Yet another new opening sequence!!!!!! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MichaelKeith · 06-02-2012, 12:10 PM

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.

Leslie Eckhardt · 06-02-2012, 12:54 PM

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.

McGillicuddy · 06-02-2012, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelKeith

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.

Leslie Eckhardt · 06-02-2012, 08:13 PM

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.

MichaelKeith · 06-03-2012, 01:59 PM

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

McGillicuddy · 06-03-2012, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelKeith

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!

Leslie Eckhardt · 06-03-2012, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

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.

Hazel Anyday · 06-05-2012, 11:00 AM

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.

Hazel Anyday · 06-05-2012, 11:04 AM

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.

Leslie Eckhardt · 06-05-2012, 11:32 AM

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.

Hazel Anyday · 06-06-2012, 11:27 AM

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.

MichaelKeith · 06-06-2012, 02:34 PM

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.

Hazel Anyday · 06-07-2012, 12:15 PM

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.

McGillicuddy · 06-07-2012, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hazel Anyday

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.

Hazel Anyday · 06-08-2012, 07:44 AM

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

06-02-2012, 12:10 PM	#1
MichaelKeith Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2007 Posts: 1,139	Yet another new opening sequence!!!!!! 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.

06-02-2012, 08:13 PM	#4
Leslie Eckhardt Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 24, 2011 Posts: 293	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.
	Last edited by Leslie Eckhardt; 06-02-2012 at 10:46 PM.

06-05-2012, 11:00 AM	#8
Hazel Anyday Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 12, 2002 Posts: 2,135	Color Day 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.
	__________________ Haaazeelll!!

06-02-2012, 12:54 PM	#2
Leslie Eckhardt Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 24, 2011 Posts: 293	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.

06-03-2012, 01:59 PM	#5
MichaelKeith Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2007 Posts: 1,139	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

06-05-2012, 11:04 AM	#9
Hazel Anyday Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 12, 2002 Posts: 2,135	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.

06-05-2012, 11:32 AM	#10
Leslie Eckhardt Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 24, 2011 Posts: 293	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.

06-06-2012, 11:27 AM	#11
Hazel Anyday Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 12, 2002 Posts: 2,135	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.

06-06-2012, 02:34 PM	#12
MichaelKeith Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2007 Posts: 1,139	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.

06-07-2012, 12:15 PM	#13
Hazel Anyday Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 12, 2002 Posts: 2,135	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.

06-08-2012, 07:44 AM	#15
Hazel Anyday Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 12, 2002 Posts: 2,135	Yes, you're right, I meant Season 5, both phone and umbrellas opening were part of Season 5.