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Fall In!! We'd love to hear your comments and thoughts on this tribute to Phil Silvers. Please feel free to leave a message. All you have to do is click the 'Sign Guest Book' tab (above right)! It's that easy!

 

 
 
Current Comments:
Post number:
340
2nd of February 2012 09:16 PM by John Johnston
Such is the power of the internet, and twitter I found this site, and I'm glad I did the only other Bilko connection I had was youtube and my Bilko book. Good work
Post number:
339
2nd of February 2012 03:46 PM by Steve Wilkinson
Excellent website for a comic genius.if only modern day comedians could bring as much comic talent to the screen as Phil Silvers.
Post number:
338
14th of January 2012 11:53 AM by Mikey Allen
Great news that season 2 of Nat Hiken's superb Car 54, Where Are You? is coming to DVD. Let's hope that CBS see the error of their ways and decide to finally release the other 3 seasons of Nat's other superb comedy series, The Phil Silvers Show.

We couldn't agree more with you Mikey!
Post number:
337
11th of January 2012 11:09 PM by Mark Rodgers
Love The Phil Silvers Show and your marvelous website. Like all fans I am disappointed about the lack of official releases however have reasonable copies of all the episodes. Just watched Rock'N'Roll Rookie again and a thought occurred to me. Does anyone know if Elvis Presley was ever approached to appear in person in this episode? Keep the memories alive!
Post number:
336
30th of December 2011 03:52 PM by Michael Price
Phil Silvers is, without a doubt, the greatest and most unique comedian in history. I just caught a full 70mm print of "It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World" last night at the American Cinematheque in Hollywood and, of course, Phil's every scene, every moment, brought the house down. I am a writer on "The Simpsons" and I believe it was watching that movie and, more specifically, the performance of Phil Silvers, as a little kid that inspired me to want to be a comedy writer. Thanks for this website -- it's wonderful!

Thanks Michael for your wonderful comments. As huge fans of The Simpsons ourselves it's great honour that you've taken the time to sign the Guest Book. IAMMMMW was my introduction to Phil and the film remains my favourite to this day. Both Steve and I agree that it was perhaps Phil's finest big-screen performance and I know that Phil was proud of his contribution to the film. Glad to hear you like the site too - it's a labour of love for us both! Keep in touch....Gladaseeya!!
Post number:
335
29th of December 2011 02:51 AM by Ian K McLachlan
I've just found your website after writing an article about the Bilko DVDs for my local paper. I am disappointed that Paramount DVD do not seem to want to release the three other seasons of the show. Perhaps with more Birtish fans they might do a specific region 2 release if we ask them. COuld we perhaps have a contact email for Paramount DVD UK?
I will have a look around the site tomorrow.
Post number:
334
20th of December 2011 07:36 PM by Mark Fairfield
Just saw the Phil Silvers or Bust and wondered if anyone had any idea how much this was worth as I have the chance to buy one? I was also lucky enough to pick up a CBS pen given to Phil in the 50s with a letter from his daughter confirming its authenticity
Post number:
333
17th of December 2011 10:49 AM by John Trueman
Still the greatest comedy of all time.

Thanks Phil
Post number:
332
14th of December 2011 05:40 PM by Mark Fairfield
Thanks for the website, still my favorite all time comedy...love Phil and love bilko....keep up the good work guys
Post number:
331
30th of November 2011 01:53 PM by doug fannen
still funniest sitcom ever
Post number:
330
28th of November 2011 04:25 PM by Dave Wiley
Stunning site.....superb tribute to a great comedian!
Post number:
329
24th of November 2011 08:04 PM by Peter H
So many great shows from those days are in black and white, which probably puts many TV executives off airing them regularly nowadays. That's a shame, because some of them are timeless comedy. I would include the Bilko shows as timeless comedy. Maybe they should colorise the shows and put them out again on TV? I'm sure the owners of the show will make a tidy sum from Bilko DVDs and online media anyhow- good luck to them! What a unique talent Silvers had.

Thanks for your comments Peter! Many purists would argue that colourising The Phil Silvers Show would ruin it. Personally, as a life-long fan of the Old Sarge, I'd love to see a colourised version. The technique used a few years back to colourise some of the old Lucy shows was magnificent.
Post number:
328
23rd of November 2011 04:22 PM by Graham Laird
Finally managed to view "The Lost Audition Show" - part of the 50th Anniversary DVD - which is virtually the same as the first episode " New Recruits" with some fascinating facts.

Although the film is grainy it is an absolute gem which throws up some astonishing facts:- The Chaplain/Padre is actually played by Jimmy Little (Sgt Grover), not John Gibson; Colonel Hall is not played by Paul Ford; and Cpl Henshaw is not played by Allan Melvin.

I know that this will not be a "Light Bulb" moment for Steve and Mick but it's an epiphany for me! Can anybody provide details of the actors playing Col Hall/Cpl Henshaw?

No info on the chap who played Colonel Hall yet - but it was Jack Warden who played Henshaw. Jack went on to appear in films such as Shampoo, Heaven Can Wait, All The President's Men, Used Cars and The Verdict. On TV he enjoyed huge success in Crazy Like A Fox. Jack passed away aged 85 in 2006.
Post number:
327
1st of November 2011 12:02 AM by Albert Dean, Devon, UK
Tremendous site and a stunning tribute to Phil Silvers.

Thank you for your words of support Albert, truly appreciated.
Post number:
326
17th of October 2011 09:33 AM by Stuart Cullen
Just found your site. Most enjoyable. You may want to add another screen appearance for Phil:

"The Girl Can't Help It," staring Jayne Mansfield. Made in 1956, it was probably the best rock 'n' roll film ever made, with Little Richard, Fats Domino, Eddie Cochran, etc.. It has the brilliant dream scene with Tom Ewell in which Julie London sings 'Cry me a River.' Phil plays a milkman standing in the street holding two milk bottles. When Jayne sashays past him up some house steps, his eyes pop out and the bottle tops burst open and all the milk spills over. I suppose this could be described as a seminal scene. (groan) Surprised it got past the censor! Good luck with the site. I shall keep in touch.

Thanks for your comments Stuart. It's not actually Phil in the sequence you mention but an actor called Richard Collier who, in the blink-and-you'll-miss-it sequence, bears a resemblance to Phil.
Post number:
325
9th of October 2011 06:25 PM by Jack Reid
Hi there,

Just found some of the UK lobby cards for "You're in the Army Now" from 1941 and wondered if any of you clever people could tell me how many there were in the set (I have 8). The card is very low quality tho so my chances of finding the others is slim I guess should any be missing.
Thanks for any help and congrats on such a comprehensive site

Jack

Jack...your UK lobby card set is complete. There were several YITAN lobby card sets issued in both colour and black and white, both in the US and the UK. All were issued in sets of 8 which was the industry norm.
Post number:
324
6th of October 2011 02:37 AM by Alan Hindmarsh website: http://alan.hindmarsh@jacobs.com
Guys,

Just found this site what can i say, i have been a Bilko fan all of my life and it is without doubt one of if not the funniest comedy shows of all time.That's a tribute to the undoubted talent that was Phil Silvers.
It's so sad that none of the motor pool are no longer with us , but I bet Ernie is still calling the shots up there.
Regards
Alan Hindmarsh
Post number:
323
5th of October 2011 03:58 PM by Dave Williams
Superb tribute to the late, great Phil Silvers.
Post number:
322
28th of September 2011 11:37 PM by marc w chiasson
to this day september 28th 2010, there has yet to be another actor like phil to truly blow away the digital airwaves with anything better.... phil.....i simply say you're one of the very few who will live on long after i'm dead and gone. pardon my french everybody but PHIL SILVERS F**K'N RULES!!!!!!!!!!! GOD BLESS YOU DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Post number:
321
21st of September 2011 12:45 AM by Pete Brydson
Have been a fan of Sgt. Bilko for longer than I can remember. I have many of the shows on video, thanks to the BBC showings in the 1980's. A superb show....never equalled or bettered!
Post number:
320
19th of September 2011 01:02 AM by malcolm fleming
used to tape bilko on bbc2,still watch them at least once a week,never fails to make me smile and i must have seen them all 20 times over at least!
Post number:
319
11th of September 2011 08:44 PM by Gregg Tillery
This man can never be replaced. He made me laugh in what ever he did..
Post number:
318
11th of September 2011 02:39 AM by Ric Veenhof website: http://www.belizepropertycenter.com
One of my Favorite shows I was amazed that only Season One has been released on DVD. I have signed the petition and want to thank you for this site.

Thank you so much for your support Vic. Truly appreciated!
Post number:
317
8th of September 2011 12:02 AM by Terry Mountford
Hello Steve and Mick.....I was an original member back in the 1980's. Great to see you guys are still doing this for Phil all these years later. A superb job by two loyal fans....Phil would be proud!
Post number:
316
4th of September 2011 03:16 PM by jm bedos
IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY BORING AFTERNOONS AND SOMETIMES EVENINGS ON BBC2 WITH OUT THE BILKO SHOW SPICING THINGS UP !! THANK YOU PHIL SILVERS AND HIS GANG. X
Post number:
315
28th of August 2011 08:56 PM by robert delaney website: http://rs22798@gmail.com
i just think phil silvers bilko is the funniest man ever 100% funny all the time
Post number:
314
10th of August 2011 05:09 PM by Thomas Metych website: http://facebook
One of the greatest Comedian's ever R.I.P. but your antic's will live forever in the hearts and mind's of everyone.
Post number:
313
7th of August 2011 05:21 AM by Linda Castro Matarazzo
I am so happy to find that there is a group who recognizes this wonderful man and his career... we loved watching Phil Silvers, whether as Sgt. Bilko, or in movies and other shows. I hope his family knows how much joy he has brought into our lives. Glad to see ya!
Post number:
312
27th of July 2011 12:17 AM by Graham Laird website: http://lairdbond@btinternet.com
Pedants Corner!!

While watching the sublime, recently released "The First Season" I noticed an anomaly which cast member Maurice Brenner referred to in correspondence with BPAS. Maurice has always been known to fans as the slightly sinister Pte Fleishman (remember "Bilko and the Beast") but had mentioned that he was once Pte Zinneman ( played of course by Mickey Freeman). However, in my copy of the first series, which I believe runs sequentially, Maurice appears as Fleishman in the episode "Mardi Gras" and the as Zinneman in "The Eating Contest." As far as I can ascertain Maurice then reverts to his role as Fleishman.

Any Society member who can shed any light on this would earn my gratitude and appreciation.

Kind regards

Graham...Maurice was even called Doberman for a time....Nat (Hiken) didn't initially assign names to the platoon/support cast and it was following a meeting with Maurice Brenner, Mickey Freeman, P Jay Sidney and Karl Lukas that Nat finally gave the platoon members their final character names. Hence, as you rightly point out, in some of the early episodes many of our favourite platoon members have inter-changeable character names! Hope that answers your question...
Post number:
311
9th of July 2011 03:52 PM by Eugene Ruane
There are certain gifted ORIGINALS that come along once in a blue Moon. Movie acting - James Cagney, De Niro. Music? Hank Williams, Jolson, Chuck Berry. In Comedy, in my humble opinion, there is Phil Silvers, Laurel & Hardy and then...everyone else. I have been watching and enjoying Bilko since I was 9 or 10. I'm now 52 and the enjoyment of the series only increases with time. Incredible. EJ Ruane, (Liverpool)

As Phil would've said...."You show great taste!". Have to agree with you that the show gets better with each passing year!
Post number:
310
7th of July 2011 10:17 PM by Matt sand
Have been watching Bilko since the age of 11, over 30 years. Have seen almost every episode. Its great to see such a website paying tribute to just the most fantastic show. Look forward to looking at more updates.

Thank you so much Matt for your comments. We also take great pride in helping promote/perpetuate Phil's amazing legacy by featuring his outstanding body of work, something Phil was fiercely proud of!
Post number:
309
2nd of July 2011 09:09 PM by Jason Hughes
Love Bilko for years since I was sixteen Joined the BPSAS years ago still got all the mags and still collect memorabillia concerned with Sgt Bilko and Phil. Got quite a bit of stuff...
Post number:
308
25th of June 2011 12:48 PM by Lisa Weiner website: http://www. yahoo.com
To Phil Silvers,
I thought you were a great actor. You did a great job as Sgt. Bilko on the series You'll never get rich. I wish that you were still alive to make me laugh all over again. My thoughts and prayers go out tou your family. Lisa Weiner
Post number:
307
23rd of June 2011 11:38 AM by Dick Capewell, Chigago, US
They're showing Sgt. Bilko over here in the US on ME-TV. I'd forgotten how funny the old Sarge was. Great to see this classic show again. Love the website....
Post number:
306
18th of June 2011 05:43 PM by J.Hagon
Your website is a wonderful resource for all Phil Silvers fans - thanks very much!
Post number:
305
16th of June 2011 01:01 AM by Charlie Smalling
Hey, nice job on a cool site!
Post number:
304
15th of June 2011 01:21 AM by Alfred Walker
Having been a lifelong fan of the great Mr. Silvers I would like to offer my thanks to everyone involved with this wonderful website.
Post number:
303
14th of June 2011 01:12 AM by Mark Phelps
My favourite Bilko show is the one where he convinces Ritzik he's a vampire. Pure genius....I once read that Joe E Ross was a nightmare to work with yet he comes across as a great performer to me!

Have to agree with you Mark - Joe E Ross created two of comedy's greatest characters in Rupert Ritzik and Gunther Toody!
Post number:
302
6th of June 2011 09:59 PM by dave
what a great site got all bilkos on dvd just love them
Post number:
301
29th of May 2011 09:25 AM by Joe Holmes website: http://www.screamingeagleslhg.co.uk
Thanks Mick for keeping Phil's light burning bright. 'Bilko' is still as funny today as it was when first made. Shame they never made a movie. Regards, Joe.

Thanks Joe. And a shame they did make that movie in 1996! We're sure Steve Martin agrees!
Post number:
300
28th of May 2011 11:51 PM by Kevin S.Butler
I love your website..this is a wonderful tribute to one of tv comedy's funnest and most
beloved characters.

I grew up watching"Sgt.Ernie Bilko"in NYC back in the late 1950's..when the shows
were rerunned on WNBC TV Ch.4 in NYC.

Phil was a connving character..but he also had a heart of gold..which made it
possible for everyone to accept his skullduggery.

We can't thank you enough for your wonderful comments Kevin - Mick and Steve!
Post number:
299
28th of May 2011 02:06 PM by Stephen Davies
New to the web and just found your site. Excellent work - marvellous tribute to Phil Silvers.
Post number:
298
25th of May 2011 08:03 PM by Kelvin Haughton
Great website, keep up the fantastic work!
Post number:
297
22nd of May 2011 03:46 PM by Simon Jameson
Phil truly deserves this fitting tribute!
Post number:
296
21st of May 2011 12:04 PM by Derek Thompson
Stunning tribute to Mr.Silvers! Kudos!!
Post number:
295
18th of May 2011 11:29 PM by Elaine website: http://www.tonyhancockarchives.org.uk
Great site! Well done. I plan to be a frequent visitor!
Post number:
294
18th of May 2011 04:19 PM by Hal Bingham, Worcester, UK
Superb site....full of great info and interviews on Phil and thee gang. Great stuff..
Post number:
293
16th of May 2011 03:05 PM by rigsby
Dear all, this website is a delight. Not only a lot on Master Sargent Bilko, but a ton of interesting info/ anecdotes about his fellow comedians. The time, care and love that has clearly gone into this website has paid great dividends. Very well done and I hope this website gets the wide audience it so clearly deserves. Regards, risgby.
Post number:
292
16th of May 2011 10:58 AM by Bill Griffin
I was looking through some old videos yesterday and found episodes of Phil's (Bilko) I've had for 20+ years, even though I had watched them a few months ago I started watching them again, I laughed just as much as before. Phil is a genius and I must credit the rest of the cast of Bilko who supported him so well, its without doubt comedy brilliance, every episode is so so funny. I can't believe it's Phil's 100th Aniversary, his comedy timing seems so fresh and everlasting.

I visited your site a while back and must thank you for the incredible amount of time dedicated to create and maintain it. I don't think words can express how much I have enjoyed reading all the interesting stories and looking at the many memorable photo's of one of my comedy Hero's

Hail to the King of Comedy