Hazel Opening Credits??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

McGillicuddy · 03-15-2011, 12:19 PM

How many different openings were there for all 5 seasons of Hazel?

Season 1, alone has two, the first with Hazel taking cookies out of the oven, and the second where the Baxters are arriving home from a trip and Hazel running to greet them.

Season 5, (which is on Youtube), with the second cast has Hazel seeing everyone off in the morning with umbrellas.

Then there's the best known opening with Hazel taking the groceries out of the car and Harold is up in a tree, (I think) throwing something down at everyone

What seasons between 2-4 was this opening used? And were there other openings? When did they change the music theme?

I may have to wait until all the seasons of Hazel are out on DVD to find out!

McGillicuddy · 03-15-2011, 01:21 PM

Oh, theres another opening on Youtube. A "Ford Presents..." opening (obviously not used in syndication) with Hazel sitting in the convertable with flowers, probably an alternate opening with the one she's seen bring in the groceries. I think Bobby Buntrock is up in the tree throwing confetti or something! I hope all these original sponser openings are included on dvd releases in "extras"!

Jude The Obscure · 03-15-2011, 11:33 PM

Maybe with Shout! now involved, we may see these sponsor openings. Sony would never bother--look at how they handled Bewitched!

TV Knowledge Fan · 03-16-2011, 01:21 AM

...there was a different opening title for each season- the first four tied into the original sponsor, Ford Motor Company:

The first [black and white] season used a "domestic opening", then tied into the current Ford model, as the announcer said, "'HAZEL', is brought to you by....FORD...".

The second season onwards used an outdoor setting, with that current Ford model right out front. If I remember correctly, the one where Harold is throwing confetti ends with Hazel in a open Ford convertible, with a kids' football team surrounding her, the announcer declaring, "'HAZEL', is brought to you by....FORD..." [Bristol-Myers, makers of Bufferin, Excedrin, and other fine drug products, alternated as sponsor in the 1964-'65 season].

In the final season title (after the show moved from NBC to CBS), there were no direct tie-ins to the show's new alternate sponsors, Procter & Gamble and Philip Morris {Parliament, Marlboro, etc.}. That title featured Hazel trying to offer an umbrella to her "new" family as they were leaving the house, no thank you. Finally, it rains, and Hazel rushes out as announcer John Hiestand says, "'HAZEL', is brought to you by....".

When the series entered syndication in 1966, Screen Gems/Columbia believed it was easier to use only THREE main titles in syndicated film prints: the first black and white one; the one in season three {the football homecoming, minus the closing shot of the Ford that Hazel is seated in, substituting a quick shot of her bringing groceries into the house} for seasons two through four; and season five.

Screen Gems had similar "one title fits all" syndicated prints for "BEWITCHED" {never mind there was a different orchestration in the title for each new season, through 1967- the one they used was the season one title for seasons one and two, and a 1966 color title that used season one's orchestration, for seasons three through five- and the 1969 title with Dick Sargent's caricature, for the last three seasons} and "I DREAM OF JEANNIE" {there had been a season two title with an initial orchestration of the theme used from 1966 onwards, but all syndicated prints feature the season three title}.

You DO understand what I'm saying, don't you?

Zoneboy · 03-16-2011, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

You DO understand what I'm saying, don't you?

I would understand it better if you provided a source for this info.

1960'sTVfan · 03-16-2011, 02:04 PM

There are some season 5 opening credits that show Hazel talking on the telephone. I have seen these in syndication.

During the first four seasons of the show, the Ford Motor Company went to great lengths to display their vehicles. The cars are seen in the opening credits, one season 3 closing credit has the latest 1964 model cruising down the road as the credits roll. The vehicles are also on display in some episodes. There is one episode where Hazel leaves to go shopping, as she enters the car and drives off there is a long shot of the car pulling out of the driveway and cruising down the road. There is also an episode or two where the Baxters go to a restaurant, again there is a long shot of the car as it cruises down the road and the driver pulls into the parking spot. I don't like this type of subliminal advertising, I think it is tacky. Like when Don Adams was required to light up a cigarette every so often in Get Smart.

McGillicuddy · 03-16-2011, 05:55 PM

I think the first opening of the first season with Hazel taking cookies out of the oven, may be the only opening, (of the NBC years) that doesn't show a Ford vehicle. The second opening, (of the first season) shows the Baxters disimbarking their car, of course a Ford! Now I know why season one changed openings mid-season.

Hazel Anyday · 03-16-2011, 05:58 PM

Ford was the only car you ever saw on the streets in Hazel land. Seems everyone in Hazel Land drove a Ford, neighbors, strangers, whoever it was that was on the rode and was behind the wheel was in a Ford. Hazel arrives to a Health resort in a Ford Van, Deidra drives a Ford Thunderbird convertable, fantastic looking Thunderbird that's Silver with bright red interior and a hard cover over the back seats! Wow, I'd love to have that car now. I had a model of it as a kid. No matter who or how brief the scene it was Fords for as long as the eye could see.

Yes, there were several openings, some of the lesser known openings show the Baxter family all standing still posing for a picture from a camera that snaps with a delay reaction allowing the photographer to run and get in the picture after clicking the camera.

Another opening shows Harold in some kind of costume opening a gate to let a car drive up the driveway. Another shows them all passing groceries around and carrying them in the house. THe second b/w opening shows the family exiting out of a car (I think it's a cab) and Hazel coming to greet them all. I bet there were possibly 8 to 10 different openings used on Hazel. I don't remember them all just sitting here. Sometime I should take note of each different opening as I see it.

A second Steve Baxter era shows the family all gathered around passing the telephone around as they blab, (no Fords now since they were not the sponsor in the last year of the show.)

McGillicuddy · 03-16-2011, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazel Anyday

Ford was the only car you ever saw on the streets in Hazel land. Seems everyone in Hazel Land drove a Ford, neighbors, strangers, whoever it was that was on the rode and was behind the wheel was in a Ford. Hazel arrives to a Health resort in a Ford Van, Deidra drives a Ford Thunderbird convertable, fantastic looking Thunderbird that's Silver with bright red interior and a hard cover over the back seats! Wow, I'd love to have that car now. I had a model of it as a kid. No matter who or how brief the scene it was Fords for as long as the eye could see.

Yes, there were several openings, some of the lesser known openings show the Baxter family all standing still posing for a picture from a camera that snaps with a delay reaction allowing the photographer to run and get in the picture after clicking the camera.

Another opening shows Harold in some kind of costume opening a gate to let a car drive up the driveway. Another shows them all passing groceries around and carrying them in the house. THe second b/w opening shows the family exiting out of a car (I think it's a cab) and Hazel coming to greet them all. I bet there were possibly 8 to 10 different openings used on Hazel. I don't remember them all just sitting here. Sometime I should take note of each different opening as I see it.

A second Steve Baxter era shows the family all gathered around passing the telephone around as they blab, (no Fords now since they were not the sponsor in the last year of the show.)

Well, hopefully we will see ALL the openings on the DVD releases. I will be disappointed if they don't feature the Ford sponser openings as extras.

Hey, only Fords in Hazel land, just like only Chevrolets on Bewitched!

peyton6469 · 07-12-2011, 07:40 PM

sure do

jehobden · 07-22-2011, 04:05 PM

I recall seeing 4 different Hazel openings with 3 different theme songs. TV Land showed the Season 1 opening with Hazel taking cookies out of the oven in B&W. I also remember an opening from between Seasons 2 & 4 on CBN (now ABC Family Channel) with Hazel & the Baxters getting into a convertible(certainly a Ford) to a different orchestration of the Season 1 theme. Another opening, which I saw when TV Land reran the Season 4 Christmas episode, had a completely different theme song and included (IIRC) Harold throwing confetti from a tree branch. Finally Season 5 had the previously described opening of Hazel offering umbrellas to the 2nd Baxter family & Harold to a third theme song. I do not recall the other themes mentioned here, but at least the show got out of the rut common to sitcoms of using the same opening (sometimes not even changing the copyright date) year after year.

stevea · 07-27-2011, 02:49 PM

I think every SG show has altered OC's. The Bewitched is interesting--never knew that before, but suspected, since the color version first Darrins always have an MCMLXVI copyright. Hazel S5 has another opener intermingled on Antenna--one where the family is taking a phone call on different phones, then Hazel hands Harold the phone. The worst alterations are on the older shows--FKB, for instance. The S3 OC's, as far as I can tell, have disappeared. Shout evidently could not locate a good enough copy of them to include on the DVD's. S4 thru 6 syndication prints use a 'hybrid' OC--correct video with S1 audio. So you hear the kids laughing, when they're not. SG shows also have edits on CC's,as well. They seems to have always wanted to avoid their original SG logo, so they chop every conceivale piece of crap onto the end (same with Embassy TV, etc.)

TV Knowledge Fan · 12-23-2011, 02:59 PM

....Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen wrote the original theme, which was orchestrated differently during the first three seasons. Then, in 1964, Screen Gems/Columbia asked two of its music publisher's contemporary songwriters, Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller (who also provided them with the immortal theme for "BEWITCHED" that season), to write a new theme for season four. Then, when the series moved to CBS in the fall of '65, Greenfield and Keller wrote another theme for season five.

Zoneboy · 12-23-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

....Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen wrote the original theme, which was orchestrated differently during the first three seasons. Then, in 1964, Screen Gems/Columbia asked two of its music publisher's contemporary songwriters, Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller (who also provided them with the immortal theme for "BEWITCHED" that season), to write a new theme for season four. Then, when the series moved to CBS in the fall of '65, Greenfield and Keller wrote another theme for season five.

Source?

stevea · 12-23-2011, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

....Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen wrote the original theme, which was orchestrated differently during the first three seasons. Then, in 1964, Screen Gems/Columbia asked two of its music publisher's contemporary songwriters, Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller (who also provided them with the immortal theme for "BEWITCHED" that season), to write a new theme for season four. Then, when the series moved to CBS in the fall of '65, Greenfield and Keller wrote another theme for season five.

I think S2 brought a totally different theme, followed by S4 (as noted), and then again S5, as also noted.

03-15-2011, 12:19 PM	#1
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Hazel Opening Credits??? How many different openings were there for all 5 seasons of Hazel? Season 1, alone has two, the first with Hazel taking cookies out of the oven, and the second where the Baxters are arriving home from a trip and Hazel running to greet them. Season 5, (which is on Youtube), with the second cast has Hazel seeing everyone off in the morning with umbrellas. Then there's the best known opening with Hazel taking the groceries out of the car and Harold is up in a tree, (I think) throwing something down at everyone What seasons between 2-4 was this opening used? And were there other openings? When did they change the music theme? I may have to wait until all the seasons of Hazel are out on DVD to find out!

03-16-2011, 01:21 AM	#4
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	I believe... ...there was a different opening title for each season- the first four tied into the original sponsor, Ford Motor Company: The first [black and white] season used a "domestic opening", then tied into the current Ford model, as the announcer said, "'HAZEL', is brought to you by....FORD...". The second season onwards used an outdoor setting, with that current Ford model right out front. If I remember correctly, the one where Harold is throwing confetti ends with Hazel in a open Ford convertible, with a kids' football team surrounding her, the announcer declaring, "'HAZEL', is brought to you by....FORD..." [Bristol-Myers, makers of Bufferin, Excedrin, and other fine drug products, alternated as sponsor in the 1964-'65 season]. In the final season title (after the show moved from NBC to CBS), there were no direct tie-ins to the show's new alternate sponsors, Procter & Gamble and Philip Morris {Parliament, Marlboro, etc.}. That title featured Hazel trying to offer an umbrella to her "new" family as they were leaving the house, no thank you. Finally, it rains, and Hazel rushes out as announcer John Hiestand says, "'HAZEL', is brought to you by....". When the series entered syndication in 1966, Screen Gems/Columbia believed it was easier to use only THREE main titles in syndicated film prints: the first black and white one; the one in season three {the football homecoming, minus the closing shot of the Ford that Hazel is seated in, substituting a quick shot of her bringing groceries into the house} for seasons two through four; and season five. Screen Gems had similar "one title fits all" syndicated prints for "BEWITCHED" {never mind there was a different orchestration in the title for each new season, through 1967- the one they used was the season one title for seasons one and two, and a 1966 color title that used season one's orchestration, for seasons three through five- and the 1969 title with Dick Sargent's caricature, for the last three seasons} and "I DREAM OF JEANNIE" {there had been a season two title with an initial orchestration of the theme used from 1966 onwards, but all syndicated prints feature the season three title}. You DO understand what I'm saying, don't you?

03-16-2011, 05:58 PM	#8
Hazel Anyday Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 12, 2002 Posts: 2,135	Ford was the only car you ever saw on the streets in Hazel land. Seems everyone in Hazel Land drove a Ford, neighbors, strangers, whoever it was that was on the rode and was behind the wheel was in a Ford. Hazel arrives to a Health resort in a Ford Van, Deidra drives a Ford Thunderbird convertable, fantastic looking Thunderbird that's Silver with bright red interior and a hard cover over the back seats! Wow, I'd love to have that car now. I had a model of it as a kid. No matter who or how brief the scene it was Fords for as long as the eye could see. Yes, there were several openings, some of the lesser known openings show the Baxter family all standing still posing for a picture from a camera that snaps with a delay reaction allowing the photographer to run and get in the picture after clicking the camera. Another opening shows Harold in some kind of costume opening a gate to let a car drive up the driveway. Another shows them all passing groceries around and carrying them in the house. THe second b/w opening shows the family exiting out of a car (I think it's a cab) and Hazel coming to greet them all. I bet there were possibly 8 to 10 different openings used on Hazel. I don't remember them all just sitting here. Sometime I should take note of each different opening as I see it. A second Steve Baxter era shows the family all gathered around passing the telephone around as they blab, (no Fords now since they were not the sponsor in the last year of the show.)
	__________________ Haaazeelll!!

12-23-2011, 02:59 PM	#13
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	There were three different themes for the series... ....Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen wrote the original theme, which was orchestrated differently during the first three seasons. Then, in 1964, Screen Gems/Columbia asked two of its music publisher's contemporary songwriters, Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller (who also provided them with the immortal theme for "BEWITCHED" that season), to write a new theme for season four. Then, when the series moved to CBS in the fall of '65, Greenfield and Keller wrote another theme for season five.

03-15-2011, 01:21 PM	#2
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	Oh, theres another opening on Youtube. A "Ford Presents..." opening (obviously not used in syndication) with Hazel sitting in the convertable with flowers, probably an alternate opening with the one she's seen bring in the groceries. I think Bobby Buntrock is up in the tree throwing confetti or something! I hope all these original sponser openings are included on dvd releases in "extras"!

03-15-2011, 11:33 PM	#3
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Maybe with Shout! now involved, we may see these sponsor openings. Sony would never bother--look at how they handled Bewitched!

03-16-2011, 02:04 PM	#6
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,105	There are some season 5 opening credits that show Hazel talking on the telephone. I have seen these in syndication. During the first four seasons of the show, the Ford Motor Company went to great lengths to display their vehicles. The cars are seen in the opening credits, one season 3 closing credit has the latest 1964 model cruising down the road as the credits roll. The vehicles are also on display in some episodes. There is one episode where Hazel leaves to go shopping, as she enters the car and drives off there is a long shot of the car pulling out of the driveway and cruising down the road. There is also an episode or two where the Baxters go to a restaurant, again there is a long shot of the car as it cruises down the road and the driver pulls into the parking spot. I don't like this type of subliminal advertising, I think it is tacky. Like when Don Adams was required to light up a cigarette every so often in Get Smart.

03-16-2011, 05:55 PM	#7
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	I think the first opening of the first season with Hazel taking cookies out of the oven, may be the only opening, (of the NBC years) that doesn't show a Ford vehicle. The second opening, (of the first season) shows the Baxters disimbarking their car, of course a Ford! Now I know why season one changed openings mid-season.

07-12-2011, 07:40 PM	#10
peyton6469 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 10, 2011 Location: United States Posts: 49	sure do

07-22-2011, 04:05 PM	#11
jehobden Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: DFW Area, TX Posts: 2,004	I recall seeing 4 different Hazel openings with 3 different theme songs. TV Land showed the Season 1 opening with Hazel taking cookies out of the oven in B&W. I also remember an opening from between Seasons 2 & 4 on CBN (now ABC Family Channel) with Hazel & the Baxters getting into a convertible(certainly a Ford) to a different orchestration of the Season 1 theme. Another opening, which I saw when TV Land reran the Season 4 Christmas episode, had a completely different theme song and included (IIRC) Harold throwing confetti from a tree branch. Finally Season 5 had the previously described opening of Hazel offering umbrellas to the 2nd Baxter family & Harold to a third theme song. I do not recall the other themes mentioned here, but at least the show got out of the rut common to sitcoms of using the same opening (sometimes not even changing the copyright date) year after year.

07-27-2011, 02:49 PM	#12
stevea 22 Years On Sitcoms Moderator Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 13, 2003 Location: Indy Posts: 44,704	I think every SG show has altered OC's. The Bewitched is interesting--never knew that before, but suspected, since the color version first Darrins always have an MCMLXVI copyright. Hazel S5 has another opener intermingled on Antenna--one where the family is taking a phone call on different phones, then Hazel hands Harold the phone. The worst alterations are on the older shows--FKB, for instance. The S3 OC's, as far as I can tell, have disappeared. Shout evidently could not locate a good enough copy of them to include on the DVD's. S4 thru 6 syndication prints use a 'hybrid' OC--correct video with S1 audio. So you hear the kids laughing, when they're not. SG shows also have edits on CC's,as well. They seems to have always wanted to avoid their original SG logo, so they chop every conceivale piece of crap onto the end (same with Embassy TV, etc.)