--------------------------------------------------------- THE PHIL SILVERS SHOW (syndicated title "SERGEANT BILKO")
---------------------------------------------------------
Filmed by Kenco Films, Inc.
for
CBS (Tuesdays 8:30 pm EST) (season 1, 1955-56) (pilot + 34 eps)
CBS (Tuesdays 8:00 pm EST) (season 2, 1956-57) (36 eps)
CBS (Tuesdays 8:00 pm EST) (season 3, 1957-58) (37 eps)
CBS (Fridays 9:00 pm EST) (season 4, 1958-59) (35eps + 1 hr special)
Create & Produced and staged by Nat Hiken
Directed by Al De Caprio
Photographed by William J. Miller
Supervised by Edward J.Montagne
US Forces Comedy Series 1955-59 pilot+ 142 episodes x 30 min bw + 1 hr special
Starring Phil Silvers as Master Sergeant Ernest Bilko
* Paul Ford as Col. John Hall Harvey Lembeck as Cpl. Rocco Barbella Herbie Faye as Pvt. Sam Fender Maurice Gosfield as Pvt. Duane Doberman Joe E. Ross as Sgt. Rupert Ritzik Allan Melvin as Cpl. Henshaw
Billy Sands as Pvt. Dino Paparelli Mickey Freeman as Pvt. Zimmerman Hope Sansberry as Nell Hall
Jimmy Little as Sgt. Grover Elisabeth Fraser as Sgt. Joan Hogan
### The Phil Silvers Show: Sergeant Bilko ####
############## season 1 1955-56 ##############
##############################################
CBS Tuesdays 8:30 pm Eastern (pilot + 34 eps)
Produced and staged by Nat Hiken
Directed by Al De Caprio
Photographed by William J. Miller
Supervised by Edward J.Montagne
Editors: Sy Singer, Ray Sandiford
Art directors: Don Gilman, Al Brenner
Production manager: M. Clay Adams
Music: John Strauss
Additional music: Hank Sylvern
Recording engineer: James Shields
Assistant to producer: Kevin Pynes
Settings: Jack Landau
*
Writers:
Nat Hiken, Arnold Auerbach, Barry Blitzer, Vincent Bogert, Coleman Jacoby,
Harvey Orkin, Arnie Rosen, Terry Ryan, Tony Webster
*
34 episodes + 1 pilot/audition show
(Episode serial numbers are as listed in The Fort Baxter Story. All dates given
are for original US broadcast - note the differences between the order of
production and of broadcast)
1.0 Audition Show
(Written by Nat Hiken, according to The Fort Baxter Story.
Televison Chronicles lists the writers as Nat Hiken and Phil Silvers. Silvers'
autobiography mentions that although he was present, it was Nat Hiken who
wrote this pilot. Both The Fort Baxter Story and Televison Chronicles list
this episode as being originally broadcast on August 26th 1955.) Bilko and the
other characters are introduced in this pilot show. Sleeve notes accompanying
one UK video release mention that a pilot show was filmed the previous year
but never transmitted.
1.3
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
WAC
04Oct55 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken & Arnold Auerbach; #3510)
Bilko battles with Sgt. Hogan for a new posting on the Fort - and the personal
Jeep that goes with the job.
1.5
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
A.W.O.L.
18Oct55 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken; #3508)
A soldier goes AWOL - it is Bilko's task to bring him back from Chicago before
his absence is noticed.
1.11
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BIVOUAC
29Nov55 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Terry Ryan & Barry Blitzer; #3514)
As the annual camp maneuvers approach, Bilko has to think about which tropical
diseases he will 'contract' this year to ensure his non-participation. Colonel
Hall has other ideas however...
1.12
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
SINGING CONTEST
06Dec55 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Terry Ryan & Barry Blitzer; #3509)
Fort Baxter is in the grip of a big chill - can the Army singing contest
(and its 1st prize trip to Florida) provide the platoon with a welcome break -
or is the platoon so bad at singing that it just has to lose...
1.13
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
THE TWITCH
13Dec55 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Terry Ryan & Barry Blitzer; #3512)
The Colonel orders lectures on Beethoven for the men as a punishment for
gambling
- Captain Whitney's wife is to give the talks. Unfortunately for the Colonel,
Mrs. Whitney is better known throughout the service as 'The Twitch'....
1.14
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
REUNION
20Dec55 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken & Arnold Auerbach; #3506)
At a reunion with his wartime buddies, Bilko begins to feel like the
underachiever
of the group. Then he is offered a job in New York- can a US Army Master
Sergeant make his way in big business?
1.17
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
INVESTIGATION
10Jan56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Terry Ryan & Barry Blitzer; #3516)
A Congressional committee visits Fort Baxter to investigate reports of Army
waste. However
when Bilko gives the Congressmen a guided tour they discover the soldiers living
in squalor.
1.18
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
KIDS IN TRAILER
17Jan56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Terry Ryan & Barry Blitzer; #3505)
Bilko offers to baby-sit while one of his men enjoys a three-day furlough.
However a crisis
develops when he has to change a nappy and all of the Army resources at Bilko's
disposal
have to come into play.
1.19
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
REVOLUTIONARY WAR
24Jan56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Terry Ryan & Barry Blitzer; #3519)
Inspired by the diary of his great-great uncle Joshua Bilko, Ernie decides to
apply for officer
training. Closer inspection of Joshua Bilko's exploits reveal him to be not much
of a role
model after all.
1.21
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
THE REST CURE
07Feb56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Vincent Bogert & Harvey Orkin; #3523)
Fort Baxter is struck by a heatwave and Bilko's attempts to raise money for a
vacation flop.
The only solution appears to be an Army rest centre in the cool Rockies - the
only catch
being that the men will have to be certified as mad to get transferred there.
1.22
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
DINNER AT SOWICI'S
14Feb56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Harvey Orkin & Barry Blitzer; #3524)
Bilko is convinced that Sgt. Hogan is trying to trap him into marriage. By
taking Joan to
dinner at the Sowicis', whose marriage is somewhat less than happy, he hopes to
make her
see the error of her ways.
1.24
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
MISS AMERICA
28Feb56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Arnie Rosen, Coleman Jacoby, Terry Ryan & Barry Blitzer;
#3526)
When Bilko sees a picture of Pvt. Honnegar's beautiful 'sweetheart' he decides
to enter
her in a beauty contest. Naturally things do not turn out quite as Bilko plans.
1.26
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
FURLOUGH IN NEW YORK
13Mar56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken & Terry Ryan; #3527)
Bilko and Joan want to get away from each other for a little rest - little
knowing that they are both heading to New York...
1.29
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
THE PHYSICAL CHECK-UP
10Apr56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Coleman Jacoby & Arnie Rosen; #3532)
All Sergeants are forced to have medical examinations - Bilko thinks the Colonel
is trying
to get him discharged from the Army. So Ernie embarks on a crash course of
exercises...
1.30
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
RECRUITING SERGEANT
17Apr56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Tony Webster & Terry Ryan; #3533)
All the men are restricted to base while the Colonel is away on a recruiting
drive.
Ernie gets a sure-fire tip on a horse and must get off the base to place his bet
-
the only solution is to accompany the Colonel on his trip.
1.33
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
WAR GAMES
08May56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken & Arnold Auerbach; #3511)
When Bilko's promise to be best man at a friend's wedding coincides with Army
war
games, he has to sneak away from the mock battle. Unfortunately his troops think
he is leading then to 'the enemy'.
### The Phil Silvers Show: Sergeant Bilko ####
############## season 2 1956-57 ##############
##############################################
CBS Tuesdays 8:00 pm Eastern (36 episodes)
Production credits as for Season 1 except:
Editor: Ray Sandiford
Art director: Richard Jackson
Additional art direction by Robert Rowe Paddock
Additional staging by Charles Friedman
New writers in season 2:
Billy Friedburg, Lou Meltzer, Aaron Rubin, Andrew Russel/A.J. Russell
Phil Sharp, Leonard Stern, Sydney Zelinka
2.1
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
PLATOON IN THE MOVIES
18Sep56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Tony Webster & Billy Friedburg; #3535)
The motor pool are chosen to make an army training film - the starring role
going
to Doberman, who suffers terrible stage fright. Bilko takes the chance provided
by
a break in filming to produce his own, more glamorous version of the film.
2.2
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
IT'S FOR THE BIRDS
25Sep56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken & Billy Friedburg; #3536)
Bilko enters Pvt. Honnergar in the '$64000 Question' TV show. Honnergar is
peforming brilliantly on his specialized subject of birds, until he is struck
by a case of amnesia...
2.3
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO GOES TO COLLEGE
02Oct56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Leonard Stern, Tony Webster & Billy Friedburg; #3537)
Bilko tries to get even with a bookie by placing a 1000-1 bet on Schmill College
football
team beating the champions from NotreDame. Schmill have a terrible record, but
the word
on the streets is that this year's team is something special...
2.4
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
THE GIRL FROM ITALY
09Oct56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken; #3541)
Bilko has to help out Rocco's brother Angie - the plain Italian girl he once
promised
to marry shows up in New York, to his dismay. Bilko thinks he can fix the
situation by
glamorizing her, but he does too good a job!
2.6
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S WAR AGAINST CULTURE
23Oct56 CBS Tue
(Written by Aaron Rubin, Phil Sharp & Nat Hiken; #3538)
The men are lured away from gambling by the art and dance classes run by two
beautiful
WAC's from Special Services. Bilko has to find a way to subtly incorporate
gambling
into these more genteel activities.
2.8
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S ENGAGEMENT
06Nov56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Leonard Stern, Billy Friedburg & Tony Webster; #3539)
A mix-up at a jewelry shop leads to Ernie giving Joan Hogan an engagement ring.
Before he can explain the mistake, news of their 'forthcoming marriage' is all
around the post (and beyond).
2.9
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
A MESS SERGEANT CAN'T WIN
13Nov56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Tony Webster, Billy Friedburg & Leonard Stern; #3543)
Just about to leave the army, taking with him $400, Rupert Ritzik avoids saying
good-bye
to Bilko for fear of losing his savings. Hurt by this, Bilko embarks on a series
of
seemingly ridiculous bets with Ritzik just show that he doesn't always end up
with
Rupert's hard-earned money...
2.11
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
WHERE THERE'S A WILL
27Nov56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Leonard Stern, Tony Webster & Billy Friedburg; #3545)
An old buddy of Bilko's, Greg Chickering, is cut out of a will and left with
just
a parrot and $1. Bilko convinces Chickering's now wealthy cousins of the
existence
of a lost treasure map. Apparently the parrot holds a vital clue...
2.12
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S TAX TROUBLE
04Dec56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Leonard Stern, Tony Webster & Billy Friedburg; #3546)
Bilko is accidentally selected for an audit by the IRS. Fearing that they have
found out
about his numerous schemes, he protests that they are victimizing worthy charity
work.
But too much protesting arouses the suspicion of the IRS.
2.13
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
MINK INCORPORATED
11Dec56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken & Leonard Stern; #3547)
Having once again gambled away the Platoon Welfare Fund, Bilko sees a small
newspaper advert to get-rich-quick by breeding mink. $300 and one pair of mink
later, things are not going as quickly as promised.
2.14
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
SERGEANT BILKO PRESENTS ED SULLIVAN
18Dec56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Billy Friedburg & Terry Ryan; #3548)
Talent scouts for the Ed Sullivan show don't find any at Fort Baxter! But Ed
Sullivan
insists that a GI from the Mid-West is used for a minor role in a planned
'Tribute to the Army'.
Bilko gets chosen for the show, but he gets the wrong idea about the size of his
role...
2.15
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO GETS SOME SLEEP
25Dec56 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Tony Webster & Billy Friedburg; #3549)
Troubled by his guilty conscience, Bilko begins to suffer from insomnia.
Following the
advice of the fort psychiatrist, Capt. Adams, Bilko gives up gambling and is
cured.
Unfortunately the news of an apparently reformed Bilko does nothing for the
mental
health of the other men!
[--] 01Jan57 - no details
2.16
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
THE BLUE BLOOD OF THE BILKOS
08Jan57 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Billy Friedburg & Tony Webster; #3551)
Bilko is infuriated when a colleague is not invited to his own son's wedding due
to the
snobbery of the bride's family. Ernie travels to Philadelphia, where a little
research
reveals that the bride's family are not as blue-blooded as they seem.
2.17
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
LOVE THAT GUARDHOUSE
15Jan57 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Billy Friedburg, Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #3550)
Amazingly, Sgt. Ritzik manages to win $1500 in Las Vegas. On his return, Emma
Ritzik
persuades Colonel Hall to lock Rupert in the guardhouse to protect him from
Bilko.
To what lengths will Bilko go to get to Ritzik and the $1500?
2.18
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
SERGEANT BILKO PRESENTS BING CROSBY
22Jan57 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Billy Friedburg, Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #3552)
To recoup yet another gambling loss, Bilko stages an appearance at Fort Baxter
by
Bing Crosby. Ticket sales are brisk, the only problem is getting Bing to
appear...
not a problem if you have a lookalike available!
2.19
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO GOES TO MONTE CARLO
29Jan57 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken & Billy Friedburg; #3553)
Armed with a foolproof system for beating the roulette wheel and a bankroll put
up by
the entire camp, Bilko's trip to Las Vegas is thwarted when the Colonel declares
Nevada off-limits to all soldiers. The system is too good to waste, so Ernie
enlists
the help of the airforce and heads towards a slightly more exotic location...
2.21
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S TELEVISION IDEA
12Feb57 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken & Billy Friedburg; #3555)
The comedian Buddy Bickford is losing his popular appeal. So the TV network
sends
two writers to Fort Baxter to do background research for a sitcom based on life
in an army camp. Bilko is more interested in selling them his idea for a show
called 'Andrew Armstrong - Tree Surgeon'.
[--] 19Feb57 - no details
2.22
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
THE SON OF BILKO
26Feb57 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Billy Friedburg, Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #3556)
Pvt. Perkins is transferred to Fort Baxter and placed under Bilko's supervision.
Perkins has already been thrown out of fourteen other camps - but surely he'll
be
no problem for Ernie?
2.23
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
ROCK 'N' ROLL ROOKIE
05Mar57 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken & Billy Friedburg; #3557)
When singing sensation Elvin Pelvin is drafted, the army can't cope with his
screaming fans. The solution? Transfer him to a quiet, out-of-the-way posting.
Perhaps somewhere in the Mid-West, where he will attract less attention and be
safe from the less scrupulous soldier who might try to exploit his fame and
fortune...
2.28
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
THE SECRET LIFE OF SERGEANT BILKO
16Apr57 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Billy Friedburg & Terry Ryan; #3562)
In search of evidence to back up claims that the army is leaking top secrets,
an investigative reporter visits Fort Baxter. Bilko soon spots him and proceeds
to
sell him an number of not-so-important secrets...
2.31
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO ACRES
07May57 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken & Billy Friedburg; #3566)
When rumors spread that Fort Baxter is to be closed down, Bilko thinks this is
the
Pentagon's way of driving down land prices so that they can actually expand
the base. Based on this excellent logic, he purchases 25 acres of adjacent
swamp land using the Platoon Welfare Fund!
2.32
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
THE BIG SCANDAL
14May57 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken, Billy Friedburg & Tony Webster; #3565)
Bilko thinks he can use hypnotism as part of his money making schemes. First he
needs
to practice his technique - by trying to make Ritzik fall in love with Mrs.
Hall.
However, this appears to be a complete failure...
2.34 [--] The Phil Silvers Show: THE COLONEL BREAKS PAR
28May57 CBS Tue
(Written by Sidney Zelinka, Andrew Russel, Nat Hiken & Billy Friedburg; #3569) The Phil Silvers Show - The Colonel breaks par. part 1. The Phil Silvers Show - The Colonel breaks par. part 2. The Phil Silvers Show - The Colonel breaks par. part 3.
Bilko schemes are put in jeopardy when Colonel Hall decides to forego his annual
two
week vacation. Ernie plans to get him out of the way by getting him to enter the
annual
officers' golf tournament. The Colonel is reluctant - he is not exactly proud of
his
golfing skills (and rightly so) - but Bilko's old army buddy Sam Snead might
come to
the rescue...
2.35
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
SHOW SEGMENTS
04Jun57 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken & Billy Friedburg; #3570)
Together with Ed Sullivan, several of the show's cast gather to watch some
clips edited out from previous shows due to time limitations.
2.36
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
HIS HIGHNESS, DOBERMAN
11Jun57 CBS Tue
(Written by A.J. Russell, Sidney Zelinka & Billy Friedburg; #3571)
Doberman has been dating the daughter of a Roseville millionaire, but when her
mother
finds out he is just a soldier, Duane is banished from their house. Bilko plans
their comeuppance - little do they realize that they are insulting Crown Prince
Doberman. Little does Doberman realize...
### The Phil Silvers Show: Sergeant Bilko ####
############## season 3 1957-58 ##############
##############################################
CBS Tuesdays 8:00 pm Eastern (37 episodes)
Writing supervised by Billy Friedburg
New writers in Season 3:
Neil Simon, Paul Jordan
(Where 2 different original broadcast dates are given, the first is from The
Fort Baxter Story, the second from Television Chronicles.)
3.1
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S MERRY WIDOW
17Sep57 CBS Tue
(Written by Nat Hiken & Billy Friedburg; #3568)
Bilko and the men present a satire on the Lehár operetta The Merry
Widow. This episode was filmed during the second season.
3.2
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S BOY'S TOWN
24Sep57 CBS Tue
(Written by Phil Sharp & Terry Ryan; #3573)
Colonel Hall confines Bilko to the base while the army conducts manouvres in
the Nevada desert. Unable to visit Las Vegas, Bilko sets up a boys' camp at
Fort Baxter in order to part the local youth from their money.
3.3
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
HILLBILLY WHIZ
01Oct57 CBS Tue
(Written by Coleman Jacoby & Arnie Rosen; #3579)
New recruit Hank Lumpkin (Dick Van Dyke) shows great skill when throwing rocks
at targets. Bilko wonders if he can do the same with baseballs....and would
the New York Yankees be interested?
3.4
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S VALENTINE
08Oct57 CBS Tue
(Written by Phil Sharp & Terry Ryan; #3575)
When Bilko ignores her on Valentine's Day, Joan Hogan quits the army and returns
to
her hometown of Sumter, South Carolina. Bilko persuades the Colonel to let him
organise a recruiting drive in ..... Sumter.
3.6
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S DOUBLE LIFE
22Oct57 CBS Tue
(Written by A.J. Russell & Sydney Zelinka; #3576)
While visiting New York, Ernie is mistaken for millionaire Herbert
Penfield and starts to enjoy a millionaire lifestyle. By coincidence, Penfield
is visiting relatives in Roseville - will he appreciate being mistaken for
Bilko?
3.7
[--] The Phil Silvers Show:
SERGEANT BILKO PRESENTS
29Oct57 CBS Tue
(Written by Phil Sharp & Terry Ryan; #3580)
When a new recruit shows a talent for playwriting, Bilko starts to formulate
plans to produce a Broadway musical. Unable to find sufficient money to
finance his plans, Ernie persuades the army to organise a playwriting
contest...
[--] 05Nov57 - no details (possibly "Papa Bilko" - see
18Jul58)
3.9 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
CHEROKEE ERNIE
26Nov57 CBS Tue
(Written by Arnie Rosen, Coleman Jacoby, Phil Sharp & Terry Ryan; #3581)
In order to legally represent the family of Cpl. Charlie Whiteagle, Ernie is
made a
member of the tribe - 'Bald Eagle'! He then notices that a flaw in an old treaty
appears
to have significant consequences for the city of Tulsa...
3.10 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO BUYS A CLUB
03Dec57 CBS Tue
(Written by Phil Sharp &Terry Ryan; #3578)
Bilko is having trouble making the down payment on some land he needs to start
a night club. Perhaps an investment banker visiting the camp for National
Guard manouvres might be able to help...
3.11 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
LIEUTENANT BILKO
10Dec57 CBS Tue
(Written by Sydney Zelinka & A.J. Russell; #3584)
Bilko's period of enlistment is about to end, and he has no plans to
re-enlist. Then the Pentagon informs him that, due to a temporary wartime
commision which was never cancelled, he is technically still Lieutenant Bilko!
3.12 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO AT BAY
17Dec57 CBS Tue
(Written by A.J. Russell, Terry Ryan & Sydney Zelinka; #3586)
On the way to New York, Bilko stops at Doberman's home to take advantage of a a
free meal.
Unfortunately, some bank robbers on the run also choose to visit the Doberman
household.
3.13 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO F.O.B. DETROIT
24Dec57 CBS Tue
(Written by Sydney Zelinka & A.J. Russell; #3574)
Bilko and the Motor Pool have to collect some new army trucks from Detroit.
Ernie tries
to extend his stay by trying to sell motor magnate Roger Bellman a
do-it-yourself army
basic training kit already rejected (several times) by the Pentagon.
3.14 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO AND THE FLYING SAUCERS
31Dec57 CBS Tue
(Written by Coleman Jacoby & Arnie Rosen; #3583)
In order to visit Washington for a hot date, Bilko concocts reports
of UFO's - which he insists he must personally report to the Pentagon.
However, Colonel Hall finds the reports all too convincing...
====================================================================== There is some confusion about the remaining episodes in
season 3.
Did they air on Tuesdays or Fridays. Fridays are listed here.
======================================================================
3.15 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO AND THE COLONEL'S SECRETARY
03Jan58 CBS Fri (to be verified) (some sources have 01Jan58)
(Written by Phil Sharp, Terry Ryan, A.J. Russell & Sydney Zelinka; #3588)
Bilko thinks that by handpicking the Colonel's new secretary he will be able to
keep
off the Colonel's duty rosters. But he doesn't count on the chosen WAC resenting
Bilko
dictating her career...
3.16 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
DOBERMAN, THE CROONER
10Jan58 CBS Fri (to be verified)
(Written by Neil Simon; #3590)
The mystery man behind a wonderful singing voice, which Bilko discovers on a
home-made record, turns out to be Duane Doberman. In planning Duane's new
singing career Ernie neglects the fact that, depending on his health, the
quality of Doberman's singing varies dramatically!
3.17 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO PRESENTS KAY KENDALL
17Jan58 CBS Fri (to be verified)
(Written by Neil Simon & Terry Ryan; #3589)
(no synopsis)
3.18 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S COUSIN
24Jan58 CBS Fri (to be verified)
(Written by Phil Sharp & Terry Ryan; #3585)
When Bilko's cousin Swifty (Dick Van Dyke, again) arrives at Fort Baxter, the
Colonel
fears the trouble that having two Bilkos around will lead to. Meanwhile, Ernie
worries
that Swifty might prove something of an embarrassment to his reputation.
3.20 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
CYRANO DE BILKO
14Feb58 CBS Fri (to be verified)
(Written by Phil Sharp & Terry Ryan; #3591)
Bilko helps one of his men get a date with the girl of his dreams, but then gets
supicious about the girl's motives. Determined to prove these doubts, he sets
about arranging his own date with her, but not entirely successfully...
3.23 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO, THE ART LOVER
07Mar58 CBS Fri (to be verified)
(Written by Phil Sharp & Terry Ryan; #3594)
Bilko is in New York, enjoying the luxurious hospitality
provided by the father of his former GI buddy Carlisle Thompson (Alan Alda).
Following an argument with his father, concerning his artistic aspirations,
Carlisle moves out of the family home into extremely sparse accommodation in
Greenwich Village - much to Bilko's discomfort!
3.24 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO, THE GENIUS
14Mar58 CBS Fri (to be verified)
(Written by Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #3595)
Bilko is tranferred, by mistake, to an army camp for geniuses. He takes the
opportunity to get the army's top brains to apply their talents to some
important problems, such as the mathematics of gambling...
[--] 21Mar58 CBS Fri - no details
3.25 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO, MALE MODEL
28Mar58 CBS Fri (to be verified)
(Written by Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #3596)
When a photograph of Bilko, out on the town with a beautiful woman, appears in
a national magazine, thousands of letters are sent to the magazine enquiring
about the couple in the photo. This leads an advertising agency to conclude
that Ernie has a face that the average man identifies with - a face with
commercial value?
3.27 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S HONEYMOON
11Apr58 CBS Fri
(Written by Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #3598)
Pvt. Paperelli wins an all-expenses trip to Miami, which Bilko naturally covets.
Given that the prize is for 2 people, this shouldn't be too much of a problem
for Paperelli, except that the prize is meant for a newly-wed couple...
[--] 18Apr58 CBS Fri - no details
3.28 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S CHINESE RESTAURANT
25Apr58 CBS Fri
(Written by Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #3599)
The father of new recruit Wong Lee runs a successful chain of
restaurants. This inspires Ernie to start his own Chinese restaurant -
teaching Rupert Ritzik the secrets of Chinese cuisine shouldn't be much of a
problem...
3.29 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
OPERATION LOVE
02May58 CBS Fri
(Written by Arnie Rosen, Coleman Jacoby & Terry Ryan; #35101)
Angry at their boyfriends spending all their free time gambling with Bilko, the
WAC's
of Fort Baxter get transfers to other bases. To placate his furious colleagues,
Ernie
has to come up with a plan to attact new WAC's.
3.30 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S TV PILOT
09May58 CBS Fri
(Written by Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #35100)
When a young cowboy joins the platoon, Bilko thinks he can sell the idea
of a Western TV show featuring the cowboy. The TV company is definitely
interested in his idea - but they have different ideas about who should play
the lead role...
3.31 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO RETIRES FROM GAMBLING
16May58 CBS Fri
(Written by Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #35102)
Colonel Hall plans to clean up Fort Baxter by having a card-shark infiltrate the
base posing as a raw recruit. When Bilko starts losing to Ritzik in the
subsequent
fixed card games, he thinks he has lost allhis gambling skills!
3.33 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S INSURANCE COMPANY
30May58 CBS Fri
(Written by Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #35104)
When one of the men is nearly involved in an automobile accident, Bilko is
inspired
to set up his own insurance business especially for GI's. Business is going
well,
so Ernie starts to expand the ranges of risks which he is prepared to cover ...
3.34 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S PRIZE POODLE
06Jun58 CBS Fri
(Written by Neil Simon & Terry Ryan; #35105)
When a poodle shows affection towards Pvt. Doberman, Bilko
decides to enter it in a national dog show. Inspired by the $10000 first
prize, the whole base helps with the preparations.
3.35 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S SCHOOL DAYS
13Jun58 CBS Fri
(Written by Neil Simon & Terry Ryan; #35106)
On the verge of a transfer, Bilko reconsiders his decision when he
learns that Fort Baxter is to be the site of the new army training school.
Just think of all those new recruits just begging to be parted from their
money...
[--] 20Jun58 CBS Fri - no details
3.36 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
JOAN'S BIG ROMANCE
27Jun58 CBS Fri
(Written by Terry Ryan; #35107)
When Joan Hogan is photographed, by chance, with a wealthy playboy, the picture
is
published in a national magazine. Seeing this, Bilko's jealousy is aroused and
he sets out to win her back.
[--] 04Jul58 CBS Fri - no details
[--] 11Jul58 CBS Fri - no details
3.37 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
PAPA BILKO
18Jul58 CBS Fri (rerun?) (originally scheduled/aired -
05Nov57?)
(Written by Billy Friedburg, Sydney Zelinka & A.J. Russell; #3577)
When Bilko was in France during World War II he befriended a poor French family,
and gained the nickname 'Papa'. When the daughter of the family - now grown up -
visits Bilko, he has two big problems - explaining why she is calling him 'Papa'
and protecting her from the attentions of the other soldiers...
### The Phil Silvers Show: Sergeant Bilko ####
############## season 4 1958-59 ##############
############### (final season) ###############
CBS Fridays 9:00 pm Eastern (35 episodes + 1 one-hour special)
Production credits as for Season 2 except:
Produced by Edward J. Montagne
Staged by Aaron Ruben
Writers shown where known.
4.01 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
GOLD FEVER
26Sep58 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35108) Bilko finds
the map to a secret gold mine near Grove City, California, and then discovers
that abandoned Camp Fremont, which lies over the mine, is to be demolished to
make way for a new highway. To protect 'his' gold, Ernie must get the army to
re-open the base, even if it means getting all of Fort Baxter transferred
there...
4.02 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S VAMPIRE
03Oct58 CBS Fri
(Written by Neil Simon & Terry Ryan; #35112)
Sgt. Ritzik is spending all his time watching horror films when Bilko
thinks he should be playing cards. In an attempt to remedy the situation,
Bilko convinces Ritzik that the films are turning him into a vampire - and
makes a very good job of it!
4.03 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S DE LUXE TOURS
10Oct58 CBS Fri
(Written by Coleman Jacoby; #35109)
Bilko tries to cash in on the poor rail service between Grove City and San
Francisco by starting his own bus service. Having obtained a school bus for
$25, Ernie finds business is going well - too well for the train company's
liking...
4.05 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO Vs. COVINGTON
24Oct58 CBS Fri
(Written by Neil Simon, Terry Ryan & Arnie Rosen; #35110)
Sgt. J. J. Covington is beating Bilko at his own game with his schemes and
scams.
Having failed to get Covington tranferred, and then being tricked into buying
30000
tons of worthless volcanic ash, is it time for Bilko to agree to a truce?
4.07 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S BIG WOMAN HUNT
07Nov58 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35111; November 5th/Nov. 7th)
When Bilko is trapped in a hotel elevator, he is comforted by a pretty teacher.
Smitten by her, Ernie is unable to get her name or telephone number before she
disappears. Perhaps a police artist's impression will help track her down...
4.08 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
THE BILKOS AND THE CROSBYS
14Nov58 CBS Fri
(Written by Neil Simon & Terry Ryan; #35117?)
Bilko fantasizes on what life would be like if he, rather than Bing, were head
of the Crosby household.
4.09 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S ALLERGY
21Nov58 CBS Fri
(Written by Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #35117)
Bilko develops an aversion to playing cards, apparently brought on by guilt over
his manipulation of Colonel Hall. He tries to cure himself by making amends to
the Colonel with a special testimonial dinner. However, Colonel Hall begins to
worry about what Bilko's true intentions might be...
4.11 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO PRESENTS THE McGUIRE SISTERS
05Dec58 CBS Fri
(Written by Phil Sharp & Terry Ryan; #35119?)
Bilko stages a concert at Camp Fremont, and
ticket sales are brisk. But will he be presenting the McGuire Sisters? And who
is that guy who looks like Mickey Rooney?
4.13 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S GIVEAWAY
19Dec58 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35116)
Aided by a child genius, Bilko wins several prizes on a TV quiz show. Faced with
$6000 of taxes, he starts his own GI quiz show on the local TV station. With a
little
help from Bilko, Doberman becomes a star contestant!
4.15 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S BOPSTER
02Jan59 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35122)
When jazz drummer Skinny Sanders is assigned to the motor pool, Bilko plans a GI
jazz
band tour of Europe. Unfortunately, finding other skilled musicians proves to
be a bit of a problem...
4.16 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S HOLLYWOOD ROMANCE
09Jan59 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35123)
The press agent of Hollywood star Monica Malamar decides that arranging a
romance
with a clean-cut GI will improve her image. But when the selected soldier turns
out
to be Sgt.Bilko, something drastic must be done to get rid of him!
[--] 16Jan59 CBS Fri - no details
4.17 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
KEEP IN STEP
23Jan59 CBS Fri
(Written by Billy Friedburg, Arnie Rosen, Coleman Jacoby and Terry Ryan #????)
A movie is to be made about Sgt. Bilko, and he is
worried about who will portray him.(One hour special mentioned by Televison
Chronicles and apparently broadcast live.)
4.18 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S GRAND HOTEL
30Jan59 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35124)
When Bilko buys a run-down hotel in Grove City, he appoints a down-and-out
called Chester
Hilton as its manager. Naturally, Ernie renames it the Grove City Hilton. Just
how much
will the real Hilton Hotel chain be prepared to pay to have it closed down?
4.19 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S CREDIT CARD
06Feb59 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35125)
Bilko launches his own credit card for soldiers - The GIs' Gourmet Guild, signs
up
all the restaurants and clubs in Grove City, and then spreads some worrying
rumours about Sgt. Ritzik's cooking. The scheme looks like it will be a real
money maker- until the day that the first payments are due from cardholders...
4.20 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
VIVA BILKO
13Feb59 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35126)
On a visit to Mexico, Bilko, Doberman, Paparelli and Zimmerman are robbed of
their
uniforms. The robbers then rob a bank dressed as GI's. When the soldiers finally
recover their clothes they become the prime supects!
4.21 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
THE COLONEL'S PROMOTION
20Feb59 CBS Fri
(Written by Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #35127)
In hope of getting a promotion, Colonel Hall attempts to clean up Camp Fremont
once
and for all. But when the promotion fails to materialize, Bilko convices the
Colonel
to visit the Pentagon for a explanation. Mrs. Hall asks Bilko to go along to
keep an
eye on him - perhaps not such a wise idea...
4.22 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S SHARPSHOOTER
27Feb59 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35128)
Bilko plans to exploit the shooting skills of WAC Polly Porter. The first event
he stages
is a shooting contest against Sgt. Ritzik's own marksman, Pvt. Masters. The
contest does not go quite according to plan when the two sharpshooters meet...
4.24 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S APE MAN
20Mar59 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35131)
Bilko tries to launch the movie career of Pvt. Forbes, a former physical
training
instructor. After getting his man disqualified from the Mr Universe contest,
Bilko
decides to make a short promotional film of Forbes fighting a gorilla (or
rather,
Duane Doberman in a gorilla suit). Once again, things do not go completely to
plan...
4.25 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
WARRANT OFFICER PAPARELLI
27Mar59 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35130)
When a keen new Lieutenant is placed in charge of the motor pool, Bilko is keen
to
get him replaced by someone a bit more pliable. Perhaps one of his men could
get promoted...
4.26 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S GODSON
03Apr59 CBS Fri
(Written by Neil Simon & Terry Ryan; #35132)
Bilko attempts to enroll his godson in the Stanford University class of '77, but
only children of Stanford alumni can be enrolled so far in advance. So first
he has to become a Stanford student himself - the entrance exam shouldn't be
much of a problem, not with all of Sgt. Bilko's resources...
[--] 10Apr59 - no details
4.27 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
GUINEA PIG BILKO
17Apr59 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35133)
Colonel Hall tricks Bilko into testing a new tranquilizer pill, which has the
effect
of removing his love of money! Unfortunately, gambling at Camp Fremont becomes
worse
than ever without Bilko controlling operations. In desperation, the Colonel
attempts
to return Bilko to normal....
4.28 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO, THE BUTLER
24Apr59 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35134)
Jealous of a friend who married a rich socialite, Bilko takes a trip to San
Francisco
and tries to meet some millionaires. Managing to get into a cocktail party by
posing
as a waiter, Bilko suddenly overhears a hot stock-market tip...
4.29 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
RITZIK GOES CIVILIAN
01May59 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35135)
Emma Ritzik persuades Rupert to leave the army to get away from Bilko's
clutches.
Shamed by his men over the way he has treated Ritzik, Bilko tries to persuade
him
to return.Tracking them down to the roadside diner they are now running, he
discovers
they have been cheated when buying the diner.
4.30 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S SMALL CAR
08May59 CBS Fri
(Written by Neil Simon & Terry Ryan; #35136)
Bilko is forced to assemble an 'imported sports car' from Jeep parts, to cover
up
for the police confiscating the Colonel's new European car. Interest in
Bilko's exotic sports car is strong enough to lead him into full-scale
production of the 'Arrivederci'...
4.31 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
DOBERMAN, MISSING HEIR
15May59 CBS Fri
(Written by Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #35137)
Bilko helps a millionaire couple trace their long-lost son - Duane Doberman.
Doberman is not at all keen to share his newly found riches with the rest of the
men. Bilko must quickly devise a plan to get his hands on his rightful share of
the money...
4.32 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
BILKO'S CASINO
22May59 CBS Fri
(Written by ?; #35138)
An old document appears to exempt the site of the Grove City USO from
Californian
gambling laws. Having purchased the building, Bilko's new casino soon attracts
some
unwanted attention...
4.33 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
THE COLONEL'S SECOND HONEYMOON
29May59 CBS Fri
(Written by Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; 35139)
When the Colonel refuses Bilko's request for a furlough, he stirs up trouble in
the
Halls' marriage, with the hope that they will try to patch things up by taking a
second honeymoon. Then, hopefully, Captain Baxter will look more favourably upon
his
request, and allow Ernie to take his well-earned break in Sun Valley.
4.35 [--] The Phil Silvers Show:
THE BILKO BOYCOTT
12Jun59 CBS Fri
(Written by Arnie Rosen & Coleman Jacoby; #35141)
Finally disillusioned with Bilko's gambling, Cpl. Henshaw sets up Gamblers
Anonymous at Camp Fremont and lures virtually all of the men away from Bilko.
In search of new sources of income, Bilko invents some phony schemes to part
the WAC's from their money.
### The Phil Silvers Show: Sergeant Bilko ####
################## the end #################
##############################################
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