The Phil Silvers Show – A Comedy Masterpiece

by Guy Belleranti

One of the most loved comedies of the 1950’s (and perhaps of all time) was without a doubt The Phil Silvers Show. Originally titled “You’ll Never Get Rich”, and sometimes also called “Sergeant Bilko”, the program ran on CBS from 1955 to 1959 and was a hit with both audiences and critics. 143 half hour episodes were produced, all in black and white.

The program was created by Nat Hiken, and its lead character, Sergeant Ernie Bilko, was played to perfection by Phil Silvers. Hiken wrote many of the episodes in the first two years, and together he and Silvers created a masterpiece of comedy.

Sergeant Ernie Bilko was Master Sergeant of the motor pool at Fort Baxter, a fictional US Army base in Kansas. Ernie was an incorrigible, but charming conman who would go to great lengths to beat the system. His goal was to make money any way he could think of.

On the surface one might think a show like this would be limited and would get stale quickly. However, the wonderful scripts, Silvers’ performance as Bilko and the performances of all of the other actors kept the program fresh and furiously funny.

The fast-talking, quick-witted Bilko pulled rank, used flattery and any other method his conniving mind could think up in his personal quest for personal gain and comfort. His attempts were usually aided by the men under him – perhaps the most misfit, unkempt, gullible and lazy (but lovable) soldiers ever.

In each episode Bilko would come up with another get-rich-quick scheme. From illegal poker games and betting to buying a racehorse and eating contests Bilko always had a plan. And his long suffering and superior Colonel Hall (played by Paul Ford) would in-effectively try to crack down.

Bilko, however, did have a one big weakness – he was essentially a softie at heart. When his scams didn’t go as planned (and they never did) his conscience always kicked in so no one suffered.

Regulars on the program in addition to Silvers and Ford included:

Maurice Gosfield as the supremely sloppy Private Duane Doberman

Harvey Lembeck as Corporal Rocco Barbella

Joe E. Ross as Sergeant Rupert Ritzik

Herbie Faye as Private Sam Fender

Billy Sands as Private Dino Paparelli

Elisabeth Fraser as Sergeant Joan Hogan

Allan Melvin as Corporal Henshaw

A number of soon-to-be famous actors also made guest appearances on the program. Among them were Dick Van Dyke, Alan Alda (M*A*S*H), George Kennedy (many movies), Fred Gwynne (Herman Munster) Larry Storch (F-Troop), Paul Lynde (Hollywood Squares) and Al Lewis (Grandpa from The Munsters). The program also had guest appearances from a number of sports stars including Sam Snead and Yogi Berra.

The program was a favorite in syndication in the 1960’s and has been a favorite in Great Britain for years. Episodes are now available on DVD so that everyone can enjoy this classic comedy masterpiece.

Go to Rewind the Fifties Home