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

Gruber and the guys concoct a very tall story to try to turn Tinker into a hero, so that he can win the heart of his favourite girl, Nurse Betsy (Barbara Werle). But the rumour of Tinker’s “secret mission” soon spreads throughout the South Pacific. Trouble develops when glory-hungry Binghamton tries to get in on the action. Binghamton orders McHale to deliver a refrigerator to a local Admiral on a nearby island. But, because of the rumour, the entire Japanese war machine believes the 73 is carrying a secret weapon.

McHale’s Navy Series

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

Production & Filming Details

• Release Date: 12 November 1963.
• Rating: TV-PG/TV-G.
• Running Time: 60 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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