OZZIE NELSON - CONTRACT SIGNED 08/10/1973 CO-SIGNED BY: HARRIET HILLIARD NELSON - HFSID 202489

OZZIE NELSON and HARRIET NELSON
The couple signs an agreement with Filmways Television Corporation for 14 additional episodes of Ozzie's Girls, a pilot that was not picked up by NBC as a series. The couple will star in the new series, which will be produced for the syndication market, and Ozzie will also serve as producer, director and script editor.
Typed DS: "Ozzie Nelson" and "Harriet Nelson" under "Agreed to and Accepted" on last page and initialed: "ON." and "H.N" on page 5, 8p, 8½x11, separate sheets. Los Angeles, California, 1973 August 10. From Filmways Television Corporation to Ozzie Nelson regarding the Nelsons' participation in "Ozzie's Girls", which will be produced for the syndication market. Begins: "This will confirm our understanding with respect to the following matters: The prior production of a Pilot for NBC, broadcast once by NBC which did not exercise its option for a series; Filmways agreement with Viacom Enterprises for the production for the syndication market of fourteen additional episodes of a series based on the Pilot (which will also be included in the series making a total of fifteen episodes in the first instance) with an option on the part of Viacom to order nine additional episodes during the first year; your services as star of the series along with Harriet Nelson as co-star; your services as producer, director and script editor for the series; our option on you and Harriet's services for four additional years of production, and other matters hereinafter referred to...." The agreement mentions the Pilot and its costs, the term of the Nelsons' service, compensation (price per program was $86,000 for the first year), syndication rights and compensation (Ozzie was to receive $536.66 per episode while Harriet would receive $2,827.64 per episode for the first fourteen episodes), Ozzie's compensation ($1,100 per program) as Director, Filmways fees ($5,000 per program for the first year), profits (Filmways was to recoup all out of pocket fees first), Ozzie's additional compensation as Producer ($2,000 per episode) and Story Editor ($900 per week) and royalties ($350 per episode). Also signed and initialed by a Vice President of Filmways Television Corporation. Ozzie's Girls, which aired in 1973, was also directed by the couple's son, David Nelson. Radio and television stars Ozzie and Harriet Nelson are best known for their TV show, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952-1965), which also starred their two real-life sons, David and Ricky (later Rick) Nelson. Ozzie not only acted in the situation comedy, he was the show's producer, director and head writer. The couple had originated the show on CBS Radio, beginning in 1944, and there was also a feature film version, Here Come the Nelsons (1952), which helped to launch the successful TV show. In 1932, HARRIET HILLIARD (1909-1994), born Peggy Lou Snyder, began singing with the band formed by OZZIE NELSON (1907-1975) two years earlier. They married on October 6, 1935. Ink slightly smudged at the "zzi" of Ozzie. Lightly creased. Staple holes at upper left corners, two file holes at upper blank margins. Usual black marks from photocopying. Fine condition.