Saturday 8 February 2014

1965, Television: “Honey West”

The American crime drama television series "Honey West" premieres on 17 September 17 1965 on ABC. The series stars Anne Francis as detective Honey West and John Ericson as her partner, Sam Bolt.

The character was created by Gloria and Forrest E. Fickling under the pseudonym "G.G. Fickling" in the late 1950s. West was intended as a combination of Marilyn Monroe and the fictional detective  Mike Hammer. Anne Francis first played West in an episode of Burke’s Law, entitled "Who Killed the Jackpot?" (1965), which led to a new series being commissioned as a spin-off.  Honey West was intended to be the American equivalent of the popular characters Emma Peel and Cathy Gale in the British series "The Avengers".
Anne Francis as Honey West and Bruce the Ocelot
Anne Francis as Honey West and John Ericson as Sam Bolt
The first choice of producer Aaron Spelling for the role of Honey was Honor Blackman, then famous for her roles as Cathy Gale in "The Avengers" and as Pussy Galore in "Goldfinger". Blackman turned the role down and Anne Francis was cast in the leading role. The series was cancelled after one season due to the competition from "Gomer Pyle", "U.S.M.C.", and "The Avengers".
Anne Francis as Honey West
Main Cast
  • Anne Francis as Honey West
  • John Ericson as Sam Bolt
  • Bruce as Bruce the Ocelot
  • Irene Hervey as Aunt Meg
Anne Francis as Honey West

Awards
  • Golden Globe, Best Female TV star: Anne Francis (1966)

Opening Credits

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