"M*A*S*H" Morale Victory (1980)

User Rating:

8.2/10   

Director:

Charles S. Dubin

Writer:

John Rappaport (writer)

TV Series:

"M*A*S*H" (1972)

Original Air Date:

28 January 1980 (Season 8, Episode 19)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | War

Plot:

While Hawkeye and BJ struggle as morale officers of the disgruntled camp, Winchester tries to help a patient whose pianist career seems ruined due to a crippled hand. |

Plot Keywords:

Crushed Hand | Nurse | Colonel | Doctor | Korean War

US TV Schedule:

Mon. July 20

5:30 PM

HALMRK

Morale Victory

#8.19

Cast

Alan Alda	...	Capt. Benjamin Franklin 'Hawkeye' Pierce
Mike Farrell	...	Capt. B.J. Hunnicutt
Harry Morgan	...	Col. Sherman T. Potter
Loretta Swit	...	Maj. Margaret 'Hot Lips' Houlihan
David Ogden Stiers	...	Maj. Charles Emerson Winchester III
Jamie Farr	...	Cpl. Maxwell 'Max' Q. Klinger
William Christopher	...	Capt. Father Francis John Patrick Mulcahy
James Stephens	...	Private David Sheridan
G.W. Bailey	...	Sgt. Luther Rizzo
Jeff Maxwell	...	Pvt. Igor Straminsky

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

The film being shown at the beginning of the episode is History Is Made at Night (1937), purportedly Col. and Mrs. Potter's favorite film

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: At first the shadow of the boom mic is visible on the ceiling of the mess tent, and then the boom itself is visible as BJ stands and begins talking to Klinger. DVD time 10:25

Movie Connections:

References The Terror of Tiny Town (1938)

Morale At The Crossroads!!

Everyone in the mess tent had been watching a movie at the start of "Morale Victory." Captains Hunnicutt and Pierce -- all of the sudden -- interrupted the movie to imitate the characters from that film. Their sudden disruption caused Colonel Potter to kill the movie entirely. Everyone became excited unexpectedly when wounded patients came to the 4077th for surgery. Even in surgery, Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt made smart ass remarks about Major Winchester and his talents in surgery -- specifically about a wounded Army Private on the operating table. Colonel Potter was at the end of his rope with those two jokers about their comments during surgery.

Colonel Potter said to Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt that morale was at a lower level than a gopher's basement. They became morale officers by committee. They told Corporal Klinger to build a suggestion box. Klinger acted cold to that idea; however, they gave him a bigger challenge to find some more meaningful movies and activities to improve the unit's morale. Major Houlihan also wanted some cosmetics and makeup kits for her nurses -- too. How Interesting!! Even so, Major Houlihan had told them not to let Corporal Klinger become neglectful in his responsibilities into obtaining the supplies .

Major Winchester had a discussion in Post-Operation Room. Army Private Sheridan had recuperated from his operation. Little did he know that three fingers from his right hand had resulted in a permanent loss of dexterity and movement. Private Sheridan had a dream of being a concert pianist; his future was shot to hell ... or so it seemed in this episode.

Everyone in the mess tent had griped about the food served at camp. Private Stravinsky was at the end of his rope. He went to Rosie's Bar for his supper. He was sick of everyone's griping on a daily basis. Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt now had a much tougher challenge into improving morale. Only then did Captain Pierce came up with a plan of having a seafood cookout at the 4077th. Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt -- in a desperate attempt to salvage their reputations -- asked Corporal Klinger to find some live crabs for the camp's party ... not to mention cosmetics, music sheets, films, and even three days in Seoul. Fortunately, Corporal Klinger saved the day for everyone ... in time for the party.

Major Winchester escorted Private Sheridan to the Officers' Club. The trek was not about a drink; the visit was about playing the piano for the left hand alone in the episode. Private Sheridan was quite upset about his frustration in not playing the piano with two hands. After a frank discussion, Private Sheridan -- with some reluctance -- agreed to play the piano with his left hand. He gradually obtained the skill and determination to play the notes freely. Private Sheridan accepted the challenge of playing the piano despite his disability. Quite Impressive!! A Fat 14 From The 1979-1980 Television Season!! Highly Recommended!!