| Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C.: The Fourth Season | 
 enlarge | Directors: Aaron Ruben, Alan Rafkin, Coby Ruskin, Gary Nelson, Howard Morris
Actors: William Christopher, Forrest Compton, Richard Houde, Larry Hovis, Tommy Leonetti
Studio: Paramount
Category: DVD
List Price: $39.98
Buy New: $20.00
You Save: $19.98 (50%)
New (41) Used (11) from $19.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  14 reviews
Sales Rank: 4885
Format: Box Set, Color, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 5
Running Time: 749
Aspect Ratio: 2.55:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6
MPN: PARD132724D
UPC: 097361327242
EAN: 0097361327242
ASIN: B0013LRKV2
Release Date: May 20, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 05/20/2008 Rating: Nr
Amazon.com
In a representative moment from Gomer Pyle's fourth season, Gomer, on a weekend pass, enthusiastically anticipates a glass blowing demonstration. Not for him the local bar or burlesque club favored by his barracks mates. "Sounds like a 'don't miss,'" he proclaims. And between a visit from Aunt Bea, a trip to Washington, D.C., a commanding guest star turn by Carol Burnett, and a return to Mayberry, so is Gomer Pyle's fourth season. Far from lagging in its penultimate season, this series had not lost a step (it was the No. 3-rated show that year), thanks to Jim Nabors' indelible embodiment of sweet and simple Gomer, who, to quote Sgt. Carter (Frank Sutton), has "a soft heart and a soft head." Gomer may still be "a lunkhead" at times, but he can always be counted on to do the right thing. In "Gomer and the Privileged Character," he pulls all-nighters to make up for the work he misses during the day while rehearsing for a concert. In "Gomer, the Good Samaritan," he is compelled to come to the aid of distressed strangers while en-route to pick up a general. The showcase for this season is the four-episode story arc that packs Gomer and Sgt. Carter to our nation's capitol for a concert to be attended by the President of the United States. The stirring Capra-esque climax finds Gomer, hoarse from stage fright, taking inspiration from the Lincoln Memorial, and regaining his voice while reading aloud the Gettysburg Address. Another standout episode features a welcome appearance by Frances Bavier as Aunt Bea, who insists on helping Gomer with barracks duty (anyone who's ever fantasized about what Bea would look like in fatigues, here's your chance). Carol Burnett is hard-driving "Corporal Carol," whom the unwitting Gomer sweeps off her feet, causing a rift with his girlfriend, Lou-Ann Poovie (Elizabeth MacRae; she of the honey-dripping voice). Gomer endearingly wears his heart on sleeve, and in the episode, "The Better Man," he declares his love for Lou-Ann to her initially disapproving father. By the fourth season, the great Ronnie Shell is gone, but a pre-M*A*S*H William Christopher appears as a fellow private, while Roy Stuart makes a fine straight man for Sutton as Cpl. Boyle. Too bad that Andy, Opie, and Goober are out of town when Gomer visits Mayberry (nitpick: Wouldn't someone have written him that Floyd had retired and Emmett had set up shop?), but keep your eyes open as Gomer gets on the bus out of town. With nary a topical reference (you'd never know the Vietnam War was raging) these episodes hold up well. There is no one like Gomer left in prime time, and he is dearly missed. As a grateful panhandler whom Gomer helps out in one episode observes, "I'm glad there's a few kind people left in this world." Or at least on DVD. --Donald Liebenson
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| Customer Reviews: Read 9 more reviews...
 Disappointing September 6, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
After enjoying Seasons 2 and 3, I was very much disappointed with this latest collection. I agree with the comments of a previous poster, Dr. Juengling, about major changes in the situations and characters. Previously, Gomer was an intolerable clod who made problems wherever he went. This season, he is sensitive, intelligent and helpful while it is Carter who acts like a complete boob. I don't know what the producers expected to get out of reversing the relationship of their lead characters. It's comparable to switching the roles of Abbott and Costello and still expecting them to be funny. Also, Nabors and Sutton often seem run down in scenes. Sutton's performance, in particular, is no longer as sharp and energetic as it was in previous seasons. Old plots are recycled with less effect. The most obvious example is "Love and Goulash," which is a retread of the second season episode "Arrivederci, Gomer." The show was certainly missing Ronnie Schell. The camaraderie that Gomer enjoyed in the barracks when Ronnie Schell and Ted Bessell were playing his best friends is largely absent at this point. The earlier seasons depicted a good deal of interaction between the Marines in the barrack scenes. Now, though, Gomer usually spends his time in the barracks sparsely surrounded by non-speaking extras. This is especially evident in the episode "Leader of Men," when Gomer is put in charge of his unit and his fellow Marines respond to his repeated orders with nothing more than nods. It's like this is the Marine's special all-mute unit. The one improvement this season was the fact that more scenes were shot on location. Previously, Gomer's off base experiences were confined to a street set at the Desilu Studio. This set, which included a movie theatre, a diner, a hotel and a few shops, had gotten to be claustrophobic after three seasons.
 Edits July 21, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
It is terribly disappointing to get these DVD's only to find they have been edited.
The entire point of purchasing the DVD sets/seasons is to watch the show in a clear, complete manner, without commercials. Also to avoid the constant nagging of station bugs (logos) in the corners, and if that weren't enough, now commercials scroll across the screen during the shows. It has become so bad, I no longer watch most TV. For TV shows I really like I'll purchase the DVD sets just to get away from the constant irritants.
Yet, we don't get the full shows. Dialog is cut, songs edited out, etc. All for the sake of saving a few cents per copy, and done only to avoid literally pennies in royalties.
Note to CBS: I would much rather pay a little extra per season and get the unedited, uncut versions. The show was timeless just the way it was.
Edited, again, and it's not just the music July 19, 2008
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
The history of these DVD sets since season one has had the episodes literally butchered when it came to the music in the show. Even a small snipit of Sargent Carter singing "The Night Was Meant For Love" in one episode, or a full version of Gomer singing "This Train is a Going Home Train", the cheapsakes that are producing these DVD sets of Gomer Pyle make even Season 4 a disappointment. However, in watching these episodes I'm finding that it's not just music that's cut; there is also dialog in scenes that's been hacked out. Because of the electronic graphic and CG era that we live in, I look forward to shows being released on DVD because there are no "bugs" in the corners of the screens, no animated graphics promoting upcoming shows, or any other distractions. The shows for the most part are the way they should be seen, uncut and commercial free. This is not the case with the Gomer Pyle DVD's including season 4. Dialog, music and other scenes cut because the production companies don't want to pay the royalties for the music included in the original releases. Why dialog is cut, I'm not sure. I was such a fan of this show, and really wanted a complete collection of the episodes, but I'm very disappointed in the results that have come about on my store shelves. If we continue to purchase these edited sets, the production companies will continue to put out these cheap imitations of the real show. I've written a letter to CBS with a formal complaint, but I know it will fall on deaf ears. But if more enthusiasts like us continue, maybe we'll make a difference. If you're an avid fan of Gomer, then this is the best we can get for now. I only wish they were complete episodes.
 keep em coming July 13, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
I find this set to be very enjoyable just as the previous versions. Good color, sound and all of the epispodes. I do not mind a missing song here and there like some others. I rather this version than none at all..
A fun series! July 10, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Well, you probably already know the Gomer Pyle series, so I won't explain what it's all about. However, this season is a real departure in some ways from the other seasons. First, Gomer's buddy, Duke (Ronnie Schell) is gone. OK, I guess his other buddies can pick up the slack. Second, Gomer sings a lot in this season. It seems that every time you turn around, Gomer is singing. If you like Jim Nabors' or ballads by baritones, then you'll love this season. If not, you'll find yourself pressing the fast forward button pretty often. Finally, Gomer's and Sergeant Carter's roles in the show are quite different. In the earlier years, the show is based on Gomer antagonizing/irritating Carter. Carter would blow up and then somehow everyting would work out. But in this season, Carter is to a large degree the source of his own problems. He's the one who causes the problems--not in a comic way, but by his own vices. Then Gomer, through his flawless character, saves Carter. It's an interesting relationship.
One more thing: some of the basic story lines are very similar to ones from earlier years. Did the writers run out of ideas?
I don't write these things as criticisms, just observations. The show is still fun and worth a thousand laughs. It's good, clean fun, fit for the whole family.
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