One of the better episodes. As the camp watches a movie (which has been shown numerous times), Hawkeye and B.J. express their disdain for the lack of enjoyment in the camp. This incites others to complain. The boys soon wish they had kept their mouths shut when Potter makes them morale officers. Of course, they haven't a clue what to do, but soon everyone is pushing them to do their jobs. The second plot involves Charles, who has done masterful surgery on a young soldier, saving his legs and his life. The sad thing is he has also a hand injury which ill affect some of his motor skills. To most, this wouldn't be a problem, but this guy is a Julliard grad and a concert pianist. He becomes angry and depressed and Charles can't console him. Back at the morale department, PIerce and Hunnicutt come up with the idea of having a beach party. It's one of those episodes where the factors come to a sweet conclusion without being too maudlin.
6 Reviews
Piano Concerto for the Left Hand (Ravel)
safenoe28 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
When I saw this episode long before Google was invented, I wondered if the story of the Piano Concerto for the Left Hand (Ravel) was true. It's true! What would we do without Google?
Winchester shows his compassion by encouraging a soldier-pianist to continue with his piano playing. Winchester gets his hands on the sheet music for Piano Concerto for the Left Hand (Ravel), commissioned by Austrian pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who lost his right arm during World War I (the war to end all wars).
It's very hard to imagine Frank Burns doing the same. You can imagine him harping "Suck it up soldier, I don't have time for cowards. I'd rather be on the front line instead of pandering to weak-willed fools like yourself. Next!!!"
Also Klinger saves the day by helping out Hawkeye and BJ with a surprise crab beach party.
Winchester shows his compassion by encouraging a soldier-pianist to continue with his piano playing. Winchester gets his hands on the sheet music for Piano Concerto for the Left Hand (Ravel), commissioned by Austrian pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who lost his right arm during World War I (the war to end all wars).
It's very hard to imagine Frank Burns doing the same. You can imagine him harping "Suck it up soldier, I don't have time for cowards. I'd rather be on the front line instead of pandering to weak-willed fools like yourself. Next!!!"
Also Klinger saves the day by helping out Hawkeye and BJ with a surprise crab beach party.
Beach party and Ravel
kellielulu8 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Potter puts BJ and Hawkeye in charge of morale due to their complaining has a group mentality affect making them more irritable . Initially they try to have little success. Eventually they come up with an idea that will provide rest, relaxation and a good time. A beach party with fresh seafood . Sounds impossible? It does but with Klinger's help it happens.
Meanwhile Charles is initially pleased with his ability to save patient's leg but it turns out the young man is a concert pianist and it's his hand that sustains the most damage . This of course hits Charles a music lover especially a deep love and joy for classical music. While Klinger is s on a mission to make the beach party happen Winchester has a request too for special sheets of music by Ravel who also had the use of just a left hand. Klinger comes through for them all despite doubts by everyone except for Hawkeye, BJ and Charles.
The party is a hit and Charles gives his patient an impassioned speech about having the gift of music . Charles has it for surgery but not music as much as he wishes otherwise. It works David ( the patient wonderfully played by James Stephens)
I agree it's impossible to imagine Frank Burns doing anything like this for anyone. He never helped a patient in the way other doctors and nurses did.
Meanwhile Charles is initially pleased with his ability to save patient's leg but it turns out the young man is a concert pianist and it's his hand that sustains the most damage . This of course hits Charles a music lover especially a deep love and joy for classical music. While Klinger is s on a mission to make the beach party happen Winchester has a request too for special sheets of music by Ravel who also had the use of just a left hand. Klinger comes through for them all despite doubts by everyone except for Hawkeye, BJ and Charles.
The party is a hit and Charles gives his patient an impassioned speech about having the gift of music . Charles has it for surgery but not music as much as he wishes otherwise. It works David ( the patient wonderfully played by James Stephens)
I agree it's impossible to imagine Frank Burns doing anything like this for anyone. He never helped a patient in the way other doctors and nurses did.
Best episode of them all
revboose-781-83801429 June 2020
Of all the episodes of this show, the one I find most powerful (even more powerful than The Tonteen) is this one. The main plot, with Hawkeye and BJ being appointed Morale Officers of a very grumpy 4077th, is excellent, especially with the two of them dumping all their needs on Klinger, who then seemingly vanishes just before the party is supposed to begin. But the secondary, with Charles dealing with a concert pianist who has lost the fine motor dexterity in his hand, just blows me away. Charles' love of music comes out strong and clear, and how music is more than just sounding the notes - it's something that comes from deeper within. 10/10, and you'll never get me to change my mind.
Morale At The Crossroads!!
ellisel21 January 2008
Everyone in the mess tent had been watching a movie at the start of "Morale Victory." Captains Hunnicutt and Pierce -- all of the sudden -- interrupted the movie to imitate the characters from that film. Their sudden disruption caused Colonel Potter to kill the movie entirely. Everyone became excited unexpectedly when wounded patients came to the 4077th for surgery. Even in surgery, Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt made smart ass remarks about Major Winchester and his talents in surgery -- specifically about a wounded Army Private on the operating table. Colonel Potter was at the end of his rope with those two jokers about their comments during surgery.
Colonel Potter said to Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt that morale was at a lower level than a gopher's basement. They became morale officers by committee. They told Corporal Klinger to build a suggestion box. Klinger acted cold to that idea; however, they gave him a bigger challenge to find some more meaningful movies and activities to improve the unit's morale. Major Houlihan also wanted some cosmetics and makeup kits for her nurses -- too. How Interesting!! Even so, Major Houlihan had told them not to let Corporal Klinger become neglectful in his responsibilities into obtaining the supplies .
Major Winchester had a discussion in Post-Operation Room. Army Private Sheridan had recuperated from his operation. Little did he know that three fingers from his right hand had resulted in a permanent loss of dexterity and movement. Private Sheridan had a dream of being a concert pianist; his future was shot to hell ... or so it seemed in this episode.
Everyone in the mess tent had griped about the food served at camp. Private Stravinsky was at the end of his rope. He went to Rosie's Bar for his supper. He was sick of everyone's griping on a daily basis. Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt now had a much tougher challenge into improving morale. Only then did Captain Pierce came up with a plan of having a seafood cookout at the 4077th. Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt -- in a desperate attempt to salvage their reputations -- asked Corporal Klinger to find some live crabs for the camp's party ... not to mention cosmetics, music sheets, films, and even three days in Seoul. Fortunately, Corporal Klinger saved the day for everyone ... in time for the party.
Major Winchester escorted Private Sheridan to the Officers' Club. The trek was not about a drink; the visit was about playing the piano for the left hand alone in the episode. Private Sheridan was quite upset about his frustration in not playing the piano with two hands. After a frank discussion, Private Sheridan -- with some reluctance -- agreed to play the piano with his left hand. He gradually obtained the skill and determination to play the notes freely. Private Sheridan accepted the challenge of playing the piano despite his disability. Quite Impressive!! A Fat 14 From The 1979-1980 Television Season!! Highly Recommended!!
Colonel Potter said to Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt that morale was at a lower level than a gopher's basement. They became morale officers by committee. They told Corporal Klinger to build a suggestion box. Klinger acted cold to that idea; however, they gave him a bigger challenge to find some more meaningful movies and activities to improve the unit's morale. Major Houlihan also wanted some cosmetics and makeup kits for her nurses -- too. How Interesting!! Even so, Major Houlihan had told them not to let Corporal Klinger become neglectful in his responsibilities into obtaining the supplies .
Major Winchester had a discussion in Post-Operation Room. Army Private Sheridan had recuperated from his operation. Little did he know that three fingers from his right hand had resulted in a permanent loss of dexterity and movement. Private Sheridan had a dream of being a concert pianist; his future was shot to hell ... or so it seemed in this episode.
Everyone in the mess tent had griped about the food served at camp. Private Stravinsky was at the end of his rope. He went to Rosie's Bar for his supper. He was sick of everyone's griping on a daily basis. Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt now had a much tougher challenge into improving morale. Only then did Captain Pierce came up with a plan of having a seafood cookout at the 4077th. Captains Pierce and Hunnicutt -- in a desperate attempt to salvage their reputations -- asked Corporal Klinger to find some live crabs for the camp's party ... not to mention cosmetics, music sheets, films, and even three days in Seoul. Fortunately, Corporal Klinger saved the day for everyone ... in time for the party.
Major Winchester escorted Private Sheridan to the Officers' Club. The trek was not about a drink; the visit was about playing the piano for the left hand alone in the episode. Private Sheridan was quite upset about his frustration in not playing the piano with two hands. After a frank discussion, Private Sheridan -- with some reluctance -- agreed to play the piano with his left hand. He gradually obtained the skill and determination to play the notes freely. Private Sheridan accepted the challenge of playing the piano despite his disability. Quite Impressive!! A Fat 14 From The 1979-1980 Television Season!! Highly Recommended!!
History lesson might not be correct
cyrilmorong-217835 September 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Winchester tells Sheridan (a pianist who won't be able to use his right arm any more) about a piece written by Ravel for the left hand. Here is the direct quote from IMDB
Maj. Charles Winchester: It was written for an Austrian concert pianist named Paul Wittgenstein. He lost his right arm during the First World War. He embarked on a long search to commission piano works for the left hand alone. Composer after composer turned him down, but he refused to give up. Finally, he found Ravel who, like him, was willing to accept this great challenge.
But Wikipedia says that Wittgenstein "approached . . . Famous composers, asking them to write material for him to perform. Benjamin Britten, Paul Hindemith, Alexandre Tansman, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Sergei Prokofiev, Karl Weigl, Franz Schmidt, Sergei Bortkiewicz, and Richard Strauss all produced pieces for him."
So it does not seem like he got turned down alot.
Maj. Charles Winchester: It was written for an Austrian concert pianist named Paul Wittgenstein. He lost his right arm during the First World War. He embarked on a long search to commission piano works for the left hand alone. Composer after composer turned him down, but he refused to give up. Finally, he found Ravel who, like him, was willing to accept this great challenge.
But Wikipedia says that Wittgenstein "approached . . . Famous composers, asking them to write material for him to perform. Benjamin Britten, Paul Hindemith, Alexandre Tansman, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Sergei Prokofiev, Karl Weigl, Franz Schmidt, Sergei Bortkiewicz, and Richard Strauss all produced pieces for him."
So it does not seem like he got turned down alot.
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