Harry Morgan Died At 96

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Harry Morgan Died At 96

Harry Morgan, the prolific character actor best known for playing the acerbic but kindly Colonel Potter in the long-running television series “M*A*S*H,” died Wednesday morning at his home in Los Angeles. He was 96. His son Charles confirmed his death, saying Mr. Morgan had been treated for pneumonia recently. Morgan was Elvis's co-star in "Frankie & Johnny".

Source: ElvisMatters / Updated: Dec 8, 2011

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GEORGE (GK) (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 10, 2011report abuse

Like I stated earlier, "Frankie and Johnny" was by no means, a great movie. And, I think it was a huge mistake that Elvis, was put into some of those movies and singing some of those less than perfect songs. It almost ruined his career. He knew it, and the fans knew it. But the Colonel and Elvis were making money and the fans were going to the movies and buying the soundtracks, so it continued, for way, too long ! Elvis wanted a change, but was told, do as you are told, and make these movies and honor your contract, or be tossed out and ignored by Hollywood. I believe that happened to Frank Sinatra, at one point, and Frank had to fight his way back in. So, with the Elvis movie and movie songs, we take the good and the bad, but thankfully, I think, there were more good than bad.

theoldscudder (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 10, 2011report abuse

Elvis movie career was a financial success but an artistic disaster. The bad movies outweighed the the good. He basically played the same role over & over again. I believe if the big bucks were still there & he were alive today he would be playing the same role at age 77 in 2012. Maybe he would be singing to Betty White in a nursing home while beating the stuffings out of Ernie Borgnine. Yeh sort of the rebel of the senior citizen set.

dgirl (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 10, 2011report abuse

Calling a movie a turkey is not overly hasrsh. Critics do it all the time. In the spirit of the holidays, a turkey is appropriate. I think it is actually worse than that. Elvis as a 1890's riverboat gambler with weak acting, weak songs, and weak plot made in the swinging pop year of 1966 shows a man totally out of touch with current trends, a trend he helped set 10 years earlier. He should have been doing so much better things than singing Petunia and Look Out Broadway and put in movies like this. If you think thats harsh, once again, thats your opinion, but I no longer see things as I once did. Even many Elvis bios, friends books and discographies skew these films & records much worse than I. Thanks Steve V for your support. I know we look at Elvis' career much more crtically than most on this site, but assuming we are the same age, we know what it was like to live through the lean mid-60's when Elvis basically became a laughing stock to our record buying school friends. It hurts to think of what might have been and what we know now about the Colonel, RCA, and the publishing deals.

GEORGE (GK) (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 10, 2011report abuse

Most of the fans, on this website, love Elvis, regardless, of a few "less than perfect movies," and songs." And it has nothing to do with, seeing things, through "rose colored glasses" (as Steve V, suggests). It comes down to the "great performances" outweighing the bad, or, average performances. And, "honesty" is one thing, but to be "overly critical and harsh" in almost every post, is another.

snowplow floater (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 9, 2011report abuse

Elvis' movie career reminds me of the Buck Owen's hit, "They want to put me in the movies, they wanna make a big star out of me and all i gotta do is act naturally". Some of his more dramatic roles, this method did not always work, in certain scenes, he came across awkard, scenes that required Thespian training, the likes of which Dean and Brando had. He really did pull it off by the time he made Wild in the Country, for a guy that could have had dramatic training and refused, he did well. The glossy musicals, he sails through them like an Hawainn breeze, real natural, thats why i like them. Speaking of turkeys well now i know what i'm gonna watch at Christmas time.

ranskal (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 9, 2011report abuse

I am an Elvis fan, and I enjoy the movie. I also look at his career seriously...as a complete body of work. To me, there was more to his life than 1956 or 1957. RIP Mr. Morgan

Ruthie (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 9, 2011report abuse

That "turkey of a movie" was mentioned in the long obit I read in our local paper. But since hardly anyone, other than an Elvis fan, ever heard of it, it doesn't really make any difference.

theoldscudder (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 8, 2011report abuse

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Morgan must have been at least 18 years ago. He was a very nice gentleman. I told him I was a big Elvis fan. His comments toward Elvis were very complimentary. In essence told me he was a decent guy but was under Parker's influence. He said if Elvis had the proper direction & acting lesions he could have fared much better in Hollywood. I asked him if Frankie & johnny was a career highlight. He laughed & gave me a look that said it all.

Steve V (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 8, 2011report abuse

Sad to hear. RIP Mr Morgan. By the way, I would never apologize for calling an Elvis movie bad or a turkey. Most of them in fact, were. The ones that say this film was fun or lightweight, or this song was fun or not serious, etc are the Elvis fans to me ,who do not look at his career seriously or as the blazing star he started out to be. At 22 Elvis in Loving You was miles ahead of any film Elvis made in his 30's. He sold his soul to Parker & Hollywood so Dgirl keep the honesty coming. You are respected at least by me for it. Nice to hear from fans who do not wear the rose colored glasses.

GEORGE (GK) (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 8, 2011report abuse

Sad to hear of Harry Morgan's passing, but thankful, his talent and legacy will live on, in film and in TV reruns. Granted, "Frankie & Johnny" is not Elvis Presley's best movie, but its a fun film, and calling it a "Turkey of a movie" is a bit harsh, but expected, by the person, who posted the comment.

bray1977 (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 8, 2011report abuse

Sad news, he was a great actor. RIP

old shep (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 8, 2011report abuse

AS Col Potter of course not as Col Blake!

old shep (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 8, 2011report abuse

Sad to here of his death. He had a tough task taking over from McLean Stevenson(Col Blake) in M*A*S*H but put in many memorable performances in the role. Also sad that another member of the cast has died.

dgirl (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 8, 2011report abuse

He is probably least known for that turkey of a movie, althouhgh he was the best thing about it. It was not even mentioned in the obits that I read. RIP Col Potter.

Tony C (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 8, 2011report abuse

Harry was great in "Frankie and Johnny", his scenes with Elvis were great, he created a good character that Elvis could bounce off of. He had a long career and will be fondly remembered.

snowplow floater (profile/ contact) wrote on Dec 8, 2011report abuse

He was brilliant in MASH and i love the scene when he says to Elvis, ie Johnny, "Who up there doesn't like you" and the convincing way Elvis looks up is just class. A great actor was Mr. Morgan and great at comedy, Elvis and himself worked well as i think Elvis had great comedic flair on the screen. 96, what a great age, hope he wrote a book.