The Phil Silvers Show (1955–1959)

Sgt. Ernie Bilko is the ultimate con man. He runs the motor pool at a small Kansas US Army Camp. Colonel Hall, nominally in charge of the base tries to keep Bilko's plans in check. Bilko ... See full summary »

Creator:

Nat Hiken

Stars:

Phil Silvers, Allan Melvin, Harvey Lembeck

Won 8 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 10 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Phil Silvers	...	MSgt. Ernest G. Bilko (142 episodes, 1955-1959)
Allan Melvin	...	Cpl. Steve Henshaw (141 episodes, 1955-1959)
Harvey Lembeck	...	Cpl. Rocco Barbella (141 episodes, 1955-1959)
Paul Ford	...	Col. John T. Hall (140 episodes, 1955-1959)
Maurice Gosfield	...	Pvt. Duane Doberman (129 episodes, 1955-1959)
Herbie Faye	...	Cpl. Sam Fender (124 episodes, 1955-1959)
Billy Sands	...	Pvt. Dino Paparelli (124 episodes, 1955-1959)
Bernard Fein	...	Pvt. Gomez (121 episodes, 1955-1959)
Mickey Freeman	...	Pvt. Fielding Zimmerman (117 episodes, 1955-1959)
Maurice Brenner	...	Pvt. Irving Fleischman (116 episodes, 1955-1959)
Jack Healy	...	Pvt. Mullen (113 episodes, 1955-1959)
Terry Carter	...	Pvt. Sugie Sugarman (86 episodes, 1955-1959)
Karl Lukas	...	Pvt. Stash Kadowski (75 episodes, 1955-1958)

Storyline

Sgt. Ernie Bilko is the ultimate con man. He runs the motor pool at a small Kansas US Army Camp. Colonel Hall, nominally in charge of the base tries to keep Bilko's plans in check. Bilko runs every money making scheme that he thinks he can pull off. Midnight cruises on Landing Craft, Tank Rides, Poker games, and an interesting deal with local service stations for spare parts for jeep tires.

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Plot Keywords:

cult tv | actor name in title | sergeant | cult tv

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 September 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

You'll Never Get Rich

Company Credits

Production Co:

CBS Television Network

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (143 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

On 11 August 2009 the US Postal Service issued a pane of twenty 44¢ commemorative postage stamps honoring early USA television programs. A booklet with 20 picture postal cards was also issued. On the stamp honoring "The Phil Silvers Show", star Phil Silvers appears in character as Master Sergeant Ernest G. (Ernie) Bilko. Other shows honored in the Early TV Memories issue were: The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Dinah Shore Show, Dragnet, "The Ed Sullivan Show" (originally titled The Ed Sullivan Show), The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, Hopalong Cassidy, The Honeymooners, "The Howdy Doody Show" (original title: The Howdy Doody Show), I Love Lucy, Kukla, Fran and Ollie, Lassie, The Lone Ranger, Perry Mason, The Red Skelton Hour, "Texaco Star Theater" (titled The Buick-Berle Show, 1954-1956), The Tonight Show (which began as Tonight!), Twilight Zone, and You Bet Your Life.

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Quotes

MSgt. Ernest G. Bilko: You said "but". I've put the finger on the whole problem. You're a "but" man. Don't say "but". That little word "but" is the difference between success and failure.

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Connections

Referenced in Cheers: How to Marry a Mailman (1989)

User Reviews

Still worth watching!

A great testament to the talents of Phil Silvers. With its complex plotlines and quickfire dialogue it's still a treat to watch Silvers's monumental character when you can find it somewhere in the BBC schedules. The most said line in the whole series must be "but, Sarge!" as Bilko launches into another diabolical and, ultimately, flawed scheme to make money and dodge work. And Col Hall's stunned looks, "what is he up to?" are a joy.

It must also contain the best adlib in TV history. Bilko has to hide a chimp in camp (don't ask!)and the chimp accidently gets enlisted. To avoid even further embarrassment, the US Army decides to court martial the chimp to get him discharged. Bilko defends him. In the middle of a monologue from Silvers, the chimp, obviously impossible to rehearse, gets off a chair and picks up a nearby phone. After a pause, Silvers says, "he's calling for another lawyer".