Rating: PG
Genre:
Comedy
Release Date: 06/30/1998
SubTitles: Espanol
Dubbed: English/French/Espanol
Sound: DDS
Run Time: 95 Minutes
Flags: Suitable for Children
Distributor/Studio: Universal Studios
The classic 1955-59 sitcom
The Phil Silvers Show (also known as "You'll Never Get Rich" in its first few episodes) became this high concept comedy with an all-star cast.
Steve Martin stars as U.S. Army Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko, a conniving motor pool supervisor who uses his position to finance various get-rich-quick schemes, including illegal gambling, at a Kansas military base. His commanding officer, Colonel Hall (
Dan Aykroyd) is mostly oblivious to Bilko's antics. Trouble arrives when the master sergeant's old rival, Major Thorn (
Phil Hartman), appears. It seems that Thorn, the butt of several past Bilko capers, is eager to settle the score by spearheading a review of Bilko's records and stealing away his fiancée Rita (
Glenne Headley), who may have been left at the altar one too many times. At the same time, military engineer Major Ebersole (
Austin Pendleton) is testing a new high-tech "hover tank" that may not be quite ready for deployment. Directed by light comedy specialist ($Jonathan Lynn}, who brought a similar touch to
My Cousin Vinny (1992) and
Greedy (1994), the updated
Sgt. Bilko costarred
Cathy Silvers, daughter of the TV show's late star, as Lieutenant Monday.
~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide