Ozzie Nelson - Crazed Man? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Cydster · 03-22-2005, 04:15 AM

Hi, everyone. I just located this site and am happy to have done so. My post is about a made-for-T.V. movie shown on Biography a while back about Ozzie and Harriet. The movie portrayed Ozzie as a crazed control freak, and
Rick(y) as being a close-to-wacked-out drug user and womanizer. As I said, this movie was on Biography (if memory serves me right), a station I regard with some measure of respect.

Anyone out there care to venture on how accurate a depiction of the two Mr. Nelsons this was?

Cydster · 03-22-2005, 04:18 AM

Gosh, I just replied to myself! Hope replying to oneself isn't against the law in some states out there! I gotta figure out how to work this message board. Guhuh!

Pitooey · 03-22-2005, 10:06 AM

I saw the movie. Father and son seemed not to get along too good because Ricky wanted to make his own kind of music and Ozzie wanted squeaky clean music so they both clashed.

dawsongirl · 03-22-2005, 04:00 PM

Who knows...many made-for movies like to embellish things to increase the drama.

messick · 04-08-2005, 04:34 PM

I missed that Biography when it originally aired. I had read in various book bios pretty much the same thing. Ozzie had an idea of the direction he wanted Rick's career( Music wise ) to go, and Rick had his ideas. This resulted in some fireworks between the two. Oz could be pretty tough on David also. He thought David's aspirations were low. As they became adults, the boys had career and creative differences with their Dad. David who was rapidly approaching 30 by the time the series ended felt like he was still living in his dad's larger than life shadow, so he had to put his foot down about what he was going to do with his life. I don't know about Oz being a control freak though. He did let David direct a few episodes toward the end of the series. I also had read that Ozzie believed that everything should be done by the book. Things had to go through the precise channels. The reason Don Defore( Thorney ) left the series was because he was fired. Don was quoted years later as saying that he personally asked Oz for an up in pay and Ozzie was angered at the fact that Don didn't work through his agent to ask for the raise. That's what I read, it could be totally false. If anyone could shed some light on that, please chime in.

TripperFan · 04-08-2005, 04:46 PM

I've seen that Biography and have also heard/read from a couple of other sources and it does sound accurate.

The people aren't always what you think they are like.

Same with Lucille Ball. Apparently it was Desi that was really the better parent and just overall "nicer" person.

dandelion wine · 04-08-2005, 08:48 PM

I don't think he's crazy, but I heard he once bit the head off a live bat.

goodolddays · 04-10-2005, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by messick

I missed that Biography when it originally aired. I had read in various book bios pretty much the same thing. Ozzie had an idea of the direction he wanted Rick's career( Music wise ) to go, and Rick had his ideas. This resulted in some fireworks between the two. Oz could be pretty tough on David also. ... The reason Don Defore( Thorney ) left the series was because he was fired. Don was quoted years later as saying that he personally asked Oz for an up in pay and Ozzie was angered at the fact that Don didn't work through his agent to ask for the raise. That's what I read, it could be totally false. If anyone could shed some light on that, please chime in.

Hello, Messick

I've always thought that the Ozzie of the series seemed to be somewhat like the Ozzie of real life (at least as far as the rumors go). He seemed (on the show) to be always correcting the boys and 'interfering' in their affairs--but in a good-hearted way. Of course, on the show such things made for good TV. The boys undoubtedly hated it in the real world.

Also, re: DeFore: I was always under the impression that he left the show because he was offered the role of "Mr. B(axter)" in the Hazel sit com. I could have my chronology wrong. But it's a shame he left. I really liked Thorny !

Scott

MikeZ · 04-11-2005, 01:40 PM

I have read several reports that mention Ozzie being very strict, and always wanting things to be done "his way".

I've also read that he didn't like some of the music Rick was singing.

It's really a shame that these things always come up, after the person is gone, and can't defend himself. I guess that is just another problem that comes with the fame.

TripperFan · 04-11-2005, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susan Norton

I don't think he's crazy, but I heard he once bit the head off a live bat.

uh - unless you're purposely kidding here - you've got your Ozzie's mixed up - big time!!!

messick · 04-12-2005, 06:05 PM

Hey Scott. I believe the timeline that IMDB.COM lists for Don on " O&A " is a little off. By 1961 the boys were grown, Wally was already being used as a major character, and a lot of the shows had Rick on campus. June's appearing would be right around the corner and Thorney was long gone by that time. Doc Williams( Frank Cady ), Darby( Parley Baer)Joe( Lyle Talbot) and Clara( Mary Jane Croft ) were used almost exclusively as Ozzie & Harriet's Bowling/fishing/Card playing friends by 1961.Don did indeed start the series " Hazel " that year as the beloved Mr.B( my favorite character in that show), but I believe there was a few years space between his leaving "O&H". I think it was probably sometimes in the mid to late 50's when Don left the series. I as always could be wrong, and if anyone knows the real scoop on why Don left/was fired/ or what year...Please let us know. It just seems like 1961 would be a little late for his leaving the " O&H "

goodolddays · 04-12-2005, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by messick

Hey Scott. I believe the timeline that IMDB.COM lists for Don on " O&A " is a little off. By 1961 the boys were grown, Wally was already being used as a major character, and a lot of the shows had Rick on campus. June's appearing would be right around the corner and Thorney was long gone by that time. Doc Williams( Frank Cady ), Darby( Parley Baer)Joe( Lyle Talbot) and Clara( Mary Jane Croft ) were used almost exclusively as Ozzie & Harriet's Bowling/fishing/Card playing friends by 1961.Don did indeed start the series " Hazel " that year as the beloved Mr.B( my favorite character in that show), but I believe there was a few years space between his leaving "O&H". I think it was probably sometimes in the mid to late 50's when Don left the series. I as always could be wrong, and if anyone knows the real scoop on why Don left/was fired/ or what year...Please let us know. It just seems like 1961 would be a little late for his leaving the " O&H "

Hello, Messick

I defer to your understanding. (I was never good at chonologies !)

BTW, I joined the Defore fan club not too long ago (run by one of his sons), and the link there to Don's TV credits (http://www.defore.net/tvcredits.html) gives a good timeline. How does it fit with your info ?

Scott

dandelion wine · 04-12-2005, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

uh - unless you're purposely kidding here - you've got your Ozzie's mixed up - big time!!!

Yeah, I was only kidding around. My apologies if I offended anyone.

TripperFan · 04-12-2005, 08:24 PM

No offense taken!! I was hoping you meant it to be funny, cuz frankly I was rmao!! I got a visual of Ozzie Nelson chomping the head off a bat!!

(it was worse than the original)!!

dandelion wine · 04-12-2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

No offense taken!! I was hoping you meant it to be funny, cuz frankly I was rmao!! I got a visual of Ozzie Nelson chomping the head off a bat!!

(it was worse than the original)!!

Oh it was. I was laughing so hard as I typed out that post, that I could barely get it out. That's the same visual I had!!

"Wait, sorry. Wrong Ozzie.."

03-22-2005, 04:15 AM	#1
Cydster Member Forum Cub Join Date: Mar 22, 2005 Posts: 2	Ozzie Nelson - Crazed Man? Hi, everyone. I just located this site and am happy to have done so. My post is about a made-for-T.V. movie shown on Biography a while back about Ozzie and Harriet. The movie portrayed Ozzie as a crazed control freak, and Rick(y) as being a close-to-wacked-out drug user and womanizer. As I said, this movie was on Biography (if memory serves me right), a station I regard with some measure of respect. Anyone out there care to venture on how accurate a depiction of the two Mr. Nelsons this was?

03-22-2005, 04:18 AM	#2
Cydster Member Forum Cub Join Date: Mar 22, 2005 Posts: 2	Uh-oh Gosh, I just replied to myself! Hope replying to oneself isn't against the law in some states out there! I gotta figure out how to work this message board. Guhuh!

03-22-2005, 10:06 AM	#3
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	I saw the movie. Father and son seemed not to get along too good because Ricky wanted to make his own kind of music and Ozzie wanted squeaky clean music so they both clashed.
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

04-08-2005, 04:34 PM	#5
messick Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 21, 2005 Posts: 7	Ozzie Control Freak I missed that Biography when it originally aired. I had read in various book bios pretty much the same thing. Ozzie had an idea of the direction he wanted Rick's career( Music wise ) to go, and Rick had his ideas. This resulted in some fireworks between the two. Oz could be pretty tough on David also. He thought David's aspirations were low. As they became adults, the boys had career and creative differences with their Dad. David who was rapidly approaching 30 by the time the series ended felt like he was still living in his dad's larger than life shadow, so he had to put his foot down about what he was going to do with his life. I don't know about Oz being a control freak though. He did let David direct a few episodes toward the end of the series. I also had read that Ozzie believed that everything should be done by the book. Things had to go through the precise channels. The reason Don Defore( Thorney ) left the series was because he was fired. Don was quoted years later as saying that he personally asked Oz for an up in pay and Ozzie was angered at the fact that Don didn't work through his agent to ask for the raise. That's what I read, it could be totally false. If anyone could shed some light on that, please chime in.

04-08-2005, 04:46 PM	#6
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	I've seen that Biography and have also heard/read from a couple of other sources and it does sound accurate. The people aren't always what you think they are like. Same with Lucille Ball. Apparently it was Desi that was really the better parent and just overall "nicer" person.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

03-22-2005, 04:00 PM	#4
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,128	Who knows...many made-for movies like to embellish things to increase the drama.

04-08-2005, 08:48 PM	#7
dandelion wine ~ Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 20, 2003 Location: Behind the Couch Posts: 34,967	I don't think he's crazy, but I heard he once bit the head off a live bat.
	__________________ Fans of Jon-Erik Hexum Merry Christmas!

04-11-2005, 01:40 PM	#9
MikeZ The Phoenix Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 01, 2003 Posts: 208	I have read several reports that mention Ozzie being very strict, and always wanting things to be done "his way". I've also read that he didn't like some of the music Rick was singing. It's really a shame that these things always come up, after the person is gone, and can't defend himself. I guess that is just another problem that comes with the fame.

04-12-2005, 06:05 PM	#11
messick Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 21, 2005 Posts: 7	Don DeFore Hey Scott. I believe the timeline that IMDB.COM lists for Don on " O&A " is a little off. By 1961 the boys were grown, Wally was already being used as a major character, and a lot of the shows had Rick on campus. June's appearing would be right around the corner and Thorney was long gone by that time. Doc Williams( Frank Cady ), Darby( Parley Baer)Joe( Lyle Talbot) and Clara( Mary Jane Croft ) were used almost exclusively as Ozzie & Harriet's Bowling/fishing/Card playing friends by 1961.Don did indeed start the series " Hazel " that year as the beloved Mr.B( my favorite character in that show), but I believe there was a few years space between his leaving "O&H". I think it was probably sometimes in the mid to late 50's when Don left the series. I as always could be wrong, and if anyone knows the real scoop on why Don left/was fired/ or what year...Please let us know. It just seems like 1961 would be a little late for his leaving the " O&H "

04-12-2005, 08:24 PM	#14
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	No offense taken!! I was hoping you meant it to be funny, cuz frankly I was rmao!! I got a visual of Ozzie Nelson chomping the head off a bat!! (it was worse than the original)!!