McHale's Navy: The Complete Series [DVD]

Once in a while, a TV series will catch lightning in a bottle, with an interesting premise, intelligent writing, and a stellar cast. "McHale's Navy" was one of those series. Ernest Borgnine stars as Lieutenant Commander Quinton McHale, who commands the PT-73. He is a strong leader who always manages to defeat the enemy in battle. In-between battles, McHale and his crew like to have fun breaking the rules, but always manage to stay out of trouble. Tim Conway played Ensign Charles Parker, a bumbling bungler who, despite his shyness, is irresistible to women. He is especially disliked by Captain Wallace Binghamton, played to perfection by Joe Flynn. Disparagingly referred to as "Old Leadbottom," the Captain commands from behind a desk, and is constantly trying to get the goods on McHale and his crew. The Captain's aide is Lieutenant Elroy Carpenter, played by Bob Hastings. His loyalty to the Captain is boundless, even to the detriment of his own career. Gavin MacLeod, who played Joseph 'Happy' Haines, left the series after the second season, although he inexplicably appeared in the season three episode "McHale's Floating Harem." The rest of the crew included conman Lester Gruber (Carl Ballantine), ladies’ man Virgil Edwards (Edson Stroll), married man George 'Christy' Christopher (Gary Vinson), machinist Harrison 'Tinker' Bell (Billy Sands), and radioman Willy Moss (John Wright). Last but not least is the lovable deserter from the Japanese Navy, Fuji Kobiaji (Yoshio Yoda). Notable guest stars included Pat Harrington, Marlo Thomas, Raquel Welch, and Don Knotts.The complete series box set includes all 138 episodes from the show's four seasons on the air. For the first three seasons, the show took place during World War II, at a fictional base called Taratupa, somewhere in the South Pacific. Most of the action involved McHale and his crew going out on dangerous missions at sea, fighting the Japanese. For the fourth and final season, the series took place in a fictional town in Italy named Voltafiore. Most of the action involved McHale and his crew going out on dangerous missions on land, fighting the Germans. Of course, Fuji stowed away on the PT-73, and shared in the fourth season shenanigans. All four seasons of the series were filmed in black and white. The quality of the episodes on DVD is very good, considering that the show was originally broadcast from 1962 to 1966. The DVDs played without any defects or glitches, although the episodes occasionally included very minor spots and slight scratches. The box set also includes both feature-length films in glorious color. The first movie, simply entitled "McHale's Navy" (1964), played like an extended episode from the series. In the second movie, "McHale's Navy Joins The Air Force" (1965), neither McHale or Lester Gruber appeared in the film, although Joseph 'Happy' Haines returned to the crew. Tim Conway proved that he could carry the movie as the lead character. Bonus features include a solo interview by Ernest Borgnine, a solo interview by Tim Conway, and a 2007 reunion interview with Ernest Borgnine, Tim Conway, Bob Hastings, Carl Ballantine, and Edson Stroll. It took a long time for all four seasons of the series, along with the two movies, to be packaged in one box set, but it was worth the wait!

Grew up watching this show it's still funny!

Excellent Good Quality set of DVD's. No Issues Noted.

Fun for nostalgia.

Such a fun series, my kids will pick this over most shows you would expect them to favor. And it includes the movies.It leads to some good discussion on how to (and how NOT to) treat others, in a relatively safe environment.

It took three times before I received the DVD case unbroken that's why I dropped a star. The packaging was not very good and could have been better. It needs to be packaged inside of a box to protect it during shipment. The DVD's are great to watch and brings back a lot of memories for my husband and me with Navy life.

Very good show you will enjoy old school TV

I wish that the dvds had subtitles.