Sgt. Bilko

Plot synopsis:
Master Sergeant Ernest G. Bilko is in charge of the motor pool at Fort Baxter, a small United States Army base that develops new military technology. Exploiting this position, he directs a number of scams, ranging from gambling to renting out military vehicles. His commanding officer, Colonel John Hall, overlooks Bilko's money-making schemes, as he is more concerned with problems in the hovertank that the base is designing.
Major Colin Thorn, an officer from the U.S. Army Inspector General's office, arrives at the camp and begins to scrutinize Bilko's record. Officially, Thorn is at Fort Baxter to conduct a general inspection and determine if the base should remain open in light of recent defense cutbacks. He is also determined to get revenge on Bilko to settle an old score the two have from Fort Dix, where Thorn was nearly court-martialled after a fixed boxing match resulted in Thorn being shipped to Greenland.
Bitter and unprincipled, Thorn is not above breaking the law to ruin Bilko. He attempts to steal Bilko's long-time fiancée Rita, whom Bilko has stood up at the altar more than a dozen times. Rita is tired of waiting and gives Bilko 30 days to win her back or lose her for good.
Bilko, with the help of newly assigned Private First Class Wally Holbrook, devises a means of avoiding Thorn's attempt to transfer him to Greenland: He rigs a demonstration of the base's malfunctioning hovertank, staged before a four-star general and numerous dignitaries. Since Thorn had deliberately tried to sabotage the tank the previous night, he confronts Bilko, Hall, and the general, loudly insulting Bilko and Hall. While ranting he confesses to sabotaging the hovertank. Thorn is sent off again to Greenland.
The last day of Rita's ultimatum has come. Just as she sadly begins to write Bilko off forever, Rita hears men outside her house, serenading her with one of her and Bilko's favorite songs. Looking out, she sees Bilko and his platoon. Bilko asks Rita to marry him, and she accepts.

Tags: revenge

Review:
All the characters, Dan Akroyd, Phil Hartman, even an appearance by Chris Rock make this an extremely enjoyable movie.
Steve is full of laughs in this movie and acts out the character of Sergeant Bilko superbly.
Steve Martin does a fine job of putting his own unique stamp on the character of Ernie Bilko and he's surrounded by a good supporting cast with many familiar faces.
Seems to me like most of the negative votes come from fans of the original show.I am glad I never saw it, because I think this is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen.
I love that type of role - who does not want to be more like a Sgt Bilko?I thought almost every scene was funny.
I sometimes wonder why serious people bother to rate comedies at all - some people were born with no sense of humor, from what I can tell.For those people who dislike (or are bored of) put down humor, sex humor, or gross out humor, this is none of those (Not that I don't mind some of that, but a change of pace is always welcome.)It's a politer, lighter, silly humor almost cartoonish, in a good way.I have seen this movie at least three times, and still laugh at it.So if you are not a fan of the TV show, I think you will like this in spite of the shockingly low review of this movie..
And this movie which is really full of fine humour is rated so bad.Steve Martin is awesome here as well as all other actors.
The movie IS funny, the situations are funny, the plot deserves to be rewarded.It's one of my all time favorites - i do laugh every time i watch it.Bilko is an incredibly charming foxy Sgt. For me it's one of Steve Martin's best roles.
Sgt Bilko delivers countless laughs, mostly from Steve Martin, Dan Akroyd and Phil Hartman.
BILKO is one of the better comedy films I've seen, thanks to veteran Steve Martin who provided every bit of sense in his humor and personality.
I think that Steve Martin was the perfect person to play the role, and that it was good for him and Dan Aykroyd to co-star after all these years.
My mom was the biggest Steve Martin fan you would ever meet, she had(what I thought) all of his movies and watched every biography on him.
Steve Martin is always a great comedic actor who is a pleasure to watch, same with Dan Aykroyd.
Plus this has one of my favorite comedic actors, Phil Hartman, who is again a great watch is always guaranteed to give you a good laugh.
I would recommend it if you need a good laugh, you're always in good company with Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd and Phil Hartman, not to mention a baby Chris Rock.6/10.
It has some very interesting aspects and has Phil Hartman in it too which makes it almost comedy gold.The movie has Bilko dealing with an old major (Hartman) who he screwed over once upon a time.
Dan Ackroyd is very good too, but of course the movie belongs to Steve Martin.
In Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, LA Story, Little Shop of Horrors, Leap of Faith, My Blue Heaven (underrated) and Bowfinger you always knew Steve was too everything mentioned above, happy, sincere etc but he was always convincing enough in a funny way that set him apart from everyone before or since.I still maintain that Bill Murray and Steve Martin are the two guys I would laugh at regardless of what they were doing, if they were trying to be funny or not.So why have I wasted words telling you what you probably already know?
Because if you don't already like Steve Martin there is a 99% chance that you will find Sgt Bilko very underwhelming, as he makes the film his own.Steve is Bilko, a corrupt, conniving, deceitful and untrustworthy soldier in command of the motor pool an the army base Fort Baxter, but he is all those things in the most PG friendly Disney way.I would waste a lot of time describing his mannerisms and what would ordinarily be inane chit chat between he and the officers hell bent on bringing him down, as it is generally not what he says or even how he says it to a point.
It is just that he is Steve while he is doing and saying these things, which should be obvious.I just can't imagine Ferrell being Bilko without hamming and getting near naked or Sandler without yelling and trying all the while to be endearing (there is NO-ONE in comedy that wants to be liked more than Sandler, regardless of who he is playing).This leaves Stiller as the logical next up, but I just don't think he has the personality to pull it off.
It has cookie cutter characters and situations but again if you like Steve Martin you should get more than a couple of chuckles.Put it this way, about 5 minutes in Bilko asks a superior officer "Have you lost weight?", if that doesn't turn the corners of your mouth up switch off the DVD because that is about as funny as Sgt Bilko gets, and even that is only funny because of Martin's delivery.For some reason that made me laugh, and I laughed often enough to want to see this again in the future at some point.Final Rating – 6.5 / 10.
Shouldn't work but the presence of Steve Martin adds value to any film and he does enough here to warrant a rental.If you liked this (or even if you didn't) check out oneguyrambling.com.
And even as a film, 'Sgt. Bilko' is great fun!'Sgt. Bilko' Synopsis: Bilko runs the motor pool and has all sorts of scams going on like gambling, renting out military vehicles, and so on, which are all violations.
I also think it is an insult to the original Sgt Bilko TV shows, starring the late, great Phil Silvers.
One of the best quotes he ever said as an actor comes from this film, "All I want is an honest week's pay for an honest days work." This is a great comedy film, also starring the late Phil Hartman, Dan Aykroyd, and a young Chris Rock.
If you like Steve Martin, you'll love this film, he makes it his own.
Steve Martin doesn't do an impersonation of the original Bilko, he puts his own humour and take on the character.
Classic Steve Martin comedy, Sgt. Bilko is a simple and fun movie that I enjoyed even the second time I watched it on TV.
They just don't make comedies like they used to.And even though most of the jokes are silly and stereotypical, the film is made in such a way that it clicks and makes you laugh every time.It's simple, and it keeps you entertained.
And that's what a good comedy is supposed to do.And Steve Martin is just a joy to watch playing this kind of characters.
He just has a natural sense of humor and Sgt. Bilko just comes like a glove to him.I recommend this to anyone who wants a good laugh..
I'd seen this movie before and didn't even remember till the wedding scene....and then couldn't remember anything else about it.It's really sad when they try to take a character created by a stand up comedian (don't believe for a moment that Nat Hiken created Bilko....Nat Hiken created a character based around Phil Silvers schtick) and then say someone else can play him.
In the real world where we live (rather then Hollywoodland) certain characters are the people that play them and vice versa (can you imagine anyone else playing Indiana Jones?) and this is a sad attempt to just cash in on the character.....well it makes me feel better to see the movie looks like it lost money!!Also on a final note after Steve Martin did this once wouldn't he have learnt better before trying to play Clouseau?Ho Hum...maybe they'll never learn!!.
I saw interviews with Phil Hartman and Steve Martin where they spoke with admiration about the original series, and what a treat it was to do the remake.They should have given the part of Bilko to Hartman.
I wonder if I would have enjoyed Steve Martin's travesty if I hadn't seen or heard of Phil Silvers - I don't know - maybe I would have.Some of the other reviewers who think this movie is worthy of a '10' admit that they haven't seen the original.
If after watching the original Ernie, Colonel Hall, Ritzig & Emma, Duane Doberman, Henshaw, Dino, Flashman, Zimmerman, Mullin et al you still think that Steve Martin's film is woth anything above a '2' - I'll stand you a pint.....
Sgt. Bilko (Steve Martin) commands the motor pool at Fort Baxter.
Cameos from Chris Rock and Silver's niece don't really add anything to the film and only add to the feeling of a cast who had hoped for more.Like I said, even forgetting the original series, this is a poor show.
Once removed are stories in other machines: science fiction and corporate, but they always reference this military genre, and indeed the testosterone shots of action even reference their comic sibling.You can trace it, I think, perhaps starting in the comic, meaning Amrican, sections of "The Great Escape," which immediately spawned TeeVee offspring in "Gomer Pyle" and "Hogan's Heros." Then a second wave triggered by "Catch 22" and "MASH," both of which had been real life, then books, then movies, and in the MASH case, then TeeVee.But before all that, there was the "Phil Silvers Show," about a Sergeant Bilko and this followed from "Mister Roberts." A happy con man, who only committed harmless crimes, and then only as response to an overly crude system which attempted to limit his life.
I have not watched the original series of "Sgt. Bilko", but I picked up the idea of this film pretty quickly and I enjoyed almost every minute.
Not only were the lines and funny scenes mostly very well-written and done, but the characters were memorable and (mostly) relatable and the plot itself was engaging enough, though sometimes a little too farcical.I recommend this film to people who love "mad," but clever humour, people who like Steve Martin and already have an idea of his acting style and to people who like to see a "unique" portrayal of what goes on in the US army (not that it's realistic of course...).
Based on the original TV Series that ran in the 1950s, the story has Steve Martin as Ernest Bilko, a Sergeant of an army department who doesn't take his job seriously.
No, it's not Steve Martin's, Dan Aykroyd's or Phil Hartman's best work, but it's fun to see them play off of each other.
Although it is possible that the series, first titled: "YOU'LL NEVER GET RICH" (1955-59*) could have gotten on the CBS TV Network with someone else in the title role of Sgt. Bilko, it is very hard to picture any other Actor/Comedian in the business wearing those Master Sergeant's stripes.Such a strong identification is inescapable, though not the same sort of career-wrecking typecasting of a nightmare that it proved to be to some other guys, like Clayton More("THE LONE RANGER"), George Reeves ("THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN") and Charles Nelson Riley ("UNCLE CROC'S BLOCK").One major stumbling block to successfully adapting and updating such a work from the 1950's TV Screen to the 1990's Movie-going public is our collective memory.
It was obvious that the new film and the source were miles; or even light years apart.So as not to be thought of as a totally square, old grouch please let's consider some other points.Right here today, the 14th Day of November In The Year of Our Lord 2007, let me swear and affirm under Oath that I have been a Steve Martin fan for nearly 30 years, Furthermore, I've enjoyed the wit and talents of Bilko '96 Co-Stars Dan Akroyd and the Late Phil Hartman.
Steve Martin Dan Ackroyd and Phil Hartman head the cast of the remake of the famous TV show.
Based on the classic 50s comedy series, the movie plays out like an extended episode, seeing the wiley Bilko (Steve Martin) getting up to wacky money making schemes with his subordinates at a military base while keeping their superior (Dan Ackroyd) out of the loop.
This time, it concerns an old rival of Bilko's (Phil Hartman) who is determined to expose Bilko's hijinks, all the while, Bilko deals with finding love and a new top secret weapon.Possibly a candidate for one of the most boring comedies I've ever sat down to watch, and the fact that this comes from 'Clue' and 'Yes Minister's' Johnathan Lynn makes this all the more inexcusable.
A movie starring Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd and Phil Hartman based on the classic situation comedy has to be hilarious, right?
The jokes about Fort Baxter's men failing to bathe do not pass the smell test.*** Sgt. Bilko (3/29/96) Jonathan Lynn ~ Steve Martin, Dan Aykroyd, Phil Hartman, Daryl Mitchell.
Bilko (Steve Martin) commands the motor pool at Fort Baxter, but his involvement with the army is in name only.
When an old nemesis (Phil Hartman) arrives on the base, Bilko finds out that army isn't as leisurely as he'd come to believe.'Sgt Bilko' moves along at a headlong pace, with Steve Martin cracking one-liners without even drawing a breath ("All I've ever wanted was an honest week's pay for an honest day's work").
Phil Silvers as Sergeant Bilko was a funny man, no doubt due to the skilled writers and directors and all the other talented team working characters in the series who contributed perfectly to one of the funniest and dateless situation comedies America has ever produced.
Steve Martin plays Sergeant Bilko who is more interested in gambling than the army.Then his old enemy Major Colin Thorn (Phil Hartman) shows up and he does everything to ruin Bilko's life and career.Sgt.Bilko from 1996 is pretty good Steve Martin comedy.It is very much underrated.At least I think it's better than said.It made me laugh a few times so it can't be that bad of comedy.The acting work is great in the movie.Mr Martin does an excellent job.Phil Hartman was also a great comedian who sadly got shot by his wife.Dan Aykroyd is doing great job as Colonel John Hall and Glenne Headly as Rita Robbins is great.You can also see Chris Rock in the movie.I was in the army this year from January to July and it was horrible.I can honestly say it was the worst time of my life.I just wish my army time would have been as fun as it is in this movie.I can recommend Sgt. Bilko to everybody who likes good Steve Martin comedies.Don't believe all the critics.Believe me..
What's impressive about this movie is that it doesn't try some phony attempt to capture the look or texture of the original Phil Silvers TV show; instead, in the writing of the Bilko character and the wink with which Steve Martin performs, it captures the spirit.
It is always a mistake to try to remake a tv series as a film when the TV series was so dependant on the characterization of a key role by a key actor or several actors.The original show was The Phil Silvers Show NOT Sgt. Bilko.
An excellent comedy for the fans of Steve Martin, playing the role of Sgt. Bilko who is a misfit in the Army (along with his company), and more interested in gambling than Army.
In this knock-off of the old Phil Silvers' tv series, Martin plays Sergeant Bilko, a scam-artist who doesn't let being the head of an Army Post motorpool keep him from enjoying the luxuries of civilian life.
sgt bilko is the remake pretty much of the Phil Silvers show but i think steve martin is better....hes just does it so right and when you think the movie is going nowhere he manages to pull a classic line out of the hat to keep audiences glued.sgt bilko tells the story of a master sergant who runs a motor pool who secretly runs a business for himself whilst he has the general round his finger....but then someone from his past inspects his army barracks he is at and well the fun just starts!
Sgt. Bilko has been making a mockery of the army since the 1950s when Phil Silvers was keeping the motor pool out of trouble and out of line on TV.
As a long-time fan of Phil Silvers' fabulous series of the 1950s, I was skeptical about this movie, although I usually like Steve Martin's films--especially Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.I thought it was quite true to the spirit of the TV show.
I loved this movie, even though I loved the original series, but I'm a huge fan of Martin's work since his earlier days in stand-up."It is my understanding you can no longer ask me these questions, sir."Chris Rock, Dan Aykroyd, Phil Hartman, and Glenne Headley also star.This production was quality work by all involved, and a fun way to spend 90 minutes.
As such I decided that I would watch it and when I did I thought it was very good.Sergeant Bilko (Steve Martin) is a master sergeant at Fort Dix Research and Development army base and he runs a very sophisticated gambling ring under the nose of a rather dopey commander (Dan Akroyd).
I don't think either Steve Martin or the movie is so terrible.
Sgt. Bilko (1996): Dir: Jonathan Lynn / Cast: Steve Martin, Glenn Headly, Phil Hartman, Dan Aykroyd, John Marshall Jones: Here is a military comedy that should have viewers running out and renting superior types such as Stripes or Private Benjamin.
Steve Martin plays Sgt. Ernie Bilko who allows his troops to gamble while authority is unaware of their actions.