Just wondering if anyone has heard what's happening with Sam Nelson's DVD project? It sounded like the first season was coming along, getting transferred and ready for a DVD release, but I haven't heard anything for a while now. Thanks, David

From Oct 29:

Project Update #18: Almost Halloween Update
Backer_white For backers only Posted by Sam Nelson ♥ Like

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.

A couple of other things going on:

1. I would like to ask anyone who is mac based and video savvy, what is your favorite digitization, post production software? I'm curious about doing some research on the different options.

2. I am in the beginning stages of putting together the digital thank you booklet. I will be compiling all of the quotes to send out as a pdf....just
Bd67ef880c95ba730d038e6974ff3a98_h264_high
► Play video

to make sure you are all comfortable with your contributions.

Lastly, I've included a quick clip. Hope you enjoy. Be safe out there. Sam

With the rate this is going it will be 7 or 8 years before we even see a digitally remastered DVD release of this landmark series.

Yes, I did the math and thought the same thing!! It sounds like it's the UCLA schedule and out of his control. I hope they pick up the pace, though :)

Yes, I did the math and thought the same thing!! It sounds like it's the UCLA schedule and out of his control. I hope they pick up the pace, though :)

Me too.

I wonder if Sam Nelson will release this as one huge complete series DVD set or release them season by season :confused:

One of my Kickstarter rewards is supposed to be the complete redone and digitized Season One. And the anticipated date for receiving this reward was listed as Dec 2013, although I believe the date was approximate. It makes me think perhaps it will be one season at a time? Haven't heard any more about this particular reward, though.

One of my Kickstarter rewards is supposed to be the complete redone and digitized Season One. And the anticipated date for receiving this reward was listed as Dec 2013, although I believe the date was approximate. It makes me think perhaps it will be one season at a time? Haven't heard any more about this particular reward, though.

Thank you for the update...I was wondering how DVD set(s) would work out to be quite honest.

Doing the season by season thing will be much more satisfying and/or quicker for the impatient consumers/fans vs waiting almost 10 years to get the whole package :crazy:

So no new updates from Mr. Sam Nelson?!?!?!? Hopefully things are going smoothly and there's no bumps on the road.....

I was just wondering if this remastered, uncut, and restored complete series would be available in stores, online (like Amazon), or on an official website????

As a major backer and supporter of Sam's endevor from his very first post on kickstarter, he has been very dilligent in keeping supporters in the loop on his latest progress......

I did give my interview for part of the "extra's" over 3 years ago and spent a lovely Sunday afternoon with Sam, his girlfriend plus their lovable dogs giving him a personalized tour of his grandfathers' hometown/house. My avatar is true! Sam is so gentle and down to earth but also after myself spending 34 years in the television industry there is an old motto of "Hurry up and wait"!

Now no buddy panic, but Sam did say in his last update to backers in early 2014 that he has realized that there will never be a complete unedited series release, as Ozzie himself cut the masters preparing another syndication package a few years before his death. Trust me Sam is just as disappointed as any of us, but what we will get eventually is the best there is.....so at this time he is not sure how to preceed with season sets.

I am encouraging him to either release the 1973 syndicated/short lived "Ozzie's Girls" as a separate set or as bonus episodes.

He also has to strike a syndication deal eventually as to help re-coup the huge sum of money this project is costing as it is a true labor of love for him, but has the large family estate to consider and understands that this is a great time to bring back O&H to regular TV viewers again.

A website is also very close to being launched. So everyone Hang in there!

Now no buddy panic, but Sam did say in his last update to backers in early 2014 that he has realized that there will never be a complete unedited series release, as Ozzie himself cut the masters preparing another syndication package a few years before his death. Trust me Sam is just as disappointed as any of us, but what we will get eventually is the best there is.....so at this time he is not sure how to preceed with season sets.


Wow, the masters were cut?!? At this point I still think it is important to release each season as a set. No other company can do this as Sam is the only one with access to all episodes for each season(edited or not).

Even thought we will not get all episodes unedited it is important to get those episodes that were never syndicated and have not been seen as of their original air dates released. I assume those episodes are unedited as they were never syndicated so there should have been no reason to edit them.

Those episodes that were put in syndication will hopefully be released and seen in the best visual condition they have ever been short of seeing the original film back when they were first produced.

As a major backer and supporter of Sam's endevor from his very first post on kickstarter, he has been very dilligent in keeping supporters in the loop on his latest progress......

I did give my interview for part of the "extra's" over 3 years ago and spent a lovely Sunday afternoon with Sam, his girlfriend plus their lovable dogs giving him a personalized tour of his grandfathers' hometown/house. My avatar is true! Sam is so gentle and down to earth but also after myself spending 34 years in the television industry there is an old motto of "Hurry up and wait"!

Now no buddy panic, but Sam did say in his last update to backers in early 2014 that he has realized that there will never be a complete unedited series release, as Ozzie himself cut the masters preparing another syndication package a few years before his death. Trust me Sam is just as disappointed as any of us, but what we will get eventually is the best there is.....so at this time he is not sure how to preceed with season sets.

I am encouraging him to either release the 1973 syndicated/short lived "Ozzie's Girls" as a separate set or as bonus episodes.

He also has to strike a syndication deal eventually as to help re-coup the huge sum of money this project is costing as it is a true labor of love for him, but has the large family estate to consider and understands that this is a great time to bring back O&H to regular TV viewers again.

A website is also very close to being launched. So everyone Hang in there!

Thank you TeeVeeCloset for giving us an update on this huge project. I'm thankful that Sam Nelson is putting his blood, sweat, and tears into this landmark television classic giving it the proper release it deserves for a whole new generation of fans. I too am disappointed that some scenes will be lost forever due to cutting by Oz himself but at least the film will be preserved and hopefully much better visually than the public domain releases!

Hopefully we'll hear more from this nice young man in future updates :talk:

Question on Ozzie's Girls I've never seen it but does Dave & Rick stop by and visit or are they mentioned by Ozzie or Harriet at least. It would be odd to not have them be there or talked about for the viewers imo.

Question on Ozzie's Girls I've never seen it but does Dave & Rick stop by and visit or are they mentioned by Ozzie or Harriet at least. It would be odd to not have them be there or talked about for the viewers imo.

Since the series only produced one syndicated season, I don't want to speak for any member of the Nelson family, but David did work directly on the series either as director or in another high capicity. Rick wanted nothing to do with the series and harriet agreed only for Ozzie's sake, but directly from Ozzie's autobiography she said "only if that damn eagle was gone from above the mantel"....lol....and so it was! The series did provide us with Mark Harmon....but no the "boys' were seldom if ever mentioned except that in the pilot they rent the house to two girls because the house is so empty.

It still has the Ozzie charm and it is certainly enjoyable for historical reasons!

Thank you for the kind words, and yes Sam could not be anymore dedicated to this project with much love, for the other poster, yes Ozzie actually cut the film negatives! YIKES! sometimes adding interstitials even when the series was still on TV to create first run "lookback" reruns. Sam describes opening some original film canisters after not being preserved as film should and finding them literally red rust dust as that what happens to unproperly stored film. BUT AGAIN, no one panic......Sam has been very pleased with the results, but does admit, some come out beautiful, some sadly are never to be seen again, and some will be edited! So it is causing quite a massive decision on how to proceed.

I did personally show him the message board here and we read through the posts, honestly.....though it was 3 years ago.....he was quite touched.

Since the series only produced one syndicated season, I don't want to speak for any member of the Nelson family, but David did work directly on the series either as director or in another high capicity. Rick wanted nothing to do with the series and harriet agreed only for Ozzie's sake, but directly from Ozzie's autobiography she said "only if that damn eagle was gone from above the mantel"....lol....and so it was! The series did provide us with Mark Harmon....but no the "boys' were seldom if ever mentioned except that in the pilot they rent the house to two girls because the house is so empty.

It still has the Ozzie charm and it is certainly enjoyable for historical reasons!

Thank you for the kind words, and yes Sam could not be anymore dedicated to this project with much love, for the other poster, yes Ozzie actually cut the film negatives! YIKES! sometimes adding interstitials even when the series was still on TV to create first run "lookback" reruns. Sam describes opening some original film canisters after not being preserved as film should and finding them literally red rust dust as that what happens to unproperly stored film. BUT AGAIN, no one panic......Sam has been very pleased with the results, but does admit, some come out beautiful, some sadly are never to be seen again, and some will be edited! So it is causing quite a massive decision on how to proceed.

I did personally show him the message board here and we read through the posts, honestly.....though it was 3 years ago.....he was quite touched.

YAY thanks much for the reply about Ozzie's Girls. I wouldn't mind it as a bonus but I don't know if I would actually buy it as a season set. I liked having the sons on the show but whatever floats your boat I like to say :lol:

You answered my next question of whether you showed Sam our little sitcom board of his grandparents show. I hope he makes a return visit as a lurker or poster. Please don't take offense of how I viewed Ricky's acting in another thread.

Jan 24, 2014 12:42 PM

Project Update #20: Happy Friday Everyone!
Backer_white For backers only Posted by Sam Nelson ♥ Like

Dear Kickstarters,

As always, thank you for your support!

I am happy to announce that the Ozzie & Harriet Restoration project is making some tangible progress. Based on extensive research and expert analysis, we chose the UCLA Film and Television Archive to participate in the digitization process. It has been very exciting to bring to light some first-run ABC prints not taken out of their cans since they were run over 40 years ago.

As mentioned before, the project is and always was a bit of a treasure hunt, and the early results are very promising. Many of the initial episodes look and sound great! Our only disappointment so far is that a complete, untouched, unedited, chronological collection simply does not exist. It has become increasingly clear that my Grandpa Ozzie edited a significant number of the episodes for ABC; they include interstitials and commercials appropriate to the early days. In that sense they are completely unique and haven't been seen since then, which is exciting. The prospect of presenting these episodes to the public in a high-definition format is thrilling for our entire family, and none of this would be possible without your tremendous support.

In an effort to improve my communication efforts, and spread the word about these episodes, I am working on a website dedicated to the Ozzie & Harriet Restoration Project. I will send you a link as soon as it is live.

This project is gathering steam, and we will have more updates coming in rapid fire. Thank you for your continued support and have a great weekend!

Respectfully,

Sam

Jan 24, 2014 12:42 PM

Project Update #20: Happy Friday Everyone!
Backer_white For backers only Posted by Sam Nelson ♥ Like

Dear Kickstarters,

As always, thank you for your support!

I am happy to announce that the Ozzie & Harriet Restoration project is making some tangible progress. Based on extensive research and expert analysis, we chose the UCLA Film and Television Archive to participate in the digitization process. It has been very exciting to bring to light some first-run ABC prints not taken out of their cans since they were run over 40 years ago.

As mentioned before, the project is and always was a bit of a treasure hunt, and the early results are very promising. Many of the initial episodes look and sound great! Our only disappointment so far is that a complete, untouched, unedited, chronological collection simply does not exist. It has become increasingly clear that my Grandpa Ozzie edited a significant number of the episodes for ABC; they include interstitials and commercials appropriate to the early days. In that sense they are completely unique and haven't been seen since then, which is exciting. The prospect of presenting these episodes to the public in a high-definition format is thrilling for our entire family, and none of this would be possible without your tremendous support.

In an effort to improve my communication efforts, and spread the word about these episodes, I am working on a website dedicated to the Ozzie & Harriet Restoration Project. I will send you a link as soon as it is live.

This project is gathering steam, and we will have more updates coming in rapid fire. Thank you for your continued support and have a great weekend!

Respectfully,

Sam

I don't understand what Sam Nelson is saying so are we still getting the commercials included in the episodes and will they be in airdate order.

Obviously now we won't have 100% unedited episodes but at least it will be in HD.

It's a little hard to understand, he has given some conflicting information. The update I just posted was the most recent, from the end of January. However this one from the end of December is giving different information:

Dec 26, 2013 3:42 PM

Project Update #19: Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
Backer_white For backers only Posted by Sam Nelson ♥ Like

Hey All,

Sam here. I Apologize for being a day late, but I have had considerable issue with my internet connection and service provider this week, so I hope this finds you all well.

Firstly, Merry Christmas!! I hope it was a safe and happy day for you all. Pretty low key here spent with close friends, great food, and xmas movies. Here's to a fantastic and fruitful new year!

A few developments on the OH and restoration front. For starters, I am in process of designing a brand new Ozzie and Harriet website. I won't reveal the URL yet until its a little more in order. I will include a teaser lead page very soon though and will let you the contributors know all about it first, so be sure to stop by and join the mailing list when its launched.......more info soon.

Restoration: Digitization is going great, but I have spent a considerable amount of time dealing with finding a quality and cost effective solution for the clean up of the episodes. Its been a bit of a trial and error. Partly because they are so old, the quality varies from one to the other. Either the end results aren't up to speed, or the amount of money the companies demand would allow for only handful to get completed. That said, I have decided to do the restoration myself. This would not only give me control of exactly what you are getting, but would make the hands on approach a much more personal endeavour for all 80 episodes. Presently getting all the software and hardware in place. Also getting help and supervision from one of the best restorers in the business. Good stuff coming.

Lastly, have a safe and happy new year!!! Personally, and perhaps for obvious reasons, I'm not a fan, but I'm excited for whats to come. :) Respectfully, Sam

There's only 80 episodes?? I'm confused!

There's only 80 episodes?? I'm confused!

I am too, I sent Sam this message in Sept:

Sep 30, 2013

Hi, Sam Nelson I hope you are doing well. It has been a few months since the last update so I was just checking in to see if there is any news.

I hope things are going well with the project and I look forward to hearing any information on how things stand.

Thanks for your time!

He replied in Jan:


Sam Nelson
Jan 23, 2014
Report Spam

Hi Cathy,

Sam Nelson here. Thank you for writing in with your question on the last update. As it is, and as was mentioned previously, the amount of money raised during the kickstarter project was just enough to fund the project. It was not even close to enough to fund the digitization of the entire series. In fact, the funding total was not even half of the minimum goal. A sum total would probably look more like $250,000 to digitize and restore all 435 episodes. A good way to look at it, is that it initiated the ball rolling in a big way and has given us a great headstart to hopefully get a DVD deal in place that will help further fund the restoration of the series. I hope you are having a great day. More good stuff to come soon.
Talk soon
Sam

So I was thinking that 80 might be the first two seasons (there are 39 eps in each of the first two seasons) and those episodes will be released, and used to fund subsequent seasons? It's not really clear, but I will post any updates here.

It's a little hard to understand, he has given some conflicting information. The update I just posted was the most recent, from the end of January. However this one from the end of December is giving different information:

Dec 26, 2013 3:42 PM

Project Update #19: Merry Christmas Everyone!!!
Backer_white For backers only Posted by Sam Nelson ♥ Like

Hey All,

Sam here. I Apologize for being a day late, but I have had considerable issue with my internet connection and service provider this week, so I hope this finds you all well.

Firstly, Merry Christmas!! I hope it was a safe and happy day for you all. Pretty low key here spent with close friends, great food, and xmas movies. Here's to a fantastic and fruitful new year!

A few developments on the OH and restoration front. For starters, I am in process of designing a brand new Ozzie and Harriet website. I won't reveal the URL yet until its a little more in order. I will include a teaser lead page very soon though and will let you the contributors know all about it first, so be sure to stop by and join the mailing list when its launched.......more info soon.

Restoration: Digitization is going great, but I have spent a considerable amount of time dealing with finding a quality and cost effective solution for the clean up of the episodes. Its been a bit of a trial and error. Partly because they are so old, the quality varies from one to the other. Either the end results aren't up to speed, or the amount of money the companies demand would allow for only handful to get completed. That said, I have decided to do the restoration myself. This would not only give me control of exactly what you are getting, but would make the hands on approach a much more personal endeavour for all 80 episodes. Presently getting all the software and hardware in place. Also getting help and supervision from one of the best restorers in the business. Good stuff coming.

Lastly, have a safe and happy new year!!! Personally, and perhaps for obvious reasons, I'm not a fan, but I'm excited for whats to come. :) Respectfully, Sam

This is insane :crazy:
I love the updates don't get me wrong and it's sweet of Sam to restore his pop/grandparents show but it's too mind-boggling with either this or that happening!

I am too, I sent Sam this message in Sept:

Sep 30, 2013

Hi, Sam Nelson I hope you are doing well. It has been a few months since the last update so I was just checking in to see if there is any news.

I hope things are going well with the project and I look forward to hearing any information on how things stand.

Thanks for your time!

He replied in Jan:


Sam Nelson
Jan 23, 2014
Report Spam

Hi Cathy,

Sam Nelson here. Thank you for writing in with your question on the last update. As it is, and as was mentioned previously, the amount of money raised during the kickstarter project was just enough to fund the project. It was not even close to enough to fund the digitization of the entire series. In fact, the funding total was not even half of the minimum goal. A sum total would probably look more like $250,000 to digitize and restore all 435 episodes. A good way to look at it, is that it initiated the ball rolling in a big way and has given us a great headstart to hopefully get a DVD deal in place that will help further fund the restoration of the series. I hope you are having a great day. More good stuff to come soon.
Talk soon
Sam

So I was thinking that 80 might be the first two seasons (there are 39 eps in each of the first two seasons) and those episodes will be released, and used to fund subsequent seasons? It's not really clear, but I will post any updates here.

Hmm might as well release season sets separately and release a complete series down the line at this point.

& by the way no DVD deal?!?!?! What the hell!!! MPI or Shout I'm certain would gladly release the series to the public. They did wonders for other classic shows even those best-ofs of The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

That makes sense what Cathy says. Sam's probably focusing on the first 2 seasons, for now.

Reading through this enitre thread is (as stated by others) quite confusing. If the UCLA archive print copies are being used, certainly Ozzie would not have edited these. So Sam must be dealing with multiple sources. But I do believe that Ozzie probably chopped up SOME originals...there are numerous stories of original negatives chopped and probably thrown out. You have to wonder about people who don't think to make a copy and edit that.

There are other heavily syndicated/edited shows which were successfully restored. Father Knows Best comes to mind, with 5 of the 6 seasons 99 percent complete (sure, we're missing cast commercials and previews, but you can't have perfection!) So we would have to hope for good things out of this effort, also!

Sam has given some conflicting information, in December he said he is attempting the process himself, in January he says the UCLA film archive is involved? There's been no updates since then, so I'm not really sure where things stand. No one else in the family seems to be interested in the series, so I'm just grateful Sam is and I hope he's able to get it done.

Reading through this enitre thread is (as stated by others) quite confusing. If the UCLA archive print copies are being used, certainly Ozzie would not have edited these. So Sam must be dealing with multiple sources. But I do believe that Ozzie probably chopped up SOME originals...there are numerous stories of original negatives chopped and probably thrown out. You have to wonder about people who don't think to make a copy and edit that.

There are other heavily syndicated/edited shows which were successfully restored. Father Knows Best comes to mind, with 5 of the 6 seasons 99 percent complete (sure, we're missing cast commercials and previews, but you can't have perfection!) So we would have to hope for good things out of this effort, also!

Welcome to the club, boy :wave:

I'm sure many would agree if we can get Sam Nelson to post on this board for a bit of Q&A with this release. It really is confusing with his kickstarter updates to be quite honest.

Sam has given some conflicting information, in December he said he is attempting the process himself, in January he says the UCLA film archive is involved? There's been no updates since then, so I'm not really sure where things stand. No one else in the family seems to be interested in the series, so I'm just grateful Sam is and I hope he's able to get it done.

It's like we fans are being run around the circle.....

So far Sam Nelson is the shining beacon to give us a much deserved remaster of this classic show. I applaud him.

No offense to the dead but David N didn't give a damn and I'm surprised Gunner, Matthew, Tracy, and David's son Danny are not doing more for this release.

Everyone I tried to explain this in earlier posts in this thread.....not shouting but to be clear "I AM NOT SPEAKING FOR SAM NELSON OR THE ESTATE" but it's up to you how much you want to believe what I say and my close involvement with the project. You can also read in between the lines if you so choose, again not speaking for Sam.

First.... Sam yes did take on this endevor as a labor of love, he hardly ever knew his father as the youngest son, but did spend many afternoons with his grandma Harriet watching the shows and home movies. After her passing, his interest began there to compile and learn more of his father and grandfather through the series and family films.

Second....Everyone is correct that it seems the rest of the family didn't have much interest in the legacy of O&H.....mainly because David was in charge and in control of the estate (with the family lawyer) until his death, nothing could be done without his approval. Remember even though no one seemed to care, this is a HUGE family with all of their own entertainment industry interests......so the show got ignored, until when a family member takes it upon himself to re-introduce and delph into 40 year unopened cans of film with an intented release and potential money, then sometimes or always family then takes an interest. Read what you wish in that statement. One thing the entire family is in total agreement is "They wish to totally stop the bootlegging and poor quality DVD releases".

Third....Again this is truly a labor of love for Sam, I spent over 4 hours with him one afternoon as explained in a earlier post, in his own "kickstarter updates" as re-posted here, he clearly says what I wrote about how the project and preservation of this over 300 episode series was not stored properly and YES Ozzie cut the film negatives, yet Sam still comes across a gem of a surprise as he opens each can. He clearly has said "There will never be a complete as aired unedited series release". But never fear......there will be sometype of best there is release.

Last.....As far as I know.....there are NO UCLA copies, only Ozzie's film masters, they are only doing the restoration process, but it is very costly and slow at best because Sam is opening the cans first and seeing if it is worth it to turn the can over to UCLA for restoration due to the high costs. No sense paying for restoration of an episode that is a mess by the end of the episode because the film has turned to red rusty dust.

The above is from the opinions I formed with personal talks with Sam Nelson but please take it in the context from how it was written.

Of course, what's a bit odd about this is that Sam claims that no one else in the family was interested. OK, I could see why his elder twin bros who have set their caps strictly in the music aspect of entertainment wouldn't be [and perhaps Tracy having to deal with providing for her kids while struggling healthwise] but why wouldn't either of David's OWN sons have had any interest in this?

Thanks, TeeVeeCloset, for your explanations. Truly helpful! If some negatives have turned to dust, there is probably some other resource for a lot of them, such as videotape syndication copies, other DVD's, etc. Sure they would be edited, but we would have some full length gems amongst them, hopefully.

Thanks, TeeVeeCloset, for your explanations. Truly helpful! If some negatives have turned to dust, there is probably some other resource for a lot of them, such as videotape syndication copies, other DVD's, etc. Sure they would be edited, but we would have some full length gems amongst them, hopefully.

And I thank you for reading, I tired to honestly provide the best answers I could to the questions that were being pondered.

One thing I left out.....Yes since the restoration costs are so high (much higher than the original kickstarter met goal) BTW....I was the one that put Sam over the top and meet his kickstarter goal, not bragging! But yes the original kickstarter funds are being used to provide the best possible and complete episodes from seasons one and two, then a DVD release and possible syndication deal will help offset the costs to restore the rest of the series.

My own opinion, I doubt we will see everything available before another 5 years or so....that is only MY opinion.....the first batch will hopefully be ready soon, but that is for Sam's regular Kickstarter updates to report (some reposted here)

My thoughts again (not the family) but please remember in life, whether in small families or large, as hinted sometimes people express no interest in a project for various reasons, usually funding, but even though they had nothing to do with the funding, as again in most families once a profit or money is potentially possible, then family can argue over how it is spent. Please do not read anything into this, as it certainly is Sam's intention to reinvest every dime of any profit until the whole series is released on DVD, he is definately not in this for the money. Trust me he is a gentle soul and wonderful young man, his father, grandpa & grandma would be quite proud. You see the passion and sincerity in his eyes.

Of course, what's a bit odd about this is that Sam claims that no one else in the family was interested. OK, I could see why his elder twin bros who have set their caps strictly in the music aspect of entertainment wouldn't be [and perhaps Tracy having to deal with providing for her kids while struggling healthwise] but why wouldn't either of David's OWN sons have had any interest in this?

Good point about Dave's kids! Where the hell are his kids in all this remastered DVD hoopla. Are they not proud of their dad/uncle/grandparents hard work on this landmark sitcom or do they shun anything having to do with show business :confused: