M*A*S*H was not about happy endings. In the Richard Hooker novels and Robert Altman film, Henry Blake remained in command at the 4077th after Hawkeye and Duke went home. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". At one point, Henry mocked Hot Lips by saying that she had gone over his head so many times that he had athletes scalp. Remember, on the show, Henry Blake was going home, back to Illinois to his wife and son, who had been born while he was in Korea. Some people thought it was great and others were very upset. Who was the first Colonel Blake in In reality, the Army stopped using the point system after World War II, and doctors were never rotated according to points. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. How much money did Alan Alda make on MASH? Sadly, McLean died of a heart attack on February 15, 1996. Actor McLean Stevenson, who played Henry Blake, had grown unhappy on the show and wanted to leave to pursue other opportunities. Heart Eye Color: He added: We thought everyone should feel a personal loss. Required fields are marked *. Both were canceled the same year and the finale episodes aired one day apart. When it comes to breaking news stories in the entertainment industry. This highly rated episode remains notable for its shocking ending: the (off-screen) death of Colonel Henry Blake.. Loretta Swit said it was because he was tired of being in an ensemble and wanted to be number one . (This is also confirmed by MASH writer Ken Levine) The departure would take place the last episode of the third season. Another time while drunk he claims he was sent to Korea after attending a party with a 30-year career military medical general; when the general made a remark about a coffee enema, Blake foolishly responded, "with cream and sugar?". Radar was visibly emotional throughout the whole episode. He did not survive the crash. For instance, McLean Stevenson played Col. Henry Blake on TV but Roger Bowen played the role in the movie. Here's an oldie but a goodie half of the family dying, other half pregnant. When the series concluded in 1981, the bear mysteriously disappeared for nearly 30 years, prompting my non-ending search for my little on-camera companion and friend. Blake put friendship above his command, but there was the rare occasion when he had little choice but to assert his authority, which he did firmly, albeit uncomfortably. Farr then went on to say that the first take "was a blockbuster", with gasps being heard from the crew, but they had to shoot a second take due to a technical problem. The departure took place in the last episode of the third season. Actor McLean Stevenson, who played Henry Blake, had grown unhappy on the show and wanted to leave to pursue other opportunities. According to multiple accounts, one most famously from co-star Loretta Swift, corroborated by writer Ken Levine, McLean left because he wanted to be No. Henry dared him to do it saying "He's done it so many times I've got footprints on my scalp". Hunnicutt as the newest doctor. In Henry in Love, Henry almost leaves Lorraine for a college girl named Nancy Sue Parker, who was less than half his age (20 to his 44). All were short-lived, and he later conceded that leaving MASH was the mistake of his career. Writing a character off a show can be a simple task, especially for a popular part like Henry Blake. WebOn the rare occasion when Henry actually stood his ground the maverick captains would criticize Henry for not being one of the guys; for example, when Henry decided to send a lost Korean boy to an orphanage, accurately insisting that the unit wasn't qualified enough to look after him, Hawkeye called him a villain, which offended Henry. He was killed in a plane crash while on his way home from the war. Colonel Henry Blake, the commanding officer of the 4077th MASH in Korea, was killed while on his way home. B.J. [3] When Stevenson decided to leave the series partway through the third season, producers Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart decided to make a statement regarding the unexpectancies and horror of war, especially with the Vietnam War fresh in viewers' minds. Henry begins planning his return and places a telephone call to Bloomington, Illinois to inform his wife and family of the good news. Henry is being discharged because he has earned enough points. if we turned on the [television] set we would see fifteen people [killed in Vietnam every night]. Click to reveal submitted a fishing fly that once belonged to Henry; he suggested that it should symbolize all of the men who never made it back home. Harry Morgan, as Sherman Potter, took over the 4077th. First appeared in: He admitted He said something similar to Hawkeye and Trapper when explaining that he had not, in fact, signed a dishonorable discharge for a soldier who was homosexual, despite Frank threatening to go over his head again. The episode centers on Henry leaving the 4077th MASH for the final time. M*A*S*H was both a television series and a movie, so several actors played the same character. Blake, before he boarded a chopper the day of his departure, changed into a civilian suit. Put on a dress! Routing number of commercial bank of Ethiopia? In 1972, the United States was rocked by the death of a beloved television character. According to his colleague Loretta Swit, Blake left because he was tired of being in an ensemble and wanted to be number one. This was also confirmed by MASH writer Ken Levine. Know the Real Truth! He did not survive the crash. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2fea0c7a8cc2c8 He often portrayed roles as a stuffy defender of the upper class and had regular roles on a number of television series. Then, M*A*S*H and the 4077th go about the business of tending to the wounded. Having the much-loved Henry Blake (wonderfully played by McLean Stevenson) killed off when his plane was shot down during his flight home was a sort of reality check provided for the viewers by the show's writers. Weight: People like Henry Blake are lost in war. But Gelbart and fellow creator Gene Reynolds used his exit to drum up emotion. ", (Talking on the phone to his son) "I don't care if your sister. Just as he climbed aboard, Radar emotionally gave him a final salute. "[11], In Bobbie Ann Mason's 1985 novel In Country, the teenage protagonist recalls having watched the episode as a child and being "so shocked she went around stunned for days," and confesses that Blake's death on the show had seemed more real to her than the death of her own father in Vietnam. There were no survivors. Colonel Henry Blake Written by Everett Greenbaum and Jim Fritzell, it was first aired by CBS on March 18, 1975. This highly rated episode remains notable for its shocking ending: the (off-screen) death of Colonel Henry Blake.. MASH (film) /M*A*S*H/TV series Your email address will not be published. The episode ended with Henry Blakes helicopter going down off the coast of Japan, off-screen. The series never mentions how he came to receive a Purple Heart (for wounds in battle) and it is shown as being worn AFTER the Army Commendation Medal, which is incorrect. While he was beloved by most of the camp, particularly Hawkeye and Trapper for his down-to-earth, laid-back manner, he was disliked and scorned by Margaret and Frank, with Margaret preferring stricter military discipline while Frank yearned to take command. However, it was not created as an award until 1954, two years after Henry Blake was killed. The odd thing is, both actors died within hours of each other in real life. The more earnest and faithful family man Captain B.J. The Chicago Tribune's Gary Deeb, for instance, revealed Blake's death nearly two months before the episode aired. The staff follow Henry to the helicopter pad, which also bears a wounded soldier that Henry tries to care for before the other doctors nudge him on. The teddy bear, which never officially had a name on MASH, but was secretly named Tiger according to Mr. Burghoff, does live on through the childrens show Sesame Street. Colonel Henry Blake in the television series M*A*S*H, which earned him a Golden Globe Award in 1974. Bloomington, Illinois, USA 3 What episode of Mash did Henry Blake die? [10], Not all reaction to the airing was negative. [5] Gelbart later said of the event, "I wish we could say to him, 'We didn't mean it, Mac.'"[6]. The creators wanted fans to experience the loss associated with war, so they ultimately decided to kill Blake off. ", The final scene, in which Radar informs the 4077th of the death of Henry Blake, was unprecedented: it was the first time in American television history that a main character departing a comedy series was killed off in a tragic way. What Is Willie Spences Net Worth At The Time Of His Death? Similar to Henry, Potter was easygoing, fun-loving and compassionate enough to earn the deep respect of his staff (including Margaret, but not Frank, who resented being passed over for command), but in contrast, Potter was a career soldier and consummate leader and surgeon, and never hesitated to put his foot down when things got out of hand. Written by Fritzell, Jim and Greenbaum, Everett. According to multiple accounts, one most famously from co-star Loretta Swift, corroborated by writer Ken Levine, McLean left because he wanted to be No. In 1975, Henry Blake decided to leave the show. The creators and also the network granted his wish. Burghoff left M*A*S*H in 1979 after the seventh season because of burnout and a desire to spend more time with his family, though he returned the following season to film a special two-part farewell episode, Goodbye Radar. Stevenson decided to leave M*A*S*H after the third season when the series enjoyed the fifth highest ratings in the country. Relatives/Children: Not everybody, not every kid gets to go back to Bloomington, Illinois. Negative reactions were not exclusive to the home viewers of the program: both CBS, the network that aired M*A*S*H, and 20th Century Fox, the company that produced M*A*S*H, expressed their unhappiness at the killing of Henry Blake. Why did Henry Blake leave mash? The leading entertainment news publicationLeedaily. Henry is Christian, having mentioned his faith in many episodes, but his denomination remains unknown. Henrys Exit In the third seasons finale, Abyssinia, Henry, Blake had finally gained enough points to get him discharged from the unit. Appearances Roger Bowen as Henry Blake in the 1970 film. The odd thing is, both actors died within hours of each other in real life. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. They both died of a heart attack as well. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was an athletic trainer for the football team. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If they started filming the show knowing Henry was a dead man by the end of the episode, their performances would have been quite different. Only two actors have portrayed the character of Henry Blake: Coincidentally, both actors died one day apart; Stevenson passed away on February 15, 1996, and Bowen the day after; both died of a heart attack. They are unfortunately not accurately portrayed. 1." She agreed to go out with Henry after he begged her, and he proposed to her on their first date. Towards the end of the episode, in another typical operating-room scene, Radar enters, visibly shaken. In reality, the Army stopped using the point system after World War II, and doctors were never rotated according to points. Henry made good use of his own downtime, as he was an avid golfer and fisherman, the latter of which is in frequent display on his non-uniform bucket hat which is covered with numerous fishing flies and lures (along with his rank insignia). He was portrayed by Harry Morgan, and replaced the departing character of Henry Blake as commander of the 4077th MASH. The creators wanted fans to experience the loss associated with war, so they ultimately decided to kill Blake off. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. (1941-1984). Who Can Benefit From Diaphragmatic Breathing? Colonel Henry Blake Scene. The cast was stunned when they learned about Blakes death. [9] Another, more lighthearted response to the episode came from an unhappy viewer in Lubbock, Texas, who sent a telegram stating that "Henry Blake has been found in a raft in Lake Lubbock. But then again, Henry Blake was kind of corny. Written by Everett Greenbaum and Jim Fritzell, it was first aired by CBS on March 18, 1975. [7] The final scenes have always been shown in syndication, and were uncut on the DVD release of the series' third season in 2003. In the latter episode, the final episode produced and the next-to-last aired, Margaret decided to bury a time capsule and asked others to volunteer various items from the camp. They even ripped out the last page of the script so the rest of the cast wouldnt know. c.1907 (?) Big Birds teddy bear is named Radar in homage to Radar OReillys teddy bear. In the novel M*A*S*H Mania (set in the 1970s) it is revealed that Blake stayed in the Army and had attained the rank of Major General. Rogers. Stevenson decided to leave M*A*S*H after the third season when the series enjoyed the fifth highest ratings in the country. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "Abyssinia, Henry" is the 72nd episode of the M*A*S*H television series, and the final episode of the series' third season. Colonel Sherman Tecumseh Potter appears in the M*A*S*H and AfterMASH television series. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Are Kellyanne and George Conway Getting Divorced? Henry even had a file full of Klinger's various phony attempts at hardship discharge. Or, they applauded it. 'M*A*S*H': 30th Anniversary Reunion (2002) at 1 hour, 4 minutes and 44 seconds in the movie, "Controversial Killoff True to MASH Form", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxmvqrCNwH8, "The 100 Greatest TV Episodes of All Time", "TV Guide and TV Land Join Forces To Count Down The 100 Most Unexpected TV Moments", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abyssinia,_Henry&oldid=1139542859, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes), Short description is different from Wikidata, Television episode articles with short description for single episodes, Pages using infobox television episode with unnecessary list markup, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 12. They didnt want us to suffer through a week of rehearsal, Swit said. When Henry Blake was killed off on MASH, it sent shockwaves through the television world. The creators and also the network granted his wish. It was a move that would change television forever. Actor McLean Stevenson, who played Henry Blake, had grown unhappy on the show and wanted to leave to pursue other opportunities. It was a tragic moment for viewers, who had come to love the characters on the show. Sherman T. Potter. Dont you remember the promise we all made to each other? He was referring to always showing the reality of war whenever possible.. Certain journalists revealed Blake's fate in the weeks leading up to the episode's broadcast. In return, Radar, more or less, was Henry's backbone, and kept the unit running like a well-oiled machine, utilizing his nearly magical skills for getting everything done, counter-balancing Henry's laissez-faire attitude. One time when Klinger was being particularly obnoxious, Henry threatened Klinger by saying, Klinger, Ive never hit a woman before.. Ex-WhatsApp Exec Pays $22.3M For New Beverly Hills Home, A New Requirement Decided by IRS for R&D Credit Refund Claims, The social security cost of living: Updated news, Real-Life K-Drama Is Streaming on Your Samsung, SEC Sets Clock for Delisting Chinese Companies Over US Audit Demand. You are both very missed. And Rule Number 2 is doctors can't change Rule Number 1.". But as doctors, theyre forced to continue with their jobs despite their grief. He was a skilled surgeon and a good friend to all of his staff. She and Henry met at a freshman mixer while she was dating football star Buzz Wollinski. WebOriginally Answered: On the TV show M*A*S*H Why was colonel Blake killed off? The departure took place in the last episode of the third season. The episode centers on Henry leaving the 4077th MASH for the final time. WebWho replaced Henry Blake on MASH? As the tone of the series had evolved to more He will be missed by all who knew him. Unfortunately he was right -- How to Make a Disposable Vape Last Longer? As the tone of the series had evolved to more serious storylines, Linville felt that he had taken the Frank Burns character, which had become increasingly one-dimensional, as far as he could, and chose to leave the series to pursue other roles. Being a genuinely kind-hearted and forgiving person, Henry chose not to reprimand Margaret when she got herself so drunk that she could not even pronounce her own name properly. Blake saluted Radar and off he went. To his aggravation, Lorraine sent him her bills and used check books to balance their account, though Henry insisted that he was terrible with numbers; he once complained about an expensive Vet bill for their elderly house cat care. This ending prompted more than 1,000 letters to series producers Gene Reynolds and Larry Gelbart, and drew fire from both CBS and 20th Century Fox. Edgar McLean Stevenson Jr. (November 14, 1927 February 15, 1996) was an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Lt. On the night before Henry's departure, Hawkeye Pierce (Alan Alda), Trapper McIntyre (Wayne Rogers), and Radar throw a drunken going-away party for Henry at Rosie's Bar and Grill, and present him with a tailored civilian suit as a parting gift. Several times throughout the series, the awards that Colonel Blake had earned during his service in the army could be seen on his uniform. Did He Cheat on Ariana Madix With Raquel Leviss? He wanted more of a starring, instead of a supporting, role in the series, and he thought he could do better because "everyone loved Henry". The next morning, Frank attempts to assemble the company for a formal send-off, but Hawkeye and Trapper are out of uniform and unshaven, and Corporal Klinger (Jamie Farr) wears a particularly elaborate dress made specially for the occasion. "4/22/1979 - Steve Martin / The Blues Brothers" (, 37. Henry and Radar share a sentimental moment in which young Radar describes Henry as a father figure, and gives Henry an inscribed Winchester cartridge; a surprised Henry returns the favor by spontaneously giving Radar a rectal thermometer that once belonged to his father. Henry is being discharged because he has earned enough points. Stevenson didnt say a word afterward and later went to his trailer and cried, skipping the wrap party. The creators and also the network granted his wish. The 4077th were happy for him. Lt. Col. Henry Blake Stevenson decided to leave M*A*S*H after the third season when the series enjoyed the fifth highest ratings in the country. 200 lbs. But M*A*S*H writers had another idea. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. He was only 68. Birthplace: His condition is called Brachydactyly. In 1980, the Argus-Leader reported that Alan Alda was the highest-paid TV actor of all time, earning $5.6 million a season on M*A*S*H, which also included the money he made as a writer. Henry Blake left 'M*A*S*H' because the actor was ready to move on. But he did not stay in prison long. You never know who might be coming around! In the episode, Colonel Blake is flying a medical evacuation mission when his plane is shot down over North Korea. And that's not good. That was the response we were hoping for.. For the first time, a major character had been killed off without warning and without explanation. It was probably actually Baijiu . You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. "Pilot" (M*A*S*H TV series, Season 1 opening) I'm OK! The episode is notable for its shocking ending, in which the unit's amiable commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake (played by McLean Stevenson) receives an honorable discharge and leaves for home, but in the final scene is reported killed by enemy fire. ", "Ever since the dark days before Pearl Harbor, I've been proud to wear this uniform". In a related note, Ive found that there are two times when you can judge a person very well: How they behave when they have nothing, and how they behave when they have everything. Hair Color: Hoda Kotb illness: Her Brave Fight Against Disease! After the production of this episode, both Stevenson and Wayne Rogers, who played the character of Trapper John McIntyre, left the series to pursue other interests. RIP McLean and Roger. In a related note, Ive found that there are two times when you can judge a person very well: How they behave when they have nothing, and how they behave when they have everything. One is that the actor who played Henry Blake, McLean Stevenson, wanted to leave the show and they couldnt come to an agreement on his contract. Second, the death of Colonel Blake was significant because it showed that even fictional characters were not immune to the horrors of war. The departure took place in the last episode of the third season. Stevenson decided to leave M*A*S*H after the third season when the series enjoyed the fifth highest ratings in the country. The Ottumwa native was fictionalized as Radar OReilly in the 1968 novel MASH by Richard Hornberger who wrote under the pen name Richard Hooker. M*A*S*H character WebMcLean Stevenson was Henry Blake, who in M*A*S*H, the TV series, was an Army reservist called up to serve in the Korean War as a doctor. Written by Everett Greenbaum and Jim Fritzell, it was first aired by CBS on March 18, 1975. "[9] Initially, Gelbart and Reynolds hand-wrote letters in response to the feedback, but eventually, due to the overwhelming number of letters, a form response was created explaining the rationale of their decisions. Hunnicutt). Gin is a flavored spirit, flavored with Juniper berry s. NOTE: Gwen Farrell is not related to Mike Farrell (B.J. We were working on the story of McLean leaving. Want Some Related Articles? The episode of M*A*S*H in which Henry Blake died is one of the most famous and well-known episodes in television history. [3], To evoke genuine emotions of shock and sadness, the final O.R. Major Margaret Houlihan and Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger both got married (Margaret in person, Klinger over the phone) and divorced during their service at the 4077th. supporting, role in the series, and he thought he could do better McLean Stevenson was Henry Blake, who in M*A*S*H, the TV series, was an Army reservist called up to serve in the Korean War as a doctor. Sandy Brown These combined departures and their subsequent cast replacements also signaled the beginning of a shift in focus of the M*A*S*H series as a whole, with a greater focus on the character of Hawkeye Pierce, played by Alan Alda. 20th Century Fox sued him for breach of contract, but the lawsuit collapsed. Why did Frank Burns leave? Their charge was a half-truth, as Henry had sent some medical supplies to Nurse Meg Cratty, who operated a civilian clinic in North Korea. Henry saw both Frank and Margaret as callous and overbearing, while the two majors incessantly criticized Henry's lack of command skill. The episode centers on Henry leaving the 4077th MASH for the final time. He studied tap dance and became a drummer, despite being born with brachydactyly caused by Poland syndrome, which made three fingers on his left hand significantly smaller than those on his right hand. Another is that the producers wanted to shake things up and create some drama for the show. RELATED: Ten Of The Saddest Moments From M*A*S*H. Why Did They Get Rid of Henry Blake On MASH? Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The character of Trapper John McIntyre was subsequently written off the series in Welcome to Korea, the first episode of the next season. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Why did Frank Burns leave? It is normal to cold feet before wedding. [18], As a result, when the cast returned to begin filming the series' fourth season in September 1975, there were major changes in both the makeup and the direction of the show. Lorraine was most likely feeling guilty for just considering an affair." The creators and also the network granted his wish. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. In a double whammy for the show, it also had to absorb the loss of Wayne Rogers, who was Trapper John. Who was the first Colonel Blake in [5] After shooting was completed, a season-ending cast party was planned. Bloomington, Illinois Instead, he welcomed B.J. As M*A*S*H progressed, Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye, became the starring male lead, and others McLean Stevenson played the role of Lieutenant Colonel Henry After the news of Colonel Blake's death shocked the world, the very next night during her opening monologue on her musical variety show, Cher introduced Stevenson as her guest star, saying that he was "missing in action"; the video briefly cut away to a shot of Stevenson, in costume as Henry, rowing a raft as he looked straight into the camera and said, "Hey guys, Im OK. Im OK!" Another is that the producers wanted to shake things up and create some drama for the show. Look, all I know is what they taught me in command school; there are certain rules about a war, and Rule Number 1 is that young men die. Heart attack The character Henry Blake left the show because his discharge Though a family man, Henry shared Hawkeye and Trapper's penchant for fraternizing with the nurses. Your email address will not be published. Why did Henry Blake leave mash? everyone loved Henry, but not necessarily McLean Stevenson. In Suzy Kalter's book The Complete Book of M*A*S*H, Jamie Farr (Klinger) relates his own version of the events leading up to the scene in which Radar announces Henry's death. It also proved that television could handle complex issues like death with sensitivity and intelligence. Lee County Crash Claims Life of a 40-year-old Guy. WebMcLean Stevenson was Henry Blake, who in M*A*S*H, the TV series, was an Army reservist called up to serve in the Korean War as a doctor. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. He and Radar embrace before Henry gets back on the chopper to leave camp for the final time. M*A*S*H Cast and Crew Once Discussed Making Heartbreaking Lt. But Gelbart and fellow creator Gene Reynolds used his exit to drum up emotion. How was Trapper John written out of MASH? All I try to do is patch kids up and run a hospital. Klinger, aren't you ashamed of yourself? Performance & security by Cloudflare. Another is that the producers wanted to shake things up and create some drama for the show. In 1975, Henry Blake decided to leave the show. Majors Margaret Houlihan (Loretta Swit) and Frank Burns (Larry Linville) celebrate privately that Frank will become the unit commander. He left the show at the Season 3 finale. Blue He wanted more of a starring, instead of a supporting, role in the series, and he thought he could do better because "everyone loved Henry". Lorraine (called Mildred in Season 1), ?-1952 (his death) These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. TIL Gary Burghoff, who played Radar OReilly on MASH, has a visibly deformed left hand, which ironically would have made him unfit for military service. Vanderpump Rules Stars Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix Split After Following Cheating Allegations. In the season 3 finale "Abyssinia, Henry", Henry had earned all his rotation points and was qualified for discharge. Abyssinia [means] Ill be seeing you. Kind of corny. When Hawkeye accused him of signing it and finding out he hadn't, he wryly acknowledged Henry's character when he replied, "How dare you do the right thing". McLean Stevenson/Date of death. Height: Longtime recurring guest cast member Jamie Farr, who played Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger, was elevated to the regular cast, with his name being featured on the opening credits. As M*A*S*H progressed, Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye, became the starring male lead, and others Henry claimed in one episode to be the best diagnostician in Bloomington, Illinois. He once admitted causing his college football team to lose a championship game after Henry taped the wrong leg of the star running-back. Radar walks into the operating room, without a mask, and announces that Blakes plane had been shot down over the Sea of Japan.