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
With his letters home, Gruber has led his girlfriend Ginger (Jean Hale) to believe that he is a Lieutenant Commander. When Ginger pays a surprise visit to Taratupa as part of a travelling show, McHale reluctantly agrees to help Gruber save face by allowing him to act out the part. The charade almost gets them into big trouble, but winds up working out for the good when it helps foil Binghamton’s plan to have McHale assigned to a British Liaison’s position. Ben Wright appears as Commodore Norcross. James Forrest appears as Lieutenant Crowder.
McHale’s Navy Series
You can find a full index and overview of McHale’s Navy here.
Production & Filming Details
- Release Date: 22 September 1964.
- Rating: TV-PG/TV-G.
- Running Time: 60 minutes.
- Country: US.
- Language: English.
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