M*A*S*H
M*A*S*H mistake picture

Divided We Stand - S2-E1

Visible crew/equipment: In the opening scene where General Clayton is explaining the 4077 to the psychiatrist, the scene changes to the outdoor set and the camera pans to the right. As the camera pans past the hospital, a white 1970s era shuttle van can be seen driving into the set in the upper right corner of the screen. (00:01:35)

John Hunt

George - S2-E22

Factual error: In surgery Trapper John is singing Frank Sinatra's version of "I got you under my skin". Although it was written in 1936, Sinatra did not release it until 1956, after the Korean War ended. The 1936 version sung by Al Bowlly sounds nothing like the version Trapper John was singing, which was mimicking Sinatra's version.

Upvote valid corrections to help move entries into the corrections section.

Suggested correction: While it hadn't been released on vinyl until 1956, Sinatra had sung the song as early as 1946 on his radio show and during live shows.

Greg Dwyer

The version Frank Sinatra sang on his radio show was similar to the original version used in the movie "Born to Dance" (a movie he references before singing his two songs). He didn't change it to the big band version that Trapper imitates until 1956.

Bishop73

For the Good of the Outfit - S2-E4

Factual error: During Henry Blake's command, a model of a Bell UH-1 'Huey' can be seen hanging from the ceiling of the commander's office in several shots. In fact, the Huey's first flight was only in 1956.

5 O'Clock Charlie - S2-E2

Other mistake: During this episode, Trapper and Hawkeye keep switching Frank's pistol with other things. When Frank's training his South Korean platoon, Trapper, Hawkeye, and Radar show up all decked out, and while Hawkeye's telling Frank that using the anti-aircraft gun on the compound will draw enemy planes, etc., there's a pistol in Frank's holster. When Frank turns around, we see that Trapper's right arm is bent over his fly swatter the entire time until he steps away from Frank, and when Frank draws from the holster what he believes is the pistol, he pulls out a plunger, and although it's funny, Trapper never actually had the opportunity to switch the pistol with the plunger, nor did Hawkeye or Radar.

Super Grover

Radar's Report - S2-E3

Continuity mistake: The psychiatrist is called Milton Freedman in this episode and Sydney Freedman in all other episodes in which he appears (always being played by the same actor - it is the same psychiatrist).

jle

M*A*S*H mistake picture

For Want of a Boot - S2-E17

Visible crew/equipment: When Frank and Hot Lips are walking into the mess tent for Frank's surpise party, if you look in the window to the right of the door, you can see a person silhouetted, throwing leaves into the wind.

Mail Call - S2-E23

Character mistake: When Frank is wanting to make a call to New York, Radar told him that New York is 16 hours ahead. Not quite right, as 5 p.m. in South Korea equates to 4 a.m. the same day, a difference of thirteen hours.

Movie Nut

M*A*S*H mistake picture

Crisis - S2-E21

Continuity mistake: While Trapper and Hawkeye are lying on their cots, one by one everyone joins them in the Swamp, and in Trapper's closeups the "USA sterilized" that's printed on his pillow is upside down, but in the wideshots his pillow's flipped over with the print right-side up.

Super Grover

Dr. Pierce and Mr. Hyde - S2-E5

Revealing mistake: After many hours in the OR Hawkeye takes a seat in the wheelchair that Radar's pushing, and when they reach the Swamp there's a wooden ramp on the ground right outside the door, which is never normally there, deliberately placed for this shot so Radar can push the wheelchair into the Swamp.

Super Grover

Sometimes You Hear the Bullet - S1-E17

Henry Blake: All I know is what they taught me at command school. There are certain rules about a war, and rule number one is that young men die. And rule number two is that doctors can't change rule number one.

More quotes from M*A*S*H
More trivia for M*A*S*H

Dear Dad - S1-E12

Question: A number of times it is mentioned that the outfit is unarmed, yet several times, Frank has a rifle, or a pistol, and once Klinger had a grenade, and the guards and Klinger, while on sentry duty, has a rifle. Was this standard, or is this a mistake?

Answer: Even an Army field hospital would have SOME weapons for self-defense if the enemy attacked. What's meant is that it's not a combat outfit, and therefore wouldn't have enough weapons to actually attack anyone. (It's also mentioned a few times that the Officer of the Watch is supposed to carry a pistol at all times, but Hawkeye refuses to do it when he's in charge and Colonels Blake and Potter don't enforce the rule).

Captain Defenestrator

Answer: The Geneva Convention allows even doctors to carry a sidearm to be used in their self defense or the defense of their patients, however it is rare to do so.

stiiggy

Answer: As an old medical unit staffer, my experience is that med units have combat units assigned to defend them. Usually it was marines.

Answer: My old doctor (now deceased) served in Korea during the War. He was required to carry a sidearm anytime he was not in the hospital.

More questions & answers from M*A*S*H