Three weeks after signing her contract, George Sidney directed Williams' first screen test. According to Williams's autobiography, the studio used this test to get Lana Turner back in line with the terms of her contract and as a punishment for when Lana Turner eloped with Artie Shaw. Williams screen tested with the leading man, Clark Gable, for the film "Somewhere I'll Find You". However, when Turner divorced Shaw after four months of marriage, she rejoined the film. Following several short subject films, Williams appeared as Sheila Brooks in "Andy Hardy's Double Life". Sheila was a coed with whom Andy falls in love. Next was a small part in the film "A Guy Named Joe", starring Spencer Tracy and Irene Dunne. It was here she first worked with Van Johnson, with whom she would partner in five films.