INTRO: Dean Martin Sings "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" (1949)
The Christmas Gift (Aired December 19, 1948)
The Nelsons' deal with ABC gave the network itself the right to move the show to television whenever it wanted to do it---they wanted, according to the Museum of Broadcast Communications, to have talent in the bullpen and ready to pitch, so to say, on their own network, rather than risk it defecting to CBS (where the Nelsons began) or NBC. Their sons, David and Ricky, did not join the cast until five years after the radio series began. The two boys felt frustrated at hearing themselves played by actors and continually requested they be allowed to portray themselves. Prior to April 1949, the role of David was played by Joel Davis (1944-45) and Tommy Bernard, and Henry Blair appeared as Ricky. Since Ricky was only nine years old when he began on the show, his enthusiasm outstripped his ability at script reading, and at least once he jumped a cue, prompting Harriet to say, "Not now, Ricky." Other cast members included John Brown as Syd "Thorny" Thornberry, Lurene Tuttle as Harriet's mother, Bea Benaderet as Gloria, Janet Waldo as Emmy Lou, and Dick Trout as Roger. Vocalists included Harriet Nelson, the King Sisters, and Ozzie Nelson.
THIS EPISODE:
December 19, 1948. "The Christmas Gift" - NBC network. Sponsored by: International Silver. Ozzie gets a new phonograph player. Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Hilliard, Verne Smith (announcer), Tommy Bernard, Henry Blair, Billy May (composer, conductor). 29:27. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.
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