Hennesey

I remember this show vividly from my childhood -- I was in grade school when it was on and can remember watching it every week with my parents. (I think one of the reasons I liked it was that my dad was in the Navy during WWII.) I have a vague recollection that one of the episodes featured Jackie Cooper visiting Pearl Harbor and that that show aired around December 7th. Like others who've written things here, I also remember it as a serious show (I was a serious kid) and that the theme music was very unusual.I'd love to see the entire series on DVD -- or better yet, on network TV. I keep reading that the networks have given up on Saturday evenings -- why not ditch the junk they are airing that night (nobody's watching anyway) and re-run classic series like Hennesey or The Law & Mr. Jones or The Defenders or Leslie Nielsen as the Swamp Fox (which I believe was Disney.) I think Baby Boomers would love the chance to see these "lost treasures" from the 50s and 60s again. And a whole new generation of kids would be exposed to entertaining-but-intelligent programs on network TV every Saturday night.

I remember the remarkable thing about "Hennesey" was that it was a dry, adult comedy WITH NO LAUGHTRACK. My mother used to love the show for that reason alone. The absence of that psychological prod actually made the absurdities funnier. We the audience were being treated as adults who could laugh when it was funny. This was an innovative and bold move in television of the time. I really notice the idiocy of American TV when it is rebroadcast here in Italy. The use of the laughtrack to manipulate the audience into thinking something is funny is really noticeable here, where it is rarely employed. Also, the use of implausible situations, as mentioned above, was lacking. The show stood or fell on the quality of the characters and writing. Whoever chooses to re-release this show will have an uphill battle to avoid inserting these banal mechanisms to please sponsors.

I worked with Don at KHJ-TV in Hollywood in the early 70's, and he said he "controlled" 'Hennesy,' and would NEVER let it be re-run. Being a pretty contentious guy he said he didn't need a reason, but I watched every episode and, believe me, it would hold up VERY WELL by today's TV standards (is that an oxymoron?) But seriously, folks, Hennesy, even though it is black and white, could, of course, be colorized; and I sincerely hope that his estate, or whomever owns the show now, would consider releasing it; at least on video...I would be the first customer in line for all 96 episodes. Thanks for letting me put in my 2c worth.

Does anybody remember which episode was done without talking? This was a milestone, set by one other series during this time. 77 Sunset Strip also did an episode without talking, the only sound at the end was a dog barking. It was written up in TV guide. I have forgotten the names of each of these incredible episodes and would appreciate any leads on them. Roger Smith was the star in the 77 Sunset Strip episode. In the Hennesey episode the whole ensemble was in it. Also, does anybody know where if DVD's of 77 Sunset Strip and Hennessey have been issued? Also, People's Choice was a great ensemble and funny show. Does anybody know if that show is available in DVD. And does anybody have current information about Jackie Cooper? As for Roger Smith, the husband of Ann Margeret, I actually flew with them when their cast was flying to Tahoe for one of her shows, back in 1979. Both of them were most gracious.

Jackie Cooper played a WWII Army vet who went to medical school and entered the Navy as a doctor. In the first episode when the new doctor reports to his new commanding officer at the naval hospital, the CO looks over his personnel record, notes the Army experience and asks Hennesey, 'Have you ever been to sea?' No, sir.' 'Have you ever been on a ship?' 'No, sir.' 'Can you identify water?' 'In daytime, I can, yes, sir.' In the series, James Komack played a hip nonconformist dentist who reputedly filled his own teeth. Henry Kulky as Max probably had the best role of his career as the sensitive Goliath who--in one episode--saved the arm of a sailor who had it caught in a machine. Max picked up the sailor and turned him over to unwind the arm from the gears. The show was blessed with a great cast and excellent writers. The show was funny without being silly and serious without sinking into melodrama.