Catch-22 (1973 TV Movie) User Reviews

More of a curiosity than anything else

[wwgrayii · 6/10 · 2 February 2017]

Since 20th Century Fox found some success with a TV version of its 1970 military black comedy film "MASH", Paramount tried to find similar success with a TV version of its own 1970 military black comedy film, "Catch 22".

Richard Dreyfuss stars as Captain Yossarian, a bombardier who has completed his required number of missions and is on his way home. His plane stops for refueling on Pianosa (the base in the movie) where he learns all about the (possibly mythical) "catch-22" and engages in the usual standard issue military sitcom hi-jinks.

As with the TV version of "MASH," most of the characters from the film appear (although unlike TV "MASH," no actors from the film version of "Catch-22" appear). Also, like TV "MASH," the R-rated movie hi-jinks are considerably toned down for broadcast TV (in the movie, for example, Captain "Aarfy" Aardvark commits murder to cover up a rape. Suffice to say, nothing like this happens in this show). It's mostly harmless, early 70's sitcom stuff.

Dreyfuss is quite good as Yossarian. It's always fascinating to watch future award winning movie stars act in shows like this, because it shows a certain Hollywood meritocracy at work: Dreyfuss just seems to be acting on a whole other level than everyone else in the show (you can see the same phenomenon when you watch an episode of the Steve McQueen western "Wanted Dead of Alive").

Now, the movie version of "Catch-22" isn't all that good. It's certainly not as good as "MASH". This pilot isn't that great either, but quite frankly, it's about on a par with the "MASH" pilot (which was only OK), although I think the "MASH" cast is a lot better overall. But after watching this, you can see why ABC passed.

Fun having been an extra in it.

[cdcjsk · 8/10 · 19 April 2023]

When this was filmed, I was in the NROTC at USC. The producer needed about a hundred extras to play the detachment of soldiers at the airfield. When this was filmed in 1972, finding a hundred extras with short hair and knowing some sort of military training was a steep task. The producer contacted the unit and on Thanksgiving weekend in 1972 we were bussed to the high desert north of Los Angeles. An entire airbase set was constructed complete with about 5 army B 25 bombers and the required tents, trucks and military looking equipment. Paramount had a complete wardrobe crew that decked us all out in WWII uniforms. We filmed a sequence where the "missing air crew" flew in with all kinds of special effects. For an 18 year old doing their first and only picture, it was a lot of fun and really interesting experience. I did see the pilot on TV in early 1973 and thought it was okay.

M*A*S*H Without the Humor

[justinboggan · 5/10 · 31 December 2016]

I guess with the popularity of "M*A*S*H" a year prior, anybody thought they could throw together a band of character actors, quick jokes and a laugh track and they could ride some coat tales to fame. Anybody was wrong.

Imagine "M*A*S*H" with flat jokes, terrible jokes, un-funny set-ups that just keep going and going and going like the Energizer Bunny, and no Hawkeye, Radar or Blake. That's what you get with "Catch-22", one large waste of time misfire that even manages to to get composer Neal Hefti to phone it in.

It's no surprise almost nobody is credited for their work on this -- I know I'd not want my name on it if I had a hand in it (for a paycheck).

A bomber has flown his thirty missions and he's due to head home. Oh, but there are delays and misunderstanding and hilarity that was supposed to ensue. It does not. This was wisely not picked up for a series and you can also get in on being wise by not watching it -- it's not even a curiosity. Oh man, can you imagine what's worse than the un-funny opening that you'd wish would end? How about that opening going on for over twelve minutes (plus opening credits)!

Poor Dana Eclar -- why was he in this mess?

Avoid.