Lorraine was most likely feeling guilty for just considering an affair." All were short-lived, and he later conceded that leaving MASH was the mistake of his career. For instance, McLean Stevenson played Col. Henry Blake on TV but Roger Bowen played the role in the movie. The death of a major character on a sitcom was practically unheard of. the CBS television comedy M*A*S*H from 1974-75. Another is that the producers wanted to shake things up and create some drama for the show. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. McLean Stevenson Though Henry was a capable doctor and a decent man, he was largely ineffectual as a commanding officer, though in his defense, Henry never professed to be a great leader, and was fully aware that he was in over his head as commander. It was probably actually Baijiu . He was portrayed by Harry Morgan, and replaced the departing character of Henry Blake as commander of the 4077th MASH. We were working on the story of McLean leaving. There were no survivors. Blakes death showed that television could be more than just entertainment and it revolutionized the medium. 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". 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?". I think that if there is such a thing as the loss of life there should be some connection. McLean Stevenson It was a surprise, it was somebody they loved. McLean Stevenson as Henry Blake in the M*A*S*H TV series. McLean Stevenson (11/14/27 - 02/15/96) played COL Henry Blake in The episode was called Abyssinia, Henry. It ran on March 18, 1975. In the episode, Colonel Blake is flying a medical evacuation mission when his plane is shot down over North Korea. 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. Henry is being discharged because he has earned enough points. The expression Abyssinia, Henry comes from a Flapper era, 20s era. Stevenson decided to leave M*A*S*H after the third season when the series enjoyed the fifth highest ratings in the country. Henry Blake 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". M*A*S*H Cast and Crew Once Discussed Making Heartbreaking Lt. He left the show at He rushed to tell him goodbye but missed him at the airport. Why MASH Conversely, he was also a considerable drinker; in To Market, To Market, when his treasured 100-year-old antique oak desk was stolen by Hawkeye and Trapper to trade for desperately needed medical supplies, Henry's initial concern was whether someone had broken into his liquor cabinet. 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. That was the response we were hoping for.. M*A*S*H Why was Colonel Blake killed off This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. M*A*S*H fans hearts broke everywhere when the show decided to kill off fan-favorite Henry Blake during the shocking Season 3 finale Abyssinia, Henry.. McLean said, I wanna get off the show, so we finally made a deal with him: Finish the year. Radar then leaves the operating room as the camera pans across the stunned staff, each visibly fighting to retain composure and continue with their work. M*A*S*H Cast and Crew Once Discussed Making - Outsider (Ironically, during the real Korean War, a non-hostile air crash occurred in the sea of Japan in Sept 1950 and at least one medical personnel, US Air Force Medical Squadron Captain Vera Brown, was killed.). The 4077th were happy for him. Gelbart acted as director for the episode, and the cast filmed all the other scenes before they learned of Blakes death. But he did not stay in prison long. Why did Why did 20th Century Fox sued him for breach of contract, but the lawsuit collapsed. Henry Blake Why did Why did How did McLean Stevenson die? They didn't expect it but it made the point. There are a few theories floating around. "[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. The episode ends with a touching montage of flashbacks set to the song Suicide Is Painless.. He was portrayed by Harry Morgan, and replaced the departing character of Henry Blake as commander of the 4077th MASH. We were working on the story of McLean leaving. Rogers didnt decide to leave until after season three, so his departure from the show couldnt be planned with an entire episode. 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. As the tone of the series had evolved to more In 1975 Stevenson decided to leave the show. You made my little kid cry! You did it as vengeance! We got a letter from a 15-year-old girl who said she understood our motives. Routing number of commercial bank of Ethiopia? As M*A*S*H progressed, Alan Alda, who played Hawkeye, became the starring male lead, and others Your IP: Lorraine (called Mildred in Season 1), ?-1952 (his death). How Did Tom Sizemore Die? The odd thing is, both actors died within hours of each other in real life. Harry Morgan, as Sherman Potter, took over the 4077th. 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. Colonel Sherman Tecumseh Potter appears in the M*A*S*H and AfterMASH television series. ", (Comforting Hawkeye after the death of a friend) "If I had all the answers I'd be at the Mayo Clinic. When he goes home he wears a civilian suit, which was against army regulations; first of all, though he had earned enough rotation points to go home he has not been actually discharged from the army, and his civilian garb would have subject him to arrest by the MPs for being out of uniform. Rogers said that aside from missing the castand his friendship with Alda in particularhe had no regrets about leaving the show after season three. 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. Routing number of commercial bank of Ethiopia? The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The creators wanted fans to experience the loss associated with war, so they ultimately decided to kill Blake off. Another is that the producers wanted to shake things up and create some drama for the show. While Stevenson's departure was announced prior to and written into "Abyssinia, Henry", Rogers unexpectedly left the series during the break between seasons, and so his character's departure takes place off-screen in the following episode, "Welcome to Korea", the first of the show's fourth season. But Gelbart and fellow creator Gene Reynolds used his exit to drum up emotion. Your email address will not be published. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Why did The creators and also the network granted his wish. Colonel Sherman Tecumseh Potter appears in the M*A*S*H and AfterMASH television series. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. The creators and also the network granted his wish. How did McLean Stevenson die? 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. "Whatever you guys decide is fine with me. 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 The Trial of Henry Blake, Hawkeye and Trapper fought to secure Henry's command when Margaret and Frank brought formal charges against him for, as they put it, giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Actor McLean Stevenson, who played Henry Blake, had grown unhappy on the show and wanted to leave to pursue other opportunities. Who was the first Colonel Blake in [9] It is estimated that over 1,000 letters were received by the producers regarding the episode; "some were from people who understood. This caused three fingers of Gary Burghoff left hand to be smaller than that of the right hand. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Second, the death of Colonel Blake was significant because it showed that even fictional characters were not immune to the horrors of war. A Katherine Baumann played a 21 year old girlfriend. McLean Stevenson/Cause of death. Andrew (son) Jane and Molly (daughters) Unnamed newborn son (born during Season 1 episode "Showtime") After a commercial break, the episode closes with a "reluctant and affectionate farewell" to Blake by means of a light-hearted montage of clips from past episodes. WebThe 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 WebM*A*S*H was both a television series and a movie, so several actors played the same character. In 1975 Stevenson decided to leave the show. "Klinger, it's 4 o'clock in the afternoon and you're still in a housecoat?! In the premiere of season four, Hawkeye learned that Trapper John had been discharged. (, During the first three seasons, Henry is absent in the episodes ", "It's entirely possible that Henry's wife Lorraine did not, in fact, cheat on him (to the extent that he had cheated on her), in that she referenced the 1945 film Brief Encounter. Does this place look like the Mayo Clinic? 185.126.219.251 Henry Blake 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. Henry Blake MASH The shows creators swore the writers to secrecy. During season 1 he had an ongoing affair with a Nurse Scorch, and later had affairs with two other nurses; in " A Smattering of Intelligence" it is revaled that prior to coming to Korea Henry had affairs with an underage girl and a prostitute. In the 1970 film there seemed to be little to no father/son bond, though Henry entrusted everything to Radar, who was still company clerk, as opposed to SFC Vollmer, the camp's sergeant major, who invariably found himself one step behind Henry and Radar's machinations. But Gelbart and fellow creator Gene Reynolds used his exit to drum up emotion. 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. Stevenson decided to leave M*A*S*H after the third season when the series enjoyed the fifth highest ratings in the country. if we turned on the [television] set we would see fifteen people [killed in Vietnam every night]. 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. Though a family man, Henry shared Hawkeye and Trapper's penchant for fraternizing with the nurses. 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. Gene Reynolds, one of the executive producers of M*A*S*H, said the decision to kill off Blake was deliberate. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Henry Blake 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. Stevenson didnt say a word afterward and later went to his trailer and cried, skipping the wrap party. The creators wanted fans to experience the loss associated with war, so they ultimately decided to kill Blake off. He left the show at the Season 3 finale. {From ". Certain journalists revealed Blake's fate in the weeks leading up to the episode's broadcast. Henry even had a file full of Klinger's various phony attempts at hardship discharge. 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. 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. Henry Blake By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. everyone loved Henry, but not necessarily McLean Stevenson. In the movie the girlfriend was played by actress Indus Arthur Click to reveal Hunnicutt as the newest doctor. The episode opens with a typical operating room scene; Radar O'Reilly (Gary Burghoff) enters and informs Henry Blake that Blake has received all of the needed Army service points to be discharged and sent home. Another is that the producers wanted to shake things up and create some drama for the show. They even ripped out the last page of the script so the rest of the cast wouldnt know. Up until this point, death had largely been avoided as a topic on television. WebThe show's writers reluctantly penned him an exit in the final episode of the 19741975 season (entitled "Abyssinia, Henry"), in which Lt. Stevenson left the set almost immediately after the end of filming, and the party was canceled due to the dour mood of the cast. Henry arrives in his new suit, and Frank and Margaret give Blake a formal salute, but Henry chides Frank for being too disciplined. It was a huge deal at the time because no one had ever seen anything like it before. Who was the first Colonel Blake in Your email address will not be published. Lorraine is an excellent cook, but irresponsible with money and, according to Henry, acted like Frank Burns in drag-(in fact in a film she sent to Henry of herself and their children she is actaully not bad looking) she also has a fistful of credit cards and $3,500 worth of Bridgework in her teeth (of which Henry owes $1,700). Just send him home. And that's not good. He was in charge of the 4077th. As the tone of the series had evolved to more Why Did Henry Blake Leave Some time later, while the three remaining doctors were in surgery, a visibly shocked Radar came in to report that Henry's plane had been shot down over the Sea of Japan and everyone on board was killed. First appeared in: And Rule Number 2 is doctors can't change Rule Number 1.". The episode ended with Henry Blakes helicopter going down off the coast of Japan, off-screen. He did not survive the crash. Vanderpump Rules Stars Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix Split After Following Cheating Allegations. The odd thing is, both actors died within hours of each other in real life. 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. 200 lbs. McLean Stevenson was actually born in Normal, Illinois. There were no survivors." In the Richard Hooker novels and Robert Altman film, Henry Blake remained in command at the 4077th after Hawkeye and Duke went home. Roger Bowen (born May 25, 1932 died February 16, 1996) was an American comedic actor and novelist, known for his portrayal of Lieutenant Colonel Henry Blake in the 1970 film MASH. According to Wikipedia, Alan Alda had McLean Stevensons character (Lt. Col. Henry Blake) killed off. Stevenson later said in an interview that he was deeply hurt that his character's death was revealed in this fashion and the party was "ruined". During the summer 1975 break between seasons three and four, he quit the series. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Instead, he welcomed B.J. It showed that even in a comedy, life could be full of tragedy. Towards the end of the episode, in another typical operating-room scene, Radar enters, visibly shaken. Spouse(s): The producers, Larry Gelbart and Gene Reynolds, decided almost at the last minute to add Henry's death to the episode. 20th Century Fox sued him for breach of contract, but the lawsuit collapsed. Henry Blake Henry Blake Then, M*A*S*H and the 4077th go about the business of tending to the wounded. He did not survive the crash. The Reason McLean Stevenson Left MASH The characters learn the news and are shocked by Blakes death. Edgar McLean Stevenson Jr. (November 14, 1927 February 15, 1996) was an American actor and comedian. The creators wanted fans to experience the loss associated with war, so they ultimately decided to kill Blake off. But Gelbart and fellow creator Gene Reynolds used his exit to drum up emotion. It does not store any personal data. because he was tired of his supporting role to Alan Alda and Wayne Colonel Henry Blake McLean said, I wanna get off the show, so we finally made a deal with him: Finish the year. 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. WebOriginally Answered: On the TV show M*A*S*H Why was colonel Blake killed off? WebM*A*S*H was both a television series and a movie, so several actors played the same character. He went back to him to return the salute and then said, "You behave yourself, or I'm gonna come back and kick your butt." In the 1970 movie MASH, Henry Blake was portrayed by Roger Bowen. The creators and also the network granted his wish. We decided his character could, not should, could die. Stevenson decided to leave M*A*S*H after the third season when the series enjoyed the fifth highest ratings in the country. But M*A*S*H writers had another idea. He repeatedly refused to give Corporal Klinger his devoutly-wished Section Eight for being mentally unstable, despite all the exuberant dresses and ludicrous schemes Klinger concocted in order to convince his superiors that he was insane.