A vaudeville star as a child,[citation needed] Willa "Willy" Dodger is inspired by her father, who had been a circuit court judge, to become a lawyer.[citation needed] After four years of night school, she graduates from law school, passes the bar, and opens a law practice in her home town of Renfrew in rural New Hampshire.[1][2] After six months in business, she finally gets her first case.[citation needed] Her family in Renfrew includes her father, William Makepeace "Papa" Dodger, her widowed sister Emily Dodger, and her nephew Franklin Sanders.[1] Her boyfriend is Charlie Bush, the town veterinarian.[1][2]
In March 1955, the lack of legal business in Renfrew prompts Willy to relocate to New York City to represent a vaudeville troupe, the Bannister Vaudeville Company.[1][2] Charlie does not follow her, but her family reluctantly makes the move with her. In her far more cosmopolitan life in New York, her boss — who thought he had hired a male lawyer — is Perry Bannister.[citation needed] She also reunites with her old friend Harvey Evelyn, who is the manager of a repertory company.[1][2]
Whether in Renfrew or New York, Willy′s law practice usually handles cases that are on the lighter side of the law.[2]
Some confusion exists as to who portrayed Papa Dodger.Wheaton Chambers, misspelled as "Weaton Chambers," is credited in the premiere episode, but Lloyd Corrigan generally is credited with the role. It is possible that Chambers originated the role and Corrigan subsequently replaced him.[citation needed]
Production
Willy was filmed at Desilu Studios.[1]William Spier, Havoc's third and last husband, was the producer for the series. Although female lawyers already had been the lead characters on daytime television shows, Willy was the first prime-time American television show to feature a female lawyer as its lead character.[citation needed]
Willy′s original working title was Miss Bachelor at Law, but by the time its pilot was filmed before a live audience at Motion Picture Center (later known as Desilu Studios) on April 29, 1954, it had been renamed My Aunt Willy, and by the beginning of August 1954 it was called The Artful Miss Dodger. It finally became Willy before it premiered in September 1954.[citation needed]
Willy had low ratings during its first few months, and in January 1955, press reports indicated that Willy′s sponsor, General Mills, wanted to replace the show. In a February 1955 interview, June Havoc said the show was having trouble convincing television viewers of the mid-1950s that there was such a thing as a female lawyer and that female lawyers did not "all look like Victorian spinsters."[citation needed]
In an attempt to boost Willy′s ratings, the Willy Dodger character moved from rural New Hampshire to New York City in March 1955,[1][2] the show′s producers hoping that the new premise would give June Havoc a better opportunity to display her comedic and dancing talents. Havoc visited the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) to prepare for her portrayal of her character as working for the AGVA, although in the show the Willy character apparently worked for the Bannister Vaudeville Company rather than the AGVA.[citation needed]
In April 1955, Willy moved from Saturday to Thursday nights.[1][2] Neither the change of premise or the change of schedule saved the show, and by early May 1955 General Mills had dropped its sponsorship of the series. Willy completed production in May 1955 after 39 episodes, and June Havoc checked into a hospital for five days of rest and relaxation after production wrapped.
Reception
When Willy debuted in September 1954, critic Larry Wolters of the Chicago Daily Tribune described the Willy Dodger character as “a young Portia,” a reference to the heroine of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Associated Press radio and television editor C. E. Butterfield wrote that the premiere episode suggested that “the story sounds as if it might develop, although it may take a little time to build up an audience.”[citation needed]Willy never found that audience. It was rated the lowest of all new CBS shows and one of the lowest of new programs on any network in December 1954, and the third-lowest of new CBS shows and one of the lowest of new situation comedies on any network in January 1955.[citation needed]
In 1957, June Havoc said that she believed Willy had failed because it had been designed as a show for a family to sit together and watch, something that she thought no family would do during Willy′s time slot at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday.[citation needed]
Broadcast history
Premiering on September 18, 1954, Willy began its run airing on Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time through March 1955.[citation needed] It followed That's My Boy, another situation comedy on the CBS Saturday lineup, and aired opposite Your Hit Parade on NBC.[3] In April 1955, Willy moved to Thursdays at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time, where it remained for the rest of its run.[2] It was cancelled after a single season, and its last original episode was broadcast on June 16, 1955.[citation needed]
After the show′s last new episode, CBS broadcast reruns of Willy for three more weeks in its Thursday time slot, the last of them airing on July 7, 1955.[1][2]Willy then ran in syndication for the rest of the 1950s before disappearing from the air.[citation needed]
Six months after opening her law practice in Renfrew, New Hampshire, Willy has not had a single case — until Franklin's little friend asks Willy to save his dog from being euthanized by Homer, the local dogcatcher, for scaring a farmer's cow so badly that the cow no longer gives milk. Willy wins the case, getting her legal career off to a positive start — and making enough money to keep her law books from being repossessed. Guest stars include a young Aaron Spelling as Homer and Charles Lane as Willy′s boss.
2
"Get Charlie's Goat"
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September 25, 1954 (1954-09-25)
Willy takes a case in which her boyfriend Charlie is the defendant.
3
"Operation Stocks"
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October 2, 1954 (1954-10-02)
Willy is appointed secretary of Harvey Evelyn's stock operation. Guest star: Will Wright.
4
"New York Colleague"
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October 9, 1954 (1954-10-09)
A lawyer from New York City arrives in Renfrew and tells Willy that he wants her to be his legal associate on a big case — but he actually is more interested in a romantic relationship with Willy. Guest star: Hal March.
5
"Willy Decides Not to Run"
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October 16, 1954 (1954-10-16)
Willy learns that she has received the dubious honor of being nominated to run for town assessor of Renfrew. When she discovers that it is too late to decline the nomination, she decides to ruin her chances of being elected by running on an "honesty" platform.
6
"Willy's Commission"
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October 23, 1954 (1954-10-23)
Willy will earn a $2,000 commission if she sells the local movie theater. Remembering her days as a child star, she tries to talk her former agent into buying it.
7
"Willy and the Crook Julius"
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October 30, 1954 (1954-10-30)
When Willy takes the case of a mild-mannered man who steals a fishing rod on impulse, she seeks to prove that someone can do something illegal without criminal intent.
8
"Willy Waves the Flag"
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November 6, 1954 (1954-11-06)
Willy leads a campaign to remove obsolete laws from Renfrew′s statute books — including one that says the driver of a self-propelled vehicle must be preceded by a person carrying a red warning flag.
9
"Water Witch Case"
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November 13, 1954 (1954-11-13)
Willy defends a man who claims to be a "water witch" who can guess the sites of underground water and is going to court after his latest customer digs 300 feet (91 m) based on his predictions and finds only dirt.
10
"Job Offer"
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November 20, 1954 (1954-11-20)
Willy is torn between her career and her family when she receives an offer to work for a law firm in Los Angeles, California, at a salary of $10,000 a year but her family insists that she remain in Renfrew.
11
"The French Hat"
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November 27, 1954 (1954-11-27)
Willy defends herself in court when the socialite Eleanor Van Doren claims she suffered a knee injury while fighting with Willy over a French hat in a shop.
12
"Willy and Muller v. Muller"
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December 4, 1954 (1954-12-04)
The local butcher and his wife end what had been a long, happy marriage on a note of disagreement, and Willy must file for their divorce.
13
"The Substitution"
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December 11, 1954 (1954-12-11)
Willy's boyfriend Charlie returns from his vacation to find that his friend has substituted for him in his veterinary practice — and also won Willy′s heart.
14
"Papa's Birthday"
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December 18, 1954 (1954-12-18)
The Dodgers may lose their house on Papa Dodger's birthday when the building inspector discovers that it was built without a permit.
15
"The Fate of the Theatre"
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December 25, 1954 (1954-12-25)
Willy's chances for theatrical fame appear slim after an old foe threatens to buy the theater for use as a barn.
16
"The Charity Benefit"
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January 1, 1955 (1955-01-01)
Willy stages a benefit show to provide a home for an old friend of hers — a pet seal.
17
"Willy and L'Affaire Paul Revere"
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January 8, 1955 (1955-01-08)
Willy and the local art league get a famed French painter to do a portrait of Paul Revere for the town hall by agreeing that Willy will be his regular evening date during the assignment.
18
"Willy and Aunt Cora's Beau"
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January 15, 1955 (1955-01-15)
Aunt Cora is surprised when her current boyfriend is the guest-of-honor on a true-crime television program, and Willy takes up his defense.
19
"Willy and Grandpa's Piano"
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January 22, 1955 (1955-01-22)
Papa Dodger plans to make a great personal sacrifice when he learns Willy's law books may be repossessed.
20
"Puppy Love"
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January 29, 1955 (1955-01-29)
Willy's dog Joseph runs away with the circus, following a female dog he likes.
21
"Willy and the Mystery Package"
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February 5, 1955 (1955-02-05)
While Willy prepares for the case of a package left in an antique shop that both the saleslady and the owner of the store claim, speculation mounts about the package's contents.
22
"The Daniel Boone Case"
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February 12, 1955 (1955-02-12)
After Willy successfully defends a basketball hero on the charge that he painted a city park statue of Daniel Boone in the local high school colors, he becomes homesick. Guest stars: Harry Harvey, Jr., Ralph Peters, Norma Jean Nillson, and Helen Morningstar.
23
"Willy's Nephew"
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February 19, 1955 (1955-02-19)
Willy must defend her nephew Franklin, who has been charged with embezzling from his class treasury at school — but circumstantial evidence convinces her that he is guilty.
24
"Willy Doubles in Brass"
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February 26, 1955 (1955-02-26)
Willy tries to save the town band from abolition by crusty town councilman Andy Reynolds.
25
"Willy and the Farewell Dance"
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March 5, 1955 (1955-03-05)
Willy has decided to relocate to New York City because of the lack of legal business in Renfrew, and the town is giving a going-away party for her — but her excitement dims when she hears over the radio that her boyfriend Charlie has another date for the affair.
26
"New York Bound"
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March 12, 1955 (1955-03-12)
Leaving Charlie behind in Renfrew, Willy and her family move to New York City so she can begin her new job as counsel for the Bannister Vaudeville Company. She wonders how close she will come to the performing arts in her new life — and she gets off on the wrong foot with her new boss, Percy Bannister, who thought he had hired a male lawyer.
27
"Willy and the Kate Fleming Case"
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March 19, 1955 (1955-03-19)
When an aging actress who is an old vaudeville friend of Willy′s is alleged to have stolen a dance and becomes involved in a legal dispute over it, Willy steps in to help her.
28
"Willy and Hansel and Gretel"
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March 26, 1955 (1955-03-26)
Willy hires what she thinks is a young Irish boy to play Hansel in a benefit production of Hansel and Gretel, then discovers that the actor she hired is 30 years old. Guest star: Michael Emmet.
29
"Willy's New York Neighbors"
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April 7, 1955 (1955-04-07)
Trying to adjust to her new life in New York City, Willy meets her new neighbors — and especially tries to meet a famous opera star. Guest star: Fortunio Bonanova.
Willy's sister Emily makes her a new dress, not realizing the material bears the label of the women's state prison — and when Willy wears it to a society party, she becomes the center of attention. Guest stars: Norma Varden and Alice Wellman.
33
"Willy Saves Harvey From Fraud"
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May 5, 1955 (1955-05-05)
Bonds for the library in Renfrew mistakenly are given to Harvey Evelyn, and he promptly invests the money in a New York City skyscraper. Willy must find a way to correct the mistake and save Harvey from going to jail for fraud. Guest star: Joe Besser
34
"The Big Fight"
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May 12, 1955 (1955-05-12)
Willy's nephew, Franklin, gets in a fist fight with the school bully, and Willy fears that she may lose her job when she learns that the bully is a nephew of Willy's boss, Perry Banister. Guest stars: Paul Rasch, Carole Ann Campbell, and Karen Greene.
35
"Willy's Painting"
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May 19, 1955 (1955-05-19)
Willy tries to prove a collection of modern art is overvalued by creating a painting of her own, then is amazed when her picture gets a fantastic bid at an auction — and horrified when she discovers her boss is the bidder. Guest stars: Howard McNear and Tom Brown.
36
"Franklin's Shoe Business"
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May 26, 1955 (1955-05-26)
Willy's nephew Franklin opens a shoeshine stand and collects shoes from tenants in Willy's building — but when Willy finds the shoes in her living room, she assumes they have been donated for a worthy cause and sends them to her favorite charity. Guest stars: Peter Leeds, Joseph Kearns, Paul Cavanagh, Gus Schilling, and Paul Maxey.
37
"Willy and El Flamenco"
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June 2, 1955 (1955-06-02)
Willy tries to solve the marital problems of a Spanish flamenco dancer and his wife. Guest stars: Luis Arbana, Phyllis Coates, Rosa Turich, Gonzales Gonzales, and Carole Ann Campbell.
38
"Willy and Eccentric Henrietta"
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June 9, 1955 (1955-06-09)
When a woman's brother tries to prove she is not capable of handling her estate and that it should be turned over to him, Willy tries to prove the woman's competence.
39
"Willy and Hurricane Harvey"
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June 16, 1955 (1955-06-16)
Harvey Evelyn appoints Willy secretary of his stock operations, believing it to be the quickest way to market his weather-making machine.
References
^ abcdefghijMcNeil, Alex, Total Television: The Comprehensive Guide to Programming From 1948 to the Present, Fourth Edition, New York: Penguin Books, 1996, ISBN0 14 02 4916 8, p. 916.
^ abcdefghiBrooks, Tim, and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime-Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present (Sixth Edition), New York: Ballantine Books, 1995, ISBN0-345-39736-3, p. 1137.
^McNeil, Total Television, appendix with network television schedule for 1953–1954, p. 995.
