SGT BILKO

US, 1996, 96 minutes, Colour.
Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd, Phil Hartman, Glenne Hedley, Daryl Mitchell, Austin Pendleton, Chris Rock.
Directed by Jonathan Lynn.

One of the problems of not seeing so much television during the late 50s, early 60s is that we missed out on a lot of television programs that are now considered classics.

They say that Phil Silvers' show, Sgt Bilko, was one of the best. I don't think they'll be saying this about this movie. Perhaps it was Phil Silvers' comic style that enabled him to get away with all kinds of con stunts in the army. Though Steve Martin is a clever comic, I found I was more in sympathy with the uptight officer who was the victim of Bilko's pranks. In fact, we are meant to be applauding Bilko and his troop.

When the writing is witty and there is satirical intention, this can work. But this is all straightforward and types that would drive you mad in real life become heroes. And the director is Jonathan Lynn, the co-writer and director of Yes Minister. A sour comedy.

1. The popularity of the television series? In its time? Considered a classic TV show?

2. Remake in the mood of the 1990s, drawing on the old series, being contemporary?

3. Steve Martin, his screen presence, his style? In comparison with Phil Silvers?

4. Fort Baxter, the usual layout of a military base, offices, the common room, the motor pool section? And the conversion of the motor pool into a club?

5. The satiric tone, the one-liners, the situations? The touch of the slapstick?

6. Sgt Bilko and his role, his history, the clashes with Thorn, Thorn arriving and against him? Seeing Bilko in action, smelling the money, selling the tickets, the cover for information on the radio, the range of deals, smart, his followers, blindly following him, admiring him, his using them? Concealing the setup from the commanding officer?

7. How funny his exploits – and exploitation? lies, coverup?

8. The commander, pleasant, rather ignorant, believing Bilko, glad about his keeping up morale, his wife, his house and garden? Inspecting the men? Going to the car pool, the winding back of his odometer? His not suspecting? The visit, the officer, exposing the limitations of the base, fears of the base was closing down? The test for the hovering tank? The results?

9. Rita, waiting at the altar, everybody leaving, playing cards? This happening over and over? Her setting up a situation with Thorn, going out with him, challenging Bilko, his jealousy? At the end, the wedding – happy ending or not?

10. Water arriving, by the book, his observing Bilko, not liked by the other men, at the end offering a solution for the demonstration of the tank?

11. Thorn, the past, his anger, staying, tangling with Bilko and Bilko being shrewd? With Rita, the outings, trying to get back at Bilko? The demonstration, his examining the machine, taking the piece, accusing them of faking the demonstration? His comeuppance?

12. The engineers for the tank, exasperation, $70 million, the surprise when it seemed to work? The explosions engineered, and the canon facing the wrong way…?

13. The inspectors, their partnership, decisions about the base?

14. How comic this kind of picture of an exploitative Sgt and his getting away with everything?