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A pioneer of America's first frontier came to life every week for years--now you can relive his adventures with Daniel Boone: Premiere Episode. In "Ken-Tuck-E," Fess Parker as our national hero must take territory from the natives in order to prepare for war with the British.Along the way, we meet his family, friends (including Ed Ames as Mingo), and enemies as "Dan'l" fights, talks, and sings his way through scrape after scrape. Though some of the characterizations might offend modern sensibilities, if viewed in context the show can be seen as respectful (except possibly to the British and raccoons). This classic episode shows why Daniel Boone stayed in living rooms for so long--charm and adventure go a long way in this country. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (10)

THE DAYS OF YESTERYEAR
As several have said, Fess Parker was a better Daniel Boone than a Davy Crockett. Oh well, he was Davy only four or five times, and Daniel about SIX YEARS. Practice does make perfect. This is a good video for nostalgic reasons and fairly believable acting. If you are a historian who nitpicks about accuracy, then don't watch. It was amazing to see Plains TeePees intermingled with East Coast wigwams. Some of the tribal costume was out of place as well. Oh yes, some of the "Indians" needed a little more berry juice for complexion.
Other than that, this is an excellent video. It is very family oriented(Daniel does not take the Indian wife that is offered to him because Becky is waiting back home), his family always runs to meet him, and gets angry if he has to leave again. He tells stories to his children, and sings to the Missus.
Yes, there is some violence and killing and probably excessive, but Dan'l doesn't kill unless it is to protect someone, and tries avoid it if possible.
These things just are not done in films today, and if they are attempted they just don't have the same spirit.
This video(may there soon be more!!) also gives our children a chanced to see a program that excited us when we were young. everyone has seen all the Peanuts cartoons, and odds and ends of famous sci-fi, but this is a simpler life video.
It is also great to see familiar faces we haven't heard from in years like Ed Ames, and did anyone notice George "Goober Pyle" Lindsay up on the stockade wall during the battle?
AHHHH for the days of clean, if very inaccurrate historical stories. Yes we were very prejudiced in those days, but I think things like this were the beginning of racial acceptance.

Dan'l Boone living large on the frontier of Ken Tuck E
"Ken Tuck E" is the pilot episode for "Daniel Boone," which originally aired on September 24, 1964. Fess Parker, who had become famous in the 1950's playing Davy Crockett for Disney, became even more successful as American frontiersman and folk hero Daniel Boone. Technically a "Western," the series was set in the 18th century, right before the American Revolution, when the "west" was the North Carolina-Tennessee-Kentucky! In this pilot episode Dan'l gets his friends, both Indians and settlers, ready to fight the British. Ed Ames co-starred as Dan'l's Indian friend, Mingo, while Patricia Blair played Rebecca Boone, Veronica Cartwright was daughter Jemima, and Darby hinton son Israel. The show also featured Albert Salmi as Yadkin and Dal McKennon as Cincinnatus, the tavern-keeper of Boonesborough. This first episode is certainly representative of the series, which focused on Boone's encounters with friendly and hostile Indians, his pioneering exploits, and his relationship with his family. I know I am not alone in thinking that Parker made a better Daniel Boone than he did a Davy Crockett.

great family entertainment
I agree with the other reviewers, this is great family entertainment that you aren't ashamed of letting your kids and family see. I think all the baby boomers and even some of the kids of today would enjoy seeing this series on DVD or at least VHS.

Please pass this on to the ones who decide what is coming out next on video.

danel boon
simply one of the best tv shows of the 60s down to earth and very entertaining. i have been in search of i think a disney daniel boone when he was not married to rebbeca but was on his way to discover ken-tuck.i seen it on tv in the mid.60s but that was it. so far iam unable to fine.it stared fess parker and ed ames.

Great tape Wonderful Return to the Past
One of the best TV Shows of the 60's. I hope more Fess Parker Daniel Boone shows will be available.This was pure entertainment.I have wondered for years why this program was not out on tape. During those years we watched it every week. Those were heroes you could cheer for. I would like to own all the Daniel Boone TV shows.I hope Amazon.com will be able to offer more of these. Harry at Vidayo did a top notch job getting the tape to us. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

ONE OF THE GREAT TELEVISION SERIES
James Garner is one of the finest actors in television history. Unlike many actors in long-running series, he gives a fine performance in every episode. The true charm of the series is a combination of his acting ability and the terrific supporting cast and guest stars in addition to great script writing. The episodes are not simply "action" stories but frequently deal with the psychology of the various leading characters as well as the social mores of the United States and more specifically Southern California in the 1970's, sometimes seriously, sometimes in a satirical or humorous way, but always interesting.
Why isn't there TV like this any more?

Great episode, slightly flawed presentation.
This is a clever episode from the show's brilliant first season. Private eye Jim Rockford tries to track down a man who may have faked his death to grab a $400,000 insurance claim. James Garner already seemed completely comfortable in the shoes of Rockford, and there's great support from guest star Jill Clayburgh (who manages to look cute in a '70s-style afro).

For diehard fans of the series, however, there's a rather egregious cut made of a crucial scene that shows how Jim gets out of a scrape. Viewers who haven't seen the missing footage will find themselves wondering what happened. It seems that MCA Home Video used a syndication print, rather than an original master. In sum, then, five stars for the episode and the visual quality of the print -- but two stars must be subtracted from the overall rating given the editing.

"Rockford," by the way, is a series that cries out for a comprehensive release in the Columbia House Video Library series. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

"Twenty thousand dollars buys a lot of gro-cer-ies."
I've bought all the "Rockford Files" episodes that seem to be on the market (except for "Nice Guys Finish Dead"), and this one, "The Kirkoff Case", is my favorite of them. It's entertaining from start to finish, and it exemplifies the producers' ability to pack so many memorable, humourous, yet believeable scenes into so little time without making things seem rushed.

Guest star James Woods is superb as Larry Kirkoff, particularly in those distracted-in-thought facial expressions he makes a few times while Rockford is talking to him. Regular Joe Santos is especially strong in his performance as Sgt. Dennis Becker. And guest Abe Vigoda is perfect in appearance, voice, and subtle hand movements in his brief role as "labor-union" (mob) boss Al Dancer.

Recommended reading.

Rockford Files:The Kirkoff Case
James Woods did a great job in this show.He was very great in it.One of my favorite Rockford Files Shows.It's a good Action Show. ... Read more

Description

Tom Horn is hired by Wyoming cattle ranchers to put a stop to the violence on the range. In the process, Tom finds himself accused of murder. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

ONE OF THE BEST WESTERNS OF ALL TIME
Tom Horn is one of the best westerns ever made and probably Steve McQueen's best film. McQueen gives a performance that deserves a best actor award in my view. The movie is based on Tom Horn's later years that take place from 1901 to his death in 1903. In that time period Horn is hired as a stock detective to rid Wyoming of cattle rustlers. But when Horn gets rid of alot of the rustlers, the people that hired him want to get rid of him so they frame him for a murder of a teenage boy and Horn is arested and put on trial.This was Steve McQueen's next to last movie before dying of cancer. His next film was The Hunter and it's a very good film also.Rated R for some graphic violence and language.

One of McQueen's last movies
Tom Horn is a very good western along the lines of The Wild Bunch about the changing times in the west and how certain people are adjusting to it. Based on a true story, the movie is about fronteirsman and marksman Tom Horn. Famous for several reasons that are introduced early in the movie, Horn begins the movie drifting along in 1903 Wyoming. Known for his ability with a rifle, Horn is hired by an association of ranchers to drive out rustlers in whatever way necessary. Soon, he begins to call too much attention to himself causing the ranchers to take action. This movie is very good for several reasons. It seems very realistic with beautiful scenery, good characters(good and bad), and a well-told story.

Steve McQueen gives a very believable performance as frontier hero, Tom Horn. His role as a man caught in a changing world who is not willing to change along with it is very well done. Richard Farnsworth plays rancher John Coble, one of the only men to remain loyal to Horn even when he is in trouble. Linda Evans gives a good, if somewhat short, performance as Gwendolene, a schoolteacher who Tom falls in love with. Slim Pickens is excellent as the sheriff who knows Tom from the past, but we never learn in what way. There are several other recongizable faces here, but their names escape, most notably the deputy who was a regular in John Wayne movies. I really hope they put this movie on DVD since it is vastly underrated as a western. Fans of McQueen will absolutely love Tom Horn even if it is not the most uplifting of movies.

ONE OF MCQUEEN'S GREATEST ROLES
A classic western and one Steve McQueen's greatest roles, Tom Horn is a must for any serious western movie library. The movie tracks Horn's tracks from the Southwest into Wyoming and a career as a "stock detective." The career begins promisingly enough but soon takes a downward turn as Horn, the simple cowboy and tracker, runs head on into big business politics and scandals that jeopardize not only his freedom but his life.

The cast also includes Linda Evans (Dynasty) and Richard Farnsworth (The Grey Fox).

As a result of viewing this movie I was also lead to an excellent biography: Tom Horn: Blood on the Moon: The Dark History of the Murderous Cattle Detective by Chip Carlson and Larry D. Ball. Once you see the movie you'll want to read the book.

An Overlooked Gem
Taken on it's own, Steve McQueen's Tom Horn stands as a fine portrayal of the western frontier at the turn of the last century.
If there are flaws it is in the editing, which seems choppy at times, leaving the viewer to want more of the scene and perhaps in a too sympathetic showing of Horn, who was not as likable human being if history is accurate.
But that is quibbling. Mcqueen's penultimate role is one to seen and remembered.

MORE MCQUEEN THAN HORN
I SAW THIS MOVIE IN WIDE SCREEN LETTER BOX FORMAT WHEN IT PREMIERED IN MARCH OF 1980. I WAS FOURTEEN YEARS OLD AND LOVED IT.
IT IS STILL KIND OF A CULT CLASSIC. IT IS A STRETCH THOUGH FROM THE WAY THINGS ACTUALLY OCCURRED. ENTHUSED BY THE FILM I BEGAN RESEARCHING "TOM HORN."
I THINK MCQUEEN WAS MISCAST AS HORN. HE WAS THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND IT WAS HIS FILM, BUT SOMEONE LIKE ROBERT DUVALL, DENNIS WEAVER OR SAM ELLIOTT WOULD HAVE PHYSICALLY BEEN A MORE IDEAL CHOICE.
FOR DRAMATIC EFFECT IN THE FILM HORN USES A WINCHESTER 1876 .45-60 RIFLE. IN REALITY HORN USED A WINCHESTER 94 IN .30-30 WHICH WAS A NEWLY INTRODUCED SMOKELESS CARTRIDGE AND THE HIGH PERFORMER OF THE DAY. I GUESS .30-30 DIDNT RING WITH MAGNUM FLARE IN 1980.
SOME OF THE BIT PARTS IN THE FILM WERE PLAYED BY STUNTMEN WHICH IS A COMMON PRACTICE. BUT THE ACTING SUFFERED AS A RESULT.
A LOT OF NAMES WERE CHANGED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A "RIGHTS" THING AND ISNT THAT BIG OF A DEAL.
HORN WAS A LOT MORE TALKATIVE AND BOISTROUS IN REAL LIFE THAN THE MCQUEEN TACITURN STYLE.
IN THE MOVIE HORN GIVES EVERYONE A FAIR CHANCE AND KILLS THE BAD GUYS IN STAND UP FIGHTS. IN REALITY HORN WAS BASICLY A SNIPER WHO KILLED FROM AMBUSH. A TRUE "DRY GULCHER."
DONT GET ME WRONG I LIKE THE MOVIE AND IT DOES VERY WELL FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF OF GOOD SHOOT EM UP ACTION WESTERN. I JUST THINK IT SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A CREATIVE QUASI-FACT PARTLY FICTION FILM.
IT ENTERTAINS NICELY ITS JUST MORE STEVE MCQUEEN THAN TOM HORN. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

QUINTESSENTIAL JIM!!!AWESOME EPISODE(S)!!!!!
Henri-a memorable encounter! It is hard to say that one scene is better than another. Order what you like but I strongly suggest the green corn tamales - a diamond in the rough...We can recite lines from this all day if necessary. Jim and his pal Kendall are classic in their repartee with Mr. Fantazzi in the costume shop - proving that it is true that brain surgery is not for everyone. Angel Martin with a dead rat between his teeth for $20.00 would be priceless to see-would go great with a bottle of Chateau Neuff de pop(sp?). It is possible that for you reading this that these names are meaningless. I can only say that if you are looking for a chicken that gets your mojo working from the GREATEST SHOW EVER MADE FOR TV you order ASAP and it will all fall into place:) Arrive twenty minutes early to wait in the bar! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The Stevenson-Rogers M*A*S*H years end on a high note
These eight episodes represent the final third of Season 3 for "M*A*S*H" and a grim reminder of the wastefulness of war. There are also several episodes that start to take the character of Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda) in some new directions:

(65) "The Consultant" (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Robert Klane) has Dr. Borelli (Robert Alda) showing up to operate on a soldier's leg in order to save it. However, being this close to the front again is too much for the visiting specialist to stand. Grade A-: The stunt of Alan Alda's father produces a solid episode that looks at the drinking on campus in a dramatic fashion.

(66) "House Arrest" (Writers: Jim Fritzell & Everett Greenbaum; Aired: February 4, 1975) has Hawkeye decking Frank Burns (Larry Linville) during out of their stupid arguments and being held for court-martial. Grade B-: The idea of the entire camp (except for Hot Lips) supporting Hawkeye over Frank has some nice moments, but this show has a horrible moment when a visiting female colonel (Mary Wickes) is caught in a compromising position with Frank by Hot Lips. The colonel yells "rape" and Hawkeye quips "A movie and a rape all in one night." This was one of those offensive rape jokes during the early years on "M*A*S*H" and I am surprised no one objected before it got on the air.

(67) "Aid Station" (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Simon Munter; Aired: February 11, 1975) has Hawkeye, Hot Lips (Loretta Swit) and Klinger (Jamie Farr) sent to the front to provide help at a Battalion Aid Station. Grade A: Being under fire forges new respect for one another among this odd trio. Another key step in the transformation of Hot Lips into Margaret.

(68) "Love and Marriage" (Writer: Arthur Julian; Aired: February 18, 1975) has Trapper (Wayne Rogers) and Hawkeye helping in both directions as one soldier is trying to find his pregnant wife and another needing to be stopped from marrying a prostitute as part of a scam at Rosie's Bar. Grade C+: Realistic in terms of what relations were like between the American G.I.'s and the South Korean girls, but nothing special otherwise.

(69) "Big Mac" (Writer: Laurence Marks; February 25, 1975) has the camp getting all excitted preparing for a visit from General Douglas MacArthur himself. Grade B+: The key thing here is everyone responds in character, and the climax, which offers the ultimate Klinger outfit, is a hoot.

(70) "Payday" (Writers: John Regier & Gary Markowitz; Aired: March 4, 1975) starts with Hawkeye making the mistake of telling the army he had an extra $10 in his paycheck. The army sends him a check for $3,000, which the surgeon promptly gives to Father Mulcahy for the orphans. Then the army shows up and wants the $3,000 back. Grade B-: A nice little example of how military intelligence is an oxymoron.

(71) "White Gold" (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Simon Munter; Aired: March 11, 1975) has the doctors suspicious when their penicillin supplies start disappearing. Then Colonel Flagg (Edward Winter) shows up and everything becomes clear as mud. Grade B-: Flagg is always fun.

(72) "Abyssinia, Henry" (Writers: Everett Greenbaum & Jim Fritzell; Aired: March 18, 1975) is the order of the day when Colonel Blake (McLean Stevenson) leaves the 4077th to go home. Grade A: Besides the stunning final scene in the O.R. in which the cast was given the script literally a minute before the scene was shot and where the raw emotion seen in the eyes of the cast is haunting, this episode had already reduced you to tears when Blake gives Radar a farewell hug.

The shock of Henry Blake's death and the sudden departure of Wayne Rogers from the cast, ended up being blessings in disguise for "M*A*S*H". No television show in history had as big a turnover in its cast and actually managed to get better as this series did in its fourth season. But once Frank Burns was replaced with Charles Emerson Winchester, "M*A*S*H" would become sublime. But looking back over the episodes from the first three seasons, this particular videotape is, on balance, the best of the bunch. Stevenson and Rogers went out with the show they were leaving as good as it had ever been. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Season 4 of "M*A*S*H" ends with "The Interview"
A pair of tour de force episodes with Alan Alda and the entire cast are the highlights from the eight episodes ending Season 4 of "M*A*S*H" collected here on Volume 4:

Episode 17, "Dear Ma" (Written by Everett Greenbaum & Jim Fritzel, Aired December 23, 1975) finds it is Radar's turn to write home in the third "letter" episode from Season 4 and offers a familiar hodge podge of what is happening at the 4077th. 4 Stars.

Episode 18, "Der Tag" (Written by Everett Greenbaum & Jim Fritzel, Aired January 6, 1976) has Colonel Potter (Harry Morgan) ordering Hawkeye (Alda) and B.J. (Mike Farrell) to be nice to Frank Burns (Larry Linville). That can only last so long and after putting on a toe tag that declares Frank to be "Emotionally Exhausted and Morally Bankrupt," the inebriated Major Burns ends up at a battalion aid station. Less than pleased, Potter orders the two doctors to the front to retrieve Frank. A nice example of the Swampmates going too far. 4 Stars.

Episode 19, "Hawkeye" (Written by Larry Gelbart & Simon Munter, Aired January 13, 1976) is a chance for Alan Alda to shine as a actor. Hawkeye overturns his jeep trying to avoiding hitting some children and sustains a concussion. Knowing that if he loses consciousness he might never wake up, Hawkeye babbles continuously to the mystified Korean family into whose home he has stumbled. Ambitious if not completely satisfactory and certainly something completely different. 4.5 Stars.

Episode 20, "Some 38th Parallels" (Written by John Regler & Gary Markowitz, Aired January 20, 1976) has Frank's bright idea of having the South Korean locals bid on the 4077th garbage merging with Hawkeye's disdain for Colonel T.K. Coner, who insists on losing more men sending them to retrieve the bodies of their dead. An average example of the type of episode where the doctors bump heads with gung-ho Army types. 4 Stars.

Episode 21, "The Novocaine Mutiny" (Written by Burt Prelutsky, Aired January 27, 1976) provides a "Rashomon" like look at an incident for which Frank wants Hawkeye court-martialed. The chief attraction here is Frank's idealized vision of himself as a medical deity. Even if it is only in his own mind, this is one of Frank's finest moments. 4.5 Stars.

Episode 22, "Smilin' Jack" (Written by Larry Gelbart & Simon Mutner, Aired February 3, 1976) is the nickname of Jack Mitchell, a M*A*S*H chopper pilot who has flown 839 soldiers to M*A*S*H units and is shooting for the record of 842 help by Dangerous Dan Murphy. The only problem is Smilin' Jack has diabetes and has to be grounded. On the one hand taking a look at the chopper pilots is a nice change of pace, but the ending of this one is pretty foreseeable if not forced. 4 Stars.

Episode 23, "The More I See You" (Written by Larry Gelbart & Gene Reynolds, Aired February 10, 1976) finds Hawkeye confronted with Carlye Breslin (Blythe Danner), who is not just any old flame but the one that dumped him in medicine school because it was clear he would always be a doctor first. A pivotal episode that pokes some major holes in the persona of Hawkeye Pierce. 4.5 Stars.

Episode 24, "The Interview" (Written by Larry Gelbart, Aired February 24, 1976) takes the simple idea of having reporter Clete Roberts interviews the staff of the 4077th. Partly scripted, mostly ad libbed, this is a riveting episode in which the most memorable comment comes from Father Mulcahy talking about surgeons warming themselves over open wounds when it is cold. This episode more than any other signals that "M*A*S*H" is now a dramedy and not a situation comedy. 5 Stars.

One of the problems with rating the "M*A*S*H" episodes on this videotape is that if "The Interview" is a 5, then nothing else here can be. But half the episodes here at only half-step below that classical black & white season finale. The show will keep getting better, but clearly Season 4 of "M*A*S*H" was the best to date. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The start of how "Hot Lips" became Margaret on "M*A*S*H"
The middle third of Season 2 of "M*A*S*H" was the best part of the 1973-74 season, marked by a couple of significant episodes involving "Hot Lips" Houlihan (Loretta Swit) that would turn her from the constant ally of Frank Burns (Larry Linville) harping for military discipline and a true member of the 4077th community:

(33) "Dear Dad...Three" (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Laurence Marks; Aired: November 10, 1973) sees Hawkeye (Alan Alda) relating more of the daily happenings at the 4077th, such as removing a live grenade from the chest of a wounded soldier. Grade A-: This format has worked successfully before, but what elevates this one is the scene in which Henry (McLean Stevenson) shows some home movies.

(34) "The Sniper" (Writer: Richard M. Powell; Aired: November 17, 1973) has everybody ducking for cover when a single sniper starts taking shots at everyone and everything. Grade B-: The idea is still played for laughs. Look quick when the towel Radar (Gary Burghoff) is wearing slips off.

(35) "Carry On, Hawkeye" (Writers: Bernard Dilbert, Larry Gelbart, and Laurence Marks; Aired: November 24, 1973) finds the 4077th devastated by a flu epidemic. The only ones left standing are Hawkeye and Hot Lips, and when he starts coming down with symptoms it is Margaret who has to perform some surgery. Grade A-: An important episode because it establishes a connection between Hawkeye and Margaret that would be built upon quite memorably in the future.

(36) "The Incubator" (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Laurence Marks; Aired: December 1, 1973) is the grail at the end of the quest for Hawkeye and Trapper (Wayne Rogers), who have to get through miles of red tape. Grade B-: A decent military comedy episode, although the idea the military would not want its hospitals equipped properly is not a happy thought.

(37) "Deal Me Out" (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Laurence Marks; Aired: December 8, 1973) centers around the interruptions for the weekly poker game that includes Sidney Freeman (Allan Arbus). Pat Morita is also in on the game and John Ritter is holding a gun on Frank in the shower. Edward Winter shows up, not as Colonel Flagg, but as a sort of ancestor. Grade A-: Despite all the dire happenings in the camp, the game must go on, with the best one-liners coming from the guest stars.

(38) "Hot Lips and Empty Arms" (Writers: Linda Bloodworth & Mary Kay Place; Aired: December 15, 1973) is a pivotal episode where Houlihan demands a transfer to another unit when she starts questioning everything in her life, from her hopeless affair with Frank to the way the army has become her life. Grade A: Bloodworth (who created "Designing Women") and Place (actress on "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman) interviewed Swit for hours to write this superb character study. "Hot Lips" would never be the same.

(39) "Officers Only" (Writer: Ed Jurist; Aired: December 22, 1973) begins with the good news that the 4077th has an Officer's Club. The bad news is that apparently only officers can go in the place, which means Trapper and Hawkeye have to do something about it. Grade C+: Seems a long way to go to have a new set.

(40) "Henry in Love" (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Laurence Marks; Aired: January 5, 1974) has Henry back from Tokyo and head over heels in love with a cheerleader (Katherine Baumann) half his age. Grade C-: Sorry, but this one just always bugged me. I understand the idea of a mid-life crisis and everything, but unlike B.J.'s later fall from grace I just could not buy this one.

So, with two significant episodes focusing on Margaret, they certainly put the wrong major on the cover of this one. Not surprisingly the novice writers Bloodworth and Place would write several more scripts for "M*A*S*H," however, they were not "Margaret" episodes. Go figure. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The most important episode in the history of "M*A*S*H"
Volume 3 of Season 1 of "M*A*S*H" offers the best and worst episode from the debut season. More importantly, it offers the most important episode in the history of the classic television situation comedy because it is the one that established "M*A*S*H" as a true dramedy, able to do both comedy and drama:

(17) "Sometimes You Hear the Bullet" (Writer: Carl Kleinschmitt; Aired: January 28, 1973). Hawkeye gets a visit from Tommy (James Callahan), an old friend who is planning to write a book about the war. Meanwhile, the camp also has an underage Marine (Ronny Howard) with appendicitis. The turning point for "M*A*S*H" comes when suddenly Hawkeye finds Tommy on the O.R. table in front of him and can do nothing to save his friend's life. Grade A+: This was the show that allowed "M*A*S*H" to have it both ways. As Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) explains it to Hawkeye, "In war Rule #1 is that young men die. And Rule #2 is that doctors cannot change rule #1." A devastatingly emotional episode that redefined the show.

(18) "Dear Dad...Again" (Writers: Sheldon Keller & Larry Gelbart; Aired: February 4, 1973) has Hawkeye writing home to his dad again to talk about how he is keeping himself sane amidst the insanity of war. Grade B: Another solid character study on the characters at the 4077th.

(19) "The Long-john Flap (Writer: Alan Alda; Aired: February 18, 1973) has everybody in camp trying to trade or otherwise coerce someone to get Hawkeye's long-johns during a bitter cold snap. Grade B-: Another military comedy situation, but Alda the writer shows a sense of understanding the characters at the 4077th.

(20) "The Army-Navy Game" (Writer: Sid Dorfman, based on a Story by McLean Stevenson; Aired: February 25, 1973) finds the gang's enjoyment of the Army-Navy game on Armed Forces Radio interrupted when an unexploded bomb lands in the middle of the camp. Grade C+: Another average military comedy episode, with an okay punch line.

(21) "Sticky Wicket" (Writers: Laurence Marks & Larry Gelbart; Aired: March 4, 1973) starts with Hawkeye accusing Frank of botching a surgery only to see one of his own patients going sour big time. Grade B: An interesting episode because the pacifist Hawkeye ends up physically assaulting Frank, while the obnoxious Major Burns is the one who has the moment of objectivity in the end.

(22) "Major Fred C. Dobbs" (Writer: Sid Dorfman; Aired: March 11, 1973) reveals that Frank Burns is going home. This would seem like a good thing but Frank will not be replaced so the boys have to figure out a way to trick Frank into staying. So they learn from Radar that thar is gold in them Korean hills. Grade C-: I do not hate this one as much as Gelbart, but it is strange for Hawkeye and Trapper to go out of their way to keep Frank around.

(23) "Ceasefire" (Writers: Laurence Marks & Larry Gelbart; Aired: March 18, 1973) has everyone at the 4077th reading to pack up and go home when there are rumors of a ceasefire. The wars ends and everybody goes in a tearful finale. No, wait, wrong season. Grade B: This episode, which aired the same week the U.S. began bringing troops home from Vietnam, offers another nice little character study of the group.

(24) "Showtime" (Writers: Robert Klane & Larry Gelbart; Aired: March 25, 1973) is more of an epilogue to the season ("Ceasefire" works better as a season finale). The show essentially contrasts a USO comedy show visiting the camp with the drama in the operating room. Grade B-: A subtle episode, but one that reflects the hard lessons learned during Season 1.

This tape is the key one from Season 1 and it rates 5 stars simply because it includes "Sometimes You Hear the Bullet." Very rarely has an episode other than a pilot transformed a television series so much for the better (cliffhangers like "Who Shot J.R.?" do not count). That episode becomes the template for the best episodes of "M*A*S*H" in the season to come. The show was going to be able to make us cry as well as laugh, and in the end it was going to be the poignant moments that mattered more. You watch this episode and you realize that 'M*A*S*H' just became 'M*A*S*H.' ... Read more

Reviews (1)

"M*A*S*H" works in more heavy material with the comedy
With Season 3 "M*A*S*H" settled in for the long haul. Producers Gene Reynold and Larry Gelbart had gathered anecdotes and firsthand observations at the 43rd Army Surgical Hospital in Korea (the 8055 was no longer mobile) which were worked into various episodes. As Gelbart later explained, it was difficult to come back from doing all those interviews and hear what things were really like during the Korean War and still be funny. Fortunately, the show was still high in the ratings (finishing 5th for the 1974-75 season) and could now mix heavy material in with the comedy, as can be seen from the first eight episodes:

(49) "The General Flipped at Dawn" (Writer: Jim Fritzell & Everett Greenbaum; Aired: September 10, 1974) has a new spit-and-polish general (Harry Morgan) showing up and deciding that moving the 4077th right onto the battlefield would be a good thing. Grade B: On the one hand the idea of a general being this nuts is unrealistic, but the general is played by Harry Morgan who, ironically, would be back one year later as Sherman Potter.

(50) "Rainbow Bridge" (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Laurence Marks; Aired: September 17, 1974) has Trapper (Wayne Rogers) and Hawkeye (Alan Alda) giving up a furlough to go after a group of wounded soldiers in enemy territory. Grade B-: Clearly inspired by the interviews conducted in Korea, but a bit much of a transition after the season premier episode. Singer Loudon Wainwright III, who would offer some musical accompaniment from time to time during the third season, makes his first appearance.

(51) "Officer of the Day" (Writer: Laurence Marks; Aired: September 24, 1974) has Henry on R&R in Seoul and Hawkeye forced to act as O.D. If that was not enough trouble, Colonel Flagg (Edward Winter) is back at the 4077th wanting to execute a wounded North Korean prisoner as a spy. Grade B+: One of the first times that Hawkeye has to act like a real soldier.

(52) "Iron Guts Kelly" (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Sid Dorman; Aired: October 1, 1974) has the famous genral (James Gregory) dying in the bed of Hot Lips (Margaret Swit). However, that is not heroic enough of a death for the general's aide (Keene Curtis). Grade A-: "M*A*S*H" was becoming more realistic and more of a dramedy than a situation comedy, but black comedy was also one of their strengths as this episode proves.

(53) "O.R." (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Laurence Marks; Aired: October 8, 1974) is set entirely in the operating room and is played without a laugh track. The casualties never stop coming and even Sidney Freedman (Allan Arbus) has to help. Grade A+: The stark realism of "M*A*S*H" was never more evident than on this stellar episode.

(54) "Springtime" (Writers: Linda Bloodworth & Mary Kay Place; Aired: October 15, 1974) has both Radar (Gary Burghoff) and Klinger (Jamie Farr) falling in love. Meanwhile, a grateful G.I. (Alex Karras) looks out for Hawkeye. Grade C+: Standard military sitcom episode, suffers from following "O.R."

(55) "Checkup" (Writer: Laurence Marks; Aired: October 22, 1974) finds Trapper suffering from a ulcer which turns out to be his ticket home. This requires a big party to say goodbye during which Hot Lips confesses a few things to Trapper. Grade B: Worth it for the look on Margaret's face when she realizes Trapper will be staying.

(56) "Life With Father" (Writers: Everett Greenbaum & Jim Fritzell; Aired: October 29, 1974) has Father Mulcahy (William Christopher) officiating at an infant's circumcision while Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) is convinced his wife is having an affair back home with a doctor who drives a Jaguar. Grade C+: Nice to see Henry get a case of the doubts, but an average episode redeemd by the camp's priest getting something better to do than administer last rites.

This first videotape offers up two classic episodes, which is pretty good. Unfortunately, some of the other episodes are pretty average and keep Volume 1 of Season 3 from earning 5 stars. Historically these episodes set up Season 4 when Harry Morgan would join the cast and Wayne Rogers would leave, both of which remind us that the best of "M*A*S*H" is yet to come. ... Read more

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Real good TV!
Watching this video brought back alot of good childhood memories! James Garner has presence that few actors can match, and this is from the days of quality TV.

This one was one of my favorites and when watching again after all these years, I know why. Nice snappy plot, good acting by Garner, Margolin, Reiner and Co. and welcome lack of trash so prevalent elsewhere. We need more like this! ... Read more

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M*A*S*H adds B.J. and Colonel Potter to the comedy mix
At the end of the third season of "M*A*S*H" the character of Colonel Henry Blake was killed while flying home. At the start of the fourth season of the military situation comedy Trapper John McIntyre went home as well, which meant that the show had to replace two of the three most important characters on the show. As we see from these first eight episodes from Season 4 (including the one-hour season premier), "M*A*S*H" not only replaced those two character, it evolved into the first and still one of the finest dramadies in television history:

Episode 1-2, "Welcome to Korea" (Written by Everett Greenbaum, Jim Firtzell, and Larry Gelbart, Aired September 12, 1975) has Hawkeye (Alan Alda) returning from R&R only to find that Trapper has just been shipped home. Grabbing Radar (Gary Burghoff) and stealing a jeep, Hawkeye races to Kimpo hoping to catch Trapper before he leaves. They arrive too late to say goodbye to Trapper, but they do get to meet his replacement, B.J. Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell), from Mill Valley, California. On the way back to the 4077th the new M*A*S*H surgeon is introduced first hand to the Korean War. The transition to Hawkeye's new second banana is awkward and that awkwardness is made a part of this episode. Of course Frank Burns (Larry Linville) dreams of molding Hunnicutt into his sort of officer, but by the time the new Swampmates make it back, it is too late. 4.5 Stars.

Episode 3, "Change of Command" (Written by Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, Aired September 19, 1975) heralds the arrival of Colonel Sherman T. Potter (Harry Morgan), Regular Army, as new C.O. of the 4077th. Despite the fears of the others that Potter will not fit in, the old man proves himself to be exactly what this group needed. I remember thinking at the time that "M*A*S*H" should have left Frank Burns in charge for a few episodes, but it is hard to fault them for wanting to take advantage of having Harry Morgan in the cast each week. 4.5 Stars.

Episode 4, "It Happened One Night" (Story by Gene Reynolds, Written by Larry Gelbart and Simon Mutner, Aired September 26, 1975) finds the 4077th being shelled while the surgeons try to carry on. Clearly the function of this episode is to further initiate Potter and Hunnicutt into the world of meatball surgery under pressure. 4 Stars.

Episode 5, The Late Captain Pierce" (Written by Clen Charles and Les Charles, October 3, 1975), finds B.J. getting a phone call from Hawkeye's dad in the middle of the night wanting to know "how and why." In a horrible SNAFU, the Army has declared Hawkeye dead and informed his father. Adding insult to injury, because President-elect Eisenhower is in the area, all communication has been cut off and Hawkeye cannot let his dad know he is still alive. Meanwhile, a guy (Richard Masur) arrives to pick up Hawkeye's corpse. Written by the future creators of "Cheers," this episode is one of the first to sober up Hawkeye's character and his speech about giving up and going home because the wounded will never stop coming is memorable. 5 Stars.

Episode 6, "Hey, Doc" (Written by Rich Mittleman, Aired October 10, 1975) has the gang trying to help out Sgt. Kimble, who wants to go home on a slow boat from Pusan rather than an airplane so he can ship home supplies to open by a Korean Kafe. This is a standard military comedy episode with Hawkeye and B.J. wheeling and dealing to get things done. Okay, but nothing special. 3.5 Stars.

Episode 7, "The Bus" (Written by John D. Hess, Aired October 17, 1975) has the doctors returning from a medical conclave (i.e., poker game) when their bus gets lost and they have to avoid North Korean patrols. Nice little change of pace episode that reminds us there is no situation that Frank Burns cannot make worse. 4 Stars.

Episode 8, "Dear Mildred" (Written by Everett Greenbaum and Jim Fritzell, Aired October 24, 1975) finds Colonel Potter writing home to his wife. The "letter home" format serves the series well as it allows Potter's character to be developed as he comments on the oddballs of his new unit. To be followed by B.J.'s "Dear Peggy." 4.5 Stars.

While B.J. works his way into gang, Sherman Potter provides instant revitalization to the series. After all, the man is not going to back down from Frank, Hot Lips, Hawkeye, or anybody else, which really changes the dynamic of the 4077th. What we would clearly see is that Harry Morgan could handle not only comedy, but provide pathos as well. Arguably the most brilliant addition of a cast member in the history of television. Go ahead, argue with that one. ... Read more

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"M*A*S*H" begins to turn into something more than a sitcom
This tape provides the middle third of the first season of "M*A*S*H," when Hawkeye (Alan Alda) and Trapper John (Wayne Rogers) were more interested in chasing pretty young female lieutenants than saving lives in the operating room. However, the foundation was being set for the show to become television's first dramedy/black comedy and not just another military sitcom in the tradition of "Sgt. Bilko":

(9) "Henry, Please Come Home" (Writer: Laurence Marks, Aired: November 19, 1972) finds Frank Burns (Larry Linville) taking over the 4077th when Henry Blake (McLean Stevenson) is transferred to Tokyo. Consequently, it is up to Hawkeye and Trapper, with help from Radar (Gary Burghoff) to get their bumbling but beloved leader back home. Grade B-: Actually, the best part of this episode is watching Frank turn the camp shipshape, because getting Henry back is a foregone conclusion.

(10) "I Hate a Mystery" (Writer: Hal Dresner, Aired: November 26, 1972) finds Hawkeye playing detective when all the evidence suggests he is the one who has been stealing things from everybody in the camp. Grade D+: I do not like this episode because it runs counter to the notion of family that exists in such a unit and because the real thief is so obvious that the final resolution seems forced.

(11) "Germ Warfare" (Writer: Larry Gelbart, Aired: December 10, 1972) forces Hawkeye to tap a sleeping Frank for a pint of blood for an emergency blood transfusion only to discover that there might be something wrong with Frank. Grade B-: A minor outing but interesting because for the first time the guys show some concern for Frank as a human being.

(12) "Dear Dad" (Writer: Larry Gelbart, Aired: December 17, 1972) is an innovative effort to stretch the narrative boundaries of the show as a situation comedy. Hawkeye narrates the episode as a letter home in which he reveals what is happening with everybody in the camp. Grade A: This format was utilized several times over the rest of the series, including Winchester dictating a tape home, but it also marks the point where it is clear once and for all that Hawkeye Pierce is the star and voice of "M*A*S*H."

(13) "Edwina" (Writer: Hal Dresner, Aired: December 24, 1972) has the nurses insisting the guys find a date for the accident-prone nurse Edwina (Arlene Golonka). Grade C-: Back to standard military sitcom nonsense; compare this with the next episode.

(14) "Love Story" (Writer: Laurence Marks, Aired: January 7, 1973) has Trapper and Hawkeye giving Radar a course in high culture ("Ah, Bach!") to impress a brainy new nurse (Kelly Jean Peters) with whom the little corporal is smitten. Grade B+: The first true Radar O'Reilly episode that provided the character with heart to go along with that ESP.

(15) "Tuttle" (Writer: Bruce Shelly, David Ketchum; Aired: January 14, 1973) has Hawkeye and Trapper creating a fictional captain so that his army pay can be donated to the local orphanage. Grade B+: One of the better military comedies on the show, and the first decent script written by someone other than Gelbart and Marks; again, see the next one.

(16) "The Ringbanger" (Writer: Jerry Mayer; Aired; January 21, 1973) is an overzealous colonel (Leslie Nielsen) whose gunho attitude is getting his troops killed. So the boys decide to do what they can to take the colonel out of action. This is also the first episode directed by former child star Jackie Cooper, who would become a main director for the series in Season 2. Grade B+: One of the first episodes to deal with the war against the war and how the doctors periodically tried to fight back.

Overall, the second third of Season 1 grades slightly higher than the first third; there is only one clunker in the lot, which is pretty good. The show is starting to take things a bit more seriously. However, it is the next tape, which begins with the most significant episode in the history of "M*A*S*H" that shows the series could play both comedy and drama, thereby reaching operatic heights. To be continued... ... Read more

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"M*A*S*H" begins Season 2 with a better sense of self
By the end of its first season "M*A*S*H" had established its foundation as television's first dramedy, a show that could combine comedy with drama, as amply proven in the landmark episode "Sometimes You Hear the Bullet." More importantly, CBS saw enough to move the show to its powerhouse Saturday night lineup and put "M*A*S*H" in between "All in the Family" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (think about that: three of the Top 10 situation comedies of all time back-to-back-to-back). Not surprisingly, "M*A*S*H" was suddenly the number 4 show in the Nielsen ratings.

What we see in Season 2 of "M*A*S*H" (1973-74) is that Hawkeye (Alan Alda) is the star of the show but the other characters are now being developed as feeling human beings and not just comic characters; the change is most noticeable and ultimately most significant with Hot Lips (Loretta Swit). This videotape has the first third of the Season 2 episodes:

(25) "Divided We Stand" (Writer: Larry Gelbart; Aired: September 15, 1973) is essentially a second pilot. Functionally this was to introduce the major characters to new viewers, but it also showed returning viewers the new direction of the show. When an army observer (Anthony Holland) shows up to check out the 4077th for reassignment, everybody pretends to get along--as long as they think the guy is not watching. Grade A: the observer's critique of the 4077th hits the nail on the head about what the group (and the show) is now all about.

(26) "Five O'Clock Charlie" (Writers: Larry Gelbart & Laurence marks; Aired: September 22, 1973) is an inept North Korean pilot who is trying to bomb an abandoned dump near the 4077th. Everyone is amused by the daily ritual except for Frank (Larry Linville), who gets a really big gun to shoot the plane down. Grade B+: This is a military comedy episode but written by the show's two best writers.

(27) "Radar's Report" (Writer: Laurence Marks; Aired: September 29, 1973) has the corporal from Iowa detailing the odd events happening around camp. The episode marks the first appearance of Sidney Freedman (Allan Arbus), there to see if Klinger (Jamie Farr) is nuts or not. Grade B: A nice attempt to extend the "Dear Dad" idea to another character.

(28) "For the Good of the Outfit" (Writer: Jerry Mayer; Aired: October 6, 1973) has Hawkeye and Trapper (Wayne Rogers) trying to undo a cover-up when the Army accidentally bombs a local village. Grade C+: The parallels to Vietnam are obvious and the docs have their hearts in the right place, but I have to think the Army would have squashed them like bugs or sent them to a battalion aid station (remember, this is the time of Watergate).

(29) "Dr. Pierce and Mr. Hyde" (Writers: Alan Alda & Robert Klane) is simply about the fact that after three straight days in the O.R. Hawkeye cannot slow down. Grade B: Nice idea by Alda about his character.

(30) "Kim" (Writers: Marc Mandel, Larry Gelbart, & Laurence Marks; Aired: October 20, 1973) finally gives Trapper a moment to shine when he decides to adopt an orphaned Korean kid. Grade B: The ending is a bit absurd, but seeing the serious side of Trapper John is a big plus.

(31) "L.I.P. (Local Indigenous Personnel)" (Writer: Carl Kleinschmitt; Aired: October 27, 1973) has the Swamp duo blackmailing an Army officer (Burt Young) so that a young G.I. can marry a local girl. Grade B-: The plus is dealing with the issue of racism in the military, but the minus is the hijinks to get the guy to do the right thing.

(32) "The Trial of Henry Blake" (Writers: McLean Stevenson, Larry Gelbart, and Laurence Marks; Aired: November 3, 1973) has the military judging whether Henry (McLean Stevenson) is fit to command the 4077th. Grade B+: there are some nice "Rashomon" moments in this one as Frank recalls how he remembers events. Again, one of the cast members comes up with something that makes his character more credible and less of a joke. It is because of episodes like this one that the death of Henry Blake had the impact that it did.

Although there is only one classic "M*A*S*H" episode on this tape, there are several that are close. More importantly, we do not have any of the lame episodes that afflicted the show during its first season. Of course, the glory days of "M*A*S*H" do not come until Season 4, so the best is yet to come. ... Read more

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"M*A*S*H" starts off as more of a standard military sitcom
"M*A*S*H" would become one of the classic situation comedies in the history of television, although when it hit its peak it was more properly a dramedy. But it did not start off as a great comedy. In the beginning of its first season "M*A*S*H" was more a military comedy in the tradition of "Sgt. Bilko" and "Hogan's Heroes"; in fact, writer Laurence Marks, who wrote "The Moose" and "Yankee Doodle Doctor" of the eight episodes collected on this first video tape for Season 1, was the main writer on the bizarre sitcom set in a German P.O.W. camp during World War II. Anyhow, on that first season of "M*A*S*H" set during the Korean War, Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda) and Trapper John McIntyre (Wayne Rogers), spent more time chasing skirts than treating the wounded in the O.R. But by the last third of that season co-creator Larry Gelbart and producer Gene Reynolds would turn the bawdy sitcom into a legitimate black comedy, arguably the first on television. You can see the low point from where they started with these first eight episodes from Season 1:

(1) "M*A*S*H" Pilot (Writer: Larry Gelbart, Aired: September 17, 1972). Hawkeye and Trapper throw a party to raise money to send their Korean houseboy Ho-John to a U.S. college. Notice that one of the Swamp's inhabitants is Spearchucker Jones (Timothy Brown), who failed to survive more than a few episodes. Grade B+: Despite its faults, this establishes the sense of irreverence towards military authority.

(2) "To Market, to Market" (Writer: Burt Styler, Aired: September 24, 1972). The 4077th needs medical supplies so Hawkeye trade's Henry Blake's desk to a Korean black-marketer (Jack Soo). Grade C-: Hawkeye as Bilko is old hat and at this point the North Koreans are comic relief.

(3) "Requiem for a Lightweight" (Writer: Bob Klane, Aired: October 1, 1972). Hawkeye and Trapper are both after Nurse Margie Cutler (Marcia Strassman), which explains why Trapper ends up in a boxing ring facing a really big guy. Grade C-: Substandard military comedy with no one wondering why Trapper knocks out his opponent without actually punching him.

(4) "Chief Surgeon Who?" (Writer: Larry Gelbart, Aired: October 8, 1972). Hawkeye is appointed chief surgeon and a jealous Frank Burns (Larry Linville) brings in a general (Sorrell Booke) to set things right. But Hawkeye shows the general a thing or two about meatball surgery. The first appearance of Corporal Klinger (Jamie Farr) is in this episode. Grade A-: You can tell the quality of a Gelbart script from the start and at the end of Act II the show finds its serious voice.

(5) "The Moose" (Writer: Laurence Marks, Aired: October 15, 1972). The first story drawn from actual historical detail, a Korean family sells their teenage girl to be the servant ("moose") of a G.I. An outraged Hawkeye tries to get her emancipated. Grade B: Attention to historical accuracy would become one of the show's strengths and would make it harder to do the standard sitcom stuff.

(6) "Yankee Doodle Doctor" (Writer: Laurence Marks, Aired: October 22, 1972). The army wants to make a propaganda film glorifying the doctors as "saints in surgical garb." However, Hawkeye has his own ideas about what the film should be like. Grade B+: Another first season episode where there is lots of shtick (Hawkeye as Groucho Marx, Trapper as Harpo), but a totally compelling bit where Hawkeye talks to the movie camera about what war is really all about.

(7) "Bananas, Crackers, and Nuts" (Writer: Burt Styler, Aired: November 5, 1972). Hawkeye is denied a weekend pass to Tokyo and decides to go off the deep end. Eventually Henry has to send for a shrink (Stuart Margolin). Grade C+: More shtick, which would come back to haunt the character where he really does crack up in the final episode, "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen."

(8) "Cowboy" (Writer: Bob Klane, Aired: November 12, 1972). A shell-shocked helicopter pilot (Billy Green Bush) becomes violent when Henry (McLean Stevenson) denies him a discharge to go back home. Grade C-: Another reminder that there was a serious side to the war and the impact it had on families, but it is hard to take the kidnapping of the bumbling Blake seriously.

Overall this collection grades out as a solid B, purely on the strength of the two scripts each by Gelbart and Marks. The other episodes just get in the way of what "M*A*S*H" would ultimately be in the end and look worse in comparison to what is to come. Of course, the pilot episode is of primary historical importance, but there are a few nice moments on this first volume.

MASH RULES!!!!
Mash is the best show there has been on TV period.....Have a nice Day!! ... Read more

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Season 4 of "M*A*S*H" ends with "The Interview"
A pair of tour de force episodes with Alan Alda and the entire cast are the highlights from the eight episodes ending Season 4 of "M*A*S*H" collected here on Volume 4:

Episode 17, "Dear Ma" (Written by Everett Greenbaum & Jim Fritzel, Aired December 23, 1975) finds it is Radar's turn to write home in the third "letter" episode from Season 4 and offers a familiar hodge podge of what is happening at the 4077th. 4 Stars.

Episode 18, "Der Tag" (Written by Everett Greenbaum & Jim Fritzel, Aired January 6, 1976) has Colonel Potter (Harry Morgan) ordering Hawkeye (Alda) and B.J. (Mike Farrell) to be nice to Frank Burns (Larry Linville). That can only last so long and after putting on a toe tag that declares Frank to be "Emotionally Exhausted and Morally Bankrupt," the inebriated Major Burns ends up at a battalion aid station. Less than pleased, Potter orders the two doctors to the front to retrieve Frank. A nice example of the Swampmates going too far. 4 Stars.

Episode 19, "Hawkeye" (Written by Larry Gelbart & Simon Munter, Aired January 13, 1976) is a chance for Alan Alda to shine as a actor. Hawkeye overturns his jeep trying to avoiding hitting some children and sustains a concussion. Knowing that if he loses consciousness he might never wake up, Hawkeye babbles continuously to the mystified Korean family into whose home he has stumbled. Ambitious if not completely satisfactory and certainly something completely different. 4.5 Stars.

Episode 20, "Some 38th Parallels" (Written by John Regler & Gary Markowitz, Aired January 20, 1976) has Frank's bright idea of having the South Korean locals bid on the 4077th garbage merging with Hawkeye's disdain for Colonel T.K. Coner, who insists on losing more men sending them to retrieve the bodies of their dead. An average example of the type of episode where the doctors bump heads with gung-ho Army types. 4 Stars.

Episode 21, "The Novocaine Mutiny" (Written by Burt Prelutsky, Aired January 27, 1976) provides a "Rashomon" like look at an incident for which Frank wants Hawkeye court-martialed. The chief attraction here is Frank's idealized vision of himself as a medical deity. Even if it is only in his own mind, this is one of Frank's finest moments. 4.5 Stars.

Episode 22, "Smilin' Jack" (Written by Larry Gelbart & Simon Mutner, Aired February 3, 1976) is the nickname of Jack Mitchell, a M*A*S*H chopper pilot who has flown 839 soldiers to M*A*S*H units and is shooting for the record of 842 help by Dangerous Dan Murphy. The only problem is Smilin' Jack has diabetes and has to be grounded. On the one hand taking a look at the chopper pilots is a nice change of pace, but the ending of this one is pretty foreseeable if not forced. 4 Stars.

Episode 23, "The More I See You" (Written by Larry Gelbart & Gene Reynolds, Aired February 10, 1976) finds Hawkeye confronted with Carlye Breslin (Blythe Danner), who is not just any old flame but the one that dumped him in medicine school because it was clear he would always be a doctor first. A pivotal episode that pokes some major holes in the persona of Hawkeye Pierce. 4.5 Stars.

Episode 24, "The Interview" (Written by Larry Gelbart, Aired February 24, 1976) takes the simple idea of having reporter Clete Roberts interviews the staff of the 4077th. Partly scripted, mostly ad libbed, this is a riveting episode in which the most memorable comment comes from Father Mulcahy talking about surgeons warming themselves over open wounds when it is cold. This episode more than any other signals that "M*A*S*H" is now a dramedy and not a situation comedy. 5 Stars.

One of the problems with rating the "M*A*S*H" episodes on this videotape is that if "The Interview" is a 5, then nothing else here can be. But half the episodes here at only half-step below that classical black & white season finale. The show will keep getting better, but clearly Season 4 of "M*A*S*H" was the best to date. ... Read more