Introduction

McHale’s Navy is an American sitcom starring Ernest Borgnine that aired 138 half-hour episodes over four seasons, from 11 October 1962 to 12 April 1966 on the ABC television network.

The series was filmed in black and white and originated from a one-hour drama titled “Seven Against the Sea”, broadcast on 03 April 1962. The ABC series spawned three feature films: McHale’s Navy (1964); a sequel, McHale’s Navy Joins the Air Force (1965); and a 1997 sequel-remake of the original series. A documentary, McHale’s Navy: The Crew Remembers, was aired in 2007.

Producer Edward Montagne set up a female version of McHale’s Navy entitled Broadside, which ran for 32 episodes in the 1964-1965 ABC season.

Background

Willy (Bobby Wright), the PT-73 Radioman, is deeply saddened when he receives a letter from his Tennessee girlfriend, telling him that she is about to marry another man. Willy gets on Binghamton’s bad side and might get shipped out. So McHale and the crew throw a big “Hillbilly Hoe-down” to cheer up their heartbroken friend. The Party is attended, unexpectedly, by Congressman Joymer (Don Harvey) from the Naval Appropriations Committee as well their nemesis Capt. Binghamton. Turns out the Congressman is also from Tennessee and he makes sure that Willie isn’t shipped out.

McHale’s Navy Series

You can find a full index and overview of McHale’s Navy here.

Production & Filming Details

• Release Date: 06 June 1963.
• Rating: TV-PG/TV-G.
• Running Time: 60 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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