Loretta Swit

Actress

"(Major Houlihan) was unique at that time and in her time, which was the 50’s when it was really happening. She became even more unique I think because we allowed her to continue to grow -- we watched her evolve, I don’t think that’s ever been done in quite that way, on what was labeled a 'sitcom' because other was no other word for it. I never think of as a sitcom. If there was a category it was but we had to be put somewhere so we were called a comedy."

About This Interview

Loretta Swit was interviewed for nearly four hours in Beverly Hills, CA. Swit described her early years as an actress breaking into theater and television in New York and her later move to Los Angeles. She discussed getting the role of “Margaret ‘Hot Lips’ Houlihan” on the acclaimed series M*A*S*H for which she appeared for its entire eleven-season run. She talked in detail about the evolution of her character, discussed landmark episodes, and vividly recounted what it was like working with the series ensemble. She described her many other appearances on television in guest roles on series and in such television movies as Cagney & Lacey (for which she originated the role of “Christine Cagney”) and Games Mother Never Taught You, about a woman who becomes the only female executive in a large firm. She also talked about some of her feature films including her work with Blake Edwards on his movie S.O.B. B-roll consisted of several photographs from her stage, screen, and television career, including stills from her television movies and the series The Love Boat and Good Heavens. The interview was conducted by Gary Rutkowski on August 13, 2004.

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Historic Events and Social Change > War > Korean Conflict
- Loretta Swit on women's role in wartime
  Clip begins at: 17:19

Submitted by Ilunk on Sat, 2012-03-17 02:55.

This is, hands down, one of my all-time favorite made-for-tv meivos. The fact that it happens to be about a Christmas pageant gone amok is just icing on an already tasty sugar cookie. There are so many classic lines, and the fact that Fairuza Balk was the narrator who broke thru the 4th wall and actually addressed the camera was years ahead of its time (hello Modern Family ). What strikes me the most when I re-watch this (and I had to buy a DVD from some Christian website since I couldn't find a decent copy of it anywhere else) is that it is so blatantly religious (which, yes I know, is what this holiday is all about); but by today's television programming standards, a movie like this would probably never air on a major network (perhaps only on Hallmark or maybe ABC Family, and again, I'm sure the actual Jesus-quotient would be super toned down or just alluded to, like yea, that baby? it's his birthday. Now let's string 4,000 lights around the house! )And yea, the Herdman clan were filthy and unruly, but boy, did the writers given them some hilarious dialogue! Hey-I know a name. I'd call it Revenge at Bethlehem.

Submitted by lisa on Thu, 2012-01-19 02:40.

My favorite show with Loretta was the episode she referred to when she confronted the nurses and how they made her feel..I still get a lump when the tears start. She really made you feel that moment..A good actress!

Submitted by Kevin S.Butler on Sat, 2011-11-19 22:20.

There was also an episode..where your character is giving food scraps to a stray dogs..and when the dog is killed..your character is still tough..until.."Hawkeye"finally allows you to break down and cry for that poor animal.

Submitted by Kevin S.Butler on Sat, 2011-11-19 22:01.

Are You kidding..Ms.Swit? Mr.Linville played"Major Frank Burns"as such an obnoxious and mean spirited idiot..that I was glad that his character left the show.

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