MCHALE'S NAVY: A WREATH FOR MCHALE (TV)
Summary
One in this series of comedies about an unusual Navy unit during World War II.
In this episode, Captain Binghamton learns that a war correspondent, Brad Devery, is soon to arrive on the base. Not wanting McHale to "steal the spotlight," he quickly sends PT-73 off to Kaleki for a few days. Annoyed by his trick, McHale and his men decide to sneak over to Manacora instead to enjoy a few days of "vacation," sure that their captain will never know the difference. Binghamton is frustrated when Devery immediately asks to meet the famous McHale, but he then learns that Kaleki is under attack from the Japanese, meaning that PT-73 is dangerously outnumbered. However, McHale and his men are busy partying on Manacora. When an enemy plane flies overheard and damages their boat, the men are pleased to have an excuse to remain on the island for a few extra days while the engine and radio are repaired.
Binghamton is distraught to learn that there is no sign of McHale and his men on Kaleki, though Devery notes that his fear makes for a "great story." When PT-73's lifeboat – actually damaged by the bumbling Parker – is found floating abandoned in the sea, Binghamton is forced to conclude the worst and sadly prepares a memorial service for the brave men of PT-73. McHale and the others finally make their way back to base and are bewildered to witness their own eulogies, particularly when Binghamton laments the loss of his "best buddy" McHale. Carpenter is shocked to find them all alive, and Parker inadvertently confesses the truth to an outraged Binghamton. He threatens them all with court martials and imprisonment for disobeying a direct order, but McHale convinces his "buddy" to make himself look good in front of Devery by bravely "rescuing" them on the nearby island of Panoi. Once there, however, Binghamton, Carpenter and Devery are captured by the Japanese, and the PT-73 men are forced to go to extreme lengths to save them. Devery is pleased to finally meet his "rescuer," McHale, though Binghamton refuses to abandon his dream of landing the front page. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: 9:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:29:01
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: B:13155
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; United States Navy; World War II
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1962-1966
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - B.F. Goodrich tires
- TV - Commercials - Camel cigarettes
- TV - Commercials - Mercury automobiles
CREDITS
- Edward J. Montagne … Producer
- Sidney Lanfield … Director
- Marty Wroth … Writer
- Axel Stordahl … Music by
- Ernest Borgnine … Cast, Lt. Cdr. Quinton McHale
- Joe Flynn … Cast, Capt. Wallace Binghamton
- Tim Conway … Cast, Ensign Charles Parker
- Carl Ballantine … Cast, Lester Gruber
- Gary Vinson … Cast, George "Christy" Christopher
- Billy Sands … Cast, Harrison "Tinker" Bell
- Edson Stroll … Cast, Virgil Edwards
- Gavin MacLeod … Cast, Joseph "Happy" Haines
- John Wright … Cast, Willy Moss
- Yoshio Yoda … Cast, Fuji Kobiaji
- Bob Hastings … Cast, Lt. Elroy Carpenter
- Allan Melvin … Cast, Brad Devery
- John Mamo … Cast, Japanese Officer
- Tiki Santos … Cast, Native Chief
- Tita Marsell … Cast, Hula Girl
- Warren Hseih … Cast, Native Boy