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The Phil Silvers Show
S1.E11
All episodesAll
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Bivouac

  • Episode aired Nov 22, 1955
  • TV-G
IMDb RATING
8.7/10
65
YOUR RATING
Phil Silvers in The Phil Silvers Show (1955)
ComedyFamily

Sgt. Bilko must come up with a new ailment to avoid annual maneuvers, and this year it's Wilkinson's Disease. However, Colonel Hall has a trick up his sleeve that may break Bilko's perfect n... Read allSgt. Bilko must come up with a new ailment to avoid annual maneuvers, and this year it's Wilkinson's Disease. However, Colonel Hall has a trick up his sleeve that may break Bilko's perfect non-attendance record.Sgt. Bilko must come up with a new ailment to avoid annual maneuvers, and this year it's Wilkinson's Disease. However, Colonel Hall has a trick up his sleeve that may break Bilko's perfect non-attendance record.

  • Director
    • Al De Caprio
  • Writers
    • Nat Hiken
    • Terry Ryan
    • Barry E. Blitzer
  • Stars
    • Phil Silvers
    • Harvey Lembeck
    • Paul Ford
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.7/10
    65
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Al De Caprio
    • Writers
      • Nat Hiken
      • Terry Ryan
      • Barry E. Blitzer
    • Stars
      • Phil Silvers
      • Harvey Lembeck
      • Paul Ford
    • 2User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos3

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    Top cast18

    Edit
    Phil Silvers
    Phil Silvers
    • MSgt. Ernest G. Bilko
    Harvey Lembeck
    Harvey Lembeck
    • Cpl. Rocco Barbella
    Paul Ford
    Paul Ford
    • Col. John T. Hall
    Allan Melvin
    Allan Melvin
    • Cpl. Steve Henshaw
    Philippa Bevans
    • Lt. Hilda Swenson, RN
    Arthur Storch
    Arthur Storch
    • Captain 'Iron Curtain' Curtis, MD
    Harry Clark
    • MSgt. Stanley Sowici
    Jimmy Little
    • MSgt. Francis Grover
    Maurice Gosfield
    • Pvt. Duane Doberman
    Jim Perry
    • Lt. Anderson
    Ned Glass
    Ned Glass
    • MSgt. Andy Pendleton
    Maurice Brenner
    Maurice Brenner
    • Pvt. Irving Fleischman
    • (uncredited)
    Bernard Fein
    Bernard Fein
    • Pvt. Gomez
    • (uncredited)
    Mickey Freeman
    Mickey Freeman
    • Pvt. Fielding Zimmerman
    • (uncredited)
    Jack Healy
    • Pvt. Mullen
    • (uncredited)
    Karl Lukas
    Karl Lukas
    • Pvt. Stash Kadowski
    • (uncredited)
    Billy Sands
    Billy Sands
    • Pvt. Dino Papparelli
    • (uncredited)
    P. Jay Sidney
    • Pvt. Palmer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Al De Caprio
    • Writers
      • Nat Hiken
      • Terry Ryan
      • Barry E. Blitzer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews2

    8.765
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    Featured reviews

    5StrictlyConfidential

    More Conniving By Sgt. Bilko

    In order for you to get any real entertainment value out of watching this episode from TV's "The Phil Silvers Show" you've gotta be willing to cut it some serious slack.

    Anyway - As the story goes - Sick of Sgt. Bilko's excuses, Colonel Hall brings in a strict medical officer in order to prevent Bilko from calling in sick during bivouac maneuvers.

    See what happens when Bilko goes into his shtick of deception and conniving.
    8ccthemovieman-1

    Ernie's Battle Of Wits With The Medical Staff And Others

    Every year when it is time for bivouac maneuvers, Ernie Bilko comes down with a strange illness which confines him long enough to get out of the exercise. He winds up in isolation with the other sergeants and then fleeces them in card games. The sergeants don't want to be fleeced again and plan on going on bivouac. What's more, Colonel Hall is finally wise to Bilko and the weak medical officer who is conned every year.

    This time, Col. Hall is ready to make sure the sergeant-con man doesn't pull this stunt again. He's hired a new medical officer, "Iron Curtain" Curtis who is informed of Bilko's ploys and promises the sergeant won't pull a fast one on him.

    Can Ernie outwit this guy? Are you kidding?

    Well, actually, the answer is "yes"....and "no." It's a battle of wits that goes back and forth and involves not only the doctor but the head nurse and Colonel Hall.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      This is the first episode in which it is revealed that Colonel Hall, while he was attending officer's training school, was derisively nicknamed 'Old Melon Head.' The term will reappear several more times during the remainder of the series.
    • Goofs
      Sgt. Bilko wears his ribbons, but not his Combat Infantryman Badge, as he usually does. A recipient of the CIB always wears it when he wears his ribbons.
    • Quotes

      MSgt. Ernest G. 'Ernie' Bilko: What's your stance on socialized medicine, Captain?

    • Soundtracks
      Alabama Jubilee
      (Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here) (uncredited)

      Lyrics by Dolly Morse

      Music by Arthur Sullivan

      Performed by Phil Silvers, Harry Clark, Ned Glass, and Jimmy Little

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 22, 1955 (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Kenco Productions
      • CBS Television Network
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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