

Season 3 • Episode 32
LatestHennesey is an American military sitcom/drama television series with Jackie Cooper in the title role that aired on CBS from 1959 to 1962. Cooper played a United States Navy physician, Lt. Charles J. "Chick" Hennesey, with Abby Dalton as Navy nurse Lt. Martha Hale. In the story line, they are assigned to the hospital at the U.S. Naval Station in San Diego, California.
Acting
Jackie Cooper's naturalistic performance was revolutionary for early TV comedy.
Writing
Don McGuire balanced service comedy with genuine medical drama beats.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Jackie Cooper's comeback vehicle after transitioning from child star to director—he used it to prove he could carry adult leading man roles on the small screen.
The show's military advisor was so strict that actual Navy personnel couldn't tell the difference between Hennesey's hospital and a real one—though the laugh track probably gave it away.