Jeannies Major

One role Larry Hagman is best remembered is in the comedic series, “I Dream of Jeannie.” Most people have heard of the story of finding the bottle, releasing the genie and being granted three wishes. Imagine releasing a genie and finding yourself with unlimited wishes and a beautiful companion wishing to grant every whim, wish or desire.

Larry Hagman portrays Astronaut Major Anthony Nelson. During a mission, he becomes stranded on a desert island and discovers a beautiful odd bottle. Upon opening the bottle, he releases a two thousand-year-old genie and his life was never the same. The only other person aware of Jeannie and her powers is his friend Major Healy, a fellow astronaut. Major Healy didn’t quite agree with Major Nelson’s conservative and cautious approach with the gifts that Jeannie wishes to shower on him.

He never quite accustomed himself to being a “master” to a genie, especially a beautiful genie called Jeannie. Major Nelson was involved in top-secret work and under close scrutiny especially by the government psychologist Major Bellows. Hiding the true identity of Jeannie who would pop in suddenly and seemed oblivious to the world’s reactions to her was quite a challenge. She was so over eager to please her master that she didn’t understand the consequences of some of the outlandish items she tried to give him or the zany actions.

The series ran from 1065-1970 entertaining audiences familiar with Jeanie’s familiar blink and the consequences that usually involved Major Tony frantic yet comedic attempts to cover up or resolve Jeannie’s actions. The first season was filmed in black and white, but because color was becoming popular the following seasons were as well. This series was not without controversy. Jeannie’s costume had to cover her navel because television censors found her exposed navel offensive.