Burt Metcalfe

Producer
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his four-and-a-half-hour interview, Burt Metcalfe (1935-2022) talks about his early years as an actor in films and in television series in the 1950s and '60s, including his role as a regular on the sitcom Father of the Bride. He mentions some of his television guest appearances on such series as Hennesey, The Twilight Zone, and The Outer Limits and discusses his transition to behind-the-camera work as a casting director and as the assistant to producer Harry Ackerman. Metcalfe then details his association with the long-running classic sitcom M*A*S*H, on which he worked for the series' entire run, moving up from associate producer to executive producer. He recounts the casting and research for the series, the production, and memorable series episodes. B-roll consists of a few M*A*S*H -related stills. Gary Rutkowski conducted the interview on October 23, 2003 in Studio City, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"I can't stand the thought of producers or directors who scream at people in order to get their work accomplished. I would much rather get it done because those people care about you and want to support you."

People Talking About ...
Burt Metcalfe
Highlights
Burt Metcalfe on the laugh track in M*A*S*H
02:04
Burt Metcalfe on the M*A*S*H episode "The Interview"
03:01
Burt Metcalfe on watching the M*A*S*H finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
01:45
Burt Metcalfe on the death of "Col Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H
04:39
Burt Metcalfe on the legacy of M*A*S*H
02:37
Full Interview

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Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his early acting roles
On his stint in the Navy; on acting in the movie "Gidget"; on meeting Rod Serling and Robert Mitchum

Chapter 2
On acting in the now-classic Twilight Zone episode "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"; on early roles on The Outer Limits and Father of the Bride; on beginning to make the transition to behind-the-camera
On acting in The Fugitive; on getting into casting; on casting Days of Our Lives

Chapter 3
On his early years as a casting director at Screen Gems; on the process of casting; on the Hollywood Blacklist in the '60's
On working with producer Harry Ackerman; on recasting the role of "Darrin Stephens" in Bewitched and casting Sally Field in The Flying Nun; on leaving Screen Gems

Chapter 4
On how he came to work for and leave Universal; on how he became an associate producer for M*A*S*H
On casting M*A*S*H; on shooting the pilot for the show

Chapter 5
On casting and producing the pilot for M*A*S*H (continued); on producing and doing research for M*A*S*H
On show creator Larry Gelbart's importance to M*A*S*H; on M*A*S*H and the Vietnam War; on network interference on the show - CBS's edicts about showing blood and including a laugh track

Chapter 6
On Gene Reynolds' contribution to M*A*S*H; on his shifting duties and Alan Alda's contributions to M*A*S*H
On M*A*S*H's evolving characters and cast defections; on having the cast members direct M*A*S*H

Chapter 7
On M*A*S*H's cast members and characters; on the death of "Col Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H
On memorable episodes of M*A*S*H that he directed or co-wrote, including "A War For All Seasons", "The Party", and "The Interview" - which he considers M*A*S*H's best episode

Chapter 8
On shooting the final scene of M*A*S*H; on various behind-the-scenes contributors to M*A*S*H; on noteworthy episodes of the show
On Standards and Practices and M*A*S*H; on the M*A*S*H finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"

Chapter 9
On the reception of the M*A*S*H finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"; on the legacy of M*A*S*H; on executive producing After MASH
On post-M*A*S*H projects; on what makes a good television producer; on how he would like to be remembered
On B-Roll photos from his career: photo of Burt Metcalfe directing M*A*S*H, of kissing his wife on the set of the final filming day of M*A*S*H, of Alan Alda, Gene Reynolds and Burt Metcalfe, and a cast photo of M*A*S*H  given to him by Mike Farrell
Shows

AfterMASH

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Burt Metcalfe on the genesis of After MASH
01:58
Burt Metcalfe on how After MASH was received
01:16
Burt Metcalfe on the cancellation of After MASH
01:03

Bewitched

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Burt Metcalfe on recasting the role of "Darrin Stephens" on Bewitched
01:53

Days of Our Lives

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Burt Metcalfe on casting Days of Our Lives
04:49

Flying Nun, The

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Burt Metcalfe on casting Sally Field as "Sister Bertrille" on The Flying Nun
02:14

Fugitive, The

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Burt Metcalfe on acting in The Fugitive
01:27

M*A*S*H

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Burt Metcalfe on how he came be an associate producer for M*A*S*H
02:38
Burt Metcalfe on casting M*A*S*H  
18:29
Burt Metcalfe on shooting the pilot for M*A*S*H  
02:01
Burt Metcalfe on casting Larry Linville as "Major Frank Burns" on M*A*S*H
01:45
Burt Metcalfe on casting William Christopher as "Father Francis Mulcahy" on M*A*S*H
05:56
Burt Metcalfe on casting Loretta Swit as "Major Margaret Houlihan" on M*A*S*H
02:30
Burt Metcalfe on the pilot for M*A*S*H
04:12
Burt Metcalfe on the research that was done to prepare for M*A*S*H
09:56
Burt Metcalfe on how M*A*S*H related to Vietnam
01:47
Burt Metcalfe on CBS's edicts about showing blood in M*A*S*H
02:07
Burt Metcalfe on the laugh track in M*A*S*H
02:04
Burt Metcalfe on the dramatic elements of M*A*S*H
02:30
On show creator Larry Gelbart's importance to M*A*S*H
02:51
Burt Metcalfe on Gene Reynolds' contribution to M*A*S*H
01:36
Burt Metcalfe on how his position on M*A*S*H changed over the years
04:05
Burt Metcalfe on Alan Alda's contributions to M*A*S*H
07:43
Burt Metcalfe on Wayne Rogers as "Captain 'Trapper' John McIntyre" on M*A*S*H
02:38
Burt Metcalfe on McLean Stevenson as "Col Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H
01:25
Burt Metcalfe on Harry Morgan as "Col Sherman T. Potter" on M*A*S*H
02:36
Burt Metcalfe on Mike Farrell as Captian B.J. Hunnicut on M*A*S*H
06:09
Burt Metcalfe on Loretta Swit as "Major Margaret Houlihan" on M*A*S*H
02:54
Burt Metcalfe on William Christopher as "Father Francis Mulcahy" on M*A*S*H
03:01
Burt Metcalfe on the hour-long season seven episode of M*A*S*H: "Our Finest Hour" inspired by season four's "The Interview"
01:23
Burt Metcalfe on the M*A*S*H episode "Holy Mess"
01:57
Burt Metcalfe on the death of "Col Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H
04:39
Burt Metcalfe on directing the M*A*S*H episode "A War For All Seasons"
03:35
Burt Metcalfe on directing and co-writing the M*A*S*H episode "The Party"
04:45
Burt Metcalfe on Jamie Farr as "Corporal Max Klinger" on M*A*S*H
02:56
Burt Metcalfe on Gary Burghoff as "Walter 'Radar' O'Reilly" on M*A*S*H
01:22
Burt Metcalfe on David Ogden Stiers as "Major Charles Emerson Winchester" on M*A*S*H
02:33
Burt Metcalfe on the next-to-last M*A*S*H  episode "As Time Goes By"
04:18
Burt Metcalfe on the M*A*S*H episode "Point of View"
02:59
Burt Metcalfe on Standards and Practices and M*A*S*H
02:39
Burt Metcalfe on the M*A*S*H finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
09:54
Burt Metcalfe on writing the M*A*S*H finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
04:48
Burt Metcalfe on the commercial and critical reaction to the M*A*S*H  finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
00:55
Burt Metcalfe on the reception of the M*A*S*H finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
02:04
Burt Metcalfe on watching the M*A*S*H  finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
01:45

M*A*S*H: "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"

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Burt Metcalfe on the M*A*S*H finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
09:54
Burt Metcalfe on writing the M*A*S*H finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
04:48
Burt Metcalfe on a fire that destroyed the M*A*S*H set just prior to filming "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen":
02:12
Burt Metcalfe on the commercial and critical reaction to the M*A*S*H finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
00:55
Burt Metcalfe on the reception of the M*A*S*H finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
02:04
Burt Metcalfe on watching the M*A*S*H  finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
01:45

M*A*S*H: "The Interview"

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Burt Metcalfe on William Christopher as "Father Francis Mulcahy" on M*A*S*H
03:01
Burt Metcalfe on the hour-long season seven episode of M*A*S*H: "Our Finest Hour" inspired by season four's "The Interview"
01:23

Outer Limits, The (1963-65)

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Burt Metcalfe on acting in The Outer Limits
01:38

Twilight Zone, The

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Burt Metcalfe on getting cast on The Twilight Zone episode "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"
02:35
Burt Metcalfe on the shooting and the plot of the Twilight Zone episode "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"
01:28
Burt Metcalfe on the legacy of the Twilight Zone episode "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"
00:17

Twilight Zone, The: "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"

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Burt Metcalfe on getting cast on The Twilight Zone episode "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"
02:35
Burt Metcalfe on the shooting and plot of the now-classic Twilight Zone episode "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"
01:28
Burt Metcalfe on the legacy of the now-classic Twilight Zone episode "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"
00:17
Topics

Censorship / Standards & Practices

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Burt Metcalfe on CBS's edicts about showing blood in M*A*S*H
02:07

Characters & Catchphrases

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Burt Metcalfe on the death of "Col Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H
04:39

Classic TV Series Episodes

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Producer Burt Metcalfe on the most effective line in M*A*S*H: "The Interview"
03:01
Burt Metcalfe on the M*A*S*H  finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
09:54
Burt Metcalfe on the next-to-last M*A*S*H  episode "As Time Goes By"
04:17

Comedy

View Topic
Producer Burt Metcalfe on the most effective line in M*A*S*H: "The Interview"
03:01
Burt Metcalfe on the M*A*S*H  finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
09:54
Burt Metcalfe on the next-to-last M*A*S*H  episode "As Time Goes By"
04:17

Historic Events and Social Change

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Burt Metcalfe on how M*A*S*H related to Vietnam
01:47

Hollywood Blacklist

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Burt Metcalfe on the Hollywood Blacklist
04:58

Industry Crossroads

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Burt Metcalfe on the Hollywood Blacklist
04:58

Memorable Moments on Television

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Burt Metcalfe on the death of "Col Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H
04:39
Producer Burt Metcalfe on the most effective line in M*A*S*H: "The Interview"
03:01
Burt Metcalfe on the M*A*S*H  finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
09:54
Burt Metcalfe on the next-to-last M*A*S*H  episode "As Time Goes By"
04:17
Burt Metcalfe on the reception of the M*A*S*H  finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
02:04

Pop Culture

View Topic
Burt Metcalfe on the laugh track in M*A*S*H
02:04
Producer Burt Metcalfe on the most effective line in M*A*S*H: "The Interview"
03:01
Burt Metcalfe on the death of "Col Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H
04:39
Burt Metcalfe on the M*A*S*H  finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
09:54
Burt Metcalfe on the next-to-last M*A*S*H  episode "As Time Goes By"
04:17

Television Industry

View Topic
Burt Metcalfe on CBS's edicts about showing blood in M*A*S*H
02:07
Burt Metcalfe on the laugh track in M*A*S*H
02:04

Vietnam War

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Burt Metcalfe on how M*A*S*H related to Vietnam
01:47

War

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Burt Metcalfe on how M*A*S*H related to Vietnam
01:47

We Celebrated

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Burt Metcalfe on the M*A*S*H  finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
09:54
Burt Metcalfe on the reception of the M*A*S*H  finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
02:04

We Cried

View Topic
Burt Metcalfe on the death of "Col Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H
04:39
Producer Burt Metcalfe on the most effective line in M*A*S*H: "The Interview"
03:01
Burt Metcalfe on the next-to-last M*A*S*H  episode "As Time Goes By"
04:17
Professions

Casting Director

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Burt Metcalfe on the process of casting
03:19

Producers

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Burt Metcalfe on the writing and producing process for M*A*S*H
02:27
Burt Metcalfe on what makes a good television producer
02:19

Talent Professionals

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Burt Metcalfe on the process of casting
03:19
Genres

Comedy Series

View Genre
Burt Metcalfe on how he came to work for M*A*S*H
02:38
Burt Metcalfe on casting M*A*S*H
18:29
Burt Metcalfe on the pilot for M*A*S*H
04:12
Burt Metcalfe on the research that was done to prepare for M*A*S*H
10:06
Burt Metcalfe on the dramatic elements, relation to Vietnam, and laugh track on M*A*S*H
09:10
Burt Metcalfe on characters and cast defections on M*A*S*H
29:09
Producer Burt Metcalfe on the most effective line in M*A*S*H: "The Interview"
03:01
Burt Metcalfe on the death of "Col Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H
04:39
Burt Metcalfe on directing the M*A*S*H episode "A War For All Seasons"
03:35
Burt Metcalfe on directing and co-writing the M*A*S*H episode "The Party"
04:45
Burt Metcalfe on the M*A*S*H  finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
09:54
Burt Metcalfe on the reception of and watching the M*A*S*H finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen"
03:49
Burt Metcalfe on executive producing After MASH; on the genesis and cancellation of After MASH
04:17

Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series

View Genre
Burt Metcalfe on acting in the now-classic Twilight Zone episode "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street"
04:45
People

Alan Alda

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Burt Metcalfe on Alan Alda's contributions to M*A*S*H
07:43

David Ogden Stiers

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Burt Metcalfe on David Ogden Stiers as "Major Charles Emerson Winchester" on M*A*S*H
02:33

Dick York

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Burt Metcalfe on recasting the role of "Darrin Stephens" on Bewitched
01:53

Gary Burghoff

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Burt Metcalfe on Gary Burghoff as "Walter 'Radar' O'Reilly" on M*A*S*H
01:22

Gene Reynolds

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Burt Metcalfe on Gene Reynolds' contribution to M*A*S*H
01:36

Harry Morgan

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Burt Metcalfe on Harry Morgan as "Col Sherman T. Potter" on M*A*S*H
02:36

Jamie Farr

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Burt Metcalfe on Jamie Farr as "Corporal Max Klinger" on M*A*S*H
02:56

Larry Gelbart

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On show creator Larry Gelbart's importance to M*A*S*H
02:51

Larry Linville

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Burt Metcalfe on casting Larry Linville as "Major Frank Burns" on M*A*S*H
01:45

Loretta Swit

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Burt Metcalfe on casting Loretta Swit as "Major Margaret Houlihan" on M*A*S*H
02:30
Burt Metcalfe on Loretta Swit as "Major Margaret Houlihan" on M*A*S*H
02:54

McLean Stevenson

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Burt Metcalfe on McLean Stevenson as "Col Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H
01:25
Burt Metcalfe on the death of "Col Henry Blake" on M*A*S*H
04:39

Mike Farrell

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Burt Metcalfe on Mike Farrell as Captian B.J. Hunnicut on M*A*S*H
06:09

Sally Field

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Burt Metcalfe on casting Sally Field in Gidget and The Flying Nun
02:14

Wayne Rogers

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Burt Metcalfe on Wayne Rogers as "Captain 'Trapper' John McIntyre" on M*A*S*H
02:38

William Christopher

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Burt Metcalfe on casting William Christopher as "Father Francis Mulcahy" on M*A*S*H
05:46
Burt Metcalfe on William Christopher as "Father Francis Mulcahy" on M*A*S*H
03:01

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