Archive for the ‘McHale’s Navy’ Category
McHale’s Navy: Marriage McHale Style
From Season 4, Episode 3
Original Airdate: September 28, 1965
McHale’s crew pressures him into performing a wedding ceremony aboard the PT-73.
For some reason the crew of PT-73 have been transferred to Italy. However, it does give me the chance to say a few words about Jay Novello, who plays the conniving, profit-seeking mayor. His career spans almost 50 years. He never had a starring role, but had a steady career, often playing ethnic characters. He was in a lot of those movie serials in the 40′s that ended up playing on Saturday afternoon television in the 60′s. He also had a long career in guest starring roles in TV series and was a favorite of Lucille Ball.
McHale’s Navy: Chuckie Cottontail
From Season 3, Episode 27
Original Airdate: March 23, 1965
Parker’s Easter Bunny costume has the Japanese thinking the Americans are using forest demons.
Myles Wilder, the writer of this episode of “McHale’s Navy” and 27 others, passed away on April 20th. He was 77. He was the son of film noir director W. Lee Wilder and nephew of writer-director Billy Wilder. Myles Wilder was nominated for an Emmy twice for his work on “McHale’s Navy.” He also wrote for a number of other series and wrote and produced 26 episodes of CBS’ “The Dukes of Hazzard.”
I also have to say a word about the actor, Mako (Makoto Iwamatsu), who plays one of the Japanese soldiers in this episode. He had guest starring roles in many, many TV series, stretching from “77 Sunset Strip” to “Monk” and “The West Wing.” He also appeared dozens of movies including the two “Conan” movies with Arnold Schwarzenegger. I remember him for his memorable role as Po-han in the 1966 film “The Sand Pebbles.” Mako was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He died in 2006
McHale’s Navy: Is There a Doctor in the Hut?
From Season 2, Episode 4
McHale and his men are determined that a glamorous film star visit McHale’s Island.
Gavin MacLeod plays Seaman Joseph “Happy” Haines and one of the regular cast members. He was lucky enough to find his way into three long running series including “McHale’s Navy,” as Murray Slaughter on “Mary Tyler Moore” and as Captain Merrill Stubing on “The Love Boat.” Gavin was joined on this episode by a future crewman on the Loveboat, Bernie Kopell (Dr. Adam Bricker) who plays the punctilious Colonel Pryor.
