MovieChat Forums > Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1964) Discussion > Gomer and Sex

Gomer and Sex

posted 11 years ago by richard.fuller1
9 replies | jump to latest

In watching these very early episodes for the first time, after nearly forty years since I last got to regularly watch Gomer Pyle, so far I've noticed a definite pattern.

While I don't expect Gomer to be an absolute playboy, so far there has been Duke telling Gomer he likes Sgt. Carter, with Gomer responding, I like him, I don't love him. This was in one of the first three episodes, about the second one.

While I think Frank Sutton's demeanor managed to always keep any undertone of romance out of the picture, I can't help but wonder how peculiar something like Gomer saying he didn't love another man must have seemed.

Then the fourth episode had to contend with Gomer addressing a female officer.

Now I have some fond memories of some episode, tho not of Louanne Poovey, she got on my nerves, I can't help but notice how incredibly awkward the show has been so far toward sex. Add to this Mary Grace Canfield's appearance on Andy Griffith as Thelma Lou's cousin whom Gomer dated and there's just some strange approaches to Gomer with a girl.

The only other strong contender I can think of, and again, it's Andy Griffith, is the fun girls from Raleigh when they were paired up with Gomer and Goober.

I know a few years back I saw Gomer helping a kid with a bunny rabbit and for a Marine, he couldn't have been walking more like Steve Urkel if he had tried. It was uncanny.

I expect it to be interesting to see how further episodes of Gomer progress.

[–] BiffGG 11 years ago

Gomer's faamily was most likely old fashioned and hammered on Gomer about the sin of adultery. His family's lives probably revolved around the local church. Gomer most likely had a low sex drive so he was not driven to distraction over it. In some ways I envy him as I grew up eyeing most attractive girls but seldom was able "to strike a deal" as it were. This was during the 1970's and early 1980's in a conservative community at least when it came to sex. Parents did not buy their kids birth control but rather expected their kids to keep their pants on.

[–] richard.fuller1 11 years ago

BiffGG: "Gomer's faamily was most likely old fashioned and hammered on Gomer about the sin of adultery. His family's lives probably revolved around the local church. Gomer most likely had a low sex drive so he was not driven to distraction over it. In some ways I envy him as I grew up eyeing most attractive girls but seldom was able "to strike a deal" as it were. This was during the 1970's and early 1980's in a conservative community at least when it came to sex. Parents did not buy their kids birth control but rather expected their kids to keep their pants on."
-------------------------------------------

I'd suspect it was more Nabors inability to actually warm up to a female co-star. The episodes also seem to be dancing around Nabors sexuality, whether it was known by everyone on the show or not, I wouldn't know.

Attempts to make Gomer come across gently nice progress very awkwardly. I suspect he is much better when he causes trouble.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] richard.fuller1 11 years ago

I do recall later, more-marine themed shows, but I haven't seen them in decades. I'm hoping they set better.

I do also remember the shows like Gomer trying to find the poor family a home and put them in a cabin marked for target practice.

[–] BiffGG 11 years ago

I don't know. As I stated in another thread it would have been interesting had some of his TAGS or GP co-stars had lived long enough to see Jim come out of the closet to see what comment might be made. If not then maybe after Nabors passed.
I do not think it was a matter of chemistry with a female star but rather the producers were not interested in making a sex-charged show. This was the 1960's after all with Rob and Laura Petrie in separate beds among other things. Had GP been running about the time Sex in the City was a dozen years ago then I would say that Gomer would be considered highly peculiar. While we are at it I thought a number of television couples had no chemistry including Andy Taylor and Miss Crump. I think Gomer's fixation with the sarge was more of the character having a mind of a preteen boy with a desperate need for hero worship. I've seen this with people who were in there 60's in real life. There is definitely a self-esteem/ confidence issue with Gomer.
Lastly, I would say that Mayberry was a conservative community where underaged boys and girls were constantly chaperoned which had some impact. I also remember growing up that statutory rape was very serious business. At least here in New York an underaged person can not legally consent to sexual activity. There were boys who really had their lives ruined over one night of pleasure. Gomer was no doubt made paranoid by his folks among others about this.

[–] richard.fuller1 11 years ago

BiffGG: "I don't know. As I stated in another thread it would have been interesting had some of his TAGS or GP co-stars had lived long enough to see Jim come out of the closet to see what comment might be made. If not then maybe after Nabors passed.
I do not think it was a matter of chemistry with a female star but rather the producers were not interested in making a sex-charged show. This was the 1960's after all with Rob and Laura Petrie in separate beds among other things. Had GP been running about the time Sex in the City was a dozen years ago then I would say that Gomer would be considered highly peculiar. While we are at it I thought a number of television couples had no chemistry including Andy Taylor and Miss Crump. I think Gomer's fixation with the sarge was more of the character having a mind of a preteen boy with a desperate need for hero worship. I've seen this with people who were in there 60's in real life. There is definitely a self-esteem/ confidence issue with Gomer.
Lastly, I would say that Mayberry was a conservative community where underaged boys and girls were constantly chaperoned which had some impact. I also remember growing up that statutory rape was very serious business. At least here in New York an underaged person can not legally consent to sexual activity. There were boys who really had their lives ruined over one night of pleasure. Gomer was no doubt made paranoid by his folks among others about this."
----------------------------------------------------------

I really don't see what any of Nabors co-stars commenting on his sexuality would have to do with it.

Barbara Eden confirmed Hayden Roarke's sexuality was known to them on I Dream Of Jeannie.

Ronnie Schell and Louanne Poovey are both still alive. Neither have commented on his sexuality, nor for that matter has Arlene Golonka or Ken Berry, as is Betty Lynn and Elinor Donahue.

If anything, it does seem apparent that Nabors waited until Griffith, Lindsey and Knotts had passed so they wouldn't be bothered with ridiculousness like "did you know? did you know?" as tho it mattered to them.

As for character chemistry, Griffith himself said Sheriff Taylor's inability to relate to Miss Ellie was all his fault, then oddly enough, he clicked much better with the incredibly icy and brittle Helen Crump.

And I don't think Gomer so much had a fixation on Sarge. Frank Sutton clearly captured the drill sergeant on the show, as I often heard, and Gomer greeted it with a smile. Once again, attempts to make the characters have some sort of communication are difficult to follow.

It still seems strange, just six episodes into the show, and there has already been declarations by Gomer that he didn't love Sgt. Carter (something Lucy Carmichael never had to do with Harry Mooney on her show) and then this odd confection with a female officer.

After watching that one, I wasn't quite sure if Gomer was supposed to be smitten with her or not.

[–] BiffGG 11 years ago

I Dream of Jeannie was just one show of hundreds that appeared on television during the 1960's. This leaves hundreds of other scenarios as to who knew about whatever behavior. Not proof of a trend.
Arlene Golonka never appeared in an episode with Jim and Elinor Donahue along with Ken Berry were not on during Jim's TAGS era which was the late 1962 season plus the 1963-64 season. I doubt there was much "Pssst, do you want to know something juicy about Jim Nabors......."
Andy can say what he wanted about his female co-stars but to this viewer I just never bought there was any relationship. Again, it seems it is in with what was seen through most 1960's that most couples were that by designation as opposed to the actors really "selling it."
Frank Sutton's military background was invaluable in his making Vince Carter come to life. It's abnormal but again I have seen post-teens have hero worship tendencies. Usually it involves money and power. From what I have seen of one neighbor I would say the writers have it down pat.
I think Gomer's declarations were nothing more than him responding back to his platoon mates who were busting his chops. No serious discussions about homosexuality ever took place on a US television show during the time GP was on the air. I can not speak to what may have gone on over in England, Germany, Italy, etc.. during the 1960's. I think the deal with Capt. Iron Pants as she was called was Gomer had a way to tame the beasts he came in contact with. Along those lines we have the episode about the nightclub hostess who was nicknamed the Dragon Lady (played by Barbara Stuart {Bunny}) who Gomer charmed to the dismay of Sgt. Carter. Gomer also has a run-in with a rival platoon Sgt. (played by Hill Street Blues alum Michael Conrad) who thinks Gomer is hitting on his girl.

[–] bradford-1 10 years ago

I watched GP when it was originally broadcast, and at age 11 and 12 I never thought much about his lack of female companionship. I merely thought about the charac tyer's general goofiness and backwardness. And being abnormally shy myself, I could relate!

"May I bone your kipper, Mademoiselle?"

[–] dbrockskk1 10 years ago

rally lol It's Raleigh. How old are you?

suzycreamcheese RIP Heath Ledger 1979-2008