Posted on 07/01/2014 8:20:20 PM PDT by EveningStar
Robert "Bob" Francis Hastings, Sr., a radio actor who found his footing in television, notably for portraying "yes man" Lt. Elroy Carpenter on the popular sitcom "McHale's Navy," has died. He was 89.
Hastings died Monday at his Burbank home. He had pancreatic cancer, his third bout with the illness in 15 years.
(Excerpt) Read more at burbankleader.com ...
“F Troop” also came from the same source. And “Hogan’s Heroes”.
That’s not Phil Silvers
No, that’s not Phil Silvers. That;s Joe Flynn, Captain Binghampton.
McHale’s Navy was one of my favorite 60s comedies along with
Get Smart and Hogan’s Heros. I think McHale’s Navy might have
become a little PC for the time. Recall they changed WWll theaters
from the Pacific to Europe. Even as a kid at the time I thought
Hollywood was becoming a little hinky about continuing to make
the Japanese look foolish. Anybody have the real backstory about
the change of setting? I’ll peruse Wiki.
RIP, Mr Hastings.
You are thinking of sgt bilko played by phil silvers.
Not really.
Take away the glasses and there isn't much resemblance.
At your suggestion, I went to Wiki because I had no recollection of the change of setting in the last season from the South Pacific to Italy. Guess I’d lost interest in the show by that point since I was in junior high by then so it was all about the “cool” factor for what to watch on TV.
One of the crew members was the son of one of the Johnny and Jack country singing duet. It has been so long, I can’t remember...
RIP, Mr. Hastings.
My Dad was a WW2 Navy Vet, and My Uncle Bill was on a PT Boat.
Both of them absolutely LOVED that show.
(I can still hear the theme song in my head!)
“Not many of the guys from McHale’s Navy are left. There’s Tim Conway, Gavin MacLeod and I don’t know who else”
A distant Cousin of mine was one of McHale’s crew. He rarely had any lines, just ran around a lot to Borgnine’s commands. Not sure if he is still alive.
RIP.
Look up his name on IMDb. It should tell you.
I don’t think Gavin MacLeod had many lines either.
Besides Tim Conway, the only other original cast members who were there for all 138 episodes that are still alive are:
John Wright (Willy Moss)
Yoshio Yoda (Fuji Kobiaji)
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