McHale's Navy (TV Series) My Ensign, the Lawyer (1963) User Reviews

Binghamton gets inked in this nicely done show.

[kfo9494 · 8/10 · 30 October 2014]

In this episode, Captain Binghamton is impressed with Admiral Roger's printing press and wants to get one for his base. He even asks Rogers if he could borrow his for a few days which was meant with a certain, No. Binghamton had been waiting on one that he ordered to arrive and when the crate arrived, it was empty. Someone had stolen the printing press and the first people Binghamton thought of was McHale's crew.

Sure enough on McHale's island Binghamton catches Tinker working with his printing press. Now Binghamton is going to reside over a court-martial of Tinker and appoints Ensign Parker as his counsel. It looks like a open and shut case.

But hold on, Gruber comes up with a plan where the printing press that Binghamton has as 'Evidence One', might not be admissible in court. It is going to be hijinks on the high seas.

This was a very clever script that was well done by the cast. The writing was good, the situations nicely performed and the interest high. An entertaining show as we head to the middle shows of the second season.

Craziest court room antics since The Three Stooges

[FlushingCaps · 9/10 · 29 October 2020]

At Comfleet, Binghamton admires the printing press Admiral Rogers has, that he uses to put out a newsletter. We learn the captain ordered one just like it some months ago and that the admiral seemed almost offended when Binghamton asked to borrow his for a few days.

In the next scene, the press has arrived. But when Carpenter opens the crate, the box is empty. Binghamton and all the viewers knew it must be one of McHale's men, and sure enough, Gruber and the guys are busy selling specially-made fake newspapers to other sailors with headlines featuring each of the sailors' names.

McHale finds out and orders Gruber to take it back. He agrees to let them finish printing papers already paid for before taking it back that night. But when everyone goes out on the boat except Tinker, Captain Binghamton sails over and finds his press and Tinker.

All this happens rather quickly as most of the episode is about Tinker's court martial, where chief judge Binghamton has appointed the inept Mr. Parker to be Bell's lawyer. Binghamton also bragged that the other two judges both owe him a lot of money.

We are then treated to the wildest, goofiest court-room theatrics since "Disorder in the Court" which starred Larry, Moe, and Curly. I still remember Curly, confused as the fast-talking bailiff tries to swear him in to testify, when the judge slowly asks him, "Do you swear..." and Curly responds, "No, but I know all the woids."

In the 1960s, it seems almost all TV comedies had at least one episode in a courtroom: Dick Van Dyke, Beverly Hillbillies, Hazel, That Girl, and many more. In fact, Carl Ballantine was the defendant on That Girl when her lawsuit involved his typewriter hitting her car.

Here we see Binghamton calling the defense lawyer names, telling him to shut up, dismissing his witnesses, and even testifying for the prosecution. Parker is a riot. The incident in this case happened in January, and Parker asks witness Binghamton where he was on the night of June 12th.

It's Gruber to the rescue as he comes up with a plan to get his mate off, and the creative way he clears the courtroom is extra fun too.

This episode was a bit too silly to deserve a 10 but I laughed and laughed at the shenanigans, so I give it a 9.