The Saddest Scene Ever on ‘Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.’
This might be the absolute saddest scene ever on Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. And here’s the thing: It was a scene that TV viewers saw every single week. What am I talking about? Let’s dive into the history of the show for a moment.
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., a spinoff of The Andy Griffith Show that starred Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton, was a huge hit for CBS, running for a total of five seasons from 1964 to 1969.
There was just something truly wonderful about Jim’s portrayal of wide-eyed and eternally naïve Gomer. Episodes of The Andy Griffith Show like “Citizen’s Arrest” and “Haunted House” cemented Gomer’s legacy as one of Mayberry’s finest and most fun citizens. To lend some level of authenticity to the series, some of the scenes, including the opening sequence, were filmed at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. Many actual Marines were visible in those scenes.
Courtesy of Everett
The opening sequence, in particular, was filled with actual servicemen. As I’m sure most people recall, the music is upbeat, and the sequence itself is meant to establish the show as lighthearted.
However, when you consider what was actually happening in the United States and its military at the time that the show was airing, a profound sadness emerges.
We had the Vietnam conflict, with U.S. military presence in that country peaking in 1969. Some of the Marines visible in the opening credits scene ended up serving tours of duty; tragically, some of them would not return home. Because of that harsh reality, the producers recognized that, for many Americans, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. was becoming increasingly difficult to watch.
Here’s what Jim told TV columnist Barbara Delatiner in 1967: “We started out as a military comedy, but then, when they started escalating the war in Vietnam, we deescalated the military aspects. How would it look to viewers if Gomer, a Marine, wasn’t going to Vietnam like their sons were?”
Courtesy of Everett
So, the next time you hear that familiar theme song and see Gomer Pyle awkwardly marching alongside his fellow Marines, perhaps you’ll recognize that what, at the time, seemed like simple, lighthearted opening credits for a TV show might just be the saddest scene ever on Gomer Pyle, USMC.
One more thing: Frank Sutton, who played Sergeant Carter on the show, could not pass the U.S. Marine Corps physical during World War II and ended up serving in the Army. During his service, he distinguished himself by taking part in 14 different assault landings. If you’re ever in Clarksville, Tennessee, Frank’s hometown, head on down to Franklin Street to get your picture taken with this eternally exasperated fellow.
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