Did You Know Father Mulcahy Worked at Lionel

[Papa_D]

William Christopher, the actor who played Father Mulcahy on M*A*S*H died last Saturday, December 31. He was 84. While everyone knew him has Father Mulcahy, few probably remember him as “Engineer Bill” who worked for Lionel from ’58 to ’62 along with his wife Barbara who was a secretary in the Lionel art department. As Engineer Bill, he answered letters kids wrote to Lionel. An article “Did You Know Father Mulcahy Worked at Lionel” by Roger Carp appeared in the Sept ’94 issue of CTT.   

Rest in peace Engineer Bill.

Papa D

 

[Firelock76]

Interesting.  I wonder if he carried the O gauge hobby with him the rest of his life, considering his association with Lionel?

[LL675]

I was just thinking about RCs story on him yesyerday.

[phillyreading]

That's interesting as I never knew William Christopher worked for Lionel. I remember seeing him on Mash & on Hogan's Heroes (season one)as Lt. Richie of the British air Force.

Lee Fritz

[Firelock76]

William Christopher was on Hogan's Heros more than once.  He plays an American officer impersonating a German one on the show where Larry Hovis (SSgt. Carter) does a hilarious impersonation of Hitler.

From what I've read of Hogan's Heroes it was a very popular show to do for guest actors.  The regulars were welcoming and fun to work with and didn't put on "We're the stars and you're just temporary" airs.  If you're a fan of the show I'm sure you remember seeing certain actors showing up more than once in the six seasons the show was on.

[Penny Trains]

There was also an episode at the end of season one where Carter goes to town and tries to pass fake secrets to William Christopher at a hofbrau.  William Christopher then says "This is my first leave.  My FIRST leave!" and refuses to allow anything to mess up his time off even if it would mean a possible promotion by turning in Carter to the gestapo.

[Rene Schweitzer]

Here is a link to the story Roger Carp did in 1994: http://ctt.trains.com/how-to/news-products/2017/01/william-christopher-and-lionel-trains

[phillyreading]

Penny Trains

There was also an episode at the end of season one where Carter goes to town and tries to pass fake secrets to William Christopher at a hofbrau.  William Christopher then says "This is my first leave.  My FIRST leave!" and refuses to allow anything to mess up his time off even if it would mean a possible promotion by turning in Carter to the gestapo.

 

You are correct Penny, William Christopher did play in that episode of Hogan's Hereos, I have all 6 seasons of Hogan's Heroes on DVD. I like the other series he played in MASH but I don't have any of that series on DVD.

Another actor who died recently that was a semi regular on Hogan's Heroes was Bernard Fox who played Col. Crittendon.

Lee Fritz

[Firelock76]

I didn't know Bernard Fox passed away, what a shame, a good actor and a very funny man.

Here's a little Bernard Fox trivia.  He played Titanic lookout Frederick Fleet in the great 1958 film "A Night To Remember," and played Col. Archibald Gracie in James Cameron's 1997 "Titanic."

One man in two Titanic films.  Has to be some kind of a record.

By the way, on Hogan's Heroes he should have been called Group Captain Crittenden, but so what? It was a comedy show and not a history lesson. On the other hand, when they decided to do some history they did it pretty well.

And thanks so much for that link, Rene!

[Penny Trains]

I only have season one of Hogan's on DVD, that's the only reason I knew about that episode.

I always liked Bernard Fox. 

Firelock76

One man in two Titanic films. Has to be some kind of a record.

  Hard to say.  Ed Harris played John Glenn in The Right Stuff and then played flight director Gene Kranz in Apollo 13.  Also, Kevin Kostner played district attorney James Garrison in JFK and then a special assistant to the president(?) in Thirteen Days which is about JFK's handling of the Cuban missile crisis.  So it does seem to happen.  But yes, Bernard Fox appearing first the most accurate telling of the Titanic story as far as who the passengers were and what they did that night.  And then the movie that most accurately portrayed the ship itself.