companies. Hilliard’s biography in the 1944 souvenir program stated: Roy is truly “the Grand Old Man” of stock. Many of the famous present day stars owe their success to the training they received under Director Hilliard. Warner Baxter, Ralph Belamy and Melvin Douglas were just a few of the numerous actors that he guided along the narrow road to fame. During all these years, Roy Hilliard has not only been a great director and character actor, but at the same time he has remained HUMAN and Real – in other words, AN HONEST TO GOODNESS SWELL FELLOW.[10]
Hilliard’s daughter, Harriett, became a vocalist and married band leader Ozzie Nelson. The couple later achieved television fame as “Ozzie and Harriett.” Hilliard worked for Schaffners for several seasons. In 1939, the company began using its own trucks to transport the show. The Schaffners bought one large semi-truck and trailer, two regular trucks and a trailer especially built to haul the canvas. In later years, Neil reflected on hard times. He often said, “Hell has no fears for me. Anyone who