Scriptwriter Hal Dresner, who penned two episodes of M*A*S*H during the show’s first season, died last Friday (March 17) at the age of 85. Dresner wrote “I Hate a Mystery” and “Edwina,” both of which aired in 1972.
Dresner’s career in Hollywood began in the late 1960s and he worked in both television and film. He wrote scripts for movies like The Extraordinary Seaman (1969), Sssssss (1973), and Zorro, The Gay Blade (1981). In addition to M*A*S*H, Dresner also wrote episodes of TV shows like Night Gallery, The Harvey Korman Show, Husbands, Wives & Lovers, and Joe & Valerie.
According to his Internet Movie Database page, Dresner’s final writing credit was a 1987 episode of CBS Summer Playhouse.
An obituary can be found at Deadline Hollywood.
(Thanks to Dan.)
Wow. Two of the worst episodes of MASH. But probably not his fault. They were forced to do typical sitcom episodes in the beginning.
Both of his episodes involved dumping soot on people (Henry & Hawkeye). It was funny physical humor anyway.