Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.

From Freepedia

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. was a television series that ran on CBS from 1964 to 1969, with episodes rerun in mid-1970.

The series, which was a spinoff of The Andy Griffith Show, featured Jim Nabors reprising his role as the bumbling but lovable Gomer Pyle, who had left the town of Mayberry and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. The series mostly revolved around Pyle's misadventures in the Marines, usually ending with his good-naturedness winning over adversity, especially his hard-nosed drill sergeant, Vince Carter. Due to Gomer's deep humility, he never sought promotion beyond the rank of Private First Class. CBS executives ordered that Pyle remain in training indefinitely, and not be sent to the Vietnam War, to preserve ratings.

On August 9, 2001, PFC Gomer Pyle was promoted to Lance Corporal by General James L. Jones, then Commandant of the US Marine Corps, for the character's promotion of Marine values of selfless devotion to duty and unquestionable loyalty.

Cast

• Pvt Gomer Pyle, played by Jim Nabors
• Sgt Vince Carter, played by Frank Sutton
• Lt Col Edward Gray, played by Forrest Compton
• Pvt/Cpl Gilbert "Duke" Slater, played by Ronnie Schell
• Cpl Chuck Boyle, played by Roy Stuart
• Pvt Frankie Lombardi, played by Ted Bessell
• Pvt Lester Hummel, played by William Christopher

Trivia

Dialogue from an episode of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. can be heard in the song "Nobody Home" from Pink Floyd's album The Wall, specifically Gomer's trademark line "Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!"

The term "Gomer Pyle" is used by Marine Corps Drill Instructors, as a personal epithet for recruits that are perceived as "goldbricking" (being lazy), or not responding/adjusting to training properly. This usage is shown in the Stanley Kubrick film Full Metal Jacket.

External links

• Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. at the Internet Movie Database
• Jim Nabors official site. Click on link at top for promotion information.