Original subtitles

[marching band plays]

[male announcer] Gomer Pyle USMC.

Starring Jim Nabors as Gomer Pyle.

Also starring Frank Sutton as Sergeant Carter.

Now, one of you clowns gets down on his hands

and knees under this window.

The rest of the platoon goes by single file,

using his body back as a step-up to get through the window.

Is that clear?

Aye, aye, sergeant!

All right.

Pyle, since you're always a buddy to everybody,

suppose you'd be the first buddy down on his hands?

Right, Sergeant.

Okay.

All right, let's line up on Lombardi.

Come on, let's move, move, move, move!

Now, I want all of you entering that building

inside of 30 seconds.

Ready?

Go!

Move, move, move.

Come on, let's move it!

Move, move, move.

[Carter] Come on, let's move it! Move it, Pyle!

Move, move, move!

I've seen a bunch of girl scouts move faster than this!

Move, move, move!

Come on, keep that back stiff, Pyle.

Keep it stiff.

Move, move, move!

Come on, move it, move it, move it!

What's the matter, Pyle? Are you getting soft?

My back gave out, Sergeant.

Did it really?

Would you like to explain that to the enemy?

"Sorry, enemy. We can't take this objective.

My back gave out!"

Well, I wouldn't tell it to the enemy, Sergeant, but I would tell it to you.

But I am the enemy, Pyle.

Do you understand?

I am the enemy!

All right, everybody out.

Come on, move, move, move!

All right, we'll do this exercise again,

and we'll try to get a little snap into it.

And just to show you that I don't play favorites,

every one of you will get a chance at being

the man under the window.

We'll just see who else's back is gonna give out.

All right, let's move it. Come on, let's go.

Line up on Lombardi. Move, move, move!

Come on, move it, move it, move it, move!

Move, move, move!

Move, move, move!

That's the man, Colonel.

Well, I'm sure you couldn't go wrong with Sergeant Carter.

He's one of the best platoon sergeants we have.

He seems to be just the type we've been looking for, doesn't he, Lou?

He sure does. He's all Marine.

You see, Colonel, this film, we're going to make

it would be shown all over the country, possibly even all over the world.

It's essential that we pick the right man,

someone who embodies all of the leadership qualities.

I think Sergeant Carter can fill the bill.

Okay, Lombardi, one more goof and you can do another 50 push-ups.

On your feet!

And the rest of you guys better get on the stinker

or you can kiss them weekend passes goodbye!

I'm sure we don't have to look any further, Colonel.

Sergeant Carter seems perfect.

I think he'll give you a good show.

When can we meet him to discuss it?

I'll set it up right away.

Me? In the movies?

I've never done any acting before.

That's just it. You don't have to do any acting.

All you do is what you were doing out there this afternoon,

and you'll be perfect.

Well, I-- I don't know.

Just be yourself. That's all we want.

- Naturalist. - Right.

Now, we'll be shooting this film here on the base,

where you'll feel right at home.

We just want to photograph you taking your platoon

through an average day.

Where is this gonna be shown, this film?

On television, all over the country, maybe elsewhere.

When are you gonna start this?

[film producer] Right away.

And Sergeant, you will be the only one in your outfit

to know anything about this.

- I will? - [film producer] Oh yes.

We use hidden cameras, and zoom lenses, and hidden microphones.

You see, in that way, we can be sure the men will act natural.

Oh, sort of like that guy on Candid Camera, right?

Well, yes. Yes, in a way.

You see, we just don't want the men to know they're being filmed.

Well, I--

Because if they do, their actions become forced

and self-conscious, and we'll lose that natural

flavor that we're after.

- Oh, I got it. - Then, you'll do it?

Well, okay.

Good. And I know you'll carry it off like an old pro.

Don't worry about Sergeant Carter. I'll vouch for him.

Thank you, sir.

Now, we start tomorrow morning at reveille, Sergeant.

- Well, I'll be there. - Good.

Thank you.

And I'm sure we picked the right man.

Well, I'll-- I'll see you tomorrow.

Oh, and, Sergeant, remember naturalist.

The key word "naturalist."

Yes, sir.

I'll do the best I can.

Hold it.

No clippers, just scissors.

Why don't you stop complaining?

You know, you got me up an hour before reveille for this haircut?

Come on, come on! I ain't got much time!

What do you think you're doing?

Don't cut anymore.

I don't want to look like I just came from the barber.

You know what I think?

I think you need work inside your head, not outside.

Come on, finish, will you?

And use the Butch pomade.

You didn't use the Butch pomade.

- [Reveille playing] - You see?

There's Reveille.

And you didn't even finish!

What is that?

Sergeant.

Hey, this truck bit is great.

But you guys better get back inside.

My men will fall out any minute.

Is this what you normally wear when you fall out for reveille?

This?

I knew you would like this.

Especially if you're gonna be in color.

It is gonna be in color?

Well, Sergeant, that outfit might make the men a little suspicious.

Now, if you don't mind, it probably

would be better if you got into your everyday work clothes.

That is, if you don't mind.

Oh, sure, sure.

Oh, and here.

Take this. This is a wireless microphone.

Just clip it on to your undershirt.

This will give us added insurance on sound.

This tiny thing?

Tiny but powerful.

Now, you'd better hurry, Sergeant.

Oh yes, sir. I'll be right back.

Good morning, men.

Looks, fellas, before I call the roll, three paces forward,

march!

About face!

At ease!

What is he doing?

I don't know.

Nice to see you again, fellas.

How's your mother, Lombardi?

I hear she hasn't been feeling well.

Well, she-- she's fine now, Sergeant. Fine.

Good, good.

What was it, anyway?

It was a gallbladder attack.

Is that so?

That's going around a lot these days, isn't it?

He sure sounds awful nice.

You think he starts out like this

and then gets mean as the day goes on?

I don't know.

You wanna keep on shooting?

Yeah, maybe we'll see a change.

All right, men, let's march to the mess hall.

Attention!

Left, face.

Forward march.

[indistinct shouting]

Get in step, Pyle, get in step.

Okay, okay, this way, this way.

No, no, this way, this way.

Over here.

Look, fellas, why don't you all sit down?

Go ahead, sit down. Go ahead.

Now, who would like to demonstrate the proper way to throw a hand grenade?

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

Calm down.

On second thought, maybe I'd better show you all again first.

It is a little tricky.

Golly, Sergeant.

I know it backwards and forwards.

I studied it real hard.

Fine, Pyle, but maybe I'd better review it

for the other men first. Sit down a while.

But I really know it, Sergeant. I really do.

Sit down, Pyle.

All you do is put the safety lever in the palm of your hand

so that the lever is between the thumb and forefinger. And then--

Sit down, Pyle. Sit down.

Now, the safety lever is held in the palm

so that the lever is between the thumb and forefinger.

That's right. That's what I said.

The forefinger of the other hand

is hooked through the safety pin ring.

100% right.

Now you throw it with a snapping motion of the wrist,

like a baseball, so that the grenade rolls off the tips of the fingers.

Page 313, Guidebook for Marines.

Like this.

Now, crawling under barbed wire the proper way.

No, no, no, no.

We haven't done this exercise in quite a while.

I'm sure some of you men might be sort of rusty,

so why don't I sort of refresh your memories?

I ain't rusty on it, Sergeant, and I'd be glad to do it.

Pyle, Pyle, get back, back!

I was hoping it wouldn't be as bad as when we were shooting it, but it is.

It's worse. It's like watching a home movie.

Terrible!

And this guy was our big choice.

Well, what do we do now?

Find ourselves another sergeant?

Oh no. I can't go back to that colonel, especially

especially after the big sendoff he gave Carter.

He'd be embarrassed.

Well, then are we stuck with this guy?

Well, I'll talk to Carter.

I'll tell him what he's doing wrong.

I'll level with him.

Might as well try.

[knocking on door]

Come in.

Hi.

I'm not interrupting anything, am I?

No, no, Sergeant.

Come right in.

As a matter of fact, we've been watching those first sequences

that we filmed.

Yeah? How'd they look?

Well, to tell you the truth, the thing we feared most became a reality.

What happened?

The picture we came here to make just isn't coming off.

We're not getting the flavor of the whole platoon.

Huh?

What we are getting is just one man,

and that one man is continually hogging the camera!

Do I make myself clear, Sergeant?

Yeah. Yeah.

This is a story of a Sergeant and his men

and how he deals with his men.

Everybody should be involved!

You don't have to say another word.

I think I understand.

- I hope you don't take offense. - No, no, no, no.

No, I was beginning to feel the same thing myself.

In fact, I was wondering if it was that noticeable.

It really is, Sergeant.

Well, don't worry. It won't happen anymore.

I knew I could count on you.

I'm still sure I picked the right man.

Well, things will be different the next time you film!

I can promise you that!

Thanks, Sergeant.

That is very reassuring.

Yes, sir.

I can promise you that!

That Pyle, I knew he'd goof it up.

I gotta get rid of him.

Okay, now lower it just a little, right up against the lens.

- That's it. - Hold it.

Does that cover the whole barracks?

- Good. Okay, then. - Now, let's hook up the microphone.

Yeah, got a lead wire right over here.

How do you think our sergeant's gonna do after that little talk you had with him?

He'll be fine.

I think he got the message.

- Put it here under the bunk. - Oh, good.

- That should pick 'em up fine. - Good.

[Carter] All right, fall out!

Here they come. Let's go.

[chattering]

Wait a minute, fellas.

Before you all sit down and make yourselves comfortable,

there are a few things I wanna talk to you about.

These are very important things to each and every one of y--

Yeah.

Well, today we're gonna have a little refresher

course on the M1 rifle.

Someone give me a rifle.

- I'll get it, Sergeant. - Oh.

Thank you, Pyle.

Why don't you sit down?

Why don't all you men move down this way?

Now for a little reviewing.

The M1 rifle.

Who can give me the muzzle velocity?

I can, Sergeant.

The muzzle velocity of the M1 rifle

is 2,600 to 2,800 feet per second.

Fine, Pyle, fine.

But just wait until you're asked.

Now, who can give me the maximum range of this weapon?

I can, Sergeant.

The maximum range of the M1 rifle is 3,500 yards approximately.

Look, Pyle, why don't you come with me, huh?

You're pretty smart all of a sudden, aren't you, Pyle?

Hogging the whole lecture!

No, Sergeant.

I'm not smarter than any of the rest of the fellers.

Matter of fact, it's just that I said I have

to work that much harder at it.

And I have been lately too.

Studying in the chow line or on the bus into town.

Well, that's swell, Pyle. And since you know so much,

you really don't have to stick around for this lecture!

Oh, I don't mind, Sergeant. I like to hear you lecture.

Well, an important detail just came up,

and I wouldn't trust anybody else with it!

Golly, Sergeant!

Now, remember that pile of sand behind the company office?

Sandpile?

That's right. I want you to move it!

Put it behind the mess hall.

All right, Sergeant, but I thought you wanted

me to do an important detail.

This is an important Sandpile!

It has to be moved just right!

Okay, Sergeant.

And soon as I get finished, I'll come right back

and hear the rest of your lecture.

You just stick to that Sandpile until it's finished.

Do you hear me, Pyle?

Right, Sergeant.

Okay, let's pick it up where I left off.

Look, fellas, why don't you all swing around over to that side,

over that way?

That's it.

To proceed to the resumption of our informal discussion

in regard to the M1 rifle,

also known as US rifle caliber 30 M1,

the basic weapon of the Marine infantry unit.

Now, why is it important for us all to know about map reading?

Well...

...a time will come when you're on patrol,

when each and every one of you will find it necessary

to know your exact location.

Hi, Sergeant. I'm finished with the Sandpile detail.

Oh, that's wonderful, Pyle.

So I'm ready to rejoin the platoon.

What's your lecture about?

Well, just a minute.

Excuse me, fellas.

I'll be right back.

Don't change your positions now. Stay right there.

Don't move.

Pyle, another important detail just came up.

Another detail?

That's right. A shipment of mortar just came into supply.

They've got to be uncrated, cleaned, and stacked right away.

Golly, Sergeant. That'll probably take me the rest of the day,

and I won't get to hear no more of your lectures.

So you won't hear the lectures!

The work has to be done.

- Get moving. - Right, Sergeant.

Well, get over to supply high right now!

- I'm as good as there right now. - Move, move, move!

Okay, Dan, I got it all threaded up.

Come on, let's go take a look.

Oh, I don't know if I can sit through another reel of that sergeant.

Well, maybe you'll be surprised.

Come on, let's go.

Okay.

[chanting]

Oh, brother, he did to us again!

Wait, wait. Watch this.

Is Mr. Curtis around?

Oh, he's in there, watching some film.

I'm Sergeant Carter.

Yeah.

You know, Sergeant Carter?

Oh, you probably haven't seen them movies, have you?

No

Well, make sure you catch it when they get around to showing

it to the enlisted men.

Yeah.

Uh, you don't have to interrupt Mr. Curtis right away.

I don't mind waiting around a little while.

What do you think, Dan? Is it gonna work?

Work? It's great.

You had a brainstorm.

You certainly pulled that out of the fire!

Where did you get all that film on that private?

Well, it seemed like the only thing left to do.

When I saw our hammy sergeant giving him all those details,

I decided to follow the private around and shoot him being plain and natural.

- And it worked! - It certainly did.

Just one thing, Dan.

What happens to our title, A Day in the Life of a Marine Sergeant?

Well, instead of A Day in the Life of a Marine Sergeant,

we have A Day in the Life of a Marine Private.

Do you think it'll be much longer?

They ought to be out any minute now.

[laughter]

Hello, Mr. Curtis.

Mr. Meadows.

I just dropped by to see how everything was going.

Oh, well, I'm glad you did, Sergeant.

Because I was going to call you.

Well, anything I can help you with, just name it.

Like pose for publicity pictures?

Anything, just name it!

Uh, I think I'd better go out and check on the equipment in the truck.

I'll see you later.

Well, Sergeant, I wanted you to know

how much we appreciated your assistance on this project.

And I know we've imposed on you a great deal.

Oh, sir, please, you'll embarrass me.

What else did you want?

Anything!

Yes, step in here, Sergeant, where we can be alone.

Anything!

Hey, Sergeant.

I finished that supply detail.

I done just like you said.

uncrated all them mortars,

and cleaned 'em, and stacked 'em up real neat.

What do you want, a medal?

Gee, no, Sergeant.

I just wanted to tell you I'm ready for your next lecture.

- Forget it! The lectures are over! - They are?

Golly, I'm sorry I'm so late.

The time just flew by, I guess.

"Time just flew by, I guess!"

Time always flies by with you, doesn't it, Pyle?

Well, now that you mention it, Sergeant--

You are in the United States Marine Corps,

and there is no place in the United States Marine Corps

for men who are late!

Where do you think this country would be if the Marines came late?

Golly, Sergeant.

I'll tell you where we would be.

In plenty big trouble, that's where!

Sergeant--

You think just because you took care of a few extra details you're entitled

- to special consideration? - No.

What do you want, a schedule all your own,

- so you can come and go as you please? - Well, no, Sergeant.

Then get out of here and get changed! I'll tell you what your next detail is.

- Move it! - All right, Sergeant.

Didn't you hear me, Pyle? Out, out, out!

Get out, out, out!

Terrific, Sergeant. Just terrific.

That's more like it.

Just the thing we've been looking for!

Get that film down to the lab right away.

A camera? You mean you--

That's right. We filmed every second of it.

You certainly laid the law down to that private!

I thought you were changing it.

I thought you were more interested in the private.

Not really, Sergeant.

We were interested in the natural goings-on between

a Marine Sergeant and his men.

But you changing the title.

I mean, from A Day in the Life of a Sergeant

to A Day in the Life of a Private.

- Isn't that what you said? - I can fix that too.

Huh?

I got the perfect title.

A Day in the Life of a Marine Private and His Sergeant.

Oh.

Oh!

Come on, Charlie. Switch the channel. It's time for the show.

Okay, okay.

But that's the one channel that don't come in good.

Get the show, get the show.

[TV announcer] Typical of the Marines

at Camp Henderson is--

See, see? We missed the opening.

[TV announcer] Private first class Gomer Pyle.

Hey, look, Sergeant, it's me!

Yeah, yeah. Shh. Keep it down, Pyle.

[TV announcer] This man is molded into a marine.

By such capable veterans as Sergeant Vincent Carter.

Fix us that, Charlie. Fix us that.

Take it easy. It'll clear up.

[TV announcer] Sergeant Carter's years

of experience make him the ideal instructor

for men like Private Pyle.

It's clear now, Sergeant.

- See me? - Yeah, yeah.

[TV announcer] And now the hand-grenade throw

is demonstrated by Sergeant Carter.

Do you have to run that thing now?

Turn it off, turn it off!

[TV announcer] And Private Pyle shows that he is an apt pupil.

And now let's follow Sergeant Carter to the rifle range.

I'll fix it myself!

Hey, come on, Sergeant.

Leave me alone, will you?

Now you did it!

Don't feel so bad, Sergeant.

You can probably see it next summer. I'm sure they'll show it again.