"Abyssinia Henry" and dropping the scalpel - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 10-07-2003, 11:26 AM

Someone told me that in the episode "Abyssinia, Henry" when Radar delivers the news about Col. Blake's plane, that the dropping of the scalpel (I forget which character) was improvised.

I suppose it could have been, but given how tightly M*A*S*H was scripted, I wonder....

Anybody have any info on this one...??

treky · 10-08-2003, 01:49 AM

they didn't show which character did it, but I think someone did it accidentally & they decided to keep it in because it seemed so appropriate.

That was the second time they did the scene, because they had trouble with one of the cameras the first time.

ficlopri · 10-08-2003, 07:05 PM

Yes Dr. I wonder who dropped the scalpel.

hawaii five-o · 10-08-2003, 07:29 PM

Frank was pretty clumsy. Maybe it was him.

donald snl · 10-23-2003, 07:11 PM

in larry gelbarts book he says that a crew member dropped in it by accadent and it it was so effcitve that he just asked the network if he could leave it in

Screenwriter · 10-24-2003, 12:42 PM

Ooooo, now that's interesting.

10-07-2003, 11:26 AM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	"Abyssinia Henry" and dropping the scalpel Someone told me that in the episode "Abyssinia, Henry" when Radar delivers the news about Col. Blake's plane, that the dropping of the scalpel (I forget which character) was improvised. I suppose it could have been, but given how tightly MASH* was scripted, I wonder.... Anybody have any info on this one...??

10-08-2003, 01:49 AM	#2
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	they didn't show which character did it, but I think someone did it accidentally & they decided to keep it in because it seemed so appropriate. That was the second time they did the scene, because they had trouble with one of the cameras the first time.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

10-08-2003, 07:29 PM	#4
hawaii five-o Book 'Em, Dano Senior Member Join Date: Jun 27, 2003 Location: At home, eating cereal straight out of the box Posts: 1,406	Frank Burns??? Frank was pretty clumsy. Maybe it was him.

10-24-2003, 12:42 PM	#6
Screenwriter Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 18, 2002 Posts: 760	Ooooo, now that's interesting.
	__________________ I have to leave you now... don't TVDVDs I own All in the Family: Season 1, 2 & 3 Charlie's Angles: Season 1 Cheers: S1, 2. (need S3) DVD Season 1 and 2 Dallas Season 1 & 2 Happy Days: Season 1 Laverne & Shirley: Season 1 Taxi (Season 1 Coming Soon) The Jeffersons: Season 1 and 2 The MTM Show: Season 1 MAS*H: S1,2,3,4,5 Mork & Mindy Season 1 Sanford and Son: Season 1 (needing 2, 3, 4, and 5) I Love Lucy S1, 2. (3 in Nov.)

10-08-2003, 07:05 PM	#3
ficlopri Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 27, 2001 Location: Methuen, Ma.USA Posts: 659	Yes Dr. I wonder who dropped the scalpel.

10-23-2003, 07:11 PM	#5
donald snl Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 06, 2003 Posts: 456	in larry gelbarts book he says that a crew member dropped in it by accadent and it it was so effcitve that he just asked the network if he could leave it in