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The pilot episode of M*A*S*H, aptly titled “M*A*S*H – The Pilot,” was originally broadcast on Sunday, September 17th, 1972. It set the tone for next 250 episodes, both thematically and musically. The theme song to the series, “Suicide is Painless,” is used six times during the episode, including the main titles and end credits.
The episode opens with a short teaser. Hawkeye and Trapper are playing golf, Hot Lips and Frank are playing footsie, Father Mulcahy is taking a nap, etc. Playing in the background is “My Blue Heaven,” written by Walter Donaldson and George Whiting and published by Leo Feist, Inc.
Listen to a Portion of “My Blue Heaven”
The teaser ends when Radar, who is playing football, realizes that choppers are on their way. The main titles begin, with a special long version of “Suicide is Painless,” written by Johnny Mandel (Mike Altman is credited as well in the cue sheet, although his lyrics aren’t used). This, and all other versions of “Suicide is Painless,” was published by 20th-Century Music Corp.
Listen to a Portion of the Main Title (M*A*S*H Theme)
After the main title ends, another version of “Suicide is Painless” is played over additional credits (written and developed for television by Larry Gelbart, produced and directed by Gene Reynolds) as a transition into the first scene of the episode, set in the O.R.
Listen to a Portion of “Suicide is Painless”
The next piece of music is another version of “Suicide is Painless,” this one slower and with horns, played during the montage when Hawkeye flirts with Lieutenant Dish.
Listen to a Portion of “Suicide is Painless”
During the scene in which Hawkeye, Trapper and others bid farewell to Colonel Blake and Leslie Scorch as the two board a chopper, “Happy Days Are Here Again” plays in the background. It was written by Milton Ager and Jack Yellen and published by Robbins Music Corp. This particular piece of music is supposed to be coming from the camp’s loudspeaker.
Listen to a Portion of “Happy Days Are Here Again”
The aforementioned scene continues with an announcement being read over the P.A. system, interrupting “Happy Days Are Here Again.” The announcement states that all duty shifts will be confined to duty the following night (when Hawkeye and Trapper’s party and raffle is supposed to take place). When it ends, “Happy Days Are Here Again” begins playing again, at least until Hawkeye throws a rock at the loudspeaker.
Listen to a Portion of “Happy Days Are Here Again”
Yet another version of “Suicide is Painless” is played when Hawkeye and others knock out Frank with a sedative. It begins just as Ginger reveals the syringe in her hand. This version is again slower than the main titles.
Listen to a Portion of “Suicide is Painless”
At Hawkeye and Trapper’s party a piece called “Darktown Strutter’s Ball” plays while various people chat and dance. It was written by Shelton Brooks with Japanese words by Yoshiaki Murakami and published by Leo Feist, Inc. This is a lengthy scene that includes Hot Lips confronting Hawkeye over Frank’s disappearance.
Listen to a Portion of “Darktown Strutter’s Ball”
After Hot Lips places a call to General Hammond and begins looking for Frank with a flashlight, Radar tries to get a look at the winning raffle ticket at the party. “Chattanooga Choo-Choo,” with words in Japanese,” is playing in the background. The song was written by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon and published by 20th-Century Music Corp. There is no mention in the cue sheet of who wrote the Japanese lyrics.
Note: I can’t be sure if this scene actually has “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” playing in the background or whether it is a continuation of “Darktown’s Strutter’s Ball.” It sounds sort of like “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” but I’m just don’t know. This is the only part of the episode where “Chattanooga Choo-Choo” could possible be included, as far as I can tell.
Listen to a Portion of “Chattanooga Choo-Choo”
The episode ends with Hawkeye and Trapper handcuffed together and walking through the camp. “Japanese Farewell Song (Sayonara)” plays in the background. It was written by Hasegawa Yoshida with English lyrics by Freddie Morgan and published by Mills Music.
Listen to a Portion of “Japanese Farewell Song (Sayonara)”
The episode’s tag scene is a recap of M*A*S*H‘s cast of characters. The main title is played during this scene.
Listen to a Portion of the Main Title (M*A*S*H Theme)
The tag transitions into the end credits, another version of “Suicide is Painless.”
Listen to a Portion of the End Credits (M*A*S*H Theme)
Following the end credits is the 20th-Century Fox identification/trademark. It was written by Alfred Newman but I’m not including it here.
Last updated August 17th, 2010
I don’t know what it is, but I believe the version of the theme playing during the run down of the cast is slightly different that the main title for the pilot. I wish I had instrumentals of those themes…or for any of the opening titles. I’m surprised they haven’t released instrumentals of the opening themes. I believe they still have them stored away because many documentary’s on M*A*S*H use portions of various opening titles without the sound effects.