Phil Harris' Military Service

[1426]

Phil and his band join the Merchant Marines but are only gone from the show for a few months. When he returned to the show nothing is said about it. A big deal was made when he left the show for the service. Does any one have info on this? Did the whole band actually go in the service? Why was Phil discahrged after such a short time? Just curious.

[Roman]

I'm not sure I agree that "a big deal was made when [Harris] left the show for the service." If I remember right, it was only mentioned near the end of the show before Phil's departure and then there was a similar short "welcome back" when he and his orchestra returned a few months later.

The key thing to remember about Phil's service is that Phil had no obligation to serve at all. He was 38 at the time he joined the Merchant Marines. Under the draft laws in effect in 1942, Phil was several years older than the cutoff age. But this was a time when many older men volunteered for service. Did Phil arrange for his band to join him in the Merchant Marines so that they could stick together as a unit and to protect the younger members from the draft? Perhaps. It wouldn't surprise me if that was part (even a major part) of the thought process that went into this. And the fact that they served stateside and for a relatively short time distinguishes them from other entertainers like James Stewart, Clark Gable, Robert Montgomery, and Jackie Coogan who sought out combat duty. But still they served and, in Phil's case at least, served when he was under no obligation to do so.

[DerekVOF]

Actually, they did dedicate the show to Phil and the boys when they left and did a sketch specific to them leaving (Liberty Ship) - the episode is from 12/6/42. And as to down playing his return, Phil and the boys came back (I believe) the week that Jack got really sick and was out for several weeks (and Orson Wells was hosting).

[GrassReek]

I am listening to a show that is supposed to be from 12/40/42, but Phil is in it. From what I am reading here, the episode must be out of order, or named wrong.

[Jack Benny]

The didn't make too big of a deal when he came back because in part Jack wasn't even around for another month or so. Phil came back when Jack had pneumonia and Orson Welles was extended guest host for a month. I alwyas wonder if somehow Phil came back early to help out on the show in Jack's absence.

[scottp]

Gee Admiral Sir, I know it ain't in the regulations, but we GOTTA get out early, to help out our old pal Jackson-- ya see, he's under the weather. And NO, I don't mean "under the weather" like Remley!