Harry Morgan toast to his old buddies. Scripted?? Words were real!

Margaret, come on in. Why don't you sit here. Pierce, thanks for coming. B.J. Colonel. Klinger. Sir. Major. Sir. I know I've been acting a little goofy lately, but there's a good reason. Colonel. What's with her? I'd do the same if you wouldn't slug me. What does that mean? We're worried about you, Colonel. Colonel, you have our total support. We're behind you all the way, sir. No matter what the problem may be. Thanks, padre, I appreciate that. I suppose. Now, if you'll all put the tear ducts on simmer I'll lay out the whole story. I guess you're wondering about the getup. Well, now that you mention it... Yup, still smells like mothballs. It was a long time ago-- 1917, to be exact... and I've put on a dozen or so pounds since then. We were in France under a heavy artillery barrage. My buddies and I laid low in an old French chateau. We were quite a group, the five of us. Went through hell together and lived to get drunk about it. What a great bunch of guys. That's us. I'm the one mugging for the camera. Anyway, there we are in this chateau. Stein finds a cache of fine brandy and we sat up all night. The shells were screaming and we were singing and toasting our friendship. Then we got down to the last bottle. This, uh... very bottle here. Any of you know what a tontine is? Yes, a tontine is a... pledge. Give that man a cheroot. The five of us made a pledge. We'd save this bottle. Let some legal eagle stow it for us and whoever turned out to be the last survivor of the group well... he'd get the bottle and drink a toast to his old buddies. For good or bad, you're looking at the last survivor. I got the job when Gresky passed on in Tokyo. He had the bottle sent here. God rest his soul. Colonel, we thought you were sick. I<i> was</i> sick. Just thinking how all my friends are gone now. Felt a little sorry for myself, too, getting up in years. But I'm looking at things a bit different now. I've been a very lucky man. I've had some wondrous, joyous times. That's what counts. We were so alive back then. It was something. But, as much as my old friends meant to me... I think you new friends mean even more. So, I'd like you to share this bottle with me. We'd be honored, Colonel. Pass it around, would you, Pierce? As I recall... it was mighty smooth in '17. It should be magnificent now. Just one thing... I'd like to make the first toast solo to my old buddies. Here's to you, boys. To Ryan, who died in W.W.I, the war to end all wars. To Gianelli, who died in the war after that. To Stein, the joker of the crowd, and to Gresky, my best friend, who just passed away in Tokyo. You were the friends of my youth, my comrades through thick and thin, and everything in between. I drink to your memories. I loved you fellas... one and all. It's still mighty smooth. Okay, that's the old, now for the new... to love and friendship.

Channel: Jim Berthiaume

Views: 1,437,489

Rating: 4.9107323 out of 5

Keywords: esky99, nashville, M*A*S*H, 4077th, Escanaba, Acting, imdb, imdb.com, Harry Morgan, Alan Alda, Jamie Farr, Larry Linville, Gary Burgoff, Loretta Swit, Wayne Rogers, William Christopher, David Ogden Stiers, Mike Farrell, McLean Stevenson, G.W. Bailey, Edward Winter, TV Series, Jim Berthiaume, Movies, Match Game, Game Shows, Pass Word, Hollywood Squares, 20th century fox, 70's tv series, you tube, Tv Land, me tv, comedy, Los Angeles, New York, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, President

Id: ize5lZoIlBk

Length: 4min 35sec (275 seconds)

Published: Thu Sep 03 2009

Reddit Comments

[u/seizethedayboys]

There are quite a few scenes in this show that really seem to hit you in the gut and this has always been one of them for me. Colonel Potter is such a dynamic character and it shows so much throughout how the others around him talk about him. Just before this scene Margaret rebuffed at Pierce for suggesting he might be going through a divorce "Who would divorce that sweet, wonderful man?"

Also when you can get Charles to tear up, you know you've done good.

[u/GlitchedGamer14]

To Ryan, who died in WW1, the war to end all wars. To Geonelli, who died in the war after that.

I think that's one of the most powerful lines in the show. It's definitely one of my favourites; it never fails to move me.

[u/shakeyjake]

"Give that man a cheroot"

FYI a cigar is called a cheroot in France.

[u/danis1973]

One of my favorites of the entire series.

[u/MichaelJordansToupee]

I like this and also his speeches as the Old Man New Year "...may the new year be a damn sight finer than the old one. And may we all be home before it's over."

[u/scots]

One of my top 5 favorite episodes ever.