Colonel John T. Hall (Jack)
Captain/Doctor Adams (aka Captain Masters)
Captain Barker
Lieutenant Anderson
Sergeant Francis Grover
Sergeant Mike Kennedy
Sergeant Stanley Sowici
WAC Billie
WAC Edna
WAC Mildred
Tom the Chaplain
Mrs Nell Hall
Mrs Emma Ritzik
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Camp Psychiatrist/MO
He gives Bilko some advice and he listens and takes heed. He gives up gambling and he even gets up for reveille.
See episode: Bilko Gets Some Sleep
Played by Nelson Olmsted
Nelson achieved more on radio than television. His recordings of Edgar Allan Poe: Tales of Terror stories are, even today, still very popular as audiobooks. On the back cover of the LP Sleep No More! Nelson summarized his life, thus: ‘Now that I think of it, we had a sort of Golden Age of Drama down in Austin, Texas, during those depressed middle thirties. There was the Curtain Club of the University of Texas and Austin’s Little Theatre, and working between them were such aspirants as Zachary Scott, Elaine Anderson Scott, Eli Wallach, Walter Cronkite, Brooks West and Alma Holloway, whom I had sense enough to marry. Most of them came on to New York, fought the actor’s battle, and made it one way or another. I stayed behind with the security of a radio announcer’s job. By the time I moved to WBAP, in Fort Worth, this security was pulling, and the announcer’s life seemed endlessly sterile. What to do about it? Dramatic shows cost money and there were no budgets. The cheapest drama for radio I could think of was good literature, read aloud. Especially the work of that great dramatist who never wrote a play -- Edgar Allan Poe. WBAP gave me some time with which to experiment. That was way back in 1939 -- and it worked. By 1940, the storytelling show was on NBC for a ten-year run. There were a couple of years out for the Army, but even so I managed to tell stories over the Army radio network in Italy. Television brought rough competition to the industry. Rather than fight, I joined by adapting some of the best stories into plays, selling them to Fred Coe, and playing a part in them -- sometimes the lead. So -- in the long run -- I got to New York, too, and made it as an actor, literally by telling stories!‘
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He is the second in command at Fort Baxter & Camp Fremont. After the notorious Harry Speakup escapade he was briefly demoted to Lieutenant. He feigned madness to outwit even the great Ernie Bilko in the show entitled The Rest Cure.
See episodes: The Court Martial, The Rest Cure
Played by Nick Saunders
Nick, was actually born in Russia in 1913, his real name is Nikita Soussanin. Also, his father was a top actor over in Russia. As well as being a skilled actor he was also a gifted translator of Russian drama, working for many years alongside his collaborator, Frank Dwyer.
He is a very fresh-faced officer. He is clean cut and well spoken.
See episodes: The Horse, The Bivouac, The Twitch, The Court-Martial
Played by Jim Perry
His career was threefold, as an actor, reporter and playwright. He was editor of entertainment for The States-Item for over sixteen years. His had a daily column called Perryscope, where he covered television, theatre, films and the showbiz nightlife scene. James Alton Perry died in 2006, at the age of 80, of Parkinson's disease.
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Chief Communications Officer on camp.
Best friends with Sergeant Rupert Ritzik. One of the worst poker players on the base, slightly better than Ritzik. Has a fascination with horror films, comic books and he loves the funnyman Buddy Bickford. Fancies himself as an Irish tenor. Bilko gets him to install a phone in his room in exchange for a third share in an empty store. He is forced to wear a necklace made of chicken bones and cover himself in grease in a voodoo ritual.
See episodes: Bilko’s Black Magic, Bilko in Outer Space, Bilko and the Flying Saucers, Empty Store
Played by Jimmy Little
Jimmy, like many others from the Bilko cast, went on to appear in Car 54, Where Are You? Where he played Sergeant Jim McBride.
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The Colonel's Secretary.
She was the girlfriend of Ernie Bilko for over three years. Originally, Joan is from Sumter, South Carolina. Originally, Joan is from Sumter, South Carolina. Before coming to Fort Baxter, Joan was at Camp Collins where she was taught the ‘Bilko Shuffle' by Emily Gribble. Emily was an old acquaintance of Ernie Bilko, who now resides in Las Vegas, earning her keep as a top card dealer.
See episodes: Bilko's Engagement, Dinner at Sowici’s, Joan’s Big Romance, WAC
Played by Elisabeth Fraser
Her full name was actually, Elisabeth Fraser Jonker. Elisabeths first work in theatre was as an unpaid scenery painter. Elisabeth Fraser, actress of the stage, screen and television, was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1920. Miss Fraser attended school in Haiti, France and New York, graduating from Washington Irving High School. As a result of her various travels
she learned to speak several languages. She also spent a number of summers in Vermont performing in summer stock companies. Elisabeth made her New York debut in 1940 in a production of Robert E. Sherwood's play There Shall Be No Night, produced by the Playwright's Company and the Theatre Guild and starring Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. She played the character of Kaatri Alquist, opposite Montgomery Clift. In the midst of the national tour of the production. Elisabeth went to Hollywood and completed a successful screen test. She made her screen debut in 1941 playing the character of Eileen Spence in One Foot in Heaven, which also starred Frederic March. In 1943 she appeared in the Broadway production,Winged Victory.
For the next forty years she worked continuously on the stage, screen and television. Her best known appearance was of course as Sergeant Joan Hogan on the CBS television series The Phil Silvers Show, from 1955-1958. She also made guest appearances in numerous other television shows including The Monkees, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Rawhide, Perry Mason and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Her stage and screen appearances include Winged Victory, The Tunnel of Love, The Best Man, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Commandos Strike at Dawn, Death of a Salesman, The Glass Bottom Boat, Seconds, The Way West, The Graduate and Nine to Five.
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Military Policeman.
Played by George Kennedy.
George made his showbiz debut, aged just two, when he joined the cast of the touring Bringing up Father troup. He joined the US Army during World War II and went on to spend another sixteen years in the force. During his time in the army they loaned 'Captain' George to the show for military advice. After this ‘bit-part’ George caught the acting bug and went on to become a top actor in his own right. He appeared in some of the greatest movies ever made, The Sons of Katie Elder, The Dirty Dozen, The Boston Strangler and Thunderbolt and Lightfoot. His greatest screen performance as ‘Dragline’ in Cool Hand Luke (1967).won him an Oscar.
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A Quartermaster at Fort Baxter.
One of Bilkos' rivals. He buys a third of an empty store from Ernie.
See episode: Empty Store
Played by Ned Glass
Ned was born in Poland on April Fools day, 1906. Moe Howard of the 'Three Stooges', was his next-door neighbour for some years. Indeed Moe, managed to get Ned some small parts in three ‘Stooges’ movies Nutty but Nice, Three Little Sew and Sew and Hokus Pokus. His first wife, actress kitty McHugh committed suicide in 1954. After making the show 'A Mess Sergeant Can't Win', Ned Glass returned to California, by all accounts he was extremely homesick.
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Company Cook at both Fort Baxter and Camp Fremont.
He was born at 323 Acorn Street, Peoria, Illinois. Rupert was inducted into the United States Army at Fort McArthur. He has been married to Emma for 15 years. He's scared of her - especially after a night of gambling with Bilko. Described by Bilko as: 'The Picasso of the pots and pans.' One of the worst poker players on the base. Although, he once thought he’d come across a way of winning at Roulette with a formula he’d made up. Has a fascination with horror films, TV westerns, comic books and he loves the funnyman Buddy Bickford. He nearly got into the movies as 'Count Ritzik of Transylvania'. His wife leaves him after he spends their fifteenth wedding anniversary playing poker with Bilko.
Catchphrases: 'Ooh! Ooh!' and 'I knew it'
See episodes: Bilko’s Black Magic, A Mess Sergeant Can't Win,
Played by Joe E. Ross
After the show finished, Joe E. went on to get even bigger success, when he starred opposite Fred Gwynne in Car 54 where are you? In this Nat Hiken comedy, he played the role of Officer Gunther Toody, a policeman in New York. He even carried his catchphrase over into the show 'Ooh! Ooh!' Joe E. used that same catchphrase in the animated cartoons, Help... It's the Hair Bear Bunch! (Here he was the voice of Wonderland Zoo officer, Lionel J. Botch) and Hong Kong Phooey (Sergeant Flint). His last series was It's About Time (1966), in which he played a caveman
named Gronk who, out of his element in modern times, was short-lived. Joe E. died, whilst performing in front
of an audience of senior citizens, in Los Angeles, California. The year was 1982 and he was just 68 years old.
Sergeant Rupert Ritzik
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Company ‘B’ Cook.
He is married to Agnes with one son known only as Junior. How he describes himself: 'I am mess sergeant of Company B. Responsible for the nutritive welfare and health of over 1400 men at Fort Baxter.' A Politically Correct way of saying he is the Company Cook!! Bilko describes him, thus: ‘Mess Sergeant Sowici, the Army’s answer to Betty Crocker.’ He got bit, in his own kitchen, by the chimp known as Private Harry Speakup (Aka Zippo the chimpanzee). Stanley provided valuable evidence at that chimps’ court-martial. Bilko, when cornered with the threat of engagement to his sweetheart Joan, takes her around to Stanley's house to show her what married life entails. The trouble is the normally arguing Sowicis suddenly transform into the perfect couple!! Together with Pendleton and Grover they each bought a third share of an empty store off Bilko – Sowici even went down on his knees to get his share.
See episodes: Empty Store, The Eating Contest, AWOL
Played by Harry Clark
In 1948, Harry starred in the original, New York Broadway, production of Kiss me Kate. He was one of the two gangsters in the show. He even sang, with co-gangster Jack Diamond, ‘Brush up Your Shakespeare’ in every performance of the show. Sadly, Harry Clark died, playing four-wall Handball, after the first season was filmed. He was only 46 years old.
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Administration. She is one of the colonels' assistants.
See episodes: The Bilko Boycott, The Court-Martial
Played by Billie Allan
Billie’s real full name is Wilhelmina Louise Allen. In the years 1999 and 2000, she served as a voting member on the Tony Awards nominating board. She was married the late composer, Luther Henderson.
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Administration. She is another one of the colonels' assistants.
See episodes: The Bilko Boycott, Bilko's Sharpshooter
Played by Barbara Berrie
Barbara’s real name is Barbara Ann Berman. As well as having a distinguished television and film portfolio, she has appeared in stage productions from 1955 until after 2004.
She is an assistant to Major Allenby.
Formerly Mildred The Barracuda at Sam Adamapplelis’ Paradise Bar and Grill (Aka the Snake Pit) - She "chews
gum like a cow on a filet of cud" - Mildred has helped Ernie out in a variety of scams. Her best friend is Sophie Bissell.
See episodes: The Bilko Boycott, WAC
Played by Jane Dulo
Jane, a fantastic character actress, has appeared in some of Americas’ favourite comedies over many years. Including: Welcome Back, Kotter, Diff’rent Strokes, Get Smart, I Dream of Jeannie, The Dick Van Dyke Show, McHale’s Navy and All in the Family.
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Religious interest on camp.
He seems to be the only person on the post who doesn’t let Bilko outfox him. BIOGRAPHY
See episodes: Bilko and the Chaplain, The Eating Contest, New Recruits
Played by John Gibson
He teamed up with Nat Hiken on the radio too. Appearing regularly on The Milton Berle Show/The Texaco Star Theater (1947-49) and playing the part of Zinzer in The Magnificent Montague (1950-51). John also made appearances in another 1950’s American television comedy show. That programme was, The Honeymooners when he played the part of Frank MacGillicuddy.
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The wife of the colonel. She has a soft spot for Ernie Bilko due to his endless flattery towards her.
See episodes: The Big Scandal, Radio Station B.I.L.K.O.
Played by Hope Sansbury
In 1966, Hope was reunited with Harvey Lembeck (Corporal Barbella), when they both appeared in The Penguin Goes Straight – an episode from the long running Batman TV show.
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The long suffering wife of company cook, Rupert. She hates anything Bilko gets up to with her husband, especially poker. She has a tendency to scream very loudly when upset.
See episodes: A Mess Sergeant Can't Win, Ritzik Goes Civilian, Weekend Colonel
Played by Beatrice Pons
In 1962, she joined the cast of Car 54 Where are You? In this comedy show, she played Lucille Toody, the wife of patrol officer Gunther, who just happened to be played by her husband in the ‘Bilko’ shows, Joe E. Ross.
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Sergeant Joan Hogan
Sergeant Andrew Pendleton
Commander at both Fort Baxter & Camp Fremont.
A bumbler who is both anxious for the camp to be recognised by the top brass but keen too on the quiet life that resulted from its remoteness, 'Jack' longed to be rid of Ernie Bilko, but, when this occasioned, he recognised immediately that Ernie was an essential part of the status quo that granted him, mostly, an easy life.
After his 1922 graduation, he was a West Point officer who was cited for bravery in two wars. Nicknamed 'Melonhead' by his old army chums. Dreams of being put in charge of a top military post and in his own words not to be 'an unknown colonel at a forgotten post.' He served with General Strait in the Cavalry. He spent most of World War II posted in Australia. Married his wife, Nell, at the age of twenty six after a three-year courtship. During his days at West Point he served 'strong lemonade' to the rest of the academy. Famed for his barnyard impersonations. Actually made up to a Brigadier but turned down the honour as he says he has far too much to do at Camp Fremont! He once played a round of golf with the President of the USA and broke 150! "He called me Jack" Said the colonel. Who's on the wall of the colonel?
Played by Paul Ford (Here is Paul interviewed whilst filming Bilko Here) -
1960: A Thurber Carnival press Here
‘Paul Ford Weaver’ was actually the full name of the man who played Colonel Hall so brilliantly. After the success of the Bilko show, Paul was then offered his own sitcom, The Baileys of Balboa. He also appeared in the classic comedy film, It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. Paul retired from acting in 1972; four years later he had passed away. He had been offered the chance to come out of retirement, to play the role of Principal McGee in a forthcoming new musical film, Grease. Sadly, his sad death put an end to that offer.
