Happy Birthday, Larry Gelbart!

M*A*S*H Co-Creator And Master Funny Man

I love to imagine the pitch meeting to turn Robert Altman’s 1970 Korean War film, M*A*S*H, into a weekly sitcom:

PRODUCERS: “It’ll be hilarious! Just hilarious!”

STUDIO HEAD: “But isn’t it about...war?”

PRODUCERS: “Exactly! Pure comedy gold!”

Comedy gold it was, and it went on to become one of the best-loved TV shows of all time.

Of course, laughs were only half of it. The show tackled serious themes, too. But what we remember most is the lovable cast of characters we came to adore over the years.

We all had our favorites: smarty pants Hawkeye; co-conspiring sidekick(s) Trapper and later, Hunnicut; rodent-like Frank “Ferret Face” Burns; compassionate hothead Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan; Radar with his teddy bear; sweet and clueless Henry Blake; the tough guy with the soft spot, Colonel Potter; Klinger in his fine array of lingerie; pompous Winchester...and voice of reason and humanity, Father Mulcahy.

They seemed so real, that it’s almost inconceivable that they were created on paper by writers. In fact, the original film was based on a book by Dr. Richard Hornberger, himself a Korean War veteran. And the series was penned (primarily) by comedy legend Larry Gelbart.

Gelbart began his career writing for Danny Thomas’ 1940’s radio show, and went on to write material for the likes of Jack Paar, Bob Hope, Sid Caesar (collaborating with Neil Simon, Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Woody Allen).

He co-wrote a little blockbuster musical called A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum in 1962, and dabbled in a few movie screenplays you might’ve heard of: Oh, God! and Tootsie.

Yet, the moments he created with M*A*S*H will always hold a special place in our hearts. It was a magical group of people who felt more and more like family throughout the show’s 11-year run. As many of you know, the emotional 1983 finale remains one of the most-watched TV episodes of all time.

Revisit the 4077th and all your favorite memories with our M*A*S*H Red Cross T-Shirt (in standard issue military green, natch), the Framed Memorabilia Collectible, and Green Helicopter T-Shirt.

And raise a glass to Larry Gelbart–the man talented enough to make the front line feel like home.