Forgotten TV: Meet Millie (1952)

 Lost amidst the many radio shows that transitioned to television in the 50's was Meet Millie, a sitcom about a mother & daughter in Jackson Heights, Queens. The radio show ran for 3 years, during which time a TV version landed on CBS.

However, there were changes in the cast in the course of transition. Film star Audrey Totter had the title role as Millie, but movie commitments prevented her from doing the TV show, resulting in Elena Verdugo taking over the role in the TV series. Similarly, Bea Benaderet was cast as the mother figure, but due to her commitments to Burns & Allen, her part was recast as well, with Florence Halop taking over the role.

Our cast also includes Marvin Kaplan, Roland Winters, Byron Keith, and Arthur Q. Bryan, who guest stars as a veterinarian, but sans the speech impediments of one Elmer J. Fudd.

This sample is from season 4.

Most folks remember Elena Verdugo from 7 seasons of Marcus Welby, MD. Kaplan went on to Top Cat, Alice, and a fair number of films, including "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad World", which reunited him with Top Cat himself, Arnold Stang, in 1963. Florence Halop's last role was on the original Night Court. Byron Keith recurred on Batman as Mayor Linseed, a sendup of NY Mayor John Lindsay.

Fairly decent.

Rating: B.