In the words of legendary gunny R. Lee Ermey. "Semper Fi Carry On." What a great classic TV show it was. Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. ran for 5 successful seasons and it's still one of my favorites.
You know, I haven't seen this intro in years (remember, they had to shoot it twice -- once in B&W and then again when the show went to color.)
It only now occurs to me that all the other Marines in that wide shot are actually Marines.
Which means that to zoom in on that XCU of Gomer and Sgt Carter while NOT throwing the rest of the Marines off stride, that's a LOT more complicated that they make it look.
Are you sure? Because this sam intro was actually seen when the show originally aired in B&W in its first season (along with a different arrangement of the main and end titles). The one they have on the D.V.D.s is actually an alternate version that wasn't seen on the first season's run.
No, not ABSOLUTELY sure -- but that was standard operating procedure -- because shooting on color film was so very much more expensive than shooting on B&W. However, since this opening probably had to be done -- of necessity -- on location -- rather than on a sound stage or back lot -- the network may have decided that it would be better (and ultimately less expensive, since they would only have to shoot it once) to shoot it in color the first time and then just use a B&W print for the show.
A gentleman from Oregon who posted in the Comments section of IMDb said that in 1965, "It was necessary to film the color guard and opening and closing scenes for the show in color." He claims to be "the young Marine marching directly behind Gomer".
If what he says is correct, then that's a different color guard and Nabors and Sutton are marching with a different platoon in the B&W version.
If you play both the B&W and the color versions of the opening, you'll see differences.
I'm going by two versions which have been posted here on YouTube. And the B&W version I'm watching now is from raiderstoys channel. This is the version I remember from syndication back in the 80's and 90's only it had a different arrangement of the theme.
Actually, it's not really 'colorized' -- this series was made during the time period when TV was switching from B&W to color. So there are MANY shows that STARTED in B&W and somewhere during their run switched to filming in color. That is, for example, why there is an animated open for the color eps of "F Troop" -- the production company wasn't able to recreate the original opening in color.
Was Gomer Pyle supposed to be gay or retarded?
Spartacus217 1 year ago
I remeber wen I was little this came on a 5:30 in da morning!!!
tbone24100 1 year ago
I would love to have Frank Sutton as my Ward Councilman...
bpkeane1 1 year ago
In the words of legendary gunny R. Lee Ermey. "Semper Fi Carry On." What a great classic TV show it was. Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. ran for 5 successful seasons and it's still one of my favorites.
yogafan6500 2 years ago
@yogafan6500 Same here, im 15 years old and I LOVE gomer pyle usmc. I own all 5 seasons and watch it so much ^^
BigSmoke2222 2 years ago
what season did they start shooting in color?
GoldenSun202 2 years ago
If I had to guess, I'd say 1966.
veritasvg 2 years ago
The Actual Season that Gomer Pyle USMC went to Color was the second season 1965-66.
DJRakow 2 years ago
Its sad most of the marines in this werent sent to Vietnam and died
artistformelyknowna 2 years ago
Goooolly,,,,loved this show.
fjbutch 2 years ago
You know, I haven't seen this intro in years (remember, they had to shoot it twice -- once in B&W and then again when the show went to color.)
It only now occurs to me that all the other Marines in that wide shot are actually Marines.
Which means that to zoom in on that XCU of Gomer and Sgt Carter while NOT throwing the rest of the Marines off stride, that's a LOT more complicated that they make it look.
midknightryder13 2 years ago
Are you sure? Because this sam intro was actually seen when the show originally aired in B&W in its first season (along with a different arrangement of the main and end titles). The one they have on the D.V.D.s is actually an alternate version that wasn't seen on the first season's run.
vividwatch47 2 years ago
No, not ABSOLUTELY sure -- but that was standard operating procedure -- because shooting on color film was so very much more expensive than shooting on B&W. However, since this opening probably had to be done -- of necessity -- on location -- rather than on a sound stage or back lot -- the network may have decided that it would be better (and ultimately less expensive, since they would only have to shoot it once) to shoot it in color the first time and then just use a B&W print for the show.
midknightryder13 2 years ago
A gentleman from Oregon who posted in the Comments section of IMDb said that in 1965, "It was necessary to film the color guard and opening and closing scenes for the show in color." He claims to be "the young Marine marching directly behind Gomer".
If what he says is correct, then that's a different color guard and Nabors and Sutton are marching with a different platoon in the B&W version.
If you play both the B&W and the color versions of the opening, you'll see differences.
tsntana 2 years ago
I'm going by two versions which have been posted here on YouTube. And the B&W version I'm watching now is from raiderstoys channel. This is the version I remember from syndication back in the 80's and 90's only it had a different arrangement of the theme.
tsntana 2 years ago
Also in the B&W versions I remember, there was no announcer.
tsntana 2 years ago
The colorized version of "Gomer Pyle USMC" is more better!
CraigFoye80 3 years ago 2
Actually, it's not really 'colorized' -- this series was made during the time period when TV was switching from B&W to color. So there are MANY shows that STARTED in B&W and somewhere during their run switched to filming in color. That is, for example, why there is an animated open for the color eps of "F Troop" -- the production company wasn't able to recreate the original opening in color.
midknightryder13 2 years ago
not colorized.... shot in color as all shows were by 1968
irish89055 2 years ago
Gomer recently got Honorary Corporal from the USMC
trentcreek 3 years ago
Good News Pyle! We're all finally goin' to Nam!
mtcav 3 years ago
shazam sgt we are on dvd now
MERRILL718 4 years ago 5
Pyle!! I think you meant to say I am on dvd now. People are much more likely to focus on a Sgt than a lowly private.
classicguru79 3 years ago 4