The Andy Griffith Show (TV Series) Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1964) User Reviews

Gomer Testsd Himself, Andy helps.

[jonathan_zuckerman · 9/10 · 24 May 2016]

Gomer enters Andy's office singing the Marine Corps hymn, but in his "Gomer" voice not his Jim Nabors tenor. He tells Andy that he received a high draft number and decided to join the Marines as a way of testing himself, remembering how his daddy told him that someday he would have to prove himself as a man. Gomer is due to report the next day, and Andy offers to drive him to the base, just in case he has to go home for any reason.

Gomer quickly gets on the bad side of Gunnery Sergeant Vince Carter, because he is so goofy and naive. But Andy meets Carter off base and slyly insinuates that Gomer may be related to General Lucius Pyle (his son perhaps), and Carter infers that Gomer's placement may be a test of his ability to transform the rawest recruit into a Marine. Carter then spends extra time and effort in making Gomer look like the best recruit in the barracks in time for the first inspection, only to find that Lucius has no children.

The end of an era ...

[pmike-11312 · 8/10 · 18 January 2023]

This episode is the last time Gomer Pyle was funny. Dumb, childlike, Jethro-like enthusiasm and lack-of-understanding. On TAGS this was a funny character. On his own show, he became whiney, annoying, and plainly dull. Gomer was a support character, not a lead. Even Carter, Slater, Boyle, Hacker and the rest couldn't help. And the plots became more and more ridiculous as the show went on. MeTV just replaced it with The Beverley Hillbillies and I couldn't be happier.

Don't bother reading this part. It is only here to fulfill the ridiculous 600 word requirement recently imposed on all reviews. If they want a full-scale book for every review, they'll soon regret it. A travesty indeed, but IMDb owns this sandbox. If you own the toys, you get to make the rules. This paragraph is a shining example of what one will go through to leave a concise, meaningful post. If you have not read this, congratulations; you have shown good sense. If you have read this, you might want to re-evaluate your priorities. Thank you and bye-bye... and buy bonds.

What Happened To Homer's Voice!

[JSGal · 8/10 · 8 August 2021]

It is strange that earlier this season Gomer had sung beautifully in a Mayberry Chorus, and in this episode he sounds awful! Wonder why the writers made the switch? It could have added even more to this episode.

Never a doubt it would be a good series

[vitoscotti · 10/10 · 25 May 2022]

Andy Griffith (38) despite only 4 years older than than Jim Nabors (34) in real life treats Gomer as if he's in his teens. That's what makes it click is how childlike stupid Gomer is

The odds against a pilot being a long run series has to be astronomical. This one also was unusual that it clicked right away. Most series' need a period to figure out the best way to use its characters (like TAGS).

My favorite parts are of course Carter (Frank Sutton) balling out Gomer, Carter finding Gomer wearing his dress blues, Andy conning Carter, Carter learning Lucius Pyle has no sons.

GPUSMC the pilot episode is loaded with trivia, lack of continuity, inconsistencies, and oddness being a marine comedy with a war going on.

Epilogue was a flat redo of Gomer talking to Andy, putting Carter off. It's never explained how Andy had free rein to walk around the basic training camp.

Final episode of season 4. My average episode rating was 8.9 out of 10.

Remember "Full Metal Jacket"

[Hitchcoc · 6/10 · 11 December 2019]

Gomer joins the Marines. This was so long ago that I don't know if the new series came immediately after this episode. The whole episode is ludicrous. The fact that Andy is allowed to hang around the base and look through the windows of the barracks would never happen. Also, Gomer would be set up for some big time brutality. The Sergeant is intimidated by the last name and starts to step in to insure success. I remember watching the spinoff and not thinking it was very funny. It was a one joke series.