User Reviews

This was the first-ever episode and,Bob Melvin (who played "Henshaw") gives us an audio introduction on how the name of the show changed from "You'll Never Get Rich" to "The Phil Silvers Show" to what most Americans really called it: "Bilko."

This episode is an appropriate start to this famous TV series as we see all the platoon members first, and then Bilko in his back room playing poker with the boys. Unlike most future episodes, however, Bilko lost money in the game! It turns out he was cheated and the chaplain, of all people, is the one to discover the ruse. The chaplain also suggests to Colonel Hall that perhaps Bilko's gambling problem would go away if he had something new and challenging to divert his attention, such as new recruits. However. to "Ernie," all that means is "new blood," meaning new money. Bilko needs cash to get back into the Saturday poker game and get his money back.

Watching Bilko work the new recruits with his conniving ways is, yes, the appropriate way to start this series since that's what he was primarily known for: being a con man. However, a recurring good character trait is also shown. Underneath the con man is a strong conscience, which usually gets the best of "Ernie" in the end. Remember: this was the 1950s where good moral messages prevailed in the end, even with guys like Sgt. Bilko.

In order for you to get any real entertainment value out of watching this episode from TV's "The Phil Silvers Show" you've gotta be willing to cut it some serious slack.

Anyway - As the story goes - Sgt. Bilko needs to raise some money quickly so that he can play in the big poker game and he thinks that getting it from the new recruits will do the trick.

See what happens when Bilko goes into his shtick of deception and conniving.

I decided to revisit some of the old TV series movies I saw growing up. You Tube really helps with this. The Phil Silvers Show was pretty much as I remember it. Silvers is brash and loud and full of chicanery, but I forgot the heart of gold he had at times. Not a bad outing. His barracks is emptied to make room for new recruits who become a potential source for gambling money. There were some fun characters here who worked well with Silvers, but there was always a victim around each corner.