RICKY NELSON at HOLLYWOOD TEEN MOVIES

FULL NAME: Eric Hilliard Nelson
DATE OF BIRTH : 8th May 1940
PLACE OF BIRTH : Teaneck, New Jersey, USA
DATE OF DEATH : 31st December 1985
PLACE OF DEATH : De Kalb, Texas, USA. (plane crash) SPOUSE : Kristin Harmon 1963 - 1981 (divorced)
CHILDREN : 4 Children (Tracy, Matthew, Gunnar & Sam) PARENTS : Ricky Nelson is the son of famous TV couple, Ozzie & Harriet.
BROTHER :Ricky Nelson is the brother of actor/director, David Nelson.

SELECTED FILMOGRAPHY :

* 1998 - Ozzie & Harriet: The Adventures of America's Favorite Family (archive footage)
* 1978 - Three on a Date (TV)
* 1976 - The Shootist
* 1974 - Sonic Boom
* 1970 - The Resurrection of Broncho Billy (Voice Over)
* 1969 - The Over-the-Hill Gang (TV)
* 1967 - "Malibu U." (TV Series)
* 1965 - Love and Kisses
* 1960 - The Wackiest Ship in the Army
* 1959 - Disneyland '59 (TV)
* 1959 - Rio Bravo
* 1953 - The Story of Three Loves (aka Equilibrium)
* 1952 - Here Come the Nelsons
* 1952 - The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet (TV Series)

FACT FILE :

* Ricky Nelson's parents were the stars of "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet" TV series. But it was Rick who began to steal the limelight. Often the TV episodes would end with Rick singing a song. He had strong audience appeal & quickly developed a teen fan base. In no time at all he was rivaling Elvis Presley as a new Rock n Roll talent. The television show was a stepping-stone for Ricky Nelson & it was his popularity that helped make the show the longest running family sitcom in the USA.

* In 1959 Ricky Nelson starred alongside veteran actors John Wayne & Dean Martin in the hugely popular western classic "Rio Bravo". Ricky was even given screentime to sing a couple of songs including "Cindy" with Walter Brennan & "My Rifle, My Pony & Me" with crooner Dean Martin.

* In 1963 Ricky Nelson married Kristin Harmon, sister of famous actor Mark Harmon.

* In 1971 Ricky Nelson appeared in a concert at Madison Square Gardens with fellow rockers Bobby Rydell, Chuck Berry & Bo Diddley. Unfortunately Rick was booed offstage because of his longhair & his insistence on singing new material. The audience was obviously expecting the teen idol of old, but Rick had moved on.

* During the 1970's Rick continued to produce & perform his own material including the classic hit "Garden Party".

* By the early 1980's Rick had assembled a new young band & they began touring extensively.

* Tragically, in 1985, Ricky, together with his finacee Helen Blair & his band were all killed in a plane crash caused by a malfunctioning gas heater.

* In 1999 the tele-movie "Ricky Nelson: Original Teen Idol" was released detailing the life & times of Rick. Well worth seeing & an excellent tribute to the legendary teen idol.

Here Come The Nelsons(1952) VHS
In between the radio and TV versions of their long-running sitcom, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, plus sons David and Ricky, hit the big screen with this lively tale. Advertising man Ozzie (yes, folks, he really had a job) must cope with trying to develop a women's wear company's campaign while the town's centennial celebration has him and Harriet fighting over rival houseguests...and hers is Rock Hudson! Barbara Lawrence, Jim Backus also star. 76 min.
Rio Bravo(1959) VHS
Howard Hawks' western classic stars John Wayne as a sheriff whose town is under siege by the army of gunmen brought in by crooked cattle baron John Russell to free his brother, trigger-happy Claude Akins, from Wayne's jail. The Duke's only allies are elderly sidekick Walter Brennan, drunken ex-deputy Dean Martin, and fiery young gunslinger Ricky Nelson. Angie Dickinson, Ward Bond also star. 141 min.
The Wackiest Ship In The Army(1961) VHS
Navy officer Jack Lemmon skippers the title tin can, the USS Echo, during World War II on a mission to escort an Australian enemy craft-tracking expert (Chips Rafferty) through mine-congested Japanese waters. Disarming little comedy co-stars Ricky Nelson, John Lund, Alvy Moore. 99 min.
The Over-The-Hill Gang(1969) VHS
Comic western with Pat O'Brien as a Texas Ranger who enlists three of his old pals to help out the residents of a small town run by a corrupt mayor, an alcoholic drunk and a quick-shooting sheriff. Walter Brennan, Andy Devine, Edgar Buchanan, Ricky Nelson and Gypsy Rose Lee star. 74 min.