Back To Index M*A*S*H: Complete Season One
 Barnes & Noble M*A*S*H, spun from Robert Altmans Academy Award-winning film, proved a rare, record-breaking exception to the rule that television series based on hit films are doomed to failure. Even without Altman or the original films cast (with one exception), it became one of the longest running and most beloved programs in TV history. Picking up on the films mix of contempt for militarism and compassion for the military, it continues the misadventures of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in the Korean War. Writer Larry Gelbart, who developed the series for TV and wrote several episodes, already had such classics as Your Show of Shows and Caesars Hour on his résumé. In the beginning, the characters remain somewhat familiar: Portraying the ringleaders of the Swamp are Alan Alda in Donald Sutherlands role as Hawkeye Pierce and Wayne Rogers assuming Elliott Goulds position as Trapper John. The ensemble includes Loretta Swits "Hot Lips" Houlihan and Larry Linville as Major Frank Burns (Hawkeye and Trappers reliable foils), William Christophers earnest Father Mulcahy, McLean Stevensons leisure-loving Lt. Col. Henry Blake, and Gary Burghoff (the lone holdover from the film) as Corporal Radar OReilly. In one of the more curious departures in prime-time history, Timothy Browns "Spearchucker" Jones character disappears after the fifth episode. Meanwhile, Jamie Farrs clownish Corporal Klinger, who shows up in the fourth episode, proved popular enough to endure through the shows entire run. Klinger also became one of the shows more controversial characters, both for his Catch-22-like attempts to be declared insane and for his egregious taste in womens clothing. A sampling of the highlights from the rookie year include "Yankee Doodle Doctor," which features Alda smiting military protocol in Groucho Marx drag; "To Market, to Market," guest-starring Jack Soo as a Korean black marketer; and "Sometimes You Hear the Bullet," in which a soldiers death spurs Hawkeye to send an underage recruit (Ron Howard) home. Gelbart wrote several bang-up episodes along with Laurence Marks (Hogans Heroes), walking the thin line between spirited irreverence and genuine disrespect and crossing it occasionally when the opportunity arose for a really big laugh. As the war in Vietnam came to a close, M*A*S*Hs success only escalated, with unending Emmy recognition beginning in 1974 and the introduction of the memorable characters Captain B. J. Hunnicut (Mike Farrell) and Colonel Potter (Harry Morgan) in 1975. R.J. WaferCustomer ReviewsWrite your own online review >Number Of Reviews: 9 Average Rating: Showing 1-5 NextA viewer I LOVE IT!I cant wait for the other DVDs to come out, Ive always loved MASH.Also Recommended: Dear Dads hawkeyes letters to his dad. are the best.jacob, a movielover!! Perfect!I am a 23 year old boy from Denmark. I have seen MASH all my life and I find it very good. The actors play magnificent, and both the story and direction are perfectA viewer OutstandingI am 16 and have been a MASH fan for only a few months, but I love the show. It is both heartwarming and hiliarious. The show has depth, drama, and humor. I cant wait for the other seasons to come out on DVD.Also Recommended: MASH Season II MASH the MovieA viewer (pyeeye@aol.com) I give it 10 starsI could watch the episodes over and over, and often do. Absolutely the best show ever.Also Recommended: anything with Alan AldaFletch, just a consumer M*A*S*H A Timeless Masterpiece for the AgesI was 21 when M*A*S*H first came on, I enjoyed it then and I enjoy it now. Having taped most of the episodes from reruns, I cant tell you enough of how elated i am that the seasons are becoming available on DVD. What is there about Dr.s chasing women, drinking and bucking authority thats not to like? Every cast member had their own personality, and every transition was realistic...If ever a show should be put into a time capsule (for future generations) M*A*S*H is it. Ive watched M*A*S*H season I over & over and cant wait for season II to be released Interested in the song lyrics? - Check out themostlyrics.com! Looking For A DVD? - Check out dvd-a-rama.com! |
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