, I don't have problems with any of those tapes, TDK made good quality VHS tapes in those days. It also depends on the record speed, SP is most recommended, LP is sometimes OK, SLP is not recommended as tapes recorded at that speed are notorious for having playback tracking problems, rolling picture, etc., along with reduced video quality compared to SP and LP recorded tapes.

I just moved a couple weeks ago, so all my stuff is who knows where. lol

What kind of vhs converter do you have. Do you have one that it goes through the computer or thorugh the tv to a dvd recroder. I have a dvd recorder that I hooked a vcr up to and was doing converting some stuff but the dvd recorder started messing up a lot and not working, wasnt even that old.

http://www.amazon.com/Honestech-VHS-DVD-5-0-Deluxe/dp/B0040FT30O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348606970&sr=8-1&keywords=honestech+vhs+to+dvd+5.0+deluxe

This is what I use, it connects your vcr to your computer, and it's very easy to convert. I say time consuming because everything has to play in real time as it converts. A 30 min tape takes 30 min. A 60 min tape takes 60 min, etc.
It's simple and easy to use, but time consuming :)

For transferring VHS to DVD, I use a Toshiba VCR/DVD combo unit. It also transfers DVD to VHS. It's a nice machine, does a good job and is easy to operate.

Thank you everyone for informing me of this as I do not particpate in any social media. I have been trying to get "The Nelson Estate" to begin such an endevor for years, fear not, now is the time for myself and factual avatar to seriously step up!

Its so awesome that Sam Nelson took on this major endeavor! I've never seen TAOO&H, but I intend to purchase this set when its released. Knowing all that's going into it, I think it'll be something special for classic TV on DVD collectors to own! :)

[QUOTE=jesmelric]Yes, converting from vhs is time consuming, but you probably want to do it soon. I recently started converting some exercise tapes that are about 10 yrs old and some were already messed up, rolling picture, etc. I need to hurry up and convert the rest before they are unusable.

I'm always looking for new episodes, I wonder if you have any that I don't? I'm always looking to trade if you are interested. I can trade for vhs as I have a converter :)[/QUOTE

Convert the VHSs as soon as you can. This media really seems fragile. I transferred some stuff from tapes over 20 yrs old and some of the tapes got destroyed when I tried to dub. Ugh! What a HORRIBLE medium video cassettes are to DVDs.

Regarding my transferring, I lucked out. I got a refurbished Magnovox VHS-DVD combo unit at J & R for $99. Best $99 I ever spent!

Convert the VHSs as soon as you can. This media really seems fragile. I transferred some stuff from tapes over 20 yrs old and some of the tapes got destroyed when I tried to dub. Ugh! What a HORRIBLE medium video cassettes are to DVDs.

VHS is not so bad, I have 25-30 year old tapes that play just as good now as they did when they were new. You need a good brand of VHS tape, I've always liked TDK, and having things recorded at SP speed also helps. Walgreens used to sell some really cheap, bad quality VHS tapes, I think the brand was Tozaj or something like that, those tapes were garbage.

For black and white TV shows and movies, I actually prefer VHS over DVD. I have transferred some of my black and white collection from VHS to DVD, the DVD recordings have a cloudy, hazy image in the picture that is not present in the VHS recordings.

VHS is not so bad, I have 25-30 year old tapes that play just as good now as they did when they were new. You need a good brand of VHS tape, I've always liked TDK, and having things recorded at SP speed also helps. Walgreens used to sell some really cheap, bad quality VHS tapes, I think the brand was Tozaj or something like that, those tapes were garbage.

For black and white TV shows and movies, I actually prefer VHS over DVD. I have transferred some of my black and white collection from VHS to DVD, the DVD recordings have a cloudy, hazy image in the picture that is not present in the VHS recordings.

I do think part of what holds up has to do with the quality of the brand. But even a few of my old TDK and SONY's got clobbered. I did notice that some of my dubbings in the beginning seemed poorer than the originals, but after the third time I dubbed it seemed to end. What I REALLY DISLIKE about cassettes, in comparison to DVDs, is how much more space the cassettes take up. Also if there's a particular scene you want to see, you can find it much faster on a DVD. I've gone from about 600 VHSs down to 5. I keep three to record things I only want temporarily, and my other 2 are nostalgic shows that the machine wouldn't dub because (probably) of macrovision. I love the additional space I have - but then I live in highly dense Manhattan.

On the flip side, converting is time consuming. And if space isn't an issue, and you've found your tapes very durable (mine didn't seem to be) then it makes sense to keep things as you have them.

I do think part of what holds up has to do with the quality of the brand. But even a few of my old TDK and SONY's got clobbered. I did notice that some of my dubbings in the beginning seemed poorer than the originals, but after the third time I dubbed it seemed to end. What I REALLY DISLIKE about cassettes, in comparison to DVDs, is how much more space the cassettes take up. Also if there's a particular scene you want to see, you can find it much faster on a DVD. I've gone from about 600 VHSs down to 5. I keep three to record things I only want temporarily, and my other 2 are nostalgic shows that the machine wouldn't dub because (probably) of macrovision. I love the additional space I have - but then I live in highly dense Manhattan.

On the flip side, converting is time consuming. And if space isn't an issue, and you've found your tapes very durable (mine didn't seem to be) then it makes sense to keep things as you have them.

I agree DVD's do have some advantages. I have a VHS collection of Columbia Serials from the 40's & 50's, I've been transferring some of them on to DVD's, the discs turn out good except for the slight hazy image in the picture. The image on the VHS tape is a little sharper. The DVD image is a tad softer.

I have over 230 episodes of "Ozzie & Harriet", but they're all digital files (avi, mkv or even flv). I prefer digital files. I rip all my DVDs into digital files and keep them on external drives. Whenever I want to see a particular episode of a show or just a particular scene it's just several seconds (or clicks) away and I can easily skip from season to season without having to replace discs. DVDs are for me just back-up archives collecting dust in my library that I can go to should something happen to the hard drives with digital files.

I have over 230 episodes of "Ozzie & Harriet", but they're all digital files (avi, mkv or even flv). I prefer digital files. I rip all my DVDs into digital files and keep them on external drives. Whenever I want to see a particular episode of a show or just a particular scene it's just several seconds (or clicks) away and I can easily skip from season to season without having to replace discs. DVDs are for me just back-up archives collecting dust in my library that I can go to should something happen to the hard drives with digital files.

Sounds like a savvy way to go to me, and seems more efficient than DVDs. Sigh, I'm just not a super duper computer person (& God Bless those who are) I'm still awed though by the efficiency of DVDs over cassettes. DVDs are good enough for me now, although your way really does seem better.

You can usually get better picture quality with DVDs. Especially original store-bought ones. I would have to rip them into very large digital files to get the exact same pristine quality (and if you use the wrong software you can end up with space-consuming files regardless).

On the other hand, I like to watch a line-up of different classic shows in the evening, usually 4 half-hour shows back-to-back, so instead of wasting time with discs between the shows I can just make a playlist from my hard drive and then play all shows back-to-back with no interruptions, as if I was watching a regular TV channel (but without commercials).

So, I think both ways are just fine and both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Digital files are really the way to go. They take up no space, are cheap/free and can be viewed by millions of people. DVD's do get errors and stop working/copying but digital files don't. I have over 3,000 dvd's and things stop working for no reason all the time. I actually prefer VHS minus the size of them as they are safe.

You should definitely convert your tapes while they still work and just in case anything happens. Just put a big box of tapes next to the recorder and keep going. I promise that it really won't take that long to do. There's alot of people on here who want to see them and once you do it, you'll never have to redo it again.

I got the equipment for transferring vhs to dvd now. In 10 minutes tops, I had it hooked up to the VCR to the computer and transferring to dvd. It really was THAT simple!

I got the equipment for transferring vhs to dvd now. In 10 minutes tops, I had it hooked up to the VCR to the computer and transferring to dvd. It really was THAT simple!

That's great - I really think you'll like having your shows on DVD much better. Glad the process turned out to be a breeze.

I can really see the age on these video tapes. Glad I am getting them converted FINALLY. I may make back up of my discs, And even with that it will still take up a fraction of the space the VHS tapes do.

I'll have to see how to go about putting some of these that I haven't seen online before on Youtube to share with ya all. :)

I'll have to see how to go about putting some of these that I haven't seen online before on Youtube to share with ya all. :)

That would be great!

The latest update from Sam Nelson (January 9, 2013):

Hello Kickstarters,

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Holiday! Gladly, the world hasn't ended, and we are still underway with our project :)

This past year was an incredible learning experience. A multitude of unexpected hurdles both internally and externally, caused the project to change course about three different times. After many months viewing the films, we found that several of the original 35mms thought to be pristine, have turned out to be problematic. Deterioration has been much worse than expected. Also some of the films have been inexplicably edited. These realizations have made the process more time consuming and expensive than previously thought. (Yet, we would not have known any of this information had we not taken the time to investigate. A bit of a chicken and the egg situation- as previously mentioned).

The good news from it all though, is that things have now moved in a new direction, and 2013 promises to be a very positive and productive year. I wanted to give you all a definitive summary in these first few days, to let you you know where things are and how things are
moving forward.

As of this week, the Kickstarter portion of the project is to be relocated to the UCLA Film and Television Archive here in Los Angeles. The transfer and digitization process is to begin immediately for the first two complete seasons of the show (80 episodes). These compete episodes will include all of the original commercials and edits. This process will also include a light restoration (contrast/light correction/stablizing, etc).

The Archive has been a very supportive facility, and we are excited that they see the importance of our vision to get the show back in order.

Because the amount of material being transferred is tremendous, The entire process will take several months. They will be delivering regular reports which I will then be relaying on a much more consistent basis.

In addition, the next phase of things would be a distribution deal with a bigger manufacturing company. Several have expressed interest, as well as interest in broadcast, but its up to the various family members to come to an agreement about where and when to release the episodes. From that point, it is my hope that a deal in place would help fund the transferring and comprehensive restoration of the rest of the series.

We are all looking forward to this incredibly exciting development, and are happy to start the year off on such a positive note. Thank you so much for all your patience and support.

More to come in the next few weeks.

Respectfully,

Sam

Thanks for the update Milkamplifier!

I have both Mister Peepers sets that UCLA Film and Television Archive worked on and they look real good. I know they did a complete set of The Goldbergs a few years ago too that I heard was a good set.

Hopefully by the end of the year we have at least 1 season out.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2100802854/ozzie-and-harriet-reviving-an-american-treasure

Here it is you guys, and wow, is it great!! I can't imagine the amout of time and work Sam Nelson has been putting into this project, but it's fantastic! I am proud to be the second backer, and am sponsoring an episode. I hope to sponsor at least one or two more before the goal date.

Any little bit helps, I think all of us O&H fans can pull this off! And what an honor to participate :)

Guess your time ran out and the 55K+ was never met according to your URL.

It would have been nice to see the real deals out for public consumption though. But I have one question.

The only thing that is really copyrighted is one radio program from 1949. Are you going to try and recover the copyrights on all the rest of the programs including the TV Programs or are you going to leave the TV Programs and all but one radio program to stay in Public Domain?

Another update from Sam:

Hello everyone,

Happy almost Halloween. Just a quick update. Hope everyone is doing well. Transfers are good but slow. We are averaging about 5 episodes a month so far. This mostly has to do with UCLA and their schedule. The good new is, they look really good….so far. There have been some early technical bumps in the road, which mostly have to do with the age of the films. It super interesting to see them as they come in because the films themselves have not been taken out of their canisters in over 40 years. Its such a cool feeling to be the first to watch them in that long, even the imperfections make them charming somehow.….I can't wait to share them with you all.

Sam Nelson