JANUARY 2025

M*A*S*H (TV Series) 

"A War For All Seasons"

Happy New Year!

By Rev Protodeacon George A. Haloulakos

The M*A*S*H television series, which aired on the CBS network from 1972-1983, boasted an all-star ensemble of actors in both regular and guest starring roles while chronicling the Korean War in both serious and comedic terms.  During its award winning 11-year prime-time run, M*A*S*H was innovative in a variety of ways that have been widely documented and discussed.  One example of its innovation occurred in "A War For All Seasons," its 6th episode of Season 9, which was also the 204th overall series episode.  Typically, a M*A*S*H episode ran in a 30 minute time slot to include commercials.  Without commercials, each episode ran about 23-minutes.  What makes "A War For All Seasons" both unique and timely for our New Year's celebration, is that in a span of 23 minutes this episode covers the entire year of 1951 while starting and ending with 12 midnight New Year's Eve on both ends of the episode.  Essentially, the year 1951 is viewed in retrospect through the prism of various characters that are an integral part of the 4077th M*A*S*H unit.

 

 

It is yet another example of clarity and concision found in classic TV.  As the year 1950 comes to a close, the members of the 4077th  M*A*S*H unit express hope that 1951 will be a better year and that everyone will soon go home.  In the ensuing 23 minutes, the viewing audience is able to experience all four seasons of the year as Father Mulcahy (portrayed by William Christopher) plants a garden and painstakingly nurtures it through bad weather and good, Nurse Margaret (Loretta Swit) starts knitting a scarf that over the course of the year will become a bed sheet, while bets are being made by various M*A*S*H staff members on the outcome of the famous six-month Giants - Dodgers National League Pennant race.  During the year the ubiquitous SEARS catalog is a recurring source of acquiring various items to improve quality of life such as gardening and knitting supplies, portable radios, baseball equipment, and even the basic tools for building a makeshift, functional kidney machine!  As summer gives way to autumn, the Giants - Dodgers playoff series takes center stage culminating with Bobby Thomson's epic home run shot "heard 'round the world" that wins the National League Pennant for the Giants.  Baseball helps to mark the passage of time, even within this "half-hour" calendar year.  The Holiday Season soon follows, with several M*A*S*H patients benefiting from the life-saving kidney machine constructed by Drs. Pierce (Alan Alda) and Hunnicutt (Mike Farrell) from parts acquired via the SEARS catalog.  We learn that these patients are to be discharged and will be able to make plans for celebrating New Year's Eve at home!

The episode ends with the M*A*S*H unit ringing in 1952 with the very same toast as the prior year, but in a far more quiet, subdued if not somber tone.  On both of these New Year's Eve commemorations, Col Potter (Harry Morgan) portrays Father Time in making the toast.  In the span of a half-hour we are reminded of the joy from simple, everyday pleasures while at the same time experiencing the horrors of war.  As the snow falls in the closing moments, it is an affirmation in more ways than one, as to why The Korean War was often referred to as "The Coldest Winter."  New Year's is both an end and a beginning.  While it can be a time of sadness, it is also a time of joy and renewal.  This notable M*A*S*H episode which portrayed the half-way mark of the 20th century also shows that wistful farewells which lead to prayerful optimism is a human characteristic that remains constant throughout the passage of time.

 

On that note, we at Galaxy Nostalgia Network wish each of you, the members of our wonderful GNN audience, a Happy New Year.  What are your special memories or recollections of New Year's Eve as shown in various classic TV programs?  Please share your memories and thoughts on this month's blog by either posting to the Galaxy FACEBOOK page (and liking us) or writing directly to me at: Haloulakos@gmail.com

NOTE: Sources for photos are: (1) 20th Century Fox for the TV title screen shot and (2) Sitcoms Online for the group/cast picture.

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 DECEMBER 2024

"SCROOGE" (1951 Film)

A Holiday Favorite

Merry Christmas!

By Rev Protodeacon George A. Haloulakos

Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol (1843) has been portrayed on film and stage in many variants.  This timeless classic story of businessman Ebenezer Scrooge finding spiritual renewal through a mystical transformation at Christmas has featured both men and women (!) portraying the protagonist.  Film buffs and classic TV fans will recall seeing George C. Scott, Patrick Stewart, Henry Winkler and others as Scrooge while female variants of this character have been portrayed by Cicely Tyson, Susan Lucci and Vanessa Williams to name just a few.  Yet when it comes to naming the favorite or most well regarded, most Baby Boomers cite the 1951 British film "Scrooge" (released as "A Christmas Carol" in the United States).  New York Times Critic A.O. Scot cited this film as the best adaptation of the Dickens classic.  Patrick McNee (star from the 1960s TV show "The Avengers") portrayed a young Marley (Scrooge's business partner) in this film and later in life hosted special screenings annually on television that helped create increased popularity as McNee was quoted as saying it "truly seems to capture the essence of the Dickens novel."

So what is it about an 87-minute Black & White film released over 70 years ago that has made it an enduring Holiday viewing favorite?  Here are a few thoughts:

> Clarity and concision.  At less than 1-1/2 hours, viewers are able to view a person's entire lifetime told in flashbacks while bearing witness to a miraculous spiritual transformation that leaves the audience filled with joy, optimism and love.

> Film Noir look.  The Black & White film provides a somber look at human suffering and the harshness of the world as described by Dickens.  Positive and negative aspects of humanity are shown with equal sharpness.

> Time Travel.  This was cleverly done by Dickens on the printed page and it translated well into film.  The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future enable Scrooge to travel back-and-forth in time so he is able to understand the missteps he has made during his life's journey while still offering hope for finding renewal in the Spirit of Christmas.

> Excellent Music. The time travel sequences are greatly enhanced by the Christmas and Holiday themed music (singing and instrumental) heard in the background.  "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" in the opening credits, "I Saw Three Ships," "Silent Night," plus the English country dance "Sir Roger de Coverley" and the tragic folk song "Barbara Allen."

> Superb Acting.  Alistair Sim as Scrooge and Glyn Dearman as Tiny Tim are inextricably connected with these characters.  The depth and conviction of these portrayals literally jump off the screen and into our hearts and minds as we get to know them both.  To see Scrooge transformed into a kind, generous soul and become a second father to Tiny Tim -- thereby saving the child's life who otherwise would have died prematurely -- clearly touches our hearts deeply.  We, the viewers, are also transformed by witnessing Scrooge finding renewal in Christmas and filled with the Holiday Spirit as Tiny Tim proclaims "God bless us every one!" exemplifying the kindness and love that is truly Christmas.

We at Galaxy Nostalgia Network join Tiny Tim in expressing this very same sentiment to each of you, the members of our wonderful GNN audience.  What are your special memories of watching different film versions of "A Christmas Carol"?  Please share your memories and thoughts on this month's blog by either posting to the Galaxy FACEBOOK page (and liking us) or writing directly to me at: Haloulakos@gmail.com