Career
He was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world"s most prolific writer for television, and also wrote 34 stage plays and 39 feature films. Willis was elected Chairman of the Labour League of Youth as the candidate of the left in 1937. In 1941 he became Secretary General of the Young Communist League.
He was a charismatic personality and an excellent public speaker.
He often spoke at meetings during the Second World War in favour of opening a second front in order to help the Red Army which was bearing the brunt of the Nazi onslaught. The series ran for more than twenty years, and he also wrote nine films.
He was Chairman of the Writers" Guild of Great Britain from 1958 to 1964. Willis created several British television series such as Virgin of the Secret Service, Hunter"s Walk, The Adventures of Black Beauty, Copper"s End, Sergeant Cork and Mrs Thursday.