TV-G | 30min | Comedy, Family | Episode aired 20 February 1953
Ozzie and Harriet Nelson raise their two sons Ricky and David. As the sons age, they experience t
eenage dating problems, marriage and careers. In this episode, there's a new traffic signal, and no one knows who should take the credit or get the blame.
Director: Ozzie Nelson
Writers: Don Nelson, Bill Davenport
Stars: Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, David Nelson , Ricky Nelson
Ozzie and Harriet Nelson raise their two sons Ricky and David. As the sons age, they experience t
eenage dating problems, marriage and careers. In this episode, there's a new traffic signal, and no one knows who should take the credit or get the blame.
Director: Ozzie Nelson
Writers: Don Nelson, Bill Davenport
Stars: Ozzie Nelson, Harriet Nelson, David Nelson , Ricky Nelson
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, starring the entire Nelson family, Ozzie, Harriet,
00:08David, and Ricky.
00:09Here is Ozzie, who plays the part of Ozzie Nelson, and, of course, his lovely wife, Harriet,
00:15as Harriet Nelson.
00:16The older of the Nelson boys, David, appears as David Nelson, and his younger brother,
00:21the irrepressible Ricky, played by Ricky Nelson.
00:24The Nelson's next-door neighbor, Thorny, is played by Don DeFore.
00:28We're eating breakfast now, Mom.
00:31Well, and to what do we owe this pleasant surprise?
00:37We're having a special assembly at school today.
00:41Oh, good for you.
00:42Us too, Mom.
00:43We're having a special program about George Washington.
00:45We'll probably miss all our morning classes.
00:47Good old George Washington.
00:49Well, I can see why he'd be a popular guy today.
00:52We don't have to go to school at all on Monday.
00:54Yes, I know.
00:55I sure wish he had more birthdays, boy.
00:58When you get a little older, you'll be thankful that birthdays only come once a year.
01:03Did I hear somebody mention a birthday?
01:05Yeah, Monday.
01:06Don't tell me you've forgotten.
01:08Somebody's birthday on Monday?
01:10Let's see, Harriet, yours is July.
01:13David is October.
01:15You want a hint?
01:16No, no, no, no.
01:17Wait a minute.
01:18I'm usually pretty good at this.
01:20I can certainly remember a birthday without a hint.
01:24Let's see.
01:26Okay, give me just a small hint.
01:28His name is George Washington.
01:30Oh!
01:32I didn't think I'd forgotten a birthday.
01:34You forgot his.
01:36Well, I wasn't thinking about him.
01:39He was a good man, boy.
01:40Yeah, I know he was.
01:42We're having a special assembly about him today.
01:44We're even getting out of school early.
01:46Oh, good.
01:47Good old George Washington.
01:48Well, here's your breakfast.
01:49You'd better eat it or you'll be late.
01:51Yeah, I don't want to be late for getting out of school early.
01:54Harriet, I don't think I'll have any breakfast.
01:56I think I'll just have orange juice.
01:57Thorny's gonna stop by for me in a couple of minutes.
01:59Oh, all right, dear.
02:00Say, listen, I want you to be very careful
02:02at that corner at the foot of Maple Avenue.
02:04There was another accident there last night.
02:06Oh?
02:07Look, it's right here on the front page of the paper.
02:09You know, I think it's terrible
02:10they don't have a traffic light there.
02:12Oh, yeah.
02:13Go see, Tom.
02:15Oh, yeah.
02:16Look at those fenders.
02:17Yeah, they were fenders.
02:20Boy, it's lucky nobody was hurt.
02:21I want you boys to be very careful
02:23when you're crossing the street down there, too.
02:25Oh, we always are, Mom.
02:26I almost had an accident at that corner last night.
02:28Some woman came zooming right out in front of me.
02:31Are you sure it was a woman?
02:33Oh, yeah.
02:34She came barreling right across in front of me.
02:36Actually, she owned the road or something.
02:38Who was it, Pop, the mayor's wife?
02:40I don't know.
02:42All I know is if I hadn't have jammed on my brakes in a hurry,
02:45we'd have had a nice smash-up.
02:47Is it true that women make the worst drivers, Pop?
02:49Oh, no, no.
02:50I wouldn't say that, David.
02:52I mean, women are much better drivers than small children.
02:56Now, just a minute.
02:57I resemble that remark.
02:58I'm a woman, you know, and I feel a little hurt.
03:00What about me?
03:01I'm a small child.
03:04Well, the issue isn't to determine who's a better driver.
03:06It's see if we can't do something about that dangerous intersection
03:09so we don't keep having those accidents there.
03:11Well, it's no wonder they have accidents.
03:13It's almost impossible to see the other cars
03:15until you're practically at the corner.
03:18It's not always the driver's fault.
03:20I guess that's what our teacher means.
03:22What's that?
03:23She says most accidents are caused by the nut at the steering wheel.
03:27Sounds like your teacher's been reading some old joke books.
03:30He's a dan-dan-dandy.
03:34We're having a women's club meeting today
03:36and I think I'll try and do something about it.
03:38Maybe have a traffic signal put in there.
03:40How can you do that, Mom?
03:43Well, I don't know, David, but maybe somebody'll have some ideas.
03:46The simple thing to do is get to somebody with some authority,
03:48somebody with some influence.
03:50You mean like Miss Wingate, my homeroom teacher.
03:52Does she have influence?
03:54I'll say. When she says stay after school, you stay.
03:59Well, with all respect to Mrs. Wingate, that's not the kind of influence I mean.
04:02I mean somebody with some political influence.
04:04You need somebody like that on your side.
04:06A guy like Miss Wingate on my side.
04:08She makes out the report cards, too.
04:10Well, you'd better hurry up with your breakfast.
04:12You're gonna find yourself off her list.
04:14Besides, you don't want to keep old George waiting.
04:16I wonder what he would have done in a case like this.
04:18You mean about the traffic light?
04:20Yes, sir.
04:21Well, I'm sure he'd have done something about it, David.
04:23He was a great man.
04:25No problem was so small that he could afford to overlook it.
04:27Well, it seems to me that none of us can afford to overlook a thing like this.
04:31I don't think George Washington would have worried about a traffic light.
04:34Oh, what makes you so sure?
04:36They didn't have automobiles in those days.
04:39I'll think up an answer to that and let you know when I come home tonight.
04:44Hi, Bob.
04:45Oh, hi, Bob.
04:46Hey, Bob, Bob's home.
04:48Well, it's quite a greeting.
04:49What's all the excitement about?
04:50We're having dinner early.
04:51We're playing a basketball game tonight.
04:53Oh, good for you.
04:55Oh, hello, dear.
04:56Oh, hi.
04:57I'm glad you're home.
04:58The boys want to have dinner early.
04:59Yeah, I know.
05:00They tell me.
05:01Well, that suits me fine.
05:02I had kind of a busy day.
05:03Oh, so did I.
05:04We had quite a session at the women's club.
05:05Oh, really?
05:06Did you speak to them about the traffic signal idea?
05:08Yes, sir, I did, and it was received very enthusiastically.
05:10Oh, swell.
05:11Was any definite action taken?
05:14I've been appointed a committee of one to write a letter to the president of the Chamber of Commerce.
05:18Well, okay, let's get out the old pencil and paper.
05:21Oh, well, thank you, dear, but I've already written it.
05:23Oh, good for you.
05:25I wrote it during the treasurer's report and mailed it right after the meeting.
05:28I figured the sooner the better.
05:30In fact, I sent a special delivery.
05:32Oh, well, that's fine.
05:33Now, if you don't mind my making a suggestion, I'd follow it right up.
05:37In what way?
05:38Well, I'd go down and see the main guy personally.
05:41Oh, I wouldn't want to do that.
05:43Well, why not?
05:44That's the only way you're going to get any real action.
05:46Find out who the main guy is and go down there and contact him personally.
05:50That's what I'm going to do tonight.
05:52What's this?
05:53I'm going right up to Officer Clancy and get some real action.
05:56What are you going to do, step on his toes?
05:59Now, wait a minute.
06:00Who's this you're going to see tonight?
06:01Officer Clancy.
06:02He's a policeman.
06:03Oh, well, how come you know him so well?
06:05He referees all the basketball games at the Y.
06:08Oh, he sounds like a real nice guy.
06:10Oh, he is.
06:12I'm going to tell him about that traffic light we were talking about.
06:14What good will that do?
06:16What do you mean?
06:17Well, he's a nice man, but what can he do?
06:19Are you kidding?
06:20Are you kidding?
06:21Am I kidding?
06:23Are you kidding?
06:24Am I kidding?
06:27I must admit that installing a traffic light is probably a little out of Officer Clancy's jurisdiction,
06:31but it certainly won't do any harm for Ricky to talk to him about it.
06:34Do you think he has any influence, Pop?
06:36Well, you never can tell.
06:38He knows a lot of people, boy.
06:40We're sure he does, dear.
06:41He told me he's seen them come and he's seen them go.
06:43I guess he has at that.
06:45In fact, he said he sent some of them himself.
06:49I wouldn't doubt that either.
06:51You know, I think it's wonderful the way you've all gotten together on this thing,
06:55and that's the way to accomplish something.
06:57Everybody work together.
06:59You know, I may be too optimistic, but I think that letter of mine might do the trick.
07:02Well, you know, I've just been thinking it might not be a bad idea
07:05if I took a little trip down the city hall and had a talk with somebody in charge down there.
07:10Don't worry, Pop. Officer Clancy can take care of everything.
07:13Oh, Ricky, stop talking like a moron.
07:15Moron, he says.
07:17Big man, terrific IQ.
07:21That's what I like to see.
07:23Everybody working together.
07:35Yeah, I'll talk to you later.
07:37Bye.
07:39Now, may I help you, sir?
07:41Yes, this is the office of the commissioner of public safety, isn't it?
07:45Yes, it is.
07:47I'd like to see the commissioner, please.
07:49Well, I'm sorry, but he's in conference right now.
07:51Do you have an appointment?
07:53No, I don't.
07:55Is that necessary?
07:57Oh, I'm afraid it is.
07:59The commissioner only sees people by appointment.
08:01Oh, yes.
08:03Well, I'd like to make an appointment then at his earliest convenience.
08:05Oh, well, certainly.
08:08I realize he's a very busy man,
08:10but a lot of people are quite concerned.
08:12Yes, of course. How about a week from Monday?
08:14Oh, you couldn't make it a little earlier than that?
08:19Well, he might be able to squeeze you in next Thursday
08:22while he's getting his hair cut.
08:25Really, this is a matter of some urgency,
08:27and I was hoping I could see him a little sooner than that.
08:30Well, I'm sorry, that's the earliest appointment I can arrange.
08:33His calendar's all filled until then.
08:35Perhaps I could help you.
08:38Would you like to tell me what you'd like to see the commissioner about,
08:40and then I could relay the message to him?
08:42Well, I suppose.
08:44Although, as I say,
08:46this is a matter of considerable urgency.
08:49You sure I couldn't just squeeze in to see him for just five minutes?
08:52That's all of his time I need.
08:54No, I'm awfully sorry, but like I say,
08:56he's in a very important conference.
08:58Yes.
09:02Pardon me just a moment.
09:04Hello?
09:07Who?
09:09John, how wonderful to hear from you!
09:15Oh, really, John?
09:21Bob, for goodness sakes!
09:26How is he?
09:27Fine.
09:28Oh, that's good.
09:31Say, could I call you back in a couple of minutes?
09:33I'm sort of busy right now.
09:37Okay.
09:38Bye.
09:41Sorry to keep you waiting, sir.
09:42Now, what was your problem?
09:44Oh, well, are you familiar with the intersection
09:46at Highland and Maple?
09:48Oh, yes, I know the corner you mean.
09:50Well, there have been quite a few traffic accidents there recently.
09:53Nothing serious,
09:55but minor things such as fender abrasions
09:57and things of that sort.
09:59And I thought if I spoke to the commissioner,
10:01he might be able to arrange to have
10:03a traffic signal put there
10:06if something serious really occurs.
10:08A traffic light at...
10:10Maple and Highland.
10:12Maple and Highland.
10:14Yes.
10:15Well, I'll certainly see that this is brought
10:17to the commissioner's attention.
10:19I'm sure you'll get some quick action.
10:21Oh, well, fine.
10:23Of course, I don't expect it'll be installed
10:25tonight or tomorrow morning.
10:27Oh, it's not impossible.
10:29The commissioner's a pretty fast worker.
10:31On matters of this sort.
10:33Then you'll definitely bring it to his attention, won't you?
10:36Oh.
10:37Thanks a lot.
10:39You're welcome.
10:41Hello?
10:43Who?
10:45George!
10:47How wonderful to hear from you!
11:06I got as far as the secretary,
11:08and she told me that the commissioner
11:10was in a conference.
11:12Between you and me, I could have sworn
11:14I heard somebody say,
11:16I'll raise you five from the back room.
11:20Well, just the same, you sure got some quick results.
11:22I didn't get any results at all.
11:24The girl said she'd speak to him about it,
11:26but you know, that's the usual routine.
11:28What do you mean?
11:30I mean, I just wasted my time.
11:32Well, it may interest you to know
11:35that I passed there not more than ten minutes ago
11:37and saw a workman directing traffic lights.
11:39You're kidding.
11:41Well, no, I was honest.
11:43Didn't you see it on the way home?
11:45No, I took the bus.
11:47Well, come on, we'll drive over.
11:49You can see for yourself.
11:51Well, how about that?
11:53I really got some quick action, didn't I?
11:55Well, you sure did.
11:57You know, it just goes to show you,
11:59for years people have been saying,
12:01let's have a traffic light installed
12:04Well, nevertheless, when people say,
12:06who did that magnificent, public-spirited job,
12:08you tell them it was your neighbor and friend, Ozzie Nelson.
12:10Sure, sure, Oz.
12:12And when the light has traffic tied up for blocks,
12:14we'll erect a little sign.
12:16You are late for work this morning
12:18through the courtesy of Ozzie Nelson.
12:24Hey, David, I told you, boy.
12:26You told me what?
12:28Remember, I told you.
12:30You told me what?
12:33What about the traffic light?
12:35He said it wouldn't do any good to ask Mr. Clancy.
12:37Ask him what?
12:39About putting in a traffic light.
12:41What about it?
12:43The men are putting it up right now.
12:45You mean down in Holland and Maple?
12:47Sure. How many times do I have to tell you, David?
12:49Boy, it sure didn't take them very long, did it?
12:51Heck no. I don't mess around, boy.
12:53Here, look at my traffic light.
12:55Your traffic light?
12:57Oh, sure. I'm the guy who got it put there.
12:59Oh, good for you.
13:02Why don't you have the neighborhood
13:04take up a collection for me?
13:06Get ready for dinner, boys.
13:08Hey, Mom, did you hear what I did?
13:10No, I didn't.
13:12Why don't you wash your hands and tell us at dinner,
13:14and then your father can hear about it, too.
13:16Okay. Come on, David.
13:18Okay, I'll be right with you.
13:20Hey, Mom, I want to tell you something,
13:22but don't tell Ricky now.
13:24Oh, what's the big secret?
13:26Ricky saw some guys putting in a traffic light
13:28at the corner of Holland and Maple.
13:30That's because he told Mr. Clancy about the dangerous corner.
13:32Oh, I see.
13:34Yeah, but I know what really happened.
13:36Yes, I know you do.
13:38I didn't have the heart to tell Ricky.
13:40That's very thoughtful of you, dear.
13:42I'm glad you didn't.
13:44The important thing is that the light got put in.
13:46Yeah, that's what I figured.
13:48That's the reason I let him go right out
13:50thinking he was responsible.
13:52I didn't realize how much could be accomplished
13:54just by writing a letter.
13:56Gee, how did you know, Mom?
13:59I told our teacher about the dangerous corner
14:01and she said we ought to try to do something about it.
14:03So you sent a letter to the mayor?
14:05Yes, ma'am.
14:07But don't say anything to Ricky now, Mom.
14:09Oh, of course not.
14:11Let him go right on thinking he was responsible.
14:13All right, dear, if you say so.
14:23Oh, hi.
14:25Hello, dear. Say, I have some news for you.
14:28Oh, I can tell from that glint in your eye
14:30that you've already heard about it.
14:32Oh, you mean about the traffic light?
14:34Uh-huh. It was really fast action, wasn't it?
14:36Yeah, it sure was.
14:38Just goes to show you what can be done
14:40with a little determination and public spirit.
14:42Well, thank you, dear.
14:44Oh.
14:46You're welcome.
14:48I don't know why I'm taking the bows.
14:50You're the one who's responsible for the whole thing.
14:52Oh, well, thanks.
14:54I really didn't do so much.
14:57I never would have gotten done.
14:59Oh, that's very nice of you to say so.
15:01Well, it's the truth.
15:03After all, you're the one who gave me the idea
15:05to write the letter.
15:07What's this again?
15:09I say, you're the one who gave me the idea
15:11to write the letter to the Chamber of Commerce.
15:13Oh, and you mean that's how come
15:15the traffic light got installed?
15:17Of course.
15:19Oh.
15:21This is marvelous.
15:23Oh, it's really not marvelous.
15:26Harriet,
15:28it's lucky you happen to have a very good sense of humor
15:30because I have news for you, dear.
15:32Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt you, dear,
15:34but whatever you do,
15:36don't say anything about the traffic light
15:38to David or Ricky.
15:40Why not?
15:42Well, David did a very generous thing.
15:44It seems that last night at the basketball game,
15:46Ricky spoke to Officer Clancy
15:48about putting the traffic light in.
15:50Oh, so he thinks he was responsible for it.
15:52Yes, but that's not all.
15:55I told my teacher about it,
15:57and the whole class sent a letter to the mayor.
15:59So David thinks that he's responsible for it.
16:01Well, say, that's very nice of David.
16:03Very thoughtful.
16:05I thought so, too.
16:07So naturally, I didn't have the heart
16:09to remind David about my letter
16:11to the Chamber of Commerce.
16:13Oh.
16:15Gee, that was very thoughtful of you, too, dear,
16:17to let David think that he did it.
16:19I figured I can certainly be as generous
16:21as my own son.
16:24Oh.
16:26Well, it wasn't important.
16:28Well, don't forget now,
16:30don't mention this to David or Ricky, huh?
16:32No, I promise.
16:34As long as each of them thinks he's responsible for it,
16:36there's no sense in spoiling their fun.
16:38Oh, sure, that's right.
16:42Do you happen to know where Sidney is?
16:44Sidney?
16:46Yeah, you know, the Thornberry's dog.
16:48Oh, I think he's out back in his doghouse.
16:50Why?
16:53I'm sure he had nothing to do with the traffic light,
16:55so there's a little something
16:57I'd like to tell him.
17:01Oh, it sounds confusing to me.
17:03Yeah, so naturally,
17:05I didn't have the heart to tell him
17:07who was really responsible.
17:09Well, I'm glad you didn't, Oz.
17:11I'm perfectly content to remain unheralded.
17:13My reward is just knowing that my action
17:15was another step in public safety.
17:17Now, just a second, Thorny.
17:19You know darn well who was responsible
17:22Certainly, Oz, and I accept your thanks. Believe me.
17:24Now, wait a minute.
17:26Don't tell me you're going to start taking credit for it.
17:28Well, I say give credit where credit is due.
17:30I hate to disappoint you, old man,
17:32but Catherine has reminded me of something very interesting.
17:34Such as what?
17:36Well, it seems a couple of weeks ago,
17:38I talked to her cousin,
17:40and I happened to mention at that time
17:42that we needed a traffic signal at Highland and Maple.
17:44So what?
17:46Well, Catherine's cousin makes traffic signals.
17:48That's his business.
17:51Well, I thought Catherine's cousin
17:53had an electrical appliance shop.
17:55Well, yes. Yes, he does.
17:57And he also makes traffic signals?
17:59Oh, now look, Oz.
18:01I didn't mean to give the impression
18:03that he makes the whole signal.
18:05Please don't misunderstand me.
18:07He makes the light bulbs that they put into the signal.
18:09Thorny, you know darn well he had nothing to do with it.
18:11I was the one who went down to see the commissioner.
18:13You mean you spoke to his secretary?
18:15Yes, and she promised to speak to him,
18:17and she obviously did because the light was installed.
18:20And if you don't mind, I'll take the bows for it.
18:22Oh, no, no, no, Oz.
18:24I beg to differ with you.
18:26Catherine's cousin knows quite a few influential people.
18:28Oh, sure.
18:30Like the guy who paints the traffic lights
18:32and the guy who sells the paint to the guy who paints them?
18:34No.
18:36He's a sore loser.
18:38Anything I can't stand is the guy who takes credit
18:40for something he had nothing to do with.
18:42Pardon me.
18:44Do either of you gentlemen own a car
18:46with license number 7N32048?
18:49Well, yes, I do, officer. Is something wrong?
18:51Well, I tried to flag you down there,
18:53but I guess you didn't see me,
18:55and I took out after you and lost you in the traffic.
18:57Oh, well, I'm sorry. Did I do something wrong?
18:59You drove through a red light.
19:01A red light? Well, I didn't even see it.
19:03Yeah, back there at Highland and Maple.
19:07Highland and Maple?
19:09Yeah, we just put it in.
19:11We've needed a signal at that intersection for a long time.
19:13May I see your driver's license, please?
19:15Oh, yes, yes, of course.
19:19Gee, that's a fine place
19:21to put a traffic light.
19:23I mean, I'm used to driving right through there.
19:25Yes, I know. We've nailed quite a few people today.
19:29Seems to me the person should get
19:31some sort of a warning.
19:33Thorning, I ought to make you pay this fine.
19:35You're the one who's responsible for getting that light
19:37put up there. Who, me?
19:39Oh, I had nothing to do with it.
19:41You were the one who talked to the commissioner of safety.
19:43I only spoke to his secretary.
19:45I think it's a very nice traffic light myself.
19:48It's high time we had one, too.
19:50Oh, Oz, I think we can blame this whole thing on Ricky.
19:52Look, don't try to weasel
19:54out of it, Thorny.
19:56If you hadn't spoken to your cousin
19:58with all his influence...
20:00I'm not trying to weasel out of anything.
20:02And he's not my cousin, he's Catherine's.
20:04And I'm sure he doesn't know anything about it.
20:06Please try and be a little more careful next time, Mr. Nelson.
20:08Well, aren't you going to give me a ticket?
20:10Oh, now, that's a great question to ask.
20:12No, I'll have to let you off
20:14with a warning this time.
20:17Ricky, thanks a lot, officer.
20:19I really had no intention of driving through.
20:21It was completely accident.
20:23Oh, I understand.
20:25Don't you think it's a good place to have one, though?
20:27I mean, that's a very dangerous corner.
20:29You're absolutely right.
20:31Thanks again, officer.
20:33Well, that's okay.
20:35And give my regards to Ricky.
20:37Ricky?
20:39Yeah.
20:41Tell him Officer Clancy said hello.
20:43Okay, gentlemen.
20:46Ha, ha, ha, ha.
21:02Hi, Rick.
21:04Oh, hi, Dad.
21:06How'd the basketball game go last night?
21:08Oh, swell.
21:10Hey, I didn't know you knew Officer Clancy.
21:12Officer Clancy?
21:15Why, why do you say that?
21:17Well, he told me to say hello to you.
21:19He sure is a nice man.
21:21Uh, wait a minute.
21:23Rick, what else did he say?
21:25Nothing.
21:27He just said give my regards to your dad.
21:29Oh.
21:31Yes, he sure is a nice man.
21:33Very considerate.
21:35Very nice man.
21:44♪
22:14♪