Original subtitles

Starring... as Gomer Pyle.

Also starring... as Sergeant Carter.

♪ ♪

"You gotta see this place to believe it, Vince.

"When I'm not working, it's all sandy white beaches,

"a party here and there,

"sailing, surfing and beautiful hula girls.

Now I know why they put the 'lulu' in 'Honolulu.'"

That's cute.

Sounds like he's got it made.

Yeah, leave it to my old pal Nick Hollernrake

to always get stationed in the best places.

"I told all the gals here about you, Vince,

"and I've already got a long, cool tropical drink

"sitting here in the shell of a pineapple

with a gardenia floating on top just waiting for you." Hmm?

"If you can steal any time, don't miss out on this.

"It's once in a lifetime.

"I got a house right on the beach with plenty of room,

so come on down!"

That's great, Sarge. You going?

Am I going? Am I going?

Man, I got ten days accumulated leave saved up.

Ten whole days I been hoarding

just waiting for the right opportunity.

And brother, this is it.

"Am I going?" he asks.

And would you like to know how?

How? Well,

we got marine jets winging out of here every day,

and some of them go straight to Honolulu.

And who do you think is gonna hop a ride

on one of them little jet jobs?

Hey, that's great, Sarge!

You got nothing to keep you here.

I mean, there's nothing coming up.

You're in the clear.

Good. Just this.

Yeah? What's that?

Memo came through this morning

about the test for PFC.

Six of our men haven't taken it yet.

Huh?

Those meatballs, in the marines

for over a year and still privates.

Well, I want a whole platoon of PFCs.

In fact, I want a whole platoon of PFCs

before I go to Honolulu.

When are they giving that test?

Tomorrow. Good.

It'll make a nice going-away present for me, all PFCs.

I don't know.

What do you mean?

Pyle.

Wouldn't you know it?

Wouldn't you know that lunkhead would be one of the last ones

to make PFC? Wouldn't you just know it!

Boy, this stings me! It really stings me!

Sarge, a minute ago you were happy as a lark

talking about your trip.

Why let something like this spoil it?

Well, it's important.

I mean, think back to

what you were talking about: Hawaii,

the sandy white beaches, the hula girls,

the tropical drink...

Yeah, with a gardenia floating around on top.

That's right!

You're right. You're right!

This is a golden opportunity to go to Honolulu,

and I'm not gonna let them foul it up.

Believe me, I'm not gonna.

I'm just gonna walk over and talk to them real calm-like.

Calm and easy, easy and calm.

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

That six of ya, the last six!

Now everybody else in this platoon has made PFC

except you six meatballs.

Now what is it with you?! Well?

What about you, Lipton? What's your excuse?

I don't have one.

That's no excuse!

Would you like to hear my excuse, Sergeant? No!

I got one... I don't want to hear it!

It might explain why...

Pyle, I said I didn't want to hear you excuse!

Is that clear?! Yes, it is, Sergeant.

See, it's just that as long as you was

expecting an excuse from Private Lipton,

and he didn't have one, I thought I'd tell you mine

so's you wouldn't be disappointed. Knock it off!

Now all of you, listen up.

That test is being given tomorrow,

so get on the stick.

Remember it's for your good, not mine.

But I want all PFCs in this platoon, is that clear?!

Aye, aye, sir.

I can't hear you!

Aye, aye, sir!

All right, you take that test and you make it!

I don't want to hear it.

Never did get to tell him my excuse.

What is your excuse, Gome?

Well, it's just that I wish I didn't have

to take that test.

Why? It's not hard.

That ain't what I'm afraid of.

Then what?

Well, maybe it won't make too much sense.

Well, what is it?

Well, the fact is, I couldn't be no happier than I am right now.

To tell you the truth,

I like things just the way they are.

Huh? Remember back in boot camp,

Sergeant Carter told us that

the private is the backbone of the Marine Corps?

Well, fact is, I like being the backbone.

And another thing.

I wouldn't want people to think that I'm getting uppity,

and that's just what the folks back home might think

if I got me a stripe on my arm, that I'm getting uppity.

Oh, now you're putting me on.

No, I ain't, Duke, honest.

So you see, I'm better off being a private

'cause I'm a whole lot better at followership

than I am at leadership.

Gomer... So you see,

I don't care a whole lot

about being a private first class

is what it boils down to.

Well, Gomer, you should. Take the test.

Well, I'll take the test all right,

but I know how I am, Duke.

If I ain't interested in something,

I just can't concentrate.

That's how I am.

I just can't concentrate if I ain't interested.

Hey, read 'em and weep, pal!

Read 'em and weep!

"Sergeant Vincent J. Carter, Marine jet X-22007 nonstop,

destination: Honolulu."

Aloha and ta-ta.

Great, Sarge.

Four days from today

I'll be wearing a garland of flowers around my neck,

and will I be thinking of you?

No, I will not.

Nothing personal.

What's in there?

Do you want to see

what the well-dressed sergeant wears

on the beach in Hawaii, huh?

Well, what do you think?

One thing's sure, you won't get lost.

Can I help it if you got no taste?

Uh, what's the news on the PFC test?

Results come in yet?

Didn't you hear me?

Did you get the results on the PFC test?

Yeah, I heard ya.

Well?

Look, Sarge, you're not gonna

let this spoil your trip now...?

Come on! Come on!

Naturally, I could have told you.

You didn't have to tell me.

I could have told you.

Pyle is the only one that didn't make it!

Sarge, that's five out of six.

That's good. That is not good!

I want six out of six,

that's what I'm gonna get.

Six out of six!

"Adams, Calarusso, Dunkin,

Lipton, Pyle, Rigsby."

All of you fall in right in front of me.

I just got the results of the test

you all took for PFC.

The following men made it...

Oh, wait a minute.

Why should I waste all that breath reading off the names

of those who made it.

It'll be much easier

just to read the names of the those who didn't.

The following men did not pass the test for PFC.

Pyle!

That is the whole list of all the men who did not make it.

All the rest of you earned your stripe.

All right, everybody except Pyle fall out!

Pyle, remember the other day

when you said you had a reason

for not wanting to take the test,

and I didn't want to listen, remember?

Yes, Sergeant.

Well, now I happen to have a little extra time.

I'm ready to hear your excuse for taking the test and failing.

Let's hear it.

I'm waiting.

How did you fail that test? How?!

I couldn't help it, Sergeant.

All the time I was taking the test,

my mind just kept wandering.

Wandering? How far could it wander

in that vacant lot?!

It's like I told you...

Where was your head, Pyle?

Where was your head?

Well, like I said, my mind just kept wandering.

I kept thinking about all the happy times

I've had as a private.

Huh? I just couldn't stop thinking about the time

that you told us that the private

was the backbone of the Marine Corps.

That's correct.

I'm still waiting for your excuse.

How did you fail?

I'm leading up to it.

All right, lead!

Well, it's like this.

If I pass the test for PFC,

then they might want me to take the test

for corporal, and then sergeant

And I'm just happy like I am.

What?

The fact is, I guess I just plain ain't interested.

You ain't interested?

I reckon not.

Uh-huh.

Well, I reckon we'll just have to get you interested.

In fact, we'll just have

to get everybody here interested

in getting you interested.

All right, everybody, over here!

Now, here's the story.

Pyle is the only one who hasn't made PFC.

I want a hundred percent PFC platoon,

and you are going to help me to get it. How?

There's another PFC test being given tomorrow,

and Pyle here's going to take it.

Now, this is an order.

You are all taking a two-hour shift tonight

right around the clock helping Pyle

bone up for that test tomorrow.

When he walks in there in the morning,

I want his head so full, it'll be coming out of his ears.

You see, I think I know the reason

for his failing that test.

One word: stupidness.

So, you are going to help him get over his stupidness.

Is that clear?

Aye, aye, sir.

Is it clear to you, Pyle?

Yes, Sergeant.

I must be crazy

to stick around here and let you drive me nuts.

I don't know why I do it, but I do.

Every day it's something different.

Now go away. Stupid! Stupid!

The same thing over and over and over!

I got it!

Hey, Garson, Garson.

Garson, I got the part about assembling the .45.

Oh, that's wonderful.

What time is it?

2:15.

I'm not getting paid for overtime.

2:00 to 4:00 is Slater's shift.

Where is he?

I was just coming for you.

The patient is all yours, Doctor.

I've heard of night school, but this is ridiculous.

Hey, Duke. Hey, Gomer.

Sure nice of you fellas

to help me out like this, you know that?

Yeah, I know that.

You're a good friend, Duke, a real good friend.

But we don't have too much time.

You sleepy?

No, I'm wide awake, I really am.

See? My eyes ain't even bloodshot yet.

I ain't the least bit tired.

Good.

If you feel yourself getting sleepy,

just throw some cold water on your face.

Main thing is to stay awake.

I'm fine.

Okay, good, let's go.

All right, men, your examination books are there on your desks,

but I don't want you to open them until I tell you to.

Now, you've got one hour...

60 minutes... To complete this test.

If any of you finish early,

hand in your books and leave the room quietly because

other men around you may be still working.

Remember, no talking. The word is quiet.

Okay, everybody ready?

Go.

I guess you heard what happened to Pyle

at the PFC test.

Yeah, I guess you did.

Fell asleep,

right in the middle of a test, he fell asleep.

That yo-yo!

Well, let me tell you something.

I'm not going to let him spoil my trip.

I'm going to Hawaii and I'm going to have fun.

Do you hear me?! Fun, fun, fun!

I'm going to enjoy!

Sarge, but aren't you packing kind of early?

I'm in a hurry.

When Friday morning gets here, I go.

The sooner I get away from Pyle,

the happier I'll be!

I've got to get this pressed

and pick up some stuff from the PX.

You got my travel orders typed up yet?

I was gonna do it this morning, Sarge.

Well, get moving.

I want them on the Colonel's desk

ready for his signature right away!

Okay, Sarge.

Fell asleep. He fell asleep!

Hey, Corporal.

Well, look who's here, Sleeping Beauty.

Is Sergeant Carter around?

Look, Pyle, I wouldn't go looking

for Sergeant Carter if I were you.

Guess he is pretty sore at me, huh?

You pulled some beauts in the past, Pyle,

but this one tops them all.

I know. That's the reason I'm here.

I wanted to apologize to Sergeant Carter.

Well, he won't be back for a while.

Oh? Do you mind if I wait for him?

Wait for him.

Thank you.

Hey, Corporal, did somebody just ship in?

What?

I just seen that bag on the bunk over there

and I wondered if somebody was coming in.

No one's coming in, Pyle; someone's going out;

Sergeant Carter, if you must know.

Sergeant Carter? Right.

Where's he going? Honolulu.

You mean he's leaving?

That's right, Pyle.

You can't go to Honolulu without leaving.

It's all set, it's official?

It will be if I ever get these orders typed

and signed by the Colonel.

Effective 9:00 a.m. Friday morning...

Golly, when did all this take place?

Look, Pyle, will you quit pestering me?!

Now I know why Carter wants to get away from you!

You ought to wear sunglasses all the time.

You look kind of glamorous.

Aw... Oh, are you glamorous?

Vince, you're a glamorous animal.

Aw, come on.

Look, the sun gets pretty strong in Hawaii.

You got any with darker glass?

Sure.

Ah, how do you like them?

It's not bad, not... Hey, Sergeant!

These the darkest you got?

Sergeant, could I speak to you a minute?

At 1:30 in the afternoon?

Isn't it way past your bedtime?

I know you're sore at me, Sergeant.

You got a perfect right to be.

But I just wanted you to know that I'm sorry.

Good, now beat it.

I'm busy. I've got some things to take care of.

That's because you're gonna leave, huh?

That's right, I'm leaving.

How did you know?

Corporal told me.

Sergeant, why are you leaving?

You want to know why? I'll tell ya.

To get away from a certain meatball, that's why.

That's what I thought.

You mean me, don't you?

Do you know any other meatballs, Private Pyle?

And all because I didn't pass that test,

and I didn't make PFC.

Sergeant, I feel just awful.

Just because I failed that test,

that's the only reason you're leaving?

I mean, if I passed the test, you wouldn't go?

Pyle, if you passed the test, why would I want to go?

There'd be such a celebration, a banquet, parties,

I'd be crazy to leave.

Wild horses couldn't drag me away.

But you didn't pass the test, so I am going.

Now, if you don't mind, I have some packing to do.

Shirley, I'll take these glasses

and, uh, some razor blades,

some toothpaste, some aftershave...

Let me understand.

You want to take this test again.

Is that right, Private?

That's right, sir.

According to this report,

you failed it twice within a week.

Yes, sir, I know.

I can't imagine why you should have so much trouble.

I should think the second time you took it,

you should have been able

to pass it with your eyes closed.

Oh, no, sir, that don't work.

Well, we want to see our men try to advance themselves,

so it shouldn't be too difficult

to arrange another test for you.

We'll notify you, probably in about a month.

A month? Oh, no, sir, not a month.

I can't wait that long.

I got to take the test tomorrow.

That is with the Lieutenant's permission, sir.

What's the rush, Private?

You think you're gonna get the same questions

you had yesterday? Oh, no.

We keep changing the test, you know?

The next one you get will be entirely different.

I don't care. I'll take 'em all,

but I just got to take it tomorrow.

Well, this is a bit irregular.

Please, it's very important.

Please, sir?

There's a group from "A" company scheduled

to take the test tomorrow.

You can sit with them.

Thank you.

I really appreciate it, sir.

I really appreciate it.

All right, men, time's up.

Everyone stop writing.

Check to see if your name's clearly written

on all your papers.

Leave them there on your desk, return to your company area.

Just a minute, Pyle.

I want to talk to you.

Yes, sir.

How do you think you did, Pyle?

Oh, I'm sure I passed.

I think I made a hundred percent.

Oh, I'm sure you did, too.

All right, come on. Let's have it. Huh?

The piece of paper you've got hidden in your pocket;

your cheat notes.

My what?

You know what I mean.

The little special something you've got in your pocket

that helped you get that hundred percent.

You mean this?

It's really not a very good picture of him.

Sergeant Carter?

This is what helped you pass your test?

He's the reason I got interested

in taking the test and passing it.

Well, all set, Sarge?

You said it.

In 45 minutes, I'll be on my way to paradise.

Now, remember, for the next ten days,

you're in charge of the platoon.

Keep 'em on the ball.

You can count on me.

Good. Well, I guess that's about it.

My travel orders, you got them?

Huh? I don't have them.

What do you mean you don't have them?

You said the Colonel sent them over

yesterday all signed.

He did. I put them right there on the desk.

I though you took them.

Huh?

Look in the back!

Go through the lockers, everywhere!

Hey, Sergeant!

Cleaning up your desk?

That's a real good habit.

Wally at the filling station back home used to say

"If you keep your desk nice and clean,

you'd never misplace anything."

A place for everything and everything in its place.

He was right, don't you think so, Sergeant?

I'm not interested, Pyle.

Whatever you got on your mind, I'm not interested.

It ain't what I got on my mind, it's what I got on my sleeve.

Huh?

You made PFC?

Surprise, surprise, surprise!

Lieutenant gave me special permission

to take the test over again yesterday,

and guess what, I passed!

Yeah, yeah, that's great.

I not only passed, Sergeant,

but I made a hundred percent.

Yeah, yeah, congratulations.

But the best part of it is, now you won't have to leave.

Huh? Yeah, yeah.

That's what you said, remember?

If I made PFC, you wouldn't have to leave.

Huh?

I didn't want to see you transfer out to Hawaiier.

Transfer? What are you talking about?

Weren't you going to transfer to Hawaiier?

No, Pyle. I don't know

where you get your information.

I wasn't asking for a transfer.

I'm going to Hawaii on a furlough, a vacation.

Vacation? Yeah.

You was going on a vacation?

Yes, as soon as I find my travel orders.

My travel orders are missing!

Have you found them yet?!

I don't see them. Sergeant...

Not now, Pyle! Well, keep looking!

They got to be there someplace!

But Sergeant... Don't bother me, Pyle!

I got a plane to catch!

Not anymore.

Where are you looking back there?!

Did you look under that...?

I haven't got a plane to catch?

See, I thought you was leaving for good

'cause I couldn't make PFC,

and in the PX, you said if I did make PFC,

then you didn't have to go.

Yeah?

So I come by here earlier

to tell you that I'd passed the test,

and I'd seen your travel orders on the desk there.

And?

So I took them to the Colonel

and told him you didn't want them.

I'd go right back over there and get them,

except he tore them up while I was standing there

in little bitty pieces.

So it was just a little old vacation.

You wasn't going to transfer out at all.

But what difference as long as I made PFC?

Ain't that right, Sergeant?

And I did make PFC.

Hold me. Hold me! Hold me!

You are surprised, I can tell.

Surprise, surprise, surprise!

Boy, them jets sure do go fast,

don't they, Sergeant?

Whoosh!

Hey, there goes another one.

You know sometimes

I just like to look up at them planes

and guess where they're going.

Do you ever do that, Sergeant?

Just look up there

and try to guess where they're going?

Well, I bet they're going to different places

all over the world.

Whoosh!

Now there's what I call a clean window.

Must be this new cleaning rag I got.

It's really a shirt.

It sure does clean good, though.

You know where I found it?

In the garbage?

That's right. How'd you know?

I guessed.

Well, to be perfectly honest,

I can't blame anybody for throwing it out.

Now, where in the world

would anybody wear a shirt like this?

I wouldn't know, Pyle. I wouldn't know.