MovieChat Forums > MASH (1970) Discussion > Best SMALL visual jokes

Best SMALL visual jokes

posted 17 years ago by Skragg
16 replies | jump to latest

Maybe it's because this movie is full of BIG moments I either don't like or HATE, but I've always noticed the SMALL ones, especially the completely visual ones. There's that early scene where Skerritt is startled by Sutherland leaning over him, the part with the non-surgeons, like Radar and Painless, watching the operations through the window, even the stretcher bearer stumbling in the opening sequence (I always wonder whether that was planned or not). But to me, the best might be Corey Fisher and the singer (what is his name?) giving each other that quick little smile during the song at the funeral - just like any two performers in ordinary circumstances, as opposed to this strange scene.
What are some of the others?

[–] Fuchsschaf 17 years ago

The stretcher bearer really stumbled and Altman left it in. He mentions it in his commentary.

[–] filthy_morphine 17 years ago

I also love those small moments, "the smile" is one my favourites.
Also in the beginning when Hawkeye and Duke are leaving in the "stolen" jeep, the go over a bump and Duke almost falls out of the jeep but he manages to hold his cap with one hand a for a moment. I always laugh here :) it´s splendid.

p.s. I LOVE every second of this movie - can not think about anything I could possibly hate :)

"He say you Blade Runner." "Tell him I´m eating."

[–] internot-1 16 years ago

this great movie just played on AMC this late nite (14jul08), and I almost fell outta my chair at the beginning of the "ceremony" for Dr. Painless ... if you've got a freeze frame on your playback device freeze your screen around 5 seconds into the ceremony during the opening wide shot of the whole table ... then get yourself a picture of the "Last Supper" (yeah, DaVinci's) ... you'll see an exact placement -- minus the colors -- of the actors according to the painting ... they hold the shot for a hilarious few further seconds and then start moving around before they hand Painless his special black pill in the handsome presentation case

[–] Godfather-114 16 years ago

anything said on the loudspeaker. expecially the part where he was trying just SO hard to pronounce those words. can you believe that was added in post production?

"Do you know how hard faking your own death is? Only one person has ever done it. Elvis."

[–] gerald-flynn 16 years ago

Actually, the "Last Supper" scene is about the only thing I found funny in this tasteless, crude and mean-spirited movie. Overated by pretentious anti-war film critics, this movie just just never appealed to me. Incidently, Dr "Hooker", the pen-name of the actual MASH doctor who wrote the original novel said that the film made Hawkeye and Trapper too nice. He said "We were really a couple of mean bastards!" BTW, anyone remember "Battle Circus", circa 1951 starring Humphrey Bogart and (I believe) Jane Wyman as a MASH doctor and nurse? I have not seen this on TV in about 20 years or more and it does not seem to be around on DVD.

[–] porfle 12 years ago

"Overated by pretentious anti-war film critics, this movie just just never appealed to me."

I saw it in a crowded theater when it was new. We were just regular filmgoers, not pretentious anti-war film critics, but we were all laughing our heads off and having a great time just the same.

hkfilmnews.blogspot.com
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[–] claudja777 16 years ago

the pictures of the three grilfriends of the dentist.

[–] netshopper-2 15 years ago

The all white clothing worn at the Last Supper for Painless, Colonel Blake casting his fishing pole in the river, Blake hanging up on the General after telling him to ignore Hot Lips' letter, the chairs they sat in for the shower scene....

[–] rrb 15 years ago

Lieut. Dish's stoned look the morning after sex with Painless--breaking into a radiant smile before her copter takes off to carry her back to her husband.

Frank Burns, with a mouthful of food, shouting "Shut your filthy mouth!" to Hawkeye.

Burns filmed as if engulfed in flames as he's driven off the unit in a straight-jacket.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] lmchildress 15 years ago

When Duke mistakes Hawkeye for his driver (after Hawkeye removed his captain's bars. "yesSUH!"

And then the look on Duke's face at the mess tent when Hawkeye tells Blake who he is. Priceless.

[–] jleslie48 15 years ago

eliot goulds crooked handlebar moustache.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] brandtm 14 years ago

Well, it's not so much a joke, but it does go a long way toward explaining their cavalier attitude toward the war and all its insanity: it's the poker game near the end, just before Duke and Hawkeye get their orders home. Even Hot Lips is participating, evidently no longer burdened by her RA stridency, when everybody takes a quick glimpse as a wrapped body is hauled from a tent and loaded onto a jeep like a piece of freight. For a very brief moment they all look at each other and then quickly get back to the game.

[–] 14 years ago

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