"Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." (1964) TV series 1964-1969

Creator:

Aaron Ruben

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

25 September 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

The misadventures of a bumbling Marine named Gomer Pyle.

Plot Keywords:

Mayberry | U.S. Marine Corps | Marine Corps US | Spin Off | Cult TV

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Jim Nabors	...	Pvt. Gomer Pyle (150 episodes, 1964-1969)
Frank Sutton	...	Sgt. Vince Carter (150 episodes, 1964-1969)

Also Known As:

Gomer Pyle (Australia)
Gomer Pyle - USMC (USA) (alternative spelling)

Runtime:

30 min (150 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Andy Griffith Enterprises

Trivia:

Col. Gray (Forrest Compton) first appeared on the show as a captain before attaining the rank of colonel and becoming base commander.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Sergeant Carter's rank is E-7, or "Gunnery Sergeant." As a Gunnery Sergeant, he would be called either "Gunnery Sergeant Carter", or "Gunny Carter", not "Sergeant Carter."

Quotes:

Alice Whipple: Harry, how long are we going to be here?
Harry Whipple: As long as it takes.
Alice Whipple: Well, I've got to get to the beauty parlor.
Harry Whipple: You're telling me.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Destroy All Humans! (2005) (VG)

Stands the test of time

I haven't seen this show since I was a kid in reruns after school and I was never a big fan of Gomer Pyle the character, especially in the Andy Griffith show, but having watched the first season of this show on DVD, I must say, it's one of the funniest shows ever.

The main reason is definitely the great comic timing of Nabors and Sutton and how they play off each other. Nabors as the dumb hick who doesn't know anything, yet is a super nice guy and Sutton as the short tempered sergeant who is repeatedly angered by Pyle's exploits; it doesn't get any funnier.

I really admire the Pyle character, now watching this show as an adult. Besides being a caring person for his fellow man in general, he even goes out of his way to help out animals, as in one episode where he befriends a skunk. Nabor's timing playing Pyle was dead on, something you notice much more as an adult than as a kid watching the show. And I admit, every time Sgt. Carter loses his temper and yells at Pyle I would laugh out loud, even though you know it's coming, it's still funny as the first time. It's sad Frank Sutton died in '74 because he could have had a great career as a comic actor, he was truly memorable on this show.

I wonder how vets feel when they watch this show (my never having served I don't know what's it's really like in the service outside of what I've seen in films). They must really laugh at the antics of Sgt. Carter.

A great show, laugh-out loud funny, it's worthy of purchasing the DVDs.