Should they make a reunion movie?

[TJL]

I was thinking of an idea the other day...

Since they did a M*A*S*H reunion special recently, why not do a reunion movie?

Set it 25 years after the war has ended. The 4077th is having a big reunion. What big changes have occured among the Doctors, and nurses since they've returned to civilian life?

What are some ideas you may have about what has happened to the characters?

[CHUCK T]

Yes an interesting idea. set in the mid to late 70's--even Wayne Rogers could return (unless they decide to bring in Pernell Roberts since that was the time period he was doing Trapper John, MD I just wonder about Harry Morgan's character--if it is 25 years later he would probably be 90 years old or more!!

My guess though is that they won't do it.

[TJL]

The way I see it, as long as Harry Morgan is still alive, then he should be in it. I saw him recently in a comercial with Jamie Farr and Gary Burghoff for the American Diabetes Association. Sure, he's gotten on in years, but Harry Morgan looked pretty sharp on that reunion special a few months back.

He can be one of the Doctors who has retired...

[Marvo301]

I don't think they should do a reunion movie. First of all several actors from the show have already passed away.(i.e. MacLean Stevenson, Larry Linville, Johnny Haymer{Sgt. Zale}) Second with all the cast changes over the years it would be difficult to decide which characters to include in the reunion. Then there is the question of re-casting. Since the Frank Burns character was never killed should they include that character with another actor( other than Larry Linville) in the part. Or someone other than Johnny Haymer playing Sgt. Zale. I would not like to see this happen. Personally I would prefer to continue enjoying the classic reruns and remember the characters "the way they were" so to speak.

[Fan of old shows]

i dont know about a reunion movie. but i always like specials where cast gets together, talks, and interviews and stuff.

[bry]

me and a friend came up with the running story on how to handle the same topic in the same timeframe. we have ideas to include every character in some manner. it can be done. can somebody direct me to who i could get these ideas to ( and how to get them there) and make it happen?

[Heidi Dawn]

A M*A*S*H reunion movie might work! Recently, the surviving actors of M*A*S*H got together for a reunion special on Fox, and I've watched my tape about 8 times since last May (I can't get enough). The first thing I would do is instead of re-casting Frank Burns, is to kill-off his character, and make the setting his funeral. Henry's character was already killed off, but Zale, Flagg, and a few notable others are dead too! I wouldn't re-cast them, it wouldn't be the same!

[Marvo301]

I really like the idea of using Frank Burns Funeral as the setting for a M*A*S*H reunion. We all know how the characters reacted to Frank when he was alive but how will they react now that he is dead? The only question I have is how do you bring Charles into the story since he and Frank never met? It would be a shame to leave the incredible David Ogden Stiers out of the reunion!

[TJL]

Here's an idea.
Hawkeye, nearing retirement in Crabapple Cove, learns of Frank Bruns' death. He attends to funeral, for some reason, and after seeing the poor turnout at the memorial and burial (Hawk learns Frank had been long estranged from his wife and family and was as well loved in Fort Wayne as he was at the 4077th) Hawkeye fears he too might someday pass on unnoticed.
So he decides to gather as many of his former Korean War buddies as he can, for one big party.

[Heidi Dawn]

I've written M*A*S*H fanfics before, so this may be a good topic for a fanfic. In case anyone wants to read my short-stories it's titled "Margaret's Mixture" and it's on http://www.fanfiction.net/ under MASH.

[dlemond]

I'm all for a reunion movie and the premise of gathering after Frank's death/funeral is a start.

But there has to a comedic center to the movie or it will wrapped up in gloom - death, getting older, losing touch, disillusion.

These can all be touched upon and brought out better if there is a comedic plot to the story. Getting everyone to jump through hoops and concoct stories and fool people in order to achieve the resolution. Doesn't that sound like the MASH you remember?

What can this conflict be that will get all involved?

One idea I can think of is that there is a Korean War vets reunion in Washington- Charles is to receive an award (that's what brings him there, some honorary thing), some of the gang come on their own, and Hawkeye urges a couple who can't come with a ruse that he is sick.

Of course he is not sick. It turns out that Frank Burns (who died 1 day before this starts) won't be able to buried with a mililtary funeral/honors due to some slander that has recently come up. Frank's wife had called Hawkeye to ask if the allegations are true. Hawkeye was originally not planning to go and was having a kind of midlife crisis. This gives him purpose. He now wants to clear Frank's name to give his family some peace and to clear any blemishes on the 4077th. And he will find out a few things about himself along the way.

With everyone gathered in Washington, lying, paper shuffling, military potshots, character witnesses (past regulars and frequent guests)and general shenanigans all come into play.

What do you think?

[bry]

i have my own ideas. but this stuff about franks death is just not what i would do. i just wish to not put forth my ideas as , as soon as i do, some nut will take them and do something with them and slander my own mental fantasies of my favorite show.
but no, this should not be about a funeral. remember , this was a sitcom. maybe it should end not funny, but it should not be a show of morbiity.
nobody should be recast. people die. so therefore so did the characters they portrayed. that's when you make up a scenario to explain that persons absence. after all , 25 years can change a persons life (or death) and such changes should be recognized.

[fore284]

A good idea but not so realistic because some of the main characters of died ever though in the movie they could say they died after the war ended and before the reunion. But leave the classic's alone and think up new ideas. I miss that reunion special I am mad.

[brooky]

Originally posted by TJL
Here's an idea.
Hawkeye, nearing retirement in Crabapple Cove, learns of Frank Bruns' death. He attends to funeral, for some reason, and after seeing the poor turnout at the memorial and burial (Hawk learns Frank had been long estranged from his wife and family and was as well loved in Fort Wayne as he was at the 4077th) Hawkeye fears he too might someday pass on unnoticed.
So he decides to gather as many of his former Korean War buddies as he can, for one big party.

Now this sounds like a winner! Typical Hawkeye.

[GoldenGuy]

Considering how LARGE the cast of characters is for MASH, having TWO cast members die isn't bad. And one of those cast members died IN THE SHOW. I'm in no way happy Mclean died but if any cast member HAD to die Mclean is the best that could happen. And Zale and Flagg are really insignificant to the reunion..
.
And I LOVE your guys idea of the funeral. I think Hawkeye and BJ should be like neighbors in California (after Hawk's father dies what reason does he have to stay in crabaple Cove) Hawkeye should be Married to some unknown woman. And BJ of course will be married to Peg. (Trapper left MASH suddenly it would be alot harder for him and hawk to be close in the states) Hawkeye and BJ get the news of Frank's death. And they both DON'T want to go to the funeral . There wives nag and say, "You worked with this man, he couldn't have been THAT bad" and Hawkeye and BJ both assure them "Oh he WAS" But they end up going, mainly for their wives and to see old Mashers..
.
Everyone is there. When Hawkeye sees Trapper he gets estatic. This is the first time he's seen him since the korean war. He intruduces him to BJ. Everyone is happy to see Col. Potter. Radar was the only one who visited Burns before he died. He showed up to his house a day before becaus ehe knew he was going to die before he did Father Malchany does the service. Klinger shows up withj Soon Li, LATE as only klinger could..
.
But the whole death of Frank is ultimately the very hardest on Margarate, who had an on again off again relationship with Frank while he was married in the states. She has a very hard time getting over it. .
And Charles is there because Margarate invited him..
.
Well the funeral sparks memories and stuff and they start to plan the big reunion.