Ozzie Nelson

I have a fascination turned obsession with vintage Kodak cameras. Brownies, Starlights, Instamatics, and 8mm movie cameras. I own and display a few on my shelves in the living room. To most individuals these days, they are items that no longer are of any value related to what they were first invented and created to accomplish: Take photographs. Oh sure, there are many in the world today that use these cameras with actual film for their profession or hobby. However, these individuals are far outnumbered by the multitude of mega-pixelated point and shoots, smart phones and modernized 35 mm offspring. Now, the Brownie box and insta-matics are delegated to be display icons of a bygone era. Oh, how they made profit for Kodak and others that found their own niche and accompanying loyalists. Oh, how they captured Suzy toddling by the pool, Johnny swinging a baseball bat, Grandpa Joe and Grandma Gloria dancing at their 50th anniversary party, and Buster the family dog eating Baby Gina's hot dog. Of course, any proof of their past glories are left to faded images on paper and silent motion on film, left unappreciated today by our technological improvements and high quality standards of the day. Yet, Kodak still remains a bastion of a time when it was King.

This fascination lead me to the internet and all its glorious treasure to uncover information related to my little Kodaks. Youtube lead me directly to black and white television commercials starring non other than a well known family man in his day, Mr. Ozzie Nelson. He was very handsome in his pre-dad, younger years. Very handsome indeed. Plus, he was an Eagle Scout and graduate of Rutgers University and played football. So, he had the brains, talent and the looks.

He was a spokes person for many of the Kodak products invented to capture your families memories and events too. Here he is in a commercial. Now, the next logical step in my thought process is how in the world did the television executives give Ozzie Nelson and his wife Harriet a prime time show of their own? What made him so popular? Sure, his sons were very handsome, but what propelled Mr. and Mrs. Nelson into TV land? Well, low and behold, Ozzie was once a Big Band leader. This little gem was apparently a film short played at the movie theaters for extra added entertainment value. Entertainment value I must say! Well, maybe it is not up to the standards and caliber of Glenn Miller nor Tommy Dorsey. Mr. Nelson apparently he had his day and was well known enough to be marketed not only to his own generation but to that of his young, handsome sons. Here is a wonderful little movie theater short film using some of his songs during the WWII years. This family makes me take a moment to realize they were once very, very popular. None of the four family members are alive today. The two sons David and Rickie were teen idols catering to the young females before Frankie Avalon and all his zany friends took their antics to the beach and ski slopes. Before Elvis and his pelvis mesmerized the country. Before the Beatles donned their suits and ties to board a plane to cross the pond. I was taken aback when a few weeks ago the movie "Peyton Place" was aired on TCM. I was surprised to see David Nelson had a very small role as a hometown beau and quickly exclaimed his name with great expression. My dear teen age daughter simply and dryly asked "Who?" This once iconic family is now one generation removed from their hint of fame. Two generations away from their exalted fame. Sad. Time moves us all along whether or not we enjoy the journey. Thank you Ozzie, Harriet, David and Rickie for sharing you today.