HAZEL: ARRIVEDERCI, MR. B (TV)
Summary
One in this series of comedies based on the cartoon characters of Ted Key. This series concerns the Baxter family maid, Hazel, who interferes in family affairs, causes household crises, and manages to keep the home running. In this episode, George cheerfully announces that he has an easy day ahead, and Hazel surprises him with a recently-discovered old Christmas present, which turns out to be a sweater in some disrepair. She heads out to the store to find a replacement, leaving Harold at the antique store while she browses. While there, Harold spots the proprietor, Charlie, receiving a covert delivery of diapers and carrying a bag full of baby food. But when Harold asks, Charlie swears they are really dust cloths and cat food, swearing that he, as a bachelor, has no need for baby supplies. When Harold relates the story to Hazel, she becomes deeply curious, and soon returns to the store and hears a baby crying. She heads upstairs, and finds both the infant and his unamused Italian mother. At the same time, George's peaceful day is interrupted by his partner, Harry, who is panicked that Mrs. Hampton, a fierce dowager client, is there and demanding his help. Mrs. Hampton reveals that her grandson married a young Italian woman without her consent and that they have a son together, and that she intends to provide amply for the child as long as she is given custody, a matter complicated by the fact that the mother has "kidnapped" the baby. She orders George and Harry to find the child or lose her as a client, and they spring into action.
Hazel attempts to get the whole story from the young woman, Carla, and Charlie helps translate, as she speaks little English. George and Harry theorize that Hazel will be able to help them find the baby, as she is a busybody and an "unconscious detective," unaware that she has told Carla that George will help her keep the child. When George arrives home and tells Hazel about the situation, she claims she knows nothing about any Italian brides or missing babies, but Dorothy accidentally spills the beans and Harry immediately calls Mrs. Hampton to the Baxter home, causing Carla to think that Hazel betrayed her. Harry tries to pay Hazel off, but she refuses, and Dorothy and George argue about Mrs. Hampton's rights to the baby. The elderly woman claims that Carla is an unfit mother because she speaks so little English, but Hazel points out that she should "meet her halfway" and learn some Italian. George declares that Mrs. Hampton has no legal right to claim the child, and she eventually gives in. Carla swears that she will work on her English, and Hazel encourages peace between the two women, as they both love the baby and want the best for him. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: March 26, 1964 9:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:25
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:47202
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1961-1965; CBS - 1965-1966
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Harry Ackerman … Executive Producer
- James Fonda … Producer
- Ted Key … Created by
- Robert Riley Crutcher … Writer
- William D. Russell … Director
- Allyn Ferguson … Music by
- Sammy Cahn … Theme Music by
- James Van Heusen … Theme Music by
- Shirley Booth … Cast, Hazel Burke
- Don DeFore … Cast, George Baxter
- Whitney Blake … Cast, Dorothy Baxter
- Bobby Buntrock … Cast, Harold Baxter
- Kathryn Givney … Cast, Mrs. Hampton
- Mario Siletti … Cast, Charlie
- Lauren Gilbert … Cast, Harry
- Luciana Paluzzi … Cast, Carla