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The Writer Who Gave Us TOOTSIE, OH GOD! & TV's M*A*S*H Is Gone Larry Gelbart 1928-2009
I am – Hercules
Comedy hero Larry Gelbart – the “Caesar’s Hour” writer (he worked alongside Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Neil Simon and Carl Reiner) who went to to script and oversee the early and best (Frank Burns-era) episodes of “M*A*S*H” as well as big-screen projects like “Oh, God” and “Tootsie” – passed away Friday. He was 81.
Gelbart also wrote the corporate-takeover movie comedy “Barbarians At The Gate” and co-wrote the musicals “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way To The Forum” and “City of Angels.”
Gelbart, who only spoke Yiddish before he turned five, was always hilarious when Dick Cavett had him on.
The man was a giant. Find the Associated Press' obituary here.
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RIP, man.
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Sep 11, 2009 8:56:14 PM CDT
BARBARIANS AT THE GATE WAS A GREAT MOVIE!!!FACT!!! TOOTSIE WAS S
by carlthormark1978
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The standard thing that’s said at times like this is, of course,
“Such a loss.”
A loss for who? Well, certainly for his family no doubt. But other than that, I think its a time for celebration. Because the man gave us, and left us, so much material that will continue on long past this sad day.
I mean, among all of his other accomplishments such as “Oh, God” and “Tootsie”(which he co-wrote), the man developed “M*A*S*H”, the film, into a classic television iconic series who’s final episode is STILL, over twenty years later, THE most watched television event in all of television history.
Not only did he help develop it into a series, he set the tone OF the series in such a way that it could handle the loss of multiple main characters throughout it’s long run. Characters such as Henry Blake and Frank Burns (during his stay). And then later on (after he had moved on), Not only did Radar O’ Reilly leave the series,
it continued on with the introductions of Colonel Sherman Potter, B.J. Hunnicutt, Charles Winchester III.
Naturally, the setting of the series, the Korean War, was ripe for stories about loss. And Gelbart as well as a few dozen other writers that came and went dove into that setting and gave us all a rich, beloved series that lasted 11 years.
I mean, “Oh, God” and “Tootsie” have had their runs, made their money and are now a part of film history. Maybe a few thousand people around the world rent them or some obscure cable station somewhere in the world runs them on a lazy Saturday afternoon or maybe even features them on the dead spot some late, late Friday evening.
But M*A*S*H…. a good solid 27 years AFTER the final episode aired, is STILL running on a television station at any one time each day somewhere in the world.
Loss?
I think not. The man lived a full life and left behind a lasting legacy that will survive for at least the next several generations.
There aren’t alot of writers in the world who can make that claim. And that goes for not only television and film writers, but literary writers as well.
Like Hawkeye, there aren’t many people I salute. But today, I salute you Mr. Gelbart. Thank you.
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And until now I never noticed the boom mike in that scene. You learn new things every day.
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I have been bursting to show love for this man since I've heard. M*A*S*H* is one of my most favorite shows of all time. It started in 1972 and I grew up with it. It was a family affair my house, like All in the Family or the Carol Burnett show. I was young and the content was questionable (Spearchucker Jones??) but but my very concervative, very catholic parents used to gather around the TV and watch. Why? Because it was funny. The orginator of snarky one lines. I like to think my sense of humour developed from this show. Cynical, bitchy and hearty.
On Labour Day weekend, they had a M*A*S*H marathon on TV, like they do at least once a year. And I watched it again like I do every year. It's a timeless show about war & friends & I'll love it forever. The introduction of a dry martini for me did not come from Bond, but from the still in the Swamp. Watching Goodbye, Forever, Amen always makes me cry twice - Hawkeye & the chicken-baby bus, and BJ's sad rock sign-off.
Gelbart introduced black & white TV back into homes with episodes like the "interview", introduced POV TV like the solider who had been shot in the neck, dream episodes, addiction...it's just too much to comprehend how many boundries he broke in broadcast television.
He built a testament. And even if you believe he went out not as good as he came in, he will always have my deepest respect as a leader and not a follower.
His plane was shot down over the sea of Japan. It spun in; there were no survivors. -
thanks for all the great entertainment over the years. RIP
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...in my writing program, I had an instructor who began every class w/ "Back when I was writing w/ Larry Gelbart...." Made me laugh; why wasn't Gelbart teaching us?! RIP Larry, Gelbart, and thanks for the great volume of work you leave behind.
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Farewell, and thanks for all the laughs!
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...he's having a Montecristo with God. Who, yes, looks and sounds exactly like George Burns.
That movie is one of a handful that can make me smile at the exact same time a tear wells up in my eye.
Goodbye, Forever, Amen. -
This is all your fault! Damn you to hell!
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I always wondered how that show lasted 8 years longer than the Korean War!
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Sep 11, 2009 10:09:26 PM CDT
Are Orci & Kurtzman paying attention? THIS was a writer, people
by yackbacker
What a career.
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Oh! God is very nuanced theologically. People remember the wackyness of MASH, but there was a lot of brains and a definite point of view as well. I'm not sure people are writing this kind of film any more.
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I assume so, since it's being covered here.
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Sep 11, 2009 10:46:38 PM CDT
nobody wants to pay $20 to watch people live next to chemical wa
by badmrwonka
they can see that in New Jersey!!
RIP Larry, you were a giant. -
Those first 3 years were the funniest, but it still held up pretty good after that, though it floundered towards the end.
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As Larry of Arabia said, people remember M*A*S*H as being a wacky comedy, but it was one of the most intelligent comedies ever aired. It holds up incredibly well, too.
M*A*S*H would be enough to get anyone into the comedy hall of fame, but this guy did lots of other quality stuff too. A farking genius. -
His type of humor definitely wasn't right for Three's Company though. But I recognize his contribution to the greatest sitcom ever.
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Mr Gelbart, was another legend of television whom I had the great fortune to work with on a funny pilot that unfortunately never went to series, way back in the early 90's. He was always wonderful supportive and encouraging to a young punk like me. He shall be greatly missed.
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"Colonel Blake's plan was shot down over the Sea of Japan. It spun in. There were no survivors". Still one of the most shocking and flat out ballsiest moves in TV history. Plus it was a great "Fuck you!" to Maclean Stevenson for thinking he was too good for the show. Sigh who is going to be crushing inflated Hollywood egos now that Gelbart is gone?
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Most movie "comedies" are about pathetic man-boy behavior, and rely on bodily functions and malfunctions to get laughs. Not Gelbart. He's the mirror image of yutzes like Jason Segal. I haven't seen a so-called movie comedy since Bruce Almighty. When I want a laugh, I watch M*A*S*H reruns, in particular reruns during the last 5 years of the show's run. That's when it hit its peak. Rest in peace, Lar. You'll be missed, especially when yet another shitty Apatow fartfest hits our eyeballs...
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Your voluminous body of work, speaks for itself!That's ENTERTAINMENT!
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r.i.p
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His name is Paul Revere....
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The man says the horse can do...
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Sep 12, 2009 12:58:49 AM CDT
I will NEVER EVER EVER stop missing that guy as long as I live.
by iblis_mage
Haven't had cable for just over a year now, but the one thing I tried never to miss when I did was any M*A*S*H episode with his name on it as writer. Absolute 100% genius wit, and it ain't the same world without him in it. So long Larry, you were truly one of a kind.
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"I just don't know why they're shooting at us...all we want to do is bring them democracy and white bread. Transplant the American dream: freedom, achievement, hyperacidity, affluence, flatulence, technology, tension...the inalienable right to an early coronary sitting at your desk while plotting to stab your boss in the back. Now THAT'S entertainment!"
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I grew up on his work.
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And, somehow, Mr. Gelbart earns barely a blip on the radar. Go figure. OH, GOD was more (subtly) poignant--and quite revelatory--than 1000 sermons pitched by clergymen (I recall Jimmy Swaggart--the past century's eminent asshole/hypocrite--denouncing the popularity of E.T., completely oblivious to the film's unpretentious theological convictions. Can't wait to piss on Swaggart's grave). As for MASH, some episodes kicked butt until the concluding 5 minutes when Alan Alda concluded that "War is bad." Wow, pretty profound, Alan; a belabored diatribe in lieu of comedy. I already miss Mr. Gelbart's "departure"--he was a definite role model. Please relay my admiration to to Mr. Burns (aka God--or vice versa).
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In his way he was like an original view askew
Did some creative and original works.
Thanks again man -
TV show about War that aired in
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was a piece of genius. I love "Tootsie", it's full of terrific lines. Only wish Dustin had had eyebrows for majority of the movie. RIP Mr. Gelbart, and thanks.
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a huge finger to Vietnam - not the troops - but to the military establishment that would make people statistics. Even when they "tried to pull bodies out of a meat grinder without going crazy" it showed us that ordinary people can do extrodinary things when you work together & under pressure.
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All your heroes pass away. RIP, Mr. Gelbart. The man was brilliant.
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Time to start listing your faveeorite Gelbert lines......I dont do the RIP thing very often but Seasons 1-3 of MASH were among the funniest things Ive ever seen.....I'll start.....
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Frank: "Why does everyone take an instant dislike to me?" Trapper: "It saves time Frank"............priceless
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Henry Blake: Do we have enough sherry and ginger-ale for the General?
Radar: Oh, nobody does, sir.
Henry Blake: Oh, fine then, if nobody does we don't have to, but make sure we do, just in case we don't.
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Henry Blake: You're always wrong, Frank. That's what's so right about you.
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I will be popping in season 2 when I get home from work. Corona's for everyone.....
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OH God was a fine fine movie.
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Death must have got part of the stimulus package.
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Larry Gelbart got to heaven and God looked just like George Burns? RIP Larry Gelbart. You will be missed.
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FUCK ALAN ALDA
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Frank: What are you doing up there?
Hawkeye: I just wanted to borrow your Bible, Frank.
Frank: Since when are you two interested in the Bible?
Trapper John: I peeked at the end, Frank. The Devil did it. -
Trapper;Klinger's not a pervert
Hotlips:How Do you Know?
Trapper: because I'm one and he's never at the meetings.
Kevin Smith, Judd Apatow and pretty much every other major comedy writer today owes there careers to this man.
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Love how he criticizes the advent of television and then lest anyone dismiss him as some old "when I was your age..." technology-phobic crank, he says "It's almost like another race of humans creates these technologies and then we take over, the ones who put an atomic bomb in the Wright Brothers' plane and cancer in the cigarettes." Nailed it!
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Frank Burns: The men hate me, don't they?
Radar: Just your guts, sir.
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Colonel Flagg: What's your clearance?
Henry Blake: Oh, I go through the door with about an inch to spare.
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Very funny script: "When a man says what's right, what's good, what's real, and what's true, then his mouth is ten feet tall."
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For 'Tootsie' alone he goes to comedy writer heaven. Rest well, friend.
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another Brilliant talent gone. so many great contributions. Rest In Peace larry! We will miss you down here! Send me one of God's business cards!
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http://tinyurl.com/oboueg
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The early episodes with Trapper are the best of the series.
RIP Mr. Gelbart. -
Abe Vigoda will outlive everyone!! All hail the great Abe Vigoda!!
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The line in Oh God, about how he should never invented to make pockets, because people would put things in it like money. One of the best lines in literature. RIP.
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Larry, you will be missed. Thanks for all the great work!, especially my personal fave MASH. You, sir, were truly the finest kind.
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