I was stunned to see another new opening sequence on the last episode of season 3. This one has the new 1964 Mustang with Hazel behind the wheel in their driveway. Wow, two once-used opening sequences in season three for the very first and very last episode of that season.

I am surprised the studio would take the time and money to film these only to be used one time each.

Leslie Eckhardt, do you know if there are more than one opening for season four? I am aware of the familiar one with the blue 1965 Ford four door sedan and the family is looking for the keys to it. But were there any other such as the first or last episode of that season?

I love all of the various openings and closings Hazel used. I think it used more than any other show ever.

The first episode of the fourth season will have that same Mustang opening as the last episode of the third season, underscored by the new theme music used that year by Howard Greenfield and Helen Miller. The remainder of the season's episodes, I believe, will be the Baxters trying to find the keys to their 1965 Ford Galaxie 500 LTD, only to have them turn up in Harold's minature Thunderbird. By the way, this Thunderbird was actually offered for sale at the time and was powered by a small electric motor, and yes, I wanted one badly at the time. There seem to be no more openings for this season of Hazel. The reason, I think, is that there were no more "half year" models offered by Ford of any distinction. The 1963 1/2 Galaxie scat-back and, of course, the Mustang were glamorous 1/2 year additions. The only 1965 1/2 addition I can remember is a "White Sale" Custom sedan oferred with a Galaxie interior. And that may have been a regional model only offered in Chicago. Finally, I think these openings that debuted with the last or first episodes were used for the summer reruns when they were on NBC in addition to their single-episode placement. I seem to remember seeing the Mustang opening in particular way more than just once or twice during the original run.

I was stunned to see another new opening sequence on the last episode of season 3. This one has the new 1964 Mustang with Hazel behind the wheel in their driveway. Wow, two once-used opening sequences in season three for the very first and very last episode of that season.

I am surprised the studio would take the time and money to film these only to be used one time each.

Leslie Eckhardt, do you know if there are more than one opening for season four? I am aware of the familiar one with the blue 1965 Ford four door sedan and the family is looking for the keys to it. But were there any other such as the first or last episode of that season?

I love all of the various openings and closings Hazel used. I think it used more than any other show ever.
I would imagine the reason there are so many opening sequenses for Hazel, is because Ford probably paid for them to be filmed.

Quite right. As the sponsor's product, the latest models were to be front and center on the openings. The original syndicated opening was cobbled together so as to minimize the appearance of the cars. Ford was so impressed with the lone 1st season color show, that it was they who underwrote the color filming for the second season. By the way, the lone 1st season show in color was reportedly part of an NBC "Color Day", selected days when all of it's programming would be presented in color. (NBC was owned by RCA, who was trying to promote it's color sets). I found out this information on Videokarma, a fascinating website.

Leslie and Markway, thank you for providing the good information. I really do love all the various openings for this show. They're a lot of fun to watch. Michael

Leslie and Markway, thank you for providing the good information. I really do love all the various openings for this show. They're a lot of fun to watch. Michael

Thanx! I enjoy them too! I don't think they were all used in syndication.

I AM still very disappointed that some of the Ford/Hazel cast commercials couldn't have been dug up and included on the dvd sets!:(

Thanx! I enjoy them too! I don't think they were all used in syndication.

I AM still very disappointed that some of the Ford/Hazel cast commercials couldn't have been dug up and included on the dvd sets!:(
If you check out YouTube, there are many vintage Ford commercials on it, including 2 with Hazel cast members: one with Shirley Booth extolling the virtues of the 1964 Falcon, and a Mustang introductory commercial with Shirley Booth, Whitney Blake and Don DeFore (Posted by Don DeFore's son). There is also a b/w version of a Hazel season 2 opening including the "Brought to you by Ford" voice-over and the actual first commercial (for the '63 Ford) included. They ARE out there. As Shout was able to gather some Studebaker commercials with the Mister Ed cast for that series, I don't see why they couldn't have included some of these Ford ads for Hazel.

That color day story reminds me of the same story only this time it was CBS that did it in 1966 (CBS was very late to the Color conversion). That's why there is now ONE color episode of Perry Mason "Case of Twice Told Twist". How I wish all Perry was filmed in color, would love to see those '50's cars in color! I can just picture the sea-lime greens and white double color cars.

As to the new last ep. opening from Season 3, I must admit your description of it doesn't ring any bells with me. Did something happen other than Hazel sitting in the Mustang? Usually all the openings have some sort of little story that plays out. I'm sure I must have seen it, but no bells ringing.

This opening had Bobby Buntrock standing before a "toll gate" wearing a "toll collector's costume" (in my life, I've never seen a toll collector so dressed) taking change (those were the good ol' days) from Hazel who then drives the red Mustang through the gate as George and Dorothy look on. The opening premiered on this last episode of the season, but I do recall it being used for the summer reruns that year as well as the first show of the fourth season. Does anyone remember the show that filled in for Hazel during the first and second season during the summer? This was "The Lively Ones", a music series shown in color for about 10 weeks each summer season. Vic Damone hosted and there were two beautiful female "co-hosts". This was also sponsored by Ford and the title lent itself to Ford's 1963 line of cars as it's catchphrase. The two women were called "Tiger" and "Charley" in the first season, and I believe they were replaced by two other women in the second.

Yes indeedy, I do remember that Toll gate Harold/Hazel opening. I think my favorite is the Hazel in the car as football hero as Harold throws confetti down, second favorite is the family getting a picture taken of themselves with the delay-action snapping of the camera after Hazel runs quick into the picture before the camera snaps. Least favorite is the new Baxter Hazel running thru the rain with the umbrellas. I did like the new Baxter opening of them all passing the phone around.

I remember the season 5 opening of them all going through the front door of the house and Hazel offering umbrellas, but I definitely don't remember the one of them all passing the phone around. The phone opening must not have been used for the syndicated re-runs of the show.

I have to agree that my favorite was the Harold throwing confetti opening. Seems like that one was used for a long time on the syndicated re-runs.

The phone passing Season 6 opening was used in syndicated versions, I saw it on the WOR broadcasts and the CBN broadcasts and more recently it also can be seen on the Antenna TV broadcasts too. Granted most Season 6's are umbrellas, but there are some with the phone passing too. If you get Antenna TV you'll see them when they get to Season 6.

The phone passing Season 6 opening was used in syndicated versions, I saw it on the WOR broadcasts and the CBN broadcasts and more recently it also can be seen on the Antenna TV broadcasts too. Granted most Season 6's are umbrellas, but there are some with the phone passing too. If you get Antenna TV you'll see them when they get to Season 6.

Hazel only ran five seasons. I'm pretty sure you meant to say season 5. ;)

Yes, you're right, I meant Season 5, both phone and umbrellas opening were part of Season 5.

I have digital prints of season 5 taken from "Hazel's" run on WOR and, for some reason, they used the "phone" opening only 3 times - in episodes #11 ("The Crush"), #14 ("Hazel's Endearing Young Charms") and #20 ("How to Find Work Without Really Trying"). Perhaps it will be the same on Antenna-TV. The remaining 26 episodes, including the series finale, all have the "umbrella" opening.

I remember watching the final season of Hazel on my bedroom set, while my Mother and Father watched Peyton Place in the other room. The first half of the season had the "Phone Passing" opening, while the "Umbrella" opening premiered mid-season. I always felt the "Phone Passing" was supposed to represent Hazel calling the new family to tell them she was coming, while "Umbrella" showed how the family had accepted her while still not taking all her good advice as she is now represented as being part of the family.

The first half of the season had the "Phone Passing" opening, while the "Umbrella" opening premiered mid-season.

That makes a lot more sense than what I have now. I suppose that's how it will be on the DVDs (let's hope they do release seasons 4 and 5), since Shout Factory have been careful about leaving the original openings intact.

By the way, in my season 4 collection (this one is from a recent run on WADL Detroit subchannel, a part of the Antenna-TV network) they used a strange mix of the season 1 theme and the season 3 "buckle-up" opening for a couple of the episodes (and Shirley's bit in the beginning is a still!).

I saw that on Antenna TV a while back and was puzzled by it. On certain episodes it looks like the main title has been sharpened up with more vivid yellow color, and the remainder of the opening credits are a bit faded. Why they put the first season orchestration over this is a mystery. Perhaps it is like the color Bewitched episode openings using the first season B/W music? (on seasons three through five)

Here they all are! The only one missing is the "toll collector" one with season 4 theme, but the season 3 version of that opening is there. Note a different sequence for Bobby Buntrock in the season 2 "cookies" color opening (as opposed to the "cookies" color opening used for episode 6 in season 1).

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Mikeamplifier, great job putting all the openings together in one video on youtube. I totally enjoyed watching them and I'm sure that a lot of other fans will too. Thanks :D

Magnifique! And I'm not even a Frenchie! Great job and now no more squabbles about which one did what and what music went with which. You notice that it was the same season 1 Hazel (the melody) that was used for seasons 2 & 3, it was a more snappier and choppier version of the song, for sure, but if you wanted to you could sing along the lyrics to the song as it played. It was the same musical melody as from the Season 1, season 1's theme was my favorite.

And you're right there is a difference in the 2 "cookies" color openings, the first one Harold runs backward the 2nd one he backs up a little then runs off forward to the right and off screen.

Absolutely awesome! It boggles one's mind to think of how many different opening sequences this show employed. Thank you for posting this. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to watch it over again on my big screen. What memories these bring!

I'm glad you enjoyed it. :) I got inspired by both discussions about the different credits here (and over on the IMDb board), as well as a similar video that someone posted for 'Leave it to Beaver.'

And you're right there is a difference in the 2 "cookies" color openings, the first one Harold runs backward the 2nd one he backs up a little then runs off forward to the right and off screen.

In fact, I think there are many subtle blink-and-you-miss-them differences between the season 1 black-and-white and color "cookies" openings, too:

-in the b/w intro Shirley briefly looks up, in the color one her eyes are set on the cookie tray all the time;
-roses in Whitney's sequence are turned differently in the two openings;
-Harold's tongue briefly comes out as he runs towards the camera in the (first) color intro, it doesn't in the original b/w version, etc.

But they all certainly did a great job repeating their expressions for the color intro.

After a few people asked for it, I now added to my channel a compilation of HAZEL closing credits:

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Mikeamplifier, I see you have youtube videos of John Gavin and Chad Everett. I like both of those actors. Did you have a chance to read the book by Robert Hofler called "The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson"? this book is about notorious Hollywood agent Henry Willson. He was an agent who represented all these guys including Tab Hunter and Guy Madison. Interesting read.

Not yet, but it's on my list. I came across it this summer while watching Troy Donahue's Warner Brothers movies (1959-1965) and doing research about him and director Delmer Daves.

I have digital prints of season 5 taken from "Hazel's" run on WOR and, for some reason, they used the "phone" opening only 3 times - in episodes #11 ("The Crush"), #14 ("Hazel's Endearing Young Charms") and #20 ("How to Find Work Without Really Trying"). Perhaps it will be the same on Antenna-TV. The remaining 26 episodes, including the series finale, all have the "umbrella" opening.

I recorded Hazel season 5 from Antenna TV, and the telephone opening is also seen in some of those airings. I would have to check my DVD's and count how many episodes have the telephone opening, if I recall correctly the Antenna airings have the telephone opening more than just the three times seen in the WOR airings.

Update: I checked my DVD's and the Antenna TV season 5 Hazels have the telephone opening in six episodes.

The Crush
Kindly Advise
Car Named Chrysanthemum
$285 By Saturday
Harold's Gift Horses
How To Find Work Without Really Trying

In the past I have also seen the telephone opening in the episode Bee In Her Bonnet, but the Antenna TV airing of this episode has the umbrella opening.

Thankyou Milk, That was awesome!

I swear when I was a kid, I remember the theme music from season 5 used with the "Hazel is a Football hero opening", in syndication. Matter-of-fact, that was the only theme music I remembered until I got Hazel Season 1 on DVD! :confused: Strange!

As any fan of "Hazel" knows, Ford Motor Company was the full series sponsor on NBC in S1, S2 and S3, then alternate sponsor with Bristol-Myers (Excedrin) for S4. The CBS sponsors were Philip Morris (Parliament cigarettes) and Procter and Gamble (Safeguard soap and Crest).

Since Ford was bankrolling the show, they could and did update the opening as often as possible to showcase their newest products.

S1 First opening: "Cookies Out of the Oven"--no cars of all, of course; if you look closely, you'll notice an RCA Whirlpool gas refrigerator in the background.

S1 Second opening: "Homecoming"--the Baxters are getting out of a Wimbledon White 1962 Country Squire station wagon (as the camera pulls in for the big hug at the end of the opening, you can see the Ford crest and the "Country Squire" script on the driver's door). Hazel drives a white four-door Falcon Deluxe sedan in some scenes during this season.

S2 First opening: "Coach Hazel"--Hazel is sitting in a Rangoon Red 1963 Galaxie 500/XL convertible as Harold showers confetti on Hazel. This scene shows the car from some distance. The clip on YouTube showing this opening is immediately followed by the announcer: "Hazel is brought to you by -- FORD! -- America's liveliest, most care-free cars...44 wonderful new 1963 models at your Ford dealer's now!"...and a clip showing quick shots of those cars amidst cartoons that spell out "See America's liveliest, most care-free cars at your Ford dealer September 28th..."

S2 Second opening: "Picture Taking"--this was done at the time the '63 1/2 "Scatback" Galaxies were introduced. I believe the car that was used in this sequence was the same Rangoon Red 500/XL scatback hardtop (with black vinyl top) used in print advertising for the "Command Performance at Monte Carlo" campaign. In one shot, as Dorothy moves Harold into position, you can see the "390" callout on the front fender. (Dorothy, by the way, drove a '63 Fairlane 500 Sports Coupe during some episodes this season.)

S2 Third opening: "Home from the Supermarket." The top-down XL convertible is back as the family unloads the groceries. Notice that as Hazel walks past the camera, the convertible is left in a beauty shot just before the sponsor mention.

S3 First opening: "Out for a Drive." The Baxters climb into a Rangoon Red 1964 Galaxie 500/XL convertible (note that Harold has Smiley buckled in the right-front seat!) with Hazel at the wheel. As they make a left turn out of their driveway, you can see the front of the "Bewitched" house in the background (wonder that's why there was that huge privacy fence?)! In fact, Hazel shot a commercial for the '64 Ford Falcon with a white Futura 2-door hardtop with the fence as the background during this season!

S3 Second Opening: "Toll Collector Harold," showing the new Rangoon Red Mustang hardtop Hazel is pulling into the driveway.

S4 Opening: "Where Are the Keys?" Hazel and the Baxter fumble for the keys to their new '65 Galaxie 500 LTD 4-door hardtop (light metallic blue with a blue vinyl top). Harold pulls them out of the ignition of his red ('64) Thunderbird Jr. parked on the lawn nearby. Interestingly, in the "Tony Lema" episode, the Baxters drive to the airport in a light metallic blue '64 Thunderbird hardtop, which is the key to that show's story. The wife of an airline pilot, who is driving a 1965 Thunderbird of the same body style and color, parks next to the Baxters' '64...and Hazel puts Tony Lema's golf clubs in the trunk of the nearly identical '65!

If you like vintage Fords, you'll love "Hazel." Most every scene involving cars featured the full array of Fords offered during the given season's model year....