Original subtitles

Starring... as Gomer Pyle.

Also starring... as Sergeant Carter.

♪ ♪

All right, now here it is.

There's an NCO seminar up in San Francisco

starting tomorrow, and I'm going.

I'm leaving tonight,

and I will be gone for four days.

Now, in case you got any ideas

of the next four days being a holiday, forget it.

I got a new man coming in.

He's going to be the new corporal for this platoon.

And what I asked headquarters for

was a gung ho, hard-nosed, by-the-book marine.

Now he's going to be in complete charge,

so everything will be well in hand.

All right, that's all.

Platoon, ten... hut!

Dismissed.

Hey, Sergeant, Sergeant Carter?

What is it, Pyle?

I'm in kind of a hurry.

I just wanted to tell you,

I've got this married cousin

that lives up near San Francisco...

Mary-Lou Kissinger.

She's married to a butcher,

and I'm sure that if you had any time, they'd be...

No, I won't, Pyle. I'm going to be busy.

Well, Sergeant, I'm sure she'd cook you a wonderful meal.

She always was a terrific cook,

even when she was single.

Her maiden name was Pridgeon

and, boy, she could always cook...

That's good to know. See ya, Pyle.

Well, I'm sure they'd love to see you if you have the time.

They live on Route 4 about seven miles

outside of Watsonville.

Kissinger, Sergeant, Kissinger.

Where is this guy, Harry?

Here I am all set to go.

Oh, he is.

Well, good.

Now, listen, you're sure he's tough, huh?

I mean, you know this platoon.

They need somebody on their back every second like me.

Yeah? He sounds good.

Yeah, yeah, tough, that's right.

Just a minute, Harry.

What can I do for you?

Remember me, Sarge, Duke Slater?

I was in the platoon last year.

Oh, yeah... Slater.

What are you doing here?

You on leave or something? No, I've been transferred back. I'm here for good.

Oh. One second, huh?

I'm sorry, Harry, but a guy just came in

that used to be in my outfit.

Yeah, but listen, what's the name

of this new corporal you're sending over?

You?

Corporal Slater?

That's right.

Harry, listen, what is this, a gag or something?

Slater... I know this guy.

He used to be in my outfit.

The worst goof-off I ever had.

What do you mean there's nobody else?

Listen, I'm going to be gone

for four days, and I ain't leaving my platoon in...

Hello? Hello?

So you're the new corporal, huh?

That's right.

Well, I'll tell you something.

I ain't taking no trip.

I'm staying right here, and I'm putting in for a new corporal.

Nothing personal, mind you.

Sarge, can I say something? What?

Well, I know just how you feel.

You're thinking of me the way I used to be.

That's right... old goldbricking,

anything-for-a-laugh Duke Slater.

That's how I remember you,

and that's why I'm getting a new corporal.

And I'm going to headquarters personally to do it.

Wait a minute, just hear me out, will ya?

All right, I'll hear you out.

I've got a whole new attitude.

As a matter of fact, I'm even thinking about

making the Marines my career.

Yeah? Yeah, that's why I put in for leadership school.

And I made it, Sarge, with flying colors.

That's how I got my stripe. Great.

And I'll tell you something else.

I graduated in the top ten percent of my class.

Well, fine. That's all great, Slater,

but this just ain't gonna work out.

You're just not my kind of guy.

But you've got to give me a chance. Not with my platoon, I don't.

Not with me going out of town for four days.

I ain't giving you complete charge of them guys

and letting you make a shambles out of it.

But I can handle it, believe me.

Here, take a look at my record.

I've been working hard, Sarge,

and I'm sure I can do it.

Yeah... Yeah, well...

this don't look bad on paper, but...

What's the maximum rate of fire

for the 81-millimeter mortar?

30 rounds a minute for the first minute... 18 rounds thereafter.

What are administrative orders?

Those orders used to announce the supply, evacuation

and other administrative details for a military operation.

Uh-huh. In squad tactics...

what's the consolidation phase?

The consolidation phase is the third phase

of offensive combat, and covers the period

from the end of the attack phase to the moment of commencing

some further action to exploit success.

What's the weight of a fully loaded automatic pistol?

2.76 pounds.

Wrong, Slater. It's 2.78 pounds, 2.78.

I'm sorry, Sarge, but I'm sure it's 2.76.

Well, I say you're wrong.

And that just goes to prove something, Slater.

Contradicting your sergeant

is not one of the outstanding traits for a Marine corporal.

And cockiness ain't one either,

and stubbornness certainly ain't one.

Well, I'm sorry, Sarge.

Well, Ill just prove it to you.

Where's my book?

Here we are. Let's see...

Automatic pistol... automatic pistol...

Yeah...

"The weight of a fully loaded automatic pistol is..."

Well, you just took a course.

Besides, handling a bunch of men is entirely different.

Look, Sarge, this is my first assignment.

And if I'm going to make the Marines my career,

and you turn me down cold, it'll kill it for me.

Well, I...

Look, headquarters never would have given me the assignment

if they didn't think I could handle it,

and I'm sure I can do it.

But of course, it's up to you, Sarge.

You're the one that's going to have to make the decision.

All right, I'll give it a try.

But I'm leaving you with one final word, Slater...

When I get back, there's going to be an inspection.

And there better not be any changes in this platoon.

Everything better be perfect, absolutely perfect,

or that stripe of yours is going to be gone with the wind.

Got ya, Sarge.

I'll see you in a couple of days,

and have a good trip...

and don't worry about a thing.

You got nothing to worry about, believe me.

Anybody home?

Hey, Duke! Duke! Duke!

Hi, men.

Duke!

Hey, fellas, it's Duke!

Hey, what's this here on your arm?

Another stripe... Corporal!

That's right, fellas, it's Corporal Slater now.

Congratulations!

That's great!

What are you doing here? Are you just visiting?

No, I've been transferred here.

Transferred?!

As a matter of fact,

I'm now the corporal of this platoon.

I'm your replacement, gentlemen.

What a relief! Relief?

Yeah, Sergeant Carter kind of scared us.

He told us his replacement

was going to be very, very strict.

Everything by the book.

And it turns out to be you.

Yeah, our old buddy, Duke. How about that?

Well, now wait a minute, fellas,

don't forget, I am a corporal now

and I am in charge of this platoon for the next four days.

Oh, yeah. Sure.

I mean, there won't be any letting down.

Everything's got to go right.

Okay, just as long as that's understood.

Yeah. Sure. Sure, don't worry.

I mean, really.

Yeah.

Well, the old barracks looks just the same.

Just like I left it.

A little dusty.

We're going to have to take care of that, right?

While you're at it, it might not be a bad idea

to catch those windows.

Duke, I can't tell you

how wonderful it is to have you back.

And as a corporal, too.

I think this is one of the happiest days of my life.

Thanks, Gomer.

Hey, Duke, do you still do them imitations? Huh?

You know, them imitations of Hollywood stars like that.

You was always wonderful at it.

Do one for us. No, I don't think...

Really, just do one little-bitty one for us.

Well, okay, just one for old time's sake.

Who do you want? Who do you want?

Hey, do Clark Gable.

All right, Clark Gable.

Scarlett, you've never loved me.

You've always loved Ashley Wilkes.

I thought there was a chance for us when Bonnie Blue was alive.

Well, it's too late now, Scarlett.

I'm going back to Charleston.

Good-bye, Scarlett.

Doggone, how you do that.

Hey, Duke, do my favorite one... Jimmy Cagney.

Jimmy Cagney... Mmm... mmm...

For it was Mary, Mary, sweet, mmm...

as any name, mmm... could be, mmm.

Doggone, Duke.

Hey, Duke,

Can you still do Sergeant Carter?

Oh, no.

Come on.

No, fellas, that's not such a good idea.

I mean, after all, he is our sergeant,

and I wouldn't want to make fun of him.

Aw...

Well, you never was making fun of him.

You was just imitating the way he talks.

And besides, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Well, all right, just this once for old time's sake.

But this is the last time. Don't ask me to do it again.

All right, you lamebrains, you nitwits, you knuckleheads,

you hear this and you hear it good!

I want you out of those sacks and outside on the double!

Move it! Move it! Move it!

I can't hear you!

Hey, you know something, fellas,

these next four days are gonna be great!

Come on, you guys.

Out in the road here.

Quiet, Freeman. Quiet, Pyle.

Step out. Let's go, you guys.

This is the way you men muster out in the morning?

Straighten up that line. This is a military formation.

You can do better than that.

What's so funny, Pyle?

I didn't say anything funny.

Straighten up and look alive.

All right, now hear this and hear it good.

I'm your platoon commander.

And when I give you an order, I want it carried out, now.

And when you fall out in the morning,

I want that formation on the double.

I want you to move it.

Pyle, what are you smiling at?

Duke, you sound just like Sergeant Carter.

He's right. You do, Duke.

All right.

All right, hold it.

Maybe you guys think I'm kidding.

Well, I'm not, and I'll prove it to you.

All right, let's flatten out for some push-ups.

About 5,000 to start.

Platoon... prone position... move!

Well, come on, let's move it!

Hit the deck! I gave you an order!

Move it! Platoon, prone position, move it!

Everything all right, Corporal?

Ten-hut. Morning, sir.

Yes, sir, everything is fine.

It's just we're a little slow getting at those push-ups.

Slow?

You men heard your corporal.

He wants you to hit the deck, so hit the deck!

Now!

Wouldn't be a bad idea to add a few for sluggishness.

Don't worry, sir, I've got them doing 5,000.

5,000? Yes, sir.

Uh, maybe you ought to spread them out over a few days.

Yes, sir.

Carry on, Corporal. Thank you, sir.

All right, commence push-ups.

Count off... one... ALL: One...

I can't hear you!

Two... ALL: two...

Louder. Three... three... four... four...

Louder. Five...

You wanted to see me, Duke?

I mean, Corporal.

Oh, yeah, Gome, come on in. Come on in.

Here, sit down.

Thank you.

Um, Gome, the reason I sent for you, is...

well, you're an old buddy, right?

I sure am.

Well, the point is, this is my first chance at leadership

and I really want to do a good job.

Of course.

And I figure you can help me, Gome.

Me? Yeah.

How can I help you?

Well... now don't get me wrong...

I'm not asking you to...

you know, squeal on the other guys,

but... well, how do they feel about me?

Huh? What are they saying?

I know it's only been one day,

but what's their impression of me, Gome?

Well... I don't think it's right

for me to tell you what the fellas say in private.

Oh, come on, Gome, you can level with me.

I can take constructive criticism.

It's not going to hurt my feelings.

Well...

Please, Gome, it's very important to me.

It is? Well, sure.

Look, it's not just losing this stripe I'm worried about.

It's the whole platoon.

I want them to look good.

And if Sergeant Carter comes back

and doesn't find things just like he left them,

why it'll look bad for me and it will look bad for the platoon.

I sure wouldn't want that to happen to the platoon,

and you know I wouldn't want you to lose your stripe.

Well, then help me, Gomer.

I just want to know if I'm getting through to the guys.

Just give me an idea of how they feel about me.

Well... all right, if...

you're really sure it'll help.

Let's see.

Freeman says there's worse corporals,

but he don't know where.

And Dumbrowski says you're a rat,

and Ellis says you're chicken,

and Joey'd like to catch you without your uniform on,

and Smitty says you stink.

Why, those jerks!

Those ungrateful jerks!

A little discipline and they turn on you.

Okay, I'll show 'em.

Thanks a lot, Gomer. I know what to do.

Wait a minute, Duke, I thought...

Well, you said your feelings wasn't gonna get hurt.

That's right, my feelings ain't hurt.

Do I look like my feelings are hurt?

Well, my feelings ain't hurt.

What makes you think my feelings are hurt?

You said you could take criticism.

I took it. Didn't I take it?

I can take criticism.

Thanks a lot, Gomer. Good night.

All right, listen up, you guys, I got something to tell you.

I got a job to do here.

I'm replacing your sergeant, and it is my duty

to keep this platoon in gung ho condition

until he gets back, and I mean to do that

whether you guys like it or not.

Now, I'm changing the schedule a little for today.

Here's what I want you to do.

I want you all back outside in five minutes with full packs.

We're going on a little 20-mile hike,

and when we get back, we're gonna have an hour or so

of calisthenics, and the rest of the day on detail.

No breaks, no nothing.

Boy, am I pooped.

Better not be.

Calisthenics next, and then detail.

It's funny how they all started as corporals:

Napoleon, Hitler, now Slater.

All right, platoon, fall out!

Fall out in a row! Let's go, on the double!

Move it, move it, move it! Let's go! Fall out!

Pyle, where's the rest?

Well, there ain't nobody else.

I'm the only one here.

Where are they? Where'd they go?

They all go AWOL?

No, they all reported over to sick bay.

Sick bay? What for?

What's the matter with 'em?

I don't know, but they said they couldn't wait for sick call,

so they got up and left about a half hour ago.

Oh, they did, did they?

Huh, we'll see about that.

Corporal. Ten-hut!

Morning, sir.

Corporal, could I speak to you for a moment?

Yes, sir.

I just came from sick bay.

Captain Johnson has your whole platoon over there.

Yes, sir, I know.

And I can't understand it.

They were in perfect health last night.

I'm really mystified, sir.

Yes.

Corporal, how long have you been a corporal?

Tomorrow will be one week, sir.

I see.

At ease, Corporal.

This is your first assignment?

I mean in taking over a platoon, right? Yes, sir.

I remember a couple of years ago

when I took over my first platoon.

I was determined to make it the best outfit in the corps.

That's the way I feel, sir. Yeah.

Yeah, I was pretty rough on 'em.

As a matter of fact, too rough.

I was just a little too anxious.

Anxious, sir? That's right.

Now, don't get me wrong, I think discipline is important,

but there's a fine line that you can't step over

without affecting morale.

Yes, sir. I found the best way to keep the platoon

looking sharp and the morale high was

to change my attitude a little.

I stayed on 'em, mind you, but...

I didn't grind 'em down.

You see what I mean?

Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

Carry on, Corporal.

Fall out.

Duke?

Duke?

Corporal?

What's the matter, Duke?

I don't know.

You saw me talking to the lieutenant.

Uh-huh.

Well, he's right.

You know what he says I got here?

No, what? Low morale.

Three days on the job, and I got low morale.

I guess I've just been kidding myself.

I can't handle a platoon; I'm not the leader type.

Why, that's not true, Duke... You are a leader.

Well, you're a natural born leader.

Even when you was a private, you was a leader.

Why, the fellers used to follow you everywhere.

You used to say, "Let's go down and get a pizza,"

even though everybody else wanted Chinese,

but we all followed you to the pizza.

Oh, you're a leader, all right.

Yeah, but that was different... Now I got rank on them.

That makes it a whole different story.

Well, no, it don't.

It's no different at all.

No? Then where did I go wrong?

Tell me that... Where did I go wrong?

Well... if you don't mind my saying so,

I think you made your big mistake,

well, by not being yourself.

I mean, you ain't Sergeant Carter.

He can yell and holler, and nobody seems to mind.

Because that's the way he is; it's natural for him.

But it ain't natural for you.

Well... it's too late now... I blew it.

Barracks are in a mess,

Sergeant Carter'll be back tomorrow,

and half the outfit can't wait to catch me out of uniform.

Well, boys, Carter comes back tomorrow.

I never thought I'd be happy

to see the old sarge again, but I will be.

Hey, you think he'll ask us how his replacement was?

I hope he asks me, 'cause I'll tell him Slater'd be great with the Boy Scouts.

Yeah, or Girl Scouts.

Hey, what's that?

Huh? What?

There's somebody at the window.

Hmm?

It's Duke... He's washing windows.

What's he doing that for?

To save his stripe... he couldn't get us to do it, so he's got

to do it alone. That's not true, fellers.

Oh, no? No. He don't have to do it alone...

He could've got us to do it.

All he had to do was order us to.

Yeah? Well, why didn't he, then, huh?

Well, I think now he realizes he was wrong.

Aw, come on! Oh!

Well, it's the truth.

And I'll tell you something else,

it's all partly our fault.

What do you mean our fault?

Well, maybe Duke didn't go about it in the right way,

but... we never gave him a chance, neither.

We laughed and joked

and never gave him the respect he deserved.

After all, he is a corporal.

And just because we knew him before

don't mean that we shouldn't respect his stripe.

If any of us had made corporal, we'd expect a break,

even from our friends.

And I'll tell you something else.

I'm gonna go out there and help him.

Duke?

Uh, I mean, Corporal?

Gome, what do you want?

Well, I thought I might help you.

No, thanks.

You better get back to your bunk.

Well, I don't want to disobey orders or anything, but...

I really would like to help you.

Forget it... I got myself into this,

I can get myself out.

Uh, uh, Corporal?

Dumbrowski, what are you doing out here?

Well, I-I couldn't sleep... I thought maybe

if I did a little work, it might tire me out.

What?! JOEY: Listen, Corporal,

I-I got a bucket and rag...

Want me to start the windows over here or on the other side?

What is this? Okay, you guys get the inside,

we'll start cleaning up out here.

Hey, w-wait a minute, what's going on here?

Well, don't worry about it, Duke.

The fellers in the platoon just want to help you out's all.

I'll do the windows in front.

Private?

Oh. Good evening, Lieutenant.

What's going on here? Why are the lights on?

What are all the men doing out here?

Oh, well, we was just policing up the area, sir.

You being punished? Oh, no, sir... we're doing it

'cause we want to.

See, our sergeant's coming back tomorrow,

and we wanted everything to look right for the inspection.

And where's the corporal in charge of this detail?

Corporal Slater? Well, he's right around here, sir.

Atten-hut!

Evening, sir.

At ease.

This is a little irregular,

isn't it, Corporal?

Working after hours like this?

Well, yes, sir, but you see,

we got a little behind in our work, and we...

well, that is, the men and I, we decided to catch up.

I see.

Very well, Corporal, carry on.

Thank you, sir.

Um, Corporal?

Yes, sir?

That's a good group of men you've got there.

Very good.

Thank you, sir.

What's the matter, Duke?

Nothing, Gomer, nothing at all.

Are you crying?

No, I'm not crying.

What are you, crazy?

Duke, I don't know whether you ought

to be a corporal or not.

You're so... emotional.

Uh-huh.

Uh-huh.

Not bad.

Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

There's a smudge on that button, Dumbrowski.

Write that down.

Uh-huh.

Yeah.

All right, Corporal, you can dismiss the platoon.

Right, Sergeant.

Platoon dismissed.

You did a good job, Slater.

The men look sharp.

The barracks ain't bad, either.

Thanks, Sarge.

Yeah, I'll level with you.

I never expected it.

I thought when I got back here,

I'd see a shambles.

I really never figured you could handle it.

Well, I'm happy to hear you say that, Sergeant.

Well, you did.

And I'll say something else.

You stay on the ball like this,

and we might hit it off okay, okay?

Okay.

Sergeant Carter?

Yeah, Pyle, what is it?

Well, I'd like to make a statement

on behalf of all the men.

They didn't really ask me to,

but, well, I know how they feel.

Yeah, what is it?

Well, I'd like to say

what an outstanding job Corporal Slater done

with the platoon while you was gone.

I know, I held the inspection.

But you don't know the full story, Sergeant.

Corporal Slater was up early, and he worked late.

I don't even think he went off the base.

He devoted his full attention

to the platoon every second.

He done such a fine job, you wasn't even missed.

Huh?

Well, you was missed, but everything run

just as smooth as if you was here,

so if you're thinking of taking any other trips,

I'm sure Corporal Slater...

What is this, a testimonial?

Did you put him up to this, Slater?

No, Sarge, honest.

And furthermore, I'd like to say

that I'd follow Corporal Slater anywhere.

He's a natural born leader of men.

Well, if you didn't put him up to it, who did?

Gomer, will you get out of here?

Yes, sir, Corporal, right away.

See how I follow his orders, Sergeant?

Pyle... Slater, you've got a lot of nerve, you know that?

He does have a lot of nerve.

He is a brave man, Sergeant.

Out! Out!

Both of you, get out of here!

Get out!