Bilko the Art Lover (5 Mar. 1958)

Bilko is in dire need of a break but true to form has no funds. He contacts Carlyle Thompson III thinking he now has his millions but instead finds him as penniless as himself.

Director:

Al De Caprio

Writers:

Billy Friedberg (writing supervised by), Nat Hiken (created by),

Stars:

Phil Silvers, Harvey Lembeck, Maurice Gosfield

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Phil Silvers	...	MSgt. Ernest G. Bilko
Harvey Lembeck	...	Cpl. Rocco Barbella
Maurice Gosfield	...	Pvt. Duane Doberman
Allan Melvin	...	Cpl. Steve Henshaw
Bernard Fein	...	Pvt. Gomez
Karl Lukas	...	Pvt. Stash Kadowski
Maurice Brenner	...	Pvt. Irving Fleischman
Herbie Faye	...	Cpl. Sam Fender
Mickey Freeman	...	Pvt. Fielding Zimmerman
Jack Healy	...	Pvt. Mullen
Billy Sands	...	Pvt. Dino Paparelli
Alan Alda	...	Carlyle Thompson III
Larry Fletcher	...	Mr. Carlyle Thompson II
Henry Lascoe	...	The Landlord
Eddie Lawrence	...	Felix Standish

Storyline

Bilko is acting like a real Army Sergeant for once and realises that he needs a break to get back to his old self. He secures a two week furlough but with no funds his options are limited. He goes through his book of contacts and realises that one of his old platoon is now a 25 year old millionaire and so sets out to New York to get reacquainted with him and his money. When he arrives he realises that there is still seven months to go before Carlyle inherits his millions but not only that - he is a struggling artist with less money than Bilko and a father who isn't interested in his work. The only way Bilko is going to enjoy his two weeks in New York is if he can somehow get the Carlyle's father to accept his son as an artist - and how better - than getting Mr Thompson to buy Carlyle's Woman with Grapes / Spirit of Transportation.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 March 1958 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

CBS Television Network

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

A Very Young Alan Alda Guest Stars

Alan Alda, of "Mash" TV fame, makes his television debut in this episode.

Bilko is very tense, and doesn't know why. He's acting like a real sergeant! He sees the doctor, who recommends a vacation. Bilko's ideas of Hawaii, Malibu or Las Vegas don't fly. He still holds out for New York, with a two-week furlough, but he has no cash. He tries to con his men into giving him money, but nothing works.

When Ernie goes through his books to see who still owes him money, he comes across the name of Carlyle Thompson III. He was millionaire he used to have in his barracks who now lives in New York. Back then, Bilko had tried to fleece big money out of the kid by treating him special but was thwarted when it was discovered the young guy couldn't get his money until his 25th birthday. Ernie remembers that the kid has to be 25 now, and it's time to collect debts and play the guilt show on the kid for how well he had treated him. He calls the "kid," gets a private plane which comes to whisk him away to New York...and off he goes.

The young millionaire is played by Alda. I almost didn't recognize him. He was only 21 or 22 years old. He didn't get fame as "Hawkeye" on the TV hit "MASH" for about 15 more years. This is Alda's first or second appear ever on camera.

Anyway, Ernie winds up as obnoxious and pushy as ever, trying to get money off the kid, who has problems of his own being thrown out of his house by his dad. In the end, Bilko gets Carylyle and his dad back together, helps the man become a successful artist and all live happily ever after.