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

Nurse Suzie Clayton (Yvonne Craig) has agreed to be part of the show that the crew of the 73 is planning if they can get Binghamton’s approval. At first, Binghamton agrees to the show. Then his wife Martha (Ann Doran), who has come to visit the base as part of the Women’s Navy League tour, arrives. The Captain, who was to escort Nurse Clayton to the shindig, now calls the show off. Suzie tries to talk Binghamton into putting the show back on. Admiral Rogers arrives and mistakes the pretty young nurse for Binghamton’s wife. McHale and Parker must hustle to keep the situation a secret from Binghamton’s real wife. Parker screws up and puts Martha on a same plane with the Admiral.

McHale’s Navy Series

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

Production & Filming Details

• Release Date: 16 February 1965.
• Rating: TV-PG/TV-G.
• Running Time: 60 minutes.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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