The ABC crime/action drama HONEY WEST is remembered fondly by fans. It starred Anne Frances, John Ericson and an ocelot named Bruce and lasted only one season with 30 episodes airing from September 17, 1965, to April 8, 1966. It is historically significant for being one of the first TV shows with a female lead. The characters of Honey and her partner, Sam Bolt were first introduced in an episode of another crime drama, BURKE'S LAW. Honey and Sam were also adjacent fixtures to popular spy shows for using all sorts of gadgets and gizmos. There was enough interest in the series to market a board game, an action figure/doll, accessories and other items.
The series was created in a series of novels by the husband and wife team of Forrest and Gloria Fickling using the pseudonym G.G. Fickling. In an interview with THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, Forrest explained the genesis of the books: "I first thought of Marilyn Monroe, and then I thought of Mike Hammer and decided to put the two together ... We thought the most used name for someone you really like is Honey. And she lives in the West, so there was her name."
Shown here is the October 9-15 1965 issue of TV GUIDE with a profile on Miss Francis. Next is a comic book one-shot of the show, published by Gold Key Comics. The box set of the complete series is available at Amazon for under $20. My only gripe about this fun series is it wasn't broadcast in color, which made it looks more like a 50s TV show rather than one from the 1960s.
HONEY WEST
Vol. 1 No. 1 (One shot)
September 1966
K.K. Publications (Gold Key Comics)
Editor: ?
Cover: Photo Cover
Script: Paul S. Newman
Art: Jack Sparling
Pages: 36
Cover price: 10-cents
