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

Paul Ford often forgot his exact lines which allowed Phil Silvers to improvise during many of the scenes between BILKO and COL. HALL. Both men always stayed in character however, it was usually the other actors in the scene who laughed ruining the scene.

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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 The John Cleese Interview (1998)

User Reviews

From What I've Seen, A Brilliant Sitcom-Why Isn't It on DVD?

I regret that I have only seen a fraction of the episodes of THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW. But those that I have seen confirms the show's reputation as an authentic television classic. Consider the star, Phil Silvers as Sgt. Ernie Bilko. Was there a more lovable conniver? His joy in his scheming was so droll and endearing one couldn't help but root for him. Yet Bilko never wanted to hurt anyone and whenever he learned any plan could hurt someone, he wouldn't go through with it. Silvers' ruefulness at such moments was as delightful as his ecstasy.

Silvers was backed by a delightful supporting cast. Particularly memorable were Maurice Gosfeld as the innocent Private Duane Doberman and Paul Ford as Bilko's flustered superior Colonel John Hall. Joe E. Ross got his big break as the gruff but lovable Sgt. Rupert Ritzik. Producer Nat Hiken would later team up Ross with Fred Gwynne in the police sitcom CAR 54 WHERE ARE YOU? And what hilarious, inventive scripts that so deftly served those performers. I'm no prude but I consider such riotous episodes like "The Trial of Harry Speakup" and "The Face on the Recruiting Poster" proof that writers don't have to stoop to raunchiness to generate laughs. The problem with today's television sitcoms is that they often indulge in gratuitous filth.

With so many old sitcoms coming out on DVD today, isn't it about time for DVD episode guides of THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW? Why should DVD users be denied access to, from what episodes I've seen, a wonderful show? Such a treasure does not deserve oblivion.