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His Honor, Homer Bell

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His Honor, Homer Bell
GenreSitcom
StarringGene Lockhart
Mary Lee Dearring
Jane Moultrie
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes39
Production
ProducerHiman Brown
Running time30 minutes
Production companyGalahad Productions
Original release
NetworkFirst-run syndication
ReleaseFebruary 24, 1955 (1955-02-24)

His Honor, Homer Bell is a half-hour filmed American sitcom series made by NBC Films for first-run syndication.[1] It starred Gene Lockhart in the title role. Thirty-nine episodes were produced by NBC in 1955.[1] The first station that aired the series was KCOP-TV in Los Angeles, starting February 24, 1955.[2] Station WJAC-TV in Johnstown, Pennsylvania was still running it as late as January 1961.[3]

Premise

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Homer Bell (Gene Lockhart) is both an elected judge and a practising attorney in midwestern Spring City.[4] He is a middle-aged widower, who is guardian to his orphaned niece, fifteen year-old Cassandra "Casey" Bell (Mary Lee Dearring).[5] They are both looked after by the housekeeper-cook Maude (Jane Moultrie). Casey is a tomboy whose efforts to help her uncle often backfire. Maude is a superb cook, who is often recruited to change employers.[5] Homer Bell, well regarded by his constituents, nevertheless finds himself landing in situations which might compromise their good will. He also can't resist helping anyone who seeks his aid.[6]

Production

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Despite its supposed midwestern setting, the series was produced by Galahad Productions[fn 1] at the NBC Films studio in Brooklyn.[4][7] Himan Brown was the producer for Galahad; he also directed some episodes.[4] Other directors included Derwin Abbe and Will Price.[4] There was no pilot episode as such, since NBC produced it for syndication. The show started filming in late 1954; by mid-January 1955 NBC felt confident enough to advertise the 39 episode package of shows in a trade paper.[1] Midwood High School in Brooklyn was used for exterior shots of the Spring City courthouse.[7]

Reception

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There was very little critical response to this show, not unusual for a syndicated series without a major star. Critic Allen Rich said it was "much ado about nothing".[8]

Broadcast history

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The first episode broadcast was on Thursday, February 24, 1955, by KCOP-TV in Los Angeles.[2] The initial sponsor at KCOP-TV and other West Coast cities was the Union Pacific Railroad.[9] Within a month, stations in Nebraska, Texas, Oregon, and Washington had started showing it. Since it was syndicated, stations ran it on different days of the week, and at various times, usually before or after network programming in the evening. Since there was no continuity between episodes, stations ran them in whichever sequence suited them.

Episodes

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For clarity, "Original Air Date" is based on the first major broadcaster of the series, KCOP Channel 13 in Los Angeles. Episode titles and summaries are accurate where given but incomplete, and possibly out of original air date sequence. Cast lists are unknown save for one episode.

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"This Old House"UnknownUnknownFebruary 24, 1955 (1955-02-24)
Cousin Edwin is on his annual visit with schemes to fix up the Bell home. Cast: Parker Fennelly[9][2]
22"The Driver's License"UnknownEd JuristMarch 3, 1955 (1955-03-03)
Judge Bell forgets to renew his driver's license then gets stopped by cop. Cast:
33TBAUnknownUnknownMarch 10, 1955 (1955-03-10)
With Maude away, Casey tries to make dinner for the Governor. Cast:[10]
44"Homer's Birthday"Derwin AbbeEd JuristMarch 17, 1955 (1955-03-17)
Cast: Staato Cotsworth, Bill Zuckert, Bill Martell
55"The Man She Loved"UnknownEd JuristMarch 24, 1955 (1955-03-24)
Homer Bell hears an old flame is in town so he hides out. Cast:[11]
66TBAUnknownUnknownMarch 31, 1955 (1955-03-31)
Cast:[12]
77"The Courtship"UnknownUnknownApril 7, 1955 (1955-04-07)
Judge thinks Casey wants a mom so he decides to go wooing. Cast:[13]
88"Cooknappers"UnknownUnknownApril 14, 1955 (1955-04-14)
Judge invites friends for dinner but they try to steal Maude from him. Cast:
99TBAUnknownUnknownApril 21, 1955 (1955-04-21)
A dog joins the Bell household causing commotion. Cast:
1010TBAUnknownUnknownApril 28, 1955 (1955-04-28)
Cast:
1111"Aunt Kathryn"UnknownUnknownMay 6, 1955 (1955-05-06)[fn 2]
The Bell household is visited by Aunt Kathryn. Cast:[14]
1212"Casey at the Bat!"UnknownEd JuristMay 13, 1955 (1955-05-13)
Local women protest when Casey is kicked off the boys' baseball team. Cast:[4]
1313TBAUnknownUnknownMay 20, 1955 (1955-05-20)
Cast:
1414TBAUnknownUnknownMay 27, 1955 (1955-05-27)
Cast:
1515"Timmy"UnknownUnknownJune 3, 1955 (1955-06-03)
Cast:
1616TBAUnknownUnknownJune 10, 1955 (1955-06-10)
Cast:
1717TBAUnknownUnknownJune 17, 1955 (1955-06-17)
Cast:
1818TBAUnknownUnknownJune 24, 1955 (1955-06-24)
Cast:
1919TBAUnknownUnknownJuly 1, 1955 (1955-07-01)
Cast:
2020TBAUnknownUnknownJuly 8, 1955 (1955-07-08)
Cast:
2121TBAUnknownUnknownJuly 15, 1955 (1955-07-15)
Cast:
2222TBAUnknownUnknownJuly 22, 1955 (1955-07-22)
Cast:
2323TBAUnknownUnknownJuly 29, 1955 (1955-07-29)
Cast:
2424TBAUnknownUnknownAugust 5, 1955 (1955-08-05)
Cast:
2525TBAUnknownUnknownAugust 12, 1955 (1955-08-12)
Cast:
2626TBAUnknownUnknownAugust 19, 1955 (1955-08-19)
Cast:
2727TBAUnknownUnknownAugust 26, 1955 (1955-08-26)
Cast:
2828TBAUnknownUnknownSeptember 2, 1955 (1955-09-02)
Cast:
2929"School Play"UnknownUnknownSeptember 9, 1955 (1955-09-09)
Trying to help Casey's school play, Homer gets stuck in a suit of armor. Cast:[4][15]
3030TBAUnknownUnknownSeptember 16, 1955 (1955-09-16)
Judge must settle dispute between pretty young gal and snobbish woman. Cast:[16]
3131TBAUnknownUnknownSeptember 23, 1955 (1955-09-23)
Cast:
3232TBAUnknownUnknownSeptember 30, 1955 (1955-09-30)
Judge hosts party at which friend unexpectedly doesn't announce engagement. Cast:[17]
3333TBAUnknownUnknownOctober 7, 1955 (1955-10-07)
Cast:
3434"The Shutterbug"UnknownUnknownOctober 14, 1955 (1955-10-14)
Cast:
3535"Red Tape"UnknownUnknownOctober 23, 1955 (1955-10-23)[fn 3]
The Judge gets entangled in official forms and documents Cast:[18]
3636"Aunt Catherine Story"UnknownUnknownOctober 30, 1955 (1955-10-30)
The Judge once again gets caught up in unwanted marriage plans. Cast:[19]
3737"Substitute Sitter"UnknownUnknownNovember 7, 1955 (1955-11-07)
Casey can't keep babysitting date so Homer substitutes for her. Cast:[4][20]
3838"Equal Justice"UnknownUnknownNovember 14, 1955 (1955-11-14)
Cast:
3939"The Farm"UnknownUnknownNovember 21, 1955 (1955-11-21)
Cast:

Notes

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  1. ^ The production company's name is also given as "Gallahad" in some sources.
  2. ^ The series shifted on KCOP-TV from Thursday to Friday
  3. ^ The series shifted on KCOP-TV from Friday to Sunday

References

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  1. ^ a b c "(Two page ad)". The Billboard. January 15, 1955. pp. 10–11.
  2. ^ a b c Bird, Bill (February 24, 1955). "Bill Bird Reports". Pasadena Independent. Pasadena, California. p. 42 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Monday-Friday Morning Listings". The Daily American. Somerset, Pennsylvania. January 7, 1961. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Bob Leszczak (2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948-1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland & Company. p. 80. ISBN 978-0-7864-6812-6.
  5. ^ a b Inge, Gene (March 5, 1955). "TV Welcomes Another Lovable Character". Daily News-Post. Monrovia, California. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Rich, Allen (February 24, 1955). "Listening Post and TV Review". The Valley Times. North Hollywood, California. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b "NBC Film Studio in Brooklyn". Brooklyn Magazine. Vol. I, no. 1. New York, New York. October 1978.
  8. ^ Rich, Allen (March 14, 1955). "Listening Post and TV Review". The Valley Times. North Hollywood, California. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b "Debut Tonight..7 p.m. (Ad)". Evening Vanguard. Venice, California. February 24, 1955. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Tonight 7 PM (ad)". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. March 10, 1955. p. 32 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Tonight 7 PM (ad)". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. March 24, 1955. p. 34 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Thursday Television". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. March 31, 1955. p. 32 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ Inge, Gene (April 7, 1955). "TV-Radio". Daily News-Post. Monrovia, California. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "New Day! New Time! (ad)". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. May 6, 1955. p. 28 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Robbins, Dick (September 9, 1955). "KCOP on the Beat". News-Pilot. San Pedro, California. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ Robbins, Dick (September 16, 1955). "KCOP on the Beat". News-Pilot. San Pedro, California. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Robbins, Dick (September 30, 1955). "KCOP on the Beat". News-Pilot. San Pedro, California. p. 31 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Robbins, Dick (October 22, 1955). "KCOP on the Beat". News-Pilot. San Pedro, California. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Robbins, Dick (October 29, 1955). "KCOP on the Beat". Evening Vanguard. Venice, California. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ Inge, Gene (October 22, 1955). "TV and Radio". News-Pilot. San Pedro, California. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
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