A vaudeville star as a child,[citation needed] Willa "Willy" Dodger is inspired by her father, who had been a circuit court judge, to become a lawyer.

[citation needed] Willy had low ratings during its first few months, and in January 1955, press reports indicated that Willy′s sponsor, General Mills, wanted to replace the show.

"[citation needed] In an attempt to boost Willy′s ratings, the Willy Dodger character moved from rural New Hampshire to New York City in March 1955,[1][2] the show′s producers hoping that the new premise would give June Havoc a better opportunity to display her comedic and dancing talents.

Associated Press radio and television editor C. E. Butterfield wrote that the premiere episode suggested that “the story sounds as if it might develop, although it may take a little time to build up an audience.”[citation needed] Willy never found that audience.

[citation needed] Premiering on September 18, 1954, Willy began its run airing on Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. Eastern Time through March 1955.

[citation needed] It followed That's My Boy, another situation comedy on the CBS Saturday lineup, and aired opposite Your Hit Parade on NBC.

[citation needed] After the show′s last new episode, CBS broadcast reruns of Willy for three more weeks in its Thursday time slot, the last of them airing on July 7, 1955.