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CAST OF CHARACTERS
Alan Alda
As: Captain Benjamin Franklin Pierce (Hawkeye)
From: Crabapple Cove, Maine
Character note: Although known to millions these days as Senator
Arnold Vinick of The West Wing, he was the main character, the highest paid actor, eventually chief writer and only
person to have starred in every episode of its 11 year run. It's very evident that women's issues are dear to him considering
how his character was changed over the course of its run.
Wayne Rogers
As: Captain John Francis Xavier McIntyre (Trapper John) (1972-1975)
From: Boston, Mass
Character Note: Had a part in one of my all time favorite
movies, Cool Hand Luke. A contract dispute caused his departure from the show after the third season. Sad, considering
his depth as an actor would have lent itself well to the pathos driven direction the series eventually took. Rogers
was 39 years old when he started at the 4077th. Funny, he did not play the title role in the spin off series, Trapper John
MD, that role went to Pernell Roberts from Bonanza.
Mike Farrell
As: Captain B.J. Hunnicut (Mom Bea and Dad Jay) (1975-1983)
From: Mill Valley, California
Character Note: At 6'3" with gunboats
for feet, his character was shipped to the 4077th fresh out of residency at the age of 28. Farrel was actually 36 at the time. He's
married to Shelley Fabares.
McLean Stevenson
As: Lieutenant Colonel Henry B. Blake (1972-1975)
From: Bloomington, Illinois
Character Note: The funniest actor of the bunch who left after
the third season to pursue other ventures. I remember him most vividly for his failed sitcom Hello Larry. After years
of being a comedian, a sitcom writer and guest host on The Tonight Show, the idea of playing second fiddle to Alan
Alda may have been the reason he moved on prematurely.
Larry Linville
As: Major Franklin Marion Burns (1972-1977)
From: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Character Note: Though his character's personality showed
us a part of the establishment that was most hypocritical, he complained at the end of the fifth season that his character
had no where to go because, unlike others, there was no development of the Frank Burns part.
Jamie Farr
As: Corporal (later Sargeant) Maxwell Q. Klinger
From: Toledo, Ohio
Character Note: Farr objected to playing a cross-dresser in
a girlish fashion but instead suggested he do it in a manly, crazy way thinking this would get him his Section 8. It worked. Didn't
get a contract as a regular character until the third season.
William Christopher
As: Father John Francis Patrick Mulcahy (Lieutenant later Captain)
From: Philadelphia, that’s as much as I know
Character Note: Didn't actually appear in the pilot episode.
Played Private Lester Hummell from 1966-1968 in Gomer Pyle USMC and made guest appearances on Hogans Heroes
and The Andy Griffith Show.
David Ogden Stiers
As: Major Charles Emerson Winchester III (1977-1983)
From: Boston, Mass
Character Note: Stiers played the station manager on the final
season on Mary Tyler Moore. He was a classically trained actor that proved an excellent replacement to the Frank Burns character
and worthy adversary that opened a world of new possibilities to Hawkeye and BJ
Gary Burghoff
As: Corporal Walter Eugene O’Reilly (Radar)(1972-1979)
From: Ottumwa, Iowa
Character Note: One would never know that during his entire
run with M*A*S*H, we would find it very hard to spot his deformed left hand. Though a gifted actor with Emmys to his credit,
he left the show during the 8th season amid much speculation of everything from his characters development to his relationship
with the rest of the cast members. I think he carried everyone that was in a scene with him. Burghoff is responsible for THE
funniest moment in the history of M*A*S*H when Colonel Potter takes the binoculars from his eyes only to reveal two black
circular impressions around them...no doubt a practical joke from the doctors. Radar's reaction is absolutely priceless.
Loretta Swit
As: Major Margaret Houlihan (Hot Lips)
From: Army Brat, who knows.
Character Note: Check out Season 2, Episode 38("Hot Lips and empty arms") Season 3, Episode 67("Aid
Station") and the entire Season 5 for Hot Lips slow transformation into Major Margaret Houlihan
Harry Morgan
As: Colonel Sherman T. Potter (1975-1983)
From: Hannibal, Missouri
Character Note: Morgan would direct a number of episodes and showed us what depth he had from the comedy
of the first seasons in Season 3 Episode 49, "The General Flipped at dawn", to Season 8's, Episode 187, "Old Soldiers" Harry
Morgan was, until that point known for his work most prominantly in the 60s TV show "Dragnet"
"The 4 Oh Double Natural"
The greatest show of all time and numerous reasons why. This classic legendary
show has been a source of laughter, pathos and thought provocation for years. There are several web pages that best describe
the history of the show, the cast of characters and actors and the faces that changed in its 11 year year run, more than three
times as long as the Korean War. The development of the characters like Hawkeye and Hot Lips or maybe the stagnation of characters
as well, like Frank Burns. It's a show that begs the the question "what if" at many stages and also begs applause for the
decisions that were made behind the camera. The word "fan" comes from the larger word "fanatic" and it's to this degree
I must stress that I am when it comes to this how. If I had the money, I swear I'd turn my backyard into a replica of the
compound so I could give myself that authenticity of a program that always let me escape to another world...even if its base
was war torn.
Based on the book by Richard Hooker, the motion picture M*A*S*H was a hilarious
release directed by Robert Altman in 1970 and nabbed him a statue from the Academy for best director. The movie starred Donald
Sutherland, Elliott Gould, Tom Skerritt, Sally Kellerman, Rene Auberjonois and Gary Burghhoff. Burghoff would go on to star
in the TV series and the only actor to appear in both the big and small screen versions.
According to he forward, written in the novel M*A*S*H,..." most of the doctors
who worked in the Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals in the Korean War were very young, perhaps too young to be doing what they
were doing. They performed and were exposed to extremes of hard work, leisure, tension, boredom, heat, cold, satisfaction
and frustration that most of them had never faced before. Their reaction, individually and collectively, was to cope
with the situation and get the job done. The various stresses however, produced behaviour in many of them that, superficially
at least, seemed inconsistant with their earlier civilian behaviour patterns. A few flipped their lids, but most of them just
raised hell, in a variety of ways and degrees."
The series certainly showed us a much younger Alan Alda ( and everyone else for
that matter) when the show began in 1972 but as the comedy base morphed into a pathos driven direction the show was able
to stay fresh even while revisiting very similiar storylines like Hawkeye's various episodes where it seems he's checking
out into a parallel universe, B.J doubting his fidelity to Peg, Colonel Potter and his old friends who seem to have changed
for the worse, The War correspondent episodes, Colonel Flagg's incredible interventions, The characters writing home
to relatives, Mail Calls, and the rest.
Certainly, it was Alan Alda that shone most brightly and his popularity was stellar to the point where he eventually
had some of the most prominant creative input on the show but the cast was strong even when the replacements were brought
in. I mean replacing Trapper John with BJ Hunnicut was a brave move but it worked because the show never attempted to copy.
Colonel Potter was a brilliant alternative to Colonel Henry Blake. To throw a Major Charles Emerson Winchester III in the
mix after several years of Major Frank Burns was a complete about face that worked from day one. When your cast of creative
and writers can do that for 251 episodes, you have something very special.
Now...back to my little corner...if I could just construct, to
the last stain on the tents, the entire set of M*A*S*H, that'd be cool. Remember the notables like the Swamp, the Mess,
OR, Recovery and the Colonel’s office complete with the company clerk’s work area. Now you know you’re obsessed
with a show when it gets that bad. I may need therapy if I ever hope to throw this show down.
I have my favourites as I suspect you have yours. This is one of the programs that
I escape with and still watch it at least a couple of times a week. I'm not what you'd consider a mainstream viewer of this
show and while I may not be the world's greatest authority on the show, I DO know my share. This was a true black
comedy in the purest form and while the show's early years didn't define it, the change began after the third season.
Y'know, one could say that this change started to occur as early as Episode 17, "Sometimes you hear the bullet" or Episode
33, Dear dad...Three". Below is a list of the best episodes in my opinion, perhaps you can find a few
of yours in there. One thing, I must mention...I have never liked the episode "Dreams", nor will I ever change my mind. I
know all about the symbolism and the penetration of the psyche and what the episode attempted to display and explain...I just
didn't like it and I rarely sit down to watch it. On the other hand, it was difficult to decide on my all time favourites
because I loved so many of them.
Now...My Favourite Episodes
Season #1 1972-'73
Episode 13 Edwina
This
one may not be on everyone's favorite episode list but it certainly is on mine. An accident prone nurse gets the attention
of the nurses who feel that she deserves a little attention from the males of the 4077th. Finding that male was the question
and no one was quick to volunteer until straws were drawn and Hawkeye ends up with the short one. What ensues is beautiful,
this is a great episode.
Episode 18 Dear Dad...Again I was always a sucker for any episode that featured any one of
the crew writing a letter back home and describing the people or the goings on at the 4077th. This time it's Hawkeye in his
second "letter to dad" format describing the insane things that go on at wartime in Korea.
Season #2 1973-'74
Episode 32 The Trial of Henry Blake
A
very funny episode as we are treated to a barrage of flashback sequences that show us what kind of hysterics went on at the
4077th. Henry Blake is on trial to determine his fitness for command as a result of the tomfoollery that happened previously.
Episode 48 Smattering of Intelligence
Need I say anything more than Colonel Flagg? Everytime
Edward Winter (R.I.P.) was in any episode of M*A*S*H it was an instant classic. One of several appearances for the C.I.A.
man Colonel Flagg as he sets a trap for an Army intelligence agent probing the camp.
Season #3 1974-'75
Episode 49 The General Flipped at Dawn
Harry
Morgan stars in his pre-Sherman Potter days and a much different character, hilarious. I'm sure at this point of the series
we wouldn't have guessed that Harry Morgan, a brilliant character actor best remembered for his Dragnet performances,
would be back the next season to take over command of the 4077th.
Episode 51 Officer of the day
One
of my all time favorites with Hawkeye rhyming off lines that no one can keep up with. This one could have gotten by with the
strength of Edward Winter as Col. Flagg, but Alan Alda was spot on as Hawkeye with a memorable performance...one word...timing.
Episode 66 House Arrest Hawk slugs Frank and is put under house arrest after Margaret backs up Frank in his demanding
of punishment. The episode is great with much of it taking place in the Swamp where Hawkeye had to spend his lockdown. Margaret
is forced to change her story when Frank is found with a female Colonel in her tent. One of my favourite scenes in all of
M*A*S*H is when Frank towels Pierce in the ass that starts the whole thing.
Season #4 1975-'76
Episode 81 Quo Vadis, Captain Chandler
A
classic episode where Col. Flagg meets another particular favourite of mine in psychiatrist Dr. Sidney Freeman. A soldier
believing himself to be Jesus Christ brings forth a clash of the calming, reassuring Doctor Freedman and the perpetually paranoid
Col. Flagg.
Episode 91 Some 38th Parallels
As
with most episodes, two storylines are playing at the same time. This time around, it's Frank Burns and his new program for
auctioning off the camps garbage to the locals and a wacko Colonel takes unnecessary risks to living soldiers to retrieve
bodies of dead ones.
Episode 94 The More I See You
Love
Stinks and Hawkeye can vouch for that...but the pain is so wonderful. Hawkeye's former flame is transferred to the camp and he's
got to have her, but how deep does it run?
Season #5 1976-'77
Episode 99 Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Hawk
is blinded in an accident and must cope with the possibility of permanently losing his sight. The uncertainty of ever
regaining his eyesight has Capt Pierce seeing things much more clearly thanks to the help of guest star Tom Sullivan whos
character faces a much bleaker future it seems.
Episode 103 Dear Sigmund
A
character, Dr. Sidney Freeman who, in my opinion, should have been featured in far more episodes than he was. Ironically,
this "letter to home" is written by a psychiatrist who's own depression is soothed by the methods that the camp uses to relieve
stress.
Episode 117 Movie Tonight
There's
something very special about this episode in it's comradery and message, we can all relate. My second favourite episode is
the simplest of plots. The movie schedueled for the evening is threatened when the projector has a mind of its own. To avoid
the inevitable boredom, the moviegoers inside the tent kick off a bit of a variety show.
Episode 119 Post Op A shortage of blood is just one of the problems facing the staff as they trudge on in a
never ending operating room marathon.
Season #6 1977-'78
Episode 135 The Smell of Music
Hilarious
episode and a battle of wills as the smelly bunkmates, Hawkeye and B.J. wage war on Charles and his annoying french horn.
Pierce and Hunnicutt refuse to bathe until Charles deep sixes the instrument that he uses to murder otherwise good music.
Episode 144 Major Topper This is my third favorite episode featuring a combination
of the seriousness of contaminated morphine and the solution that becomes painfully clear AND Hamilton Camp's brilliant
Section 8 run that got "Boots" Miller out of the army.
Season #7 1978-'79
Episode 165 Rally Round the Flagg, Boys
Once
again, Col. Flagg returns, this time he thinks Hawkeye is a Commi sympathizer..nothing's changed.
Episode 167 A Night at Rosie's One by one, the staff and up at Rosie's and serve up a change
of scenery to the set we were so accustomed to seeing every week. It was a nice change.
Season #8 1979-'80
Episode 170 Too Many Cooks
Ed
Begley Jr. stars as a bumbling foot soldier whos talents are best left to the kitchen. Hawk, Beej and Klinger try to convince
Potter and all those concerned that he should remain with the outfit to cook meals like Spam Parmegiana or Duck a L'orange
without the duck or the l'orange. Hawkeye's reactions to the new scrumptious meals are an instant classic.
Episode 181 Dear Uncle Abdul
Another
one of my "letter to home" episodes that I enjoyed so much. Like before, the format suits me fine. Colonel Flagg is back and
he's funny as hell. Klinger writes home to the family in Toledo talking about all his new responsibilities since Radar left.
Episode 188 Morale Victory
James
Stephens (The Paper Chase see Classic TV #30) guests in this episode as a soldier who has lost the use of his hand and whos
career as a concert pianist is in jeopardy. While Charles helps him to cope, Col. Potter installs the new morale officers:
Hawkeye and B.J.
Episode 190 Goodbye Cruel World
Sidney
Freedman is back to treat an asian-american soldier who'd rather die than return home despite his decorated service.
Episode 192 War Correspondent After playing Rock Hudson's wife on McMillan and Wife
for several years, Susan St. James in her pre Kate and Allie days tempts B.J.'s fidelity with a mutual infatuation.
Man...she was so beautiful.
Season #9 1980-'81
Episode 205 No Sweat
It's
another hot, muggy night in Camp Hell and the staff are affected in their own unique ways. Margaret has a severe case
of prickly heat on her gluteus maximus, Klinger's involved with a fallout from the Motorola factory, Charles needs some carbon
paper to do his accounting, while Col. Potter takes a sleeping pill and sleeps right through the excitement.This episode stands
alone as my favorite episode for classic quotes from Charles, Klinger, Colonel Potter and Hawk.
Episode 207 No Laughing Matter I really like this episode as Hawkeye bets B.J. he can go a full day without cracking a joke,
rib, or smart ass comeback. Charles gets to confront Col. Horace Baldwin, the man who sent him to the 4077th in the first
place. While Hawk has a bout with "jokus interruptus", Charles gets himself into an altercation with a "lady of the evening"
and her muscled stiff.
Season #10 1981-'82
Episode 217 Rumour at the Top
The
rumourmill says they are recruiting for a new M*A*S*H unit and the visiting emissary lends credibility to the story. This,
in turn affects everyone's behavior at the 4077th.
Episode 220 Communication Breakdown
David
Ogden Stiers is priceless in this episode as Charles hoggs his Boston newspapers to himself and is the only one in camp with
fresh reading material. Meantime, Hawkeye and B.J. reunite two Korean brothers who fight for the North side and the South
side respectively. Stiers was over the top in this episode and really showed his comedic range.
Episode 225 The Birthday Girls
Klinger
and Margaret get stranded on the side of a road on Margaret's birthday while the gang at camp try to deliver a baby calf.
The casulaties of war are better explained in this episode in Margaret's approach to life, love and what she hoped she would
have accomplished in life by now.
Episode 230 Where
There's a Will, There's a War
This
episode is in keeping with the letters to home format. Hawkeye is sent to the front lines in relief and while there, like
so many before him, he makes out a will. In the will, he describes what best he likes about his 4077th indidvidual members
and what he chooses to leave to each of them in the event of his ultimely demise. The part about Klinger is especially wonderful.
It's a touching episode with a familiar tone
Episode 231 Promotion Commotion Charles, B.J. and Hawkeye have to pick the short list for promotions
causing a change of attitude with the enlisted. One, in particular, is adamant that a promotion is necessary for him or Charles
pays the price.
Season #11 1982-'83
Episode 236 Hey, Look Me Over
Kelly
Nakahara played Nurse Kelly, a background regular who eventually developed into a more recurring role. This episode has Hawkeye
missing her most striking qualities despite her best efforts to highlight herself. In a scene that certainly befits the
talents of the rest of the ensemble, Nurse Kelly eases a soldier's final moments while Hawkeye looks on.
Episode 239 The Joker Is Wild
The best practical joke
of all 11 seasons is pulled off by B.J. when Hawkeye is left a shell of his former self being constantly on guard against
B.J. who promises to strike everyone in order to escape the shadow of Trapper John's much heralded practical joke prowess.
Episode 243 The Moon is not Blue
Morale
is low once again and Hawkeye goes on the lookout for a raunchy movie...The Moon is Blue. There's a heat wave, the
camp's on the wagon and medical supplies are low, so it's Hawkeye to the rescue. Hamilton Camp guest stars in a classic.
Episode 250 As Time Goes By
In my mind, this is the true final
episode because even though the final movie saw the resolution for the purposes of ratings and closure, this episode was step
back to the characters that made this show what it was. Hawkeye and Margaret are far apart when it comes to collecting memorabilia
for the time capsule to be buried. Margarets acid tongued, hellcat ways return as Hawkeye delves into his first few seasons
demeaner as the smart alec cynic. Don't get me wrong, the final movie was awesome but this episode buried the capsule and
the hatchet for the right reasons.
Great M*A*S*H Quotes!
Though I haven't included all the truly classic quotes, here are my personal favourites...Just in case you think I've
forgotten the truly classic ones from Hawk like the "carry on.." quote...forget it...everyone has those on their web page.
Colonel Potter
--- "Horsehockey!"------" Buffalo Bagels!"------" Buffalo Chips!"
--- "Monkey Muffins!"------" Horsefeathers!"------" Cow cookies!"
--- "Hot Mustard!"------"Hot Sausage!"------Sufferin' Sheepdip!"
--- "Beaver Biscuits!"------"Bull Cookies!"---"What in the name of Marco blessed Polo!"
--- "Jumpin Jack Armstrong!"------"Great Ceasar's salad!"
--- "I'm getting too old for this crap...I think I tore my shorts"
--- "What in the name of Samuel Hill!"------" Holy Hemostat!"------"Mule Fritters"
--- "Sufferin Saddlesoap"
Hawkeye
--- "If this were a building, it'd be the Taj Mahal...if this were a woman, it'd be Mrs. Taj Mahal."
--- "Spam Parmigiana...in Italy you can get the death penalty for that."
Charles Emerson Winchester
--- "Klinger, you Simeon dolt!"
--- "Malodorous trolls!"
--- "Gentlemen"
--- "Sir, if ours were a truly civilized country...you would be king"
--- "You insubordinate desert rif!"
---" Get me the hell out of here!"
---" Dictatorial anarchists!"
--- “You
can cut me off from the civilized world. You can incarcerate me with two moronic cellmates. You can torture me with your thrice
daily swill. But you cannot break the spirit of a Winchester. My voice shall be heard from this wilderness, and I shall be
delivered from this fetid and festering sewer!”
Corporal Klinger
--- "May a pregnant camel give birth in your bunk"
--- "May you have camels that spit nothing but dates"
Various
Hawkeye: "Jesus ate with the lepers."
Father Mulcahy: He was an exceptionally good sport"
Hawkeye: "Is it your back?"
Winchester" No, I'm picking radishes you thunderhead!"
Public Address: Attention, due to a shortage of oil and wood, tonight's movie will be burned at 1800 hours.
Frank: (to Igor warming his hands over a stack of desk drawers on fire) Where did you get that wood soldier?
Igor: My sister sent it to me sir.
Colonel Henry Blake: (To Klinger in response to yet another so called letter from home) Here we go...father dying right?
Father dying last year...Mother dying last year...Mother and father dying...Mother, father and older sister dying...Mother
dying and older sister pregnant...Here's an oldie but a goodie...half of the family dying, the other half pregnant.
Favorite Recurrent or Guest Stars
Ahhh, the wonderful recurrents and guest stars that chimed in at Stage #9 of the 20th Century Fox studios in Hollywood,
California.
Edward Winter as Colonel Flagg
Look for Winter in a number of guest appearnces during the early years including Season 2, Episode 37
"Deal Me Out".(as Capt Halloran) Season 2, Episode 48, "A Smattering of Intelligence", and Episode 51:
"Officer of the day". Season 4, Episode 81, "Quo Vadis Captain Chandler?" Season 5, Episode 102: "The Abduction
of Margaret Houlihan", Season 7, Episode 165 "Rally 'Round The Flagg, Boys"
Allan Arbus as Major Dr. Sidney Freeman
See the shrink in Season 2, Episode 27 "Radar's Report" (as Milton Freedman)Season 3, Episode
53 "O.R."Season 4, Episode 81 "Quo Vadis Captain Chandler" Season 5: Episode 103 "Dear Sigmund", and
Episode 109 "Hawk's Nightmare". In Season 6: Episode 124 "War of Nerves". Season 7: Episode 149,
"The Billfold Syndrome". Season 8, Episode 190 "Good-bye , Cruel World" Season 9: Episode
211 "Bless you Hawkeye" Season 10: Episode 229 "Pressure Points" AND Season 11 Episode 251, "Goodbye,
Farewell and Amen"
Jeff Maxwell as Corporal Igor Straminsky
I will never forget how hard I laughed at Maxwell's reaction to Frank Burns at the chow line in Episode
74, "Change of Command" or his facial expression when he shot the bugle out of Radar's mouth .This guy was a much
needed character in the show. He actually starred in 59 episodes with little or no speaking parts.
Blythe Danner as Carlye Breslin Walton
All it took was one look at her and I was hooked. In Episode 94 from the 4th season, Blythe Danner stars
as Hawkeye's main squeeze from his days at medical school as she's transferred to the 4077th. She is probably best known these
days as Dina Byrnes from the hit movie Meet The Fockers. She's also has another huge distinction, she's Gwyneth Paltrow's
mommy.
Susan St. James as Aggie O'Shea
Yup, just one episode and I was in love. Susan St. James will best be remembered as Rock Hudson's wife on
McMillan and wife or as Kate McArdle in the 80's sitcom, Kate and Allie. It was the second time BJ's fidelity
is called into question, this time by an attractive war correspondent...But this time though, he didn't bite.
Val Bisoglio as Sal the cook
His sarcasm was infectious in the episodes he played in. In Season 9, Episode 214 he's a welcome comic addition
to the serious awakening happening to Charles after nearly getting killed by a snipers bullet. In Season 10 he
starred in Episode 223 "Twas the day after Christmas" AND Episode 227 "A Holy Mess" as he was preparing eggs while an
AWOL soldier sought sanctuary with father Mulcahy.
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