MILITARY TRANSFERS

TV producers are always trying to transform hit movies into TV series. Recently, movie producers have realized there’s box-office gold to be mined turning vintage TV series into features.

The latest TV series to make its way to the big screen is “You’ll Never Get Rich,” a.k.a. “The Phil Silvers Show.” Universal is currently filming the comedy based on the 1950s CBS series starring Steve Martin in Silvers’ role as military con man Sgt. Bilko.

Over the decades, though, adaptations of popular military movies have made their way to the small screen with generally dismal results. In fact, CBS’ “MASH” is the only series that became an unqualified success. A quick look at military films that got their television papers.

“Casablanca” (ABC, 1955-56; NBC, 1983): The ‘50s version of the Oscar-winning 1942 classic starred Charles McGraw in the Humphrey Bogart role of Rick Jason (Blaine in the movie), an American expatriate who operated a popular bistro in Casblanca. Rick also worked to undermine the Nazis who were occupying Casablanca. Marcel Dalio, who was in the original film, played police Capt. Renaud and veteran actor Clarence Muse was the piano-playing Sam.

In the 1983 adaptation, David Soul played the cynical Rick Blaine; Hector Elizondo was Renaut; Ray Liotta played Rick’s bartender Sasha, and Scatman Crothers was Sam.

“No Time for Sergeants” (ABC, 1964-65): This sitcom first began life as a novel by Mac Hyman. It was adapted by Ira Levin (“Rosemary’s Baby”) as a live 1955 TV special, then became a Broadway play and a 1958 movie. A newcomer called Andy Griffith starred in all three versions as the naive hillbilly serviceman Will Stockdale. The disappointing small-screen version starred Sammy Jackson as Stockdale.

“Twelve O’Clock High” (ABC, 1964-67): Action-drama focusing on the 918th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Eighth Air Force stationed near London during World War II. The series was based on the novel by Beirne Lay Jr. and Sy Bartlett and the classic 1949 film starring Gregory Peck and Dean Jagger. This time around, Robert Lansing starred as Brig. Gen. Frank Savage, who personally led his group of men on bombing raids; John Larkin played his boss, Maj. Gen. Wiley Crowe, and Frank Overton played Savage’s adjutant Maj. Harvey Stovall. Savage was killed in action early in the second season. Col. Joe Gallagher (Paul Burke) took over as commander.

“Mr. Roberts” (NBC, 1965-65): The hit play and equally popular 1955 film didn’t translate onto the small screen. Roger Smith (“77 Sunset Srip”) played Lt. Douglas Roberts, the role Henry Fonda originated. Steve Harmon played Ensign Frank Pulver; Richard X. Slattery was the hard-nosed Captain John Morton; George Ives was the gentle Doc.

“MASH” (CBS 1972-83): Robert Altman’s irreverent 1970 hit feature became the basis for this long-running, highly regarded comedy. When the series began in 1972, the Vietnam War was still very much a reality, and the series’ subtle but effective anti-war stance reflected the mood of the country. Alan Alda, Wayne Rogers, Loretta Swit, Gary Burghoff (who was in the movie), McLean Stevenson, William Christopher, Jamie Farr, Mike Farrell, Harry Morgan and David Ogden Stiers starred.

“Operation Petticoat” (ABC, 1977-79): Tony Curtis was one of the stars (along with Cary Grant) of the popular 1959 feature-film comedy. Eighteen years later, daughter Jamie Lee Curtis played Navy nurse Lt. Barbara Duran on the first season of this rickety World War II sitcom set in the Pacific. John Astin starred as Lt. Cmd. Matthew Sherman, the commander of the submarine Sea Tiger, trying to cope with the five women nurses he had rescued. Richard Gilliland was his fast-talking supply officer, Lt. Nick Holden.

The series went through a major casting overhaul the second season. Robert Hogan came on board as the new commander; Randolph Mantooth was supply officer Mike Bender. In this outing, the Sea Tiger patrolled the Pacific in search of downed servicemen. The show was downed after four episodes.