Rain won’t sour ‘MASH’ event
They’re hoping wet weather doesn’t turn “MASH” into mush today in Calabasas.
But rain or shine, a tribute to the 25th anniversary of the popular television series’ finale will be staged at the show’s Malibu Creek State Park filming location, organizers promise.
The former “MASH” set is about two miles into the park, next to a dirt road that turns muddy when it rains.
Several stars from the series, Mike Farrell, Loretta Swit and William Christopher, have indicated they plan to attend. So have director Charles S. Dubin and producers Gene Reynolds and Burt Metcalfe.
Half a dozen vintage U.S. Army vehicles will be on display, along with a replica of the show’s signature 4077 Mobile Army Surgical Hospital camp signpost. It pointed the way from Korea to Boston, Coney Island, Tokyo, Burbank, Death Valley, Toledo, Decatur and Seoul for the series’ homesick characters.
The location of Hawkeye’s tent, the Blake-Potter tent and the mess tent will be outlined by ropes on posts. A newly restored pathway to the camp’s helicopter pad will be open.
Along with stars from the show, park officials and doctors from real MASH units are expected to participate in the event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and open to the public.
Parking will be available for $8 at the park’s main entrance at 1925 Las Virgenes Road, about four miles south of the Ventura Freeway.
Because of boulders on the interior park dirt roadway, there is no parking near the “MASH” set, said Brian Rooney, who is organizing the event. Visitors can expect about a 35-minute walk.
Rooney and other volunteers are helping state parks administrators kick off a campaign to memorialize the site of film and TV sets on Malibu Creek’s more than 6,000 acres. Used as an outdoor filming location starting in 1927, the land was sold to the state by 20th Century Fox studios in 1974.
Filming still takes place in the park, where the 1941 movie “How Green Was My Valley” was shot, as was 1968’s “Planet of the Apes.” The “MASH” series was filmed on the rugged west side of the park. It aired from 1972 to 1983.
The “MASH” set was destroyed in an Oct. 9, 1982, brush fire as the show’s final episode was being filmed. The fire was written into the finale, titled “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen.” When it aired Feb. 28, 1983, it became television’s most-watched show ever.
On Friday, mostly cloudy skies with a chance of rain was being forecast for today. But ceremony organizers said they doubted even heavy rain would deter “MASH” fans.
They said 250 people showed up in a rainstorm last year for a hike to the set led by park film location experts Harry Medved and Mike Malone.
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