About M*A*S*H

M*A*S*H is an American television series developed by Larry Gelbart, adapted from the 1970 feature film MASH (which was based on the 1968 novel MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors, by Richard Hooker). The series was produced with 20th Century Fox Television and aired on CBS from 1972 to 1983. The series follows a team of doctors and supporting staff stationed at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in Uijeongbu, South Korea during the Korean War.

Making / Production

The series was produced by 20th Century Fox Television and the writer Larry Gelbart was the creative force behind M*A*S*H for its first four seasons. It was reported he wrote scripts for more than 30 of the show's episodes and introduced elements like operating room scenes and multi-layer stories.

Actors

• Alan Alda as Captain Hawkeye Pierce - A skilled surgeon and serial prankster, Alda played the role with great depth and humor.
• Loretta Swit as Major Margaret Houlihan - Known as "Hot Lips", Swit’s portrayal was groundbreaking for its time as it showcased a powerful, assertive woman in the Army.
• Jamie Farr as Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger - Farr gave life to this eccentric, cross-dressing character who is constantly looking for ways to earn a discharge.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• While episodes were supposed to take place in the early 1950s, hairstyles and clothing often reflected the era the episodes were filmed in, mostly the 1970s and early 80s.
• The characters Major Burns and Trapper John were both written out of M*A*S*H before the series concluded.
• The show was known for its shifting tone, capable of handling both dramatic subject matter and dark comedy within the same episode.

Awards

M*A*S*H won many awards, including 14 Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Peabody Award. Alan Alda, in particular, won six Emmy Awards for his role - winning as an actor, writer, and director.

Quotes

• "I will not carry a gun... I'll carry your books, I'll carry a torch, I'll carry a tune, I'll carry on, carry over, carry forward, Cary Grant, cash and carry, carry me back to Old Virginia, I'll even hari-kari if you show me how, but I will not carry a gun!" - Hawkeye
• "Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice." - Sidney Freedman

Music, Soundtrack

• The show's opening theme song, "Suicide Is Painless", was a significant part of the soundtrack, creating a backdrop that combines with the episodes' often somber themes.
• Many episodes utilized period music for authenticity, especially during scenes set in Seoul or Tokyo. These include tracks such as "Tokyo Shoe Shine Boy" and "My Blue Heaven".