I heard that the producer-creator, Don McGuire (or maybe it was Jackie Cooper himself), did not want this show to be syndicated with commercials. Here it is with the original commercials. I think his main objection, though, was that most shows in syndication were edited to accommodate commercials, meaning that minutes of plot and dialogue would be edited out to make room for more cigarette and beer ads.
This was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid - Jackie Cooper is so cute, and the acting and writing are top-notch. Thanks for bringing it back to me!
By the late 60's the show was in syndication, on every afternoon after school I watched this show. I recall it being more fun, and lighthearted than this episode.
On alternate weeks, Jackie and Roscoe "Rocky" Karns often delivered an integrated commercial for Kent cigarettes {"Great show, Rocky! You really *were* the best man tonight!"/"In that case, how about a bonus?"/"Like......?"/"Like a carton of Kents......."}.
I only half remembered seeing Hennesy in syndication. Roscoe Carnes captured the way a true admiral deals with a problem: establish authority and set a time limit.
Thank you, Moviecraft, for this wonderful Boomer-era show! I'm an old Boomer, but I've never even heard of 'Hennesey'; Although, it's rather good for the era. I really appreciated how the husband of the adoptive parents stuck up for his wife; Now that's love! (NEW SUB HERE)
This episode had no laughtrack as so many eps back then did. But then again it was intended to be more dramatic than comedic. So instead it had a background soundtrack to set the mood and cue TV audience reactions that way .
HELLO CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR CHANNEL, IT IS WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO SEE THESE TV SERIES FORGOTTEN IN TIME AGAIN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE MEMORIES. IF YOU ALLOW ME, I ASK YOU IF YOU HAVE AND CAN UPLOAD ANY OF THESE TV SERIES THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AGAIN: NEW YORK CONFIDENTIAL 1959 WITH LEE TRACY.- HARRIGAN AND SON 1960 WITH PAT O´BRIEN AND ROGER PERRY.- THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE 1962 WITH LEON AMES, RUTH WARRICK.- ASSIGNMENT FOREIGN LEGION 1956 NARRATED BY MERLE OBERON.- WALTER WINCHELL FILE 1957 NARRATED BY W. WINCHELL.-RCMP 1958 WITH GILLES PELLETIERS AND DON FRANKS.- DR.CHRISTIAN 1958 MACDONALD CAREY.- THIS IS ALICE 1958 WITH PATTY ANN GERRITY.- THE THREE MUSKETEERS 1954/1959 WITH JEFFREY STONE, PAUL CAMPBELL, SEBASTIAN CABOT AND DOMENICO MODUGNO.- ASPHALT JUNGLE 1961 WITH JACK WARDEN.- I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND I SEND YOU A BIG HUG FROM BUENOS AIRES ARGENTINA
Originally telecast on October 2, 1961. 28:54- "THE ALVIN SHOW", in prime-time on CBS [Wednesdays, 7:30pm(et)], was also sponsored by General Foods {Jell-O, Post}. 24:00- Bob Wright speaks for Kent. 29:09- "'I'VE GOT A SECRET' is next, on the CBS TELEVISION NETWORK."
Mr. Grauman I might add as the doctors in the body of this show were smoking cigarettes and on one show Cooper recommends Jello , by name , not gelatin to the admiral as dessert . Jackie Cooper at this late date appears to be the most successful the child actors who were part of the OUR GANG shorts . He also was pretty successful in his personal life .
Jackie {"Chick"} accepts one at 4:52, because Lorillard Tobacco insisted someone "light up" during each episode. Mentioning a brand name during a program was rare back then- but if General Foods asked Cooper to insist on "Jell-O" during a scene, he would.
I remember Hennesey, and I also remember liking it a lot. I was sorry when it went off the air. However, looking at it now I can see why the ratings were so low. Compared to some of the shows that were coming on line in that era - Route 66, The Naked City, 12 O'Clock High, The Dick Van Dyke Show, etc. - Hennesey is almost old fashioned; more of as 50s era show.
I'd have to disagree. Compare "Hennesey" to "MASH", especially as Jackie Cooper and Gene Reynolds from "Hennesey" had considerable input into the TV version of "MASH". I would submit that "Hennesey", even unintentionally, served as somewhat of a prototype for the latter show: a somewhat maverick doctor who'd buck the military rules when necessary, comic relief characters like James Komack's rich boy dentist, Adm. Shafer being a somewhat lenient but respected CO (as accidentally mentioned in the video description: Roscoe Karns was the actor, Adm. Shafer the CO whose character was much like Harry Morgan as Col. Potter). As for the ratings, Hennesey hit somewhere in the middle: never a top show, but a solid enough performer to last three seasons.
@@MrMenefrego1 , the pace of the show is rather slow, the denouement neat, tidy and somewhat predictable, with a nice little moral at the end. Also the way the show is tied directly to the commercial, literally with lead actors suddenly breaking "the fourth wall" to shill the pronsor's product. Most shows were getting out of that by the time "Hennessey" rolled around. It was unfair of me to comepare a "dramedy" like this show to straight dramas like 12 O'Clock High, so please disregard that aspect of my comment. However, The Dick Van Dyke Show was definitely more of a harbinger of things to come than was Hennesey. One thing I did appreciate about Hennesey as a teenager and still appreciate now is the way in which the show mixes comedy and drama. It was ahead of its time in that regard. Anyway, that's my two cents.
@@actionsub, well, yes, I get the comparison. Another show that I think may have owed something to Hennesey in terms of tone is, The Andy Griffiths Show. Both shows had that easy going manner about them, a very relatable Protagonist driving the show and someone who was perfectly happy ot play the straight man to the action swirling around him and who was, more often than not, a great problem solver. .... I never knew Jackie Cooper had any influence on the development of the TV version of MASH, though I do seem to recall seeing Gene Reynolds' name in the credits. But, MASH succeeded in breaking away from some of the established "TV show" conventions (especially once they jettisoned the laugh track) in ways that Hennesey did not. And maybne that was what I was reacting to as I watched tis particular episode. It's been close to 60 years since I last saw any episode of this show. I was responding both to the rose colored visions from my youth and my disappointment that the actuality of the episode did not match the show that danced in my memory. It's still a good show and I will always be sad that it didn't stick around longer.
I remember this show at least for one season as following THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW at 10 pm est. Monday nights on CBS . If this show was low rated in 1962 I guess after THE DANNY THOMAS SHOW and TAGS much of the audience went to bed .
@@fromthesidelines Mr. Grauman , do you have information for us viewers on what shows on ABC and NBC that were opposite HENNESEEY from 1959 to 1962. I imagine some show won the ratings race in 1961-1962 . Secondly any info on Coopers relationship with CBS-TV boss Jim Aubrey ?
I'm glad you asked! In the 1959-'60 season, "HENNESEY" was opposite "THE STEVE ALLEN PLYMOUTH SHOW" on NBC, and the second half of "ADVENTURES IN PARADISE" on ABC. In the 1960-'61 season, its competition was "THE BARBARA STANWYCK SHOW" {a dramatic anthlology} on NBC, and (again) "ADVENTURES IN PARADISE" on ABC. In the 961-'62 season, it went up against "THRILLER" [featuring Boris Karloff] on NBC.....and "BEN CASEY" on ABC- which became more popular with viewers, and "HENNESEY" was cancelled at the end of the season. As for James T. Aubrey, he pretty much left the series alone, even though he personally didn't care for a mix of comedy and dramatic elements {to him, a sitcom was supposed to entertain and attract as many viewers as possible, and keeps the sponsors happy- and *not* give them any reasons to think....or change the channel}. However, as Jackie told it in his autobiography, "Please Don't Shhot My Dog", Aubrey was wllling to continue the series for a fourth season, even without General Foods' input. *BUT......* he wanted CBS to retain complete creative control. Cooper wrote, "I was afraid that Aubrey and his CBS committee would be breathing down my neck on every comma, every shot.....I couldn't have unqualified people looking over my shoulder and giving me advice, suggestions, or worse still, commands." Because General Foods (and to a lesser extent, Lorillard Tobacco) trusted him to direct the show, and take it in whatever direction Jackie wanted to, he valued his creative freedom. So, he turned Aubrey down, and ended the series. And Jim Aubrey could be ruthless in terms of what *HE* wanted.
@@fromthesidelines BEN CASEY was the kryptonite . If Aubrey had gained control HENNESEY would have been similar to a SGT BILKO/ MC HALES NAVY / BROADSIDE type show But he at least kept hands off during those three years .
The guest star on this episode Marge Redmond along with Mary Wickes played roles as Catholic nuns quite a bit . She seemed strange as a regular housewife and mom .
I heard that the producer-creator, Don McGuire (or maybe it was Jackie Cooper himself), did not want this show to be syndicated with commercials. Here it is with the original commercials. I think his main objection, though, was that most shows in syndication were edited to accommodate commercials, meaning that minutes of plot and dialogue would be edited out to make room for more cigarette and beer ads.
This was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid - Jackie Cooper is so cute, and the acting and writing are top-notch. Thanks for bringing it back to me!
By the late 60's the show was in syndication, on every afternoon after school I watched this show. I recall it being more fun, and lighthearted than this episode.
I love how they integrated the commercial for Jello into the story at the end of the show. Thanks, Moviecraft for another fine post.
On alternate weeks, Jackie and Roscoe "Rocky" Karns often delivered an integrated commercial for Kent cigarettes {"Great show, Rocky! You really *were* the best man tonight!"/"In that case, how about a bonus?"/"Like......?"/"Like a carton of Kents......."}.
@@fromthesidelines That is how it was in the 50's, the tobacco industry ruled!
I only half remembered seeing Hennesy in syndication. Roscoe Carnes captured the way a true admiral deals with a problem: establish authority and set a time limit.
Thank you, Moviecraft, for this wonderful Boomer-era show! I'm an old Boomer, but I've never even heard of 'Hennesey'; Although, it's rather good for the era. I really appreciated how the husband of the adoptive parents stuck up for his wife; Now that's love! (NEW SUB HERE)
Welcome, and glad you enjoyed it!
Fabulous! Glad to see you are still using this channel.
More to come!
@@MoviecraftInc Cool! Do you mean more Hennesey, or more good stuff here in general?
More good stuff in general😊
@@MoviecraftInc I'll be watching in anticipation! Thanks!
I love old TV, but this show misses the mark.
This episode had no laughtrack as so many eps back then did. But then again it was intended to be more dramatic than comedic. So instead it had a background soundtrack to set the mood and cue TV audience reactions that way .
I love this channel 😍 , I just subscribed 👌
HELLO CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR CHANNEL, IT IS WONDERFUL TO BE ABLE TO SEE THESE TV SERIES FORGOTTEN IN TIME AGAIN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE MEMORIES. IF YOU ALLOW ME, I ASK YOU IF YOU HAVE AND CAN UPLOAD ANY OF THESE TV SERIES THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AGAIN: NEW YORK CONFIDENTIAL 1959 WITH LEE TRACY.- HARRIGAN AND SON 1960 WITH PAT O´BRIEN AND ROGER PERRY.- THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE 1962 WITH LEON AMES, RUTH WARRICK.- ASSIGNMENT FOREIGN LEGION 1956 NARRATED BY MERLE OBERON.- WALTER WINCHELL FILE 1957 NARRATED BY W. WINCHELL.-RCMP 1958 WITH GILLES PELLETIERS AND DON FRANKS.- DR.CHRISTIAN 1958 MACDONALD CAREY.- THIS IS ALICE 1958 WITH PATTY ANN GERRITY.- THE THREE MUSKETEERS 1954/1959 WITH JEFFREY STONE, PAUL CAMPBELL, SEBASTIAN CABOT AND DOMENICO MODUGNO.- ASPHALT JUNGLE 1961 WITH JACK WARDEN.- I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND I SEND YOU A BIG HUG FROM BUENOS AIRES ARGENTINA
Originally telecast on October 2, 1961.
28:54- "THE ALVIN SHOW", in prime-time on CBS [Wednesdays, 7:30pm(et)], was also sponsored by General Foods {Jell-O, Post}.
24:00- Bob Wright speaks for Kent.
29:09- "'I'VE GOT A SECRET' is next, on the CBS TELEVISION NETWORK."
Mr. Grauman I might add as the doctors in the body of this show were smoking cigarettes and on one show Cooper recommends Jello , by name , not gelatin to the admiral as dessert . Jackie Cooper at this late date appears to be the most successful the child actors who were part of the OUR GANG shorts . He also was pretty successful in his personal life .
Jackie {"Chick"} accepts one at 4:52, because Lorillard Tobacco insisted someone "light up" during each episode. Mentioning a brand name during a program was rare back then- but if General Foods asked Cooper to insist on "Jell-O" during a scene, he would.
I remember Hennesey, and I also remember liking it a lot. I was sorry when it went off the air. However, looking at it now I can see why the ratings were so low. Compared to some of the shows that were coming on line in that era - Route 66, The Naked City, 12 O'Clock High, The Dick Van Dyke Show, etc. - Hennesey is almost old fashioned; more of as 50s era show.
How so?
I'd have to disagree. Compare "Hennesey" to "MASH", especially as Jackie Cooper and Gene Reynolds from "Hennesey" had considerable input into the TV version of "MASH". I would submit that "Hennesey", even unintentionally, served as somewhat of a prototype for the latter show: a somewhat maverick doctor who'd buck the military rules when necessary, comic relief characters like James Komack's rich boy dentist, Adm. Shafer being a somewhat lenient but respected CO (as accidentally mentioned in the video description: Roscoe Karns was the actor, Adm. Shafer the CO whose character was much like Harry Morgan as Col. Potter).
As for the ratings, Hennesey hit somewhere in the middle: never a top show, but a solid enough performer to last three seasons.
@@MrMenefrego1 , the pace of the show is rather slow, the denouement neat, tidy and somewhat predictable, with a nice little moral at the end. Also the way the show is tied directly to the commercial, literally with lead actors suddenly breaking "the fourth wall" to shill the pronsor's product. Most shows were getting out of that by the time "Hennessey" rolled around. It was unfair of me to comepare a "dramedy" like this show to straight dramas like 12 O'Clock High, so please disregard that aspect of my comment. However, The Dick Van Dyke Show was definitely more of a harbinger of things to come than was Hennesey. One thing I did appreciate about Hennesey as a teenager and still appreciate now is the way in which the show mixes comedy and drama. It was ahead of its time in that regard. Anyway, that's my two cents.
@@actionsub, well, yes, I get the comparison. Another show that I think may have owed something to Hennesey in terms of tone is, The Andy Griffiths Show. Both shows had that easy going manner about them, a very relatable Protagonist driving the show and someone who was perfectly happy ot play the straight man to the action swirling around him and who was, more often than not, a great problem solver. .... I never knew Jackie Cooper had any influence on the development of the TV version of MASH, though I do seem to recall seeing Gene Reynolds' name in the credits. But, MASH succeeded in breaking away from some of the established "TV show" conventions (especially once they jettisoned the laugh track) in ways that Hennesey did not. And maybne that was what I was reacting to as I watched tis particular episode. It's been close to 60 years since I last saw any episode of this show. I was responding both to the rose colored visions from my youth and my disappointment that the actuality of the episode did not match the show that danced in my memory. It's still a good show and I will always be sad that it didn't stick around longer.
The tobacco industry had a strangle-hold on television and movies!
Awww...for the good old days when it was a courtesy to offer a cigarette , and one could smoke one freely without the self-righteous smoking police !
Jell-O had a pretty tight lock, too.
I remember this show at least for one season as following THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW at 10 pm est. Monday nights on CBS . If this show was low rated in 1962 I guess after THE DANNY THOMAS SHOW and TAGS much of the audience went to bed .
Yes, "HENNESEY" was on Mondays at 10pm(et) from 1959 through 1962.....and followed Andy Griffith from 1960 through '62.
@@fromthesidelines Mr. Grauman , do you have information for us viewers on what shows on ABC and NBC that were opposite HENNESEEY from 1959 to 1962. I imagine some show won the ratings race in 1961-1962 . Secondly any info on Coopers relationship with CBS-TV boss Jim Aubrey ?
I'm glad you asked!
In the 1959-'60 season, "HENNESEY" was opposite "THE STEVE ALLEN PLYMOUTH SHOW" on NBC, and the second half of "ADVENTURES IN PARADISE" on ABC.
In the 1960-'61 season, its competition was "THE BARBARA STANWYCK SHOW" {a dramatic anthlology} on NBC, and (again) "ADVENTURES IN PARADISE" on ABC.
In the 961-'62 season, it went up against "THRILLER" [featuring Boris Karloff] on NBC.....and "BEN CASEY" on ABC- which became more popular with viewers, and "HENNESEY" was cancelled at the end of the season.
As for James T. Aubrey, he pretty much left the series alone, even though he personally didn't care for a mix of comedy and dramatic elements {to him, a sitcom was supposed to entertain and attract as many viewers as possible, and keeps the sponsors happy- and *not* give them any reasons to think....or change the channel}. However, as Jackie told it in his autobiography, "Please Don't Shhot My Dog", Aubrey was wllling to continue the series for a fourth season, even without General Foods' input. *BUT......* he wanted CBS to retain complete creative control. Cooper wrote, "I was afraid that Aubrey and his CBS committee would be breathing down my neck on every comma, every shot.....I couldn't have unqualified people looking over my shoulder and giving me advice, suggestions, or worse still, commands." Because General Foods (and to a lesser extent, Lorillard Tobacco) trusted him to direct the show, and take it in whatever direction Jackie wanted to, he valued his creative freedom. So, he turned Aubrey down, and ended the series. And Jim Aubrey could be ruthless in terms of what *HE* wanted.
@@fromthesidelines BEN CASEY was the kryptonite . If Aubrey had gained control HENNESEY would have been similar to a SGT BILKO/ MC HALES NAVY / BROADSIDE type show But he at least kept hands off during those three years .
True.
The guest star on this episode Marge Redmond along with Mary Wickes played roles as Catholic nuns quite a bit . She seemed strange as a regular housewife and mom .
In the 1970's and early '80s, she was best known as "Sarah Tucker" (of "Tucker Inn"} in General Foods' Cool Whip commercials.
Yes…I think Marge Redmond co-starred with Sally Field in The Flying Nun? Mary Wickes was a nun in Sister Act and its sequel, I believe.
29:09 “WordGirl” is next, on the CBS Television Network. Word Up!