What do “Happy-Days-1974-movie-posters/”>Happy Days” and “H-1972-movie-posters/”>M*A*S*H” have in common? Well, for one thing, they’re both era-defining TV shows of the 1970s that took place in the 1950s.
“H-1972-movie-posters/”>M*A*S*H” was set during the Korean War (even if its satirical target was the more recent Vietnam War), which unfolded from 1950 to 1953.
It’s a well-known joke that thanks to its 11-season run (1972 to 1983), the series lasted longer than the war it was set in.That’s not the only historical incongruity in “H-1972-movie-posters/”>M*A*S*H” — there’s a small but telling one in season 4, episode 21, “The Novocaine Mutiny,” as first noted in “TV’s H-1972-movie-posters/”>M*A*S*H: The Ultimate Guide Book” by Ed Solomonson and Mark O’Neill.
In this episode, Major Frank Burns (Larry Linville) is left in command and predictably behaves like a tyrant.
He begins searching officers’ quarters for “stolen” (actually gambled) money.
When he gets to Radar’s (Gary Burghoff) office,…
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