GamerTab
That was an excellent one.
Softwing
Most undeservingly overhyped movie of all time??
Connianatu
How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.
bkoganbing
Despite winning one Best Actress Oscar film rarely saw any of Shirley Booth. But the small screen had her for 7 years as a series was made of the popular comic strip Hazel. She was the perfect maid who helped out the Baxter family in all kinds of crises.In an era where moms like Elizabeth Montgomery and Mary Tyler Moore always looked chic because they never did any house work at least you could understand it in Whitney Blake's case, she had Shirley Booth there. She could be a full time mother to Bobby Buntrock although Hazel helped there too.Don DeFore was Mr. Baxter known as Mr. B by Hazel. He may have thought he was head of the household like a general in charge of the army. But we know it is non-coms that run an army and Hazel was a great platoon sergeant. If they disagreed on a matter it was Hazel who eventually won out.DeFore and Blake left the show a year before it was concluded and his TV brother and his wife Ray Fulmer and Lynn Borden took over. Although some might not see the parallels the relationship between Shirley Booth and Bobby Buntrock was something along the lines of Debby Ryan and her charges in Disney Channel's Jessie. Sadly Buntrock was killed in a car crash shortly after the series ended.Shirley Booth as Hazel was a wise woman. We all envied the Baxters back in the day.
hfan77
When I was growing up in New Jersey in the 60s, I remember watching the reruns of Hazel on Channel 5. It was a very good sitcom, thanks to the outstanding performance of Shirley Booth as the title character. It was her breakout TV role that won her a couple of Emmys.Also adding to the show's success was Don DeFore as George (Mr. B) Baxter, Whitney Blake, who later went on to co-create the hit CBS sitcom One Day at a Time as his wife Dorothy aka "Missy" and Bobby Buntrock as their young son Harold. Sadly, Buntrock was killed in a car accident at the age of 21.Not only was Hazel an outstanding maid, she was also a really good bowler. I remember the episode where she competed in a bowling tournament.Unfortunately, I don't remember any of the fifth season episodes, where DeFore and Blake were replaced by Ray Fulmer as Steve and Lynn Borden as Barbara. Those two have rarely been heard from in years.Coming from Screen Gems, who had a hit with another sitcom based on the comic strip Dennis the Menace, Hazel ran for five years and ended its run, not because of declining ratings but because Booth was tiring of the role. The show was in reruns for years and later disappeared. But fear not, thanks to the new digital broadcast network Antenna TV, viewers can finally see this lost gem of the 60s.As the theme song stated early in the run "Who's the gal that's everybody's pal? It's Hazel."
edwagreen
Oscar winner Shirley Booth surprised friends when she signed on to do the television series of "Hazel." Many thought that the role was beneath the star of "Come Back, Little Sheba." Remember, her blowzy wife had brought her the Oscar in 1952 as best actress.At times, Hazel could be confused but the love that she shared for the people that she worked for was memorable. Remember how she was always watching the weight of her employer, played by Don De Fore. Whitney Blake had just what it took to be the wife of DeFore. Bobby Buntrock was adorable as their son. Too bad that he was killed tragically at such a young age.Remember DeFore's boss? He could be a crusty old codger, but eventually he would come around due to Hazel Burke. She often reminded him of his mother.Remember that snotty sister of DeFore? She was always planning the social event of the season.A great show highlighting wonderful interpersonal relationships.
benederet
I do remember "Hazel" so well. Oh how I wish I had VCD tapings of all those shows! It is my outlet of escape from the harsh reality of today's society and today's television. I am not sure if anyone ever knew in what part of the country the Baxter's were situated, but where ever it was it had the perfect setting of how I felt America should be. There were no racial issues (African-American Robert Johnson played a waiter, and there were a few others), or sex scenes, or violence. George Baxter had the ideal house; and I do remember the family sitting down in the family room watching, on TV, a Perry Como special. This prompted me to recently purchase a Perry Como CD of his best songs. Hazel was the best cook, and I often dreamed of tasting some of her fabulous dishes. The warmth of "Somewheresville", USA gave me a "quaint ole feeling" that I hope to get when I re-settle in the States. If only I could view those programs here in China; how at home I would be! Shirley Booth's character and her portrayal seemed so realistic. Many of the actors/actresses in those days seemed thus. What has happened to acting these days? I was shocked to recently discover that Bobby Buntrock had been killed over 20 years ago. He and Booth were the show during its entire run. When "Hazel" moved from NBC to ABC and "Mr. Steve" replaced "Mr. 'B'", Booth's talents could still, in my opinion, pull the show through successfully. Hats off to Ms. Booth and her great supporting cast.
