MovieChat Forums > The Phil Silvers Show (1955) Discussion > Cartoon intro

Cartoon intro

posted 15 years ago by LarrupinLou
15 replies | jump to latest

Was that always a part of the show (except when it was "You'll Never Get Rich," of course) or was that tacked on when the show went into syndication?

No blah, blah, blah!

[–] Dan-Mean1 15 years ago

LarrupinLou,

I couldn't find the answer you were looking for. I asked my dad and uncle
about this, (Both grew up watching Bilko), and all they can remember is that cartoon intro?

All I know is that the original name of the show, "You'll Never Get Rich,"
was changed to "The Phil Silvers Show" after several episodes into the
first season.

The show was called "Sgt Bilko" for a while in syndication, and
any episodes that I've ever seen had that cartoon intro.

[–] LarrupinLou 15 years ago

The show was called "Sgt Bilko" for a while in syndication, and
any episodes that I've ever seen had that cartoon intro.

I recall this during the '70s and '80s in the TV listings, but I can't remember if the cartoon intro stated that it was "Sgt Bilko" or "The Phil Silvers Show" during that time. Do you have any idea, Dan?

Thanks for your help!

No blah, blah, blah!

[–] Dan-Mean1 15 years ago

I first watched Bilko about ten years ago on TVLand, but I can't remember if
it was called "Sgt Bilko" or "Phil Silvers?"

I wish I had taped a few episodes of Bilko back then like I did with
"Car 54," "December Bride," and "The Gale Storm Show."

Sorry Lou, but I'll keep searching and see if I can find an answer.
This has got my curiousity up.

[–] LarrupinLou 15 years ago

Thanks again, Dan!

No blah, blah, blah!

[–] constfraser 15 years ago

Even though I'm only 30, the only time I've seen the "You'll Never Get Rich" intro was the lost pilot on the 50th anniversary dvds. I hope this helps and I hope the entire series is released soon! :)

[–] LarrupinLou 15 years ago

Thanks!

No blah, blah, blah!

[–] Humphrey_Fish 14 years ago

It was definately called "The Phil Silvers Show" on it's TV Land run.

[–] LarrupinLou 14 years ago

It was definately called "The Phil Silvers Show" on it's TV Land run

Correct.

No blah, blah, blah!

[–] PurpleProseOfCairo 14 years ago

In the UK it was always listed and introduced as Sergeant Bilko, but obvioulsy the title cards said The Phil Silvers Show. That, and Top Cat being called Boss Cat, used to confuse me.

[–] LarrupinLou 14 years ago

That, and Top Cat being called Boss Cat, used to confuse me.

I assume the phrase "top cat" wasn't familiar to the British at that time, so "telly" viewers in the UK would have been scratching their heads if they had used the US title.

No blah, blah, blah!

[–] PurpleProseOfCairo 14 years ago

That may well have been the case - indeed the expresison "top cat" (same as top dog?) is still not REALLY familiar to me...but it was said at the time that the reason was there was a cat food called Top Cat, and the BBC is paranoid about advertising.

[–] jayson_firestorm 12 years ago

It was indeed due to the "Top Cat" cat food - part of the BBC's broadcasting agreement is that they do not advertise brand names (in fairness, this is more imposed on them as an agreement of their terms of broadcasting, especially as they are a non-commerical channel, although they were OTT about it for many years, and this has slacked slightly in recent times). I don't think it was due to "Top Cat" being an unfamiliar name as such, as it wouldn't really have affected the actual show, and other imports have survived without alterations for similar matters (though there have been a few).

When Bilko was broadcast in the U.K. on BBC Two (literally up until a couple of years ago), the opening cartoon credits alreadys read (well, in the 20+ years that I watched them, not sure about early broadcasts), "The Phil Silvers Show", although it was very often billed in the Radio Times or on-screen advertisements as "Sgt. Bilko" or "Bilko".

Jay Firestorm

[–] newyorknyny 7 years ago

What the hell is OTT?

[–] newyorknyny 7 years ago

Top cat taken out of context sounds pornographic.

[–] LarrupinLou 7 years ago

Top cat taken out of context sounds pornographic.

I agree.

No blah, blah, blah!