Apparently, Happy Was NOT Happy At All On The PT73

[Sgt. Saunders]

In his autobiography, “This Is Your Captain Speaking: My Fantastic Voyage Through Hollywood, Faith and Life,” the late Gavin MacLeod recounted that he disliked his time appearing as Seaman Joseph “Happy” Haines on the 1960s sit-com, “McHale’s Navy.”

Mr. MacLeod described “Happy” Haines as not much of a character who pretty much just laughed along with the rest of the PT 73 crew at the antics of Tim Conway and Joe Flynn.

Ted Knight, a close friend of Gavin MacLeod, appeared on an episode of “McHale’s Navy” and he advised Gavin MacLeod that he was being wasted by just being one of the guys on the show.

Finally, after drinking too much and even contemplating suicide, Gavin MacLeod decided to leave the show and pursue other acting opportunities.

Obviously, it was the correct career move for Mr. MacLeod as he later appeared in the hit films, “The Sand Pebbles” and “Kelly’s Heroes.” In addition, Gavin MacLeod also appeared in the hit tv show “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” as copy writer Maury Slaughter and then starring as Captain Merrill Stubing on the long-running tv show, “The Love Boat.”

Still, we never did find out what happened to “Happy” Haines on “McHale’s Navy.” Was he transferred to another PT boat? Did “Happy” get sent home? Or was “Happy” killed or seriously wounded in action? We’ll never know now.