That Wonderful Guy
Written by
  • Charles Gussman
  • Russell Beggs
Directed by
  • Hal Gerson
  • Babette Henry
StarringJack Lemmon
Music byBernard Green
Country of originUnited States
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseDecember 28, 1949 (1949-12-28) –
April 28, 1950 (1950-04-28)

That Wonderful Guy is an American situation comedy television program that was broadcast on ABC from December 28, 1949, through April 28, 1950.[1] It featured Jack Lemmon in his first starring role on TV.[2]

Premise and cast

Set in New York, That Wonderful Guy focused on drama critic Franklin Westerbrook (Neil Hamilton) who was pompous and demanding, and his valet, Harold (Lemmon), who was bumbling but enthusiastic. Harold was a recent drama school graduate who endured his boss's demands while he hoped for a big break to get into show business.[3] The cast included Jo Hurt and Cynthia Stone.[4]

Production

Charles Irving Productions packaged the program, and Hal Gerson[5] and Babette Henry directed.[6] The writers were Charles Gussman and Russell Beggs.[5] Bernard Green's orchestra provided music.[6]

The program was sustaining.[7] It was broadcast live on ABC at 9 Eastern Time on Wednesday nights until March 1, 1950, and at 8:30 on Friday nights from March 10, 1950, through April 28, 1950.[3]

ABC's original plans called for That Wonderful Guy to debut on TV in the fall of 1949, but financial problems at the network caused delays in putting it and some other programs on the air.[8] Also in October 1949, ABC considered moving the program to AM radio rather than going on TV.[9]

Critical reception

Mary Wood, radio and television critic for The Cincinnati Post described That Wonderful Guy as "a well done show, full of sprightly adult humor -- an engaging farce".[10]

A review in the trade publication Variety said the program "shapes up as a pleasant, engaging farce . . .".[11] It also commended the show's writing, music, humor and charm.[11]

Leon Morse, writing in the trade publication Billboard, said, "With a bit more work That Wonderful Guy should blossom forth into a fine situation comedy."[12] The review commended the casting of Lemmon and Hamilton and said, "the camera work was slick", except that more closeups were needed.[12]

References

  1. ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 1373. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  2. ^ "That Wonderful Guy". TV Guide. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Leszczak, Bob (November 2, 2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948-1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland. p. 182. ISBN 978-0-7864-6812-6. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  4. ^ "Radio and Television: A. B. C. Video Will Start New Comedy Series, 'That Wonderful Guy,' on Jan. 4". The New York Times. December 24, 1949. p. 26. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Futures". Ross Reports on Television including The Television Index. December 25, 1949. p. 2. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  6. ^ a b McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: the Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4th ed.). New York, New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc. p. 827. ISBN 0-14-02-4916-8.
  7. ^ Lohman, Sidney (January 1, 1950). "News of TV and Radio". The New York Times. p. 55. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  8. ^ "ABC Stages TV Cut-Back; Drops Sustainers; Pares Programing; Trims Shop". Billboard. October 29, 1949. p. 7. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  9. ^ "TV's 'Guy' Switches to AM". Billboard. October 22, 1949. p. 8. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  10. ^ Wood, Mary (February 15, 1950). "Wonderful Show". The Cincinnati Post. p. 15. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b "That Wonderful Guy". Variety. February 1, 1950. p. 32. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
  12. ^ a b Morse, Leon (January 14, 1950). "That Wonderful Guy" (PDF). Billboard. p. 10. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
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