One season wonder Willy, a forgotten sitcom starring June Havoc, celebrates its 70th anniversary today. It premiered on CBS on Saturday, September 18th, 1954. Willy was likely the first prime time television series in the United States to feature a female lawyer. In a February 1955 interview, Havoc lamented having to convince viewers female lawyers existed and “don’t all look like Victorian spinsters.”
Despite a change at mid-season in an attempt to showcase June Havoc’s comedic talent, ratings for the show remained low. CBS cancelled it at the end of the 1954-1955 season. Although 39 episodes of Willy were produced, I’ve only seen one. Lack of access to additional episodes means there are some details about the show that aren’t entirely clear. For example, sources vary on who played Willy’s father, with both Wheaton Chambers and Lloyd Corrigan given credit for the role. Chambers definitely played the character in the series premiere, which happens to be the episode I’ve watched.
To learn more about Willy, check out my article about the show.
In January 55 it was noted that the show had been shifting to more emphasis on show business. Also Alan Lipscott and Robert Fisher had left the show’s writing staff.
wow.. from all obscurities**==June hovick was first under contract in Hollywood in the early 1940s in ice skating movies.! These were the chief solid box office at that time** they were made so prominent by the presence of SONJE HENIE and the new cinematographic technics of studio lighting..It even had such an influence on Fred Astaire’s older solos.. (very Cartesian with wide camera focal movements etc… since June was neither a dancer nor singer..> best to satisfy.. your curiosities READ THE AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER from back then… actually while on this topic.. see these older interior studio shot -for= tv series==THEY ARE SO WOODEN.. labored and unconvincing…it took 15 years till TOPPER and PERRY MASON and others alike that brought a film noire type editing to an ovoi’d/ type cu,rved screen—–…WHAT A MARKETING smash success were these efforts-BRING IT ALL HOME TO LIVING ROOMS!-they defy aging====..Sound dept antics from warner bros studios led to masterpieces like Hawaiian Eye and Sunset strip..So…will You tube give June a royal treatment? who’s rights go back that far??