episode-"G.I.Jeannie"-(1965)

[Rezny@gmail.com]

I usually don't like the black and white early episodes,because Tony(a Captain here)is usually Dallas-J.R.Ewing like,(Larry Hagman's OTHER well-known TV character),and not very nice to Jeannie(except for episodes "My Hero?" and "Get Me To Mecca on Time"),but writer William Davenport's "G.I Jeannie"is different.In this one,it is very funny when the head of the medical department at NASA ,who was the "numbskull in charge of new recruits",and leaves for a meeting in a wheelchair courtesy of a broken leg caused by Jeannie.And the ending where she says to Tony,who says the only way she can return to civilian life is if proven she's incompetent as a secretary.Tony admits defeat,when she blinks,the whole office is a mess,and smiles,and says "you were saying?"is funny.

[TV Knowledge Fan]

...a subtle plug for Air Force recruitment- primarily for WAC's {Women's Air Corps}. NASA and the Air Force gave Sidney Sheldon access to footage of Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas (where Jeannie is sent for "basic training") and guidelines as to how female officers are "processed" for active duty. The only exaggeration, of course, is Jeannie's reactions [and actions] in being a new recruit. So what if she tries to apply basic "Red Cross" bandage training to Col. Joe Fenton, giving him a broken leg in the process? So she drives a jeep into a brick wall? So she caused an explosion at the communications switchboard {I can imagine how that happened: "Private Nelson, this plug goes into that hole. Do you understand?"/"Oh, yes, ma'am- this green one goes into that little blue one.."/"Good, you've got the ha.....no, not that one!!!!!!" *explosion, with sparks flying*}? By the way, Major Fiefield's line would have been funnier if she'd said, "I distinctly told you to report to Captain Kennedy at Cape Nelson....I meant, Captain Nelson at Cape Kennedy!" {"Yes, ma'am...that is what I thought you said"}.

And "Master" believed by tricking Jeannie into joining the Air Force, he was going to get her out of the way. Doesn't he know by now he's NEVER going to be rid of her? As she observed, in "Whatever Became of Baby Custer?", after he warned her, "One of these days, Jeannie, you're gonna go too far!"/"Oh, have no fear, Master....I will always come back!".


As for Tony's former secertary, Corporal Lola Burns, when she arrived at Lucas Air Base, North Africa, to become Colonel Thomas' secretary...

THOMAS: (to office door) Come in, Corporal Burns!
LOLA: (slinking in, a come-hither smile on her face as she closes the door) Reporting for duty, Colonel Thomas...
THOMAS: {somewhat of a ladies' man, liking what he sees} How well do you take dictation, Corporal?
LOLA: I'm....well-prepared.
THOMAS: I see....how fast are you?
LOLA: That depends....how fast do you want me to go?
THOMAS: Would an..."after-hours" session of dictation be sufficient?
LOLA: What's the subject?
THOMAS: Marriage.
LOLA: Too fast...
THOMAS: You're right, Corporal. (as Lola is practically standing against him by now, heel to toe) Let's..."feel" our way into this, shall we?
LOLA: (quite seductive) Yes, sir.....
THOMAS: I think I'm going to like having you around, Corporal.
LOLA: (whispering) Lola......
THOMAS: (very friendly) Jerry.....
LOLA: (gently forces the Colonel into his chair, proping herself on his lap) 'Jerry'.....I like that. Now, what did you have in mind?
THOMAS: For starters, a practice session will do...take this down-
[both of them throw their arms around each other, hugging and kissing passionately]



:tv:

[ansara1]

...a subtle plug for Air Force recruitment- primarily for WAC's {Women's Air Corps}. NASA and the Air Force gave Sidney Sheldon access to footage of Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas (where Jeannie is sent for "basic training") and guidelines as to how female officers are "processed" for active duty. The only exaggeration, of course, is Jeannie's reactions [and actions] in being a new recruit. So what if she tries to apply basic "Red Cross" bandage training to Col. Joe Fenton, giving him a broken leg in the process? So she drives a jeep into a brick wall? So she caused an explosion at the communications switchboard {I can imagine how that happened: "Private Nelson, this plug goes into that hole. Do you understand?"/"Oh, yes, ma'am- this green one goes into that little blue one.."/"Good, you've got the ha.....no, not that one!!!!!!" *explosion, with sparks flying*}? By the way, Major Fiefield's line would have been funnier if she'd said, "I distinctly told you to report to Captain Kennedy at Cape Nelson....I meant, Captain Nelson at Cape Kennedy!" {"Yes, ma'am...that is what I thought you said"}.

And "Master" believed by tricking Jeannie into joining the Air Force, he was going to get her out of the way. Doesn't he know by now he's NEVER going to be rid of her? As she observed, in "Whatever Became of Baby Custer?", after he warned her, "One of these days, Jeannie, you're gonna go too far!"/"Oh, have no fear, Master....I will always come back!".


As for Tony's former secertary, Corporal Lola Burns, when she arrived at Lucas Air Base, North Africa, to become Colonel Thomas' secretary...

THOMAS: (to office door) Come in, Corporal Burns!
LOLA: (slinking in, a come-hither smile on her face as she closes the door) Reporting for duty, Colonel Thomas...
THOMAS: {somewhat of a ladies' man, liking what he sees} How well do you take dictation, Corporal?
LOLA: I'm....well-prepared.
THOMAS: I see....how fast are you?
LOLA: That depends....how fast do you want me to go?
THOMAS: Would an..."after-hours" session of dictation be sufficient?
LOLA: What's the subject?
THOMAS: Marriage.
LOLA: Too fast...
THOMAS: You're right, Corporal. (as Lola is practically standing against him by now, heel to toe) Let's..."feel" our way into this, shall we?
LOLA: (quite seductive) Yes, sir.....
THOMAS: I think I'm going to like having you around, Corporal.
LOLA: (whispering) Lola......
THOMAS: (very friendly) Jerry.....
LOLA: (gently forces the Colonel into his chair, proping herself on his lap) 'Jerry'.....I like that. Now, what did you have in mind?
THOMAS: For starters, a practice session will do...take this down-
[both of them throw their arms around each other, hugging and kissing passionately]



:tv:


I always thought it was funny that in this season 1 episode Jeannie had to join the Air Force to become Capt. Nelson's secretary (After she asked him why she had to go away to join the Air Force to be his secretary Capt. Nelson made it a point of telling Jeannie Cape Kennedy was an important naval base and they couldn't let 'just anyone' in [meaning just any CIVILIAN]) but in the next season (season 2) she WAS a civilian when she became Gen. Peterson's secretary in the episode 'A Secretary Is Not A Toy'!