Gene Reynolds made television comedy that took its characters seriously without requiring them to stop being funny. We rate his work on MASH* highly, with a caveat: the warmth survives some jokes and lectures that we could do without.
Fi1m perspective
A hand resting on someone's shoulder, or a look that lasts another moment: Reynolds wanted small signs of care in a scene. That preference helps explain what we value in MASH* (1972), the war comedy he co-created with Larry Gelbart. He directed 24 episodes and also wrote and produced, so our view of him rests on more than his handling of individual scenes. It is funny, humane television, and the extent of his involvement makes it the proper place to begin.
He co-created, wrote and directed Tales of Wells Fargo (1957) early in his move behind the camera. By Room 222 (1969), as executive producer and director, he was helping make education and social problems the subject of a series. Work directing episodes of The Munsters and The Andy Griffith Show also gave him practice in television comedy. That background matters to MASH*: good intentions would have been little use without the ability to make people laugh.
In MASH*, Alan Alda leads an ensemble whose company is a substantial part of the pleasure. We grew fond of these people because the humour allowed them warmth as well as wit. Reynolds favoured bringing actors into the development of characters and stories, and that seems a sensible method for this kind of television. Yet affection does not excuse the dated jokes, and the occasional lectures are less persuasive than the comedy. We recommend the programme readily, but would not defend every line.
His move to Lou Grant (1977), co-created with James L. Brooks and Allan Burns, took that concern for people at work into a drama about journalism. Reynolds drew on research into institutions, including newspapers and military hospitals, to help ground his programmes in recognisable working lives. That is a useful discipline when serious subjects might otherwise leave the characters with nothing to do but deliver speeches. Start with MASH*, and allow for the moments when the programme decides to teach.
Biography
Gene Reynolds, born Eugene Reynolds Blumenthal, was an American actor, writer, director and producer. He began his career as a child actor, appearing in the 1934 Our Gang short Washee Ironee and films such as Captains Courageous (1937) and Babes in Toyland (1934). He served in the US Army during the Second World War before transitioning to directing and producing television.
Reynolds co-created the CBS series MASH (1972) with Larry Gelbart and produced 120 episodes, writing 11 and directing 24. He later co-created Lou Grant (1977) and worked on series including Room 222 (1969), The Andy Griffith Show (1960) and Hogan's Heroes* (1965). He received six Primetime Emmy Awards and multiple Directors Guild of America Awards.
