The Korean Surgeon (23 Nov. 1976)

Instead of turning him in as a prisoner of war, Hawkeye and B.J. pull some strings to get a wounded North Korean surgeon a spot on the staff.

Director:

Gene Reynolds

Writers:

Larry Gelbart (developed for television by), Bill Idelson,

Stars:

Alan Alda, Mike Farrell, Harry Morgan

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Alan Alda	...	Captain Benjamin Franklin Pierce
Mike Farrell	...	Captain B.J. Hunnicut
Harry Morgan	...	Colonel Sherman T. Potter
Loretta Swit	...	Major Margaret Houlihan
Larry Linville	...	Major Franklin Marion Burns
Gary Burghoff	...	Corporal Walter Eugene O'Reilly
Jamie Farr	...	Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger
William Christopher	...	Father Francis Mulcahy
Soon-Tek Oh	...	Dr. Syn Paik (as Soon-Teck Oh)
Robert Ito	...	North Korean
Larry Hama	...	North Korean

Storyline

Instead of turning him in as a prisoner of war, Hawkeye and B.J. pull some strings to get a wounded North Korean surgeon a spot on the staff.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | War

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 November 1976 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 9, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone Sound Recording)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Frank gets into the jeep with the Korean soldiers, he sits on the left (driver's) side of the back seat. In the next shot, he is suddenly seated on the right side of the back seat.

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Quotes

Cpl. Walter 'Radar' O'Reilly: I Corps doesn't approve of the enemy!

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Connections

References Flash Gordon (1936)

User Reviews

Who approved that mustache?

This episode has the distinction of having the worst fake mustache and beard since Groucho Marx's tape mustache in the 1930's. This episode was saved by great performances by Robert Ito and Soon-Tek Oh. Soon-Tek Oh plays a Chinese surgeon wounded and brought into the 4077th. On seeing how far ahead of them the American surgeons are: Soon-Tek Oh's character laments not being able to help out and learn. Of course Hawkeye wants to help make this come true since they can use the help. This is where the producers and presumably Alda find another way to make the US Army look like a bunch of moron's by getting a Chinese surgeon all the necessary gear, id's, and orders in one day; and by simply shaving off the awful mustache fool everyone at the 4077th. Soon-Tek Oh's character recognizes some North Korean's pretending to be South Korean's who were trying to get some medical supplies from Frank Burns. One of these Koreans was Robert Ito and who because Frank is so gullible was able to get the supplies and use Frank to get out of camp. Soon-Tek Oh's character does get caught eventually, and Frank is again spared. If it wasn't for the great performance of the co-stars this would have not been a very good offering. But thanks to Robert Ito and Soon-Tek Oh for making this one bearable. My guess is Alan Alda had a hand in the design of the Mustache Soon-Tek Oh was made to wear. He probably hoped it would distract us from Soon-Tek Oh's great characterization. Sorry Alan he still out did you.