Product Description

Gomer Pyle, a gas station attendant from Mayberry, NC, enters the Marines and joins other misfits under the command of Sergeant Carter.
Genre: Television
Rating: NR
Release Date: 26-JUN-2007
Media Type: DVD

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7861 in DVD
• Brand: BESSELL,TED
• Released on: 2007-06-26
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 5
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 761 minutes

Amazon.com
Thanks (but no thanks) to Full Metal Jacket, the name of "Gomer Pyle" is associated with a demented, suicidal screw-up. That's not the Gomer (Jim Nabors) we know and love! Sure, our Gomer may be, in the mentoring words of his bellowing Sgt. Carter (Frank Sutton), a "lunkhead," "yo-yo," "knucklehead," and "meatball," who invariably "pulls some beauts." But his heart is always in the right place, as in the episode "PFC Gomer Pyle," in which the newly promoted Private First Class unwittingly cancels Carter's Hawaiian furlough thinking it is a request for a permanent transfer. Our Gomer is unfailingly honest. In "Gomer and the Phone Company," he is arrested for trying to put back ill-gotten money he received from a malfunctioning pay phone. And, our Gomer is forthright, as in "Gomer and the Beast," in which he stands up to a feared, abusive sergeant (guest star Michael Conrad) who takes his waitress girlfriend for granted.

Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C., a spinoff of The Andy Griffith Show, was one of the "surprise, surprise, surprise" hits of its day. In this second season (its first in color), it ranked second to Bonanza in the Nielsen ratings. That Nabors and Sutton were never even nominated for Emmys is a TV Land injustice. Nabors, especially, finds new music in what could have been a one-note bumpkin character (he even demonstrates his unexpected baritone singing voice in "Arrivederci, Gomer"). Providing expert support are Ted Bessell (That Girl) and Ronnie Schell (who demonstrates his standup comedy chops in "Duke Slater, Nightclub Comic") as Gomer's Marine buddies. Look sharp for two future M*A*S*H stars, Jamie Farr in "Gomer Pyle, P.O.W." and, in a couple of episodes, William Christopher. Making welcome visits from Mayberry are George Lindsay in the mistaken-identity episode, "A Visit from Cousin Goober," and Ron Howard in "Opie Joins the Marines," in which Carter bonds with the runaway Opie and, movingly, hints at a less than nurturing relationship with his own father. "The world has changed a lot since I was a kid," he remarks when Andy (Andy Griffith) arrives to retrieve his son, and puts a reassuring arm around the boy's shoulder. Television has changed, too, in the more than 40 years since these still funny episodes were first broadcast. Prime time could use another Gomer, with his boundless optimism, unwavering character and try, try again attitude. --Donald Liebenson

Customer Reviews

Changes not bad so far...
I was angered to read the small print on the box that advises that some music has been changed and episodes may be edited. Yikes. I suspected that the music changes would occur in restaurants, etc. when they have dance music going in the background. So far I am right. I hate they changed it, but the music isn't too bad. On the other hand, haven't seen any edits yet. Hope there aren't any. Why would a company go to all the trouble to remaster edited versions (and the episodes look fantastic by the way). Would have given 5 stars but because the b.g. live action music was changed, had to knock off a star. I'll post again if I spot any missing footage.

Sutton Impact
Frank Sutton does it again...he upstages Jim Nabors at almost every turn! His hilarious facial expressions are reminiscent of Jackie Gleason's wide-eyed portrayal of "The Honeymooners"' Ralph Kramden. I watched the Oscar-winning 1955 film "Marty" recently, where Frank Sutton played one of Ernest Borgnine's buddies...Sutton looks exactly like he would on "Gomer Pyle USMC" - he didn't seem to age at all in the ten years between "Marty" and "Gomer" - watch 'em and see for yourself! He's great!

This second season of ol' Gome was the first to be in color - and, unlike the first color episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show," these Gomer shows are still as fresh and funny as the first season. And there are guest stars a-plenty: Jamie Farr, William Christopher, Ronny Howard, Andy Griffith, George "Goober" Lindsey, Ted Knight, Susan Oliver, Joyce Jameson, Jerome Cowan, Gigi Perreau, Michael Conrad, Tige Andrews, Brendon Boone, Dabbs Greer, Jackie Joseph and Jack "Jimmy Olsen" Larsen.

Also, many regular actors who guested on "The Andy Griffith Show" make appearances, like Parley Baer, Enid Markey, Maudie Prickett and Maggie "Charlene Darling" Petersen.

Roy Stuart makes his first appearance as Corporal Boyle, Allan Melvin debuts as Sergeant Hacker and, best of all, Barbara Stuart finally portrays Vince Carter's girlfriend, Bunny Wilson (wait'll you see her in those tight slacks! Hubba Hubba!).

The reason I gave this set four stars is ONLY because it doesn't have ANY special features as the first set did....NONE....but the stories, acting, color, crispness and direction are definitely five star-worthy. You'll have fun!

MISREPRESENTATION by CBS video
I was happy to shell out 30 hard earned dollers to buy this set only to be disappointed by the editing of the original shows. Whole scenes where Jim Nabors sings are cut and much of the background music has ben changed. When you buy a set issued by the original studio you expect it to contain the original content. I'll never purchase another CBS release.