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March 29, 2008

Health screenings, ‘MASH’ actor draw crowd

By Debbie Robinson

news@joplinglobe.com

Actor Jamie Farr entertained a large audience Saturday during the 21st annual St. John’s Regional Medical Center’s “Life Fair” in the Leggett & Platt Athletic Center at Missouri Southern State University.

Farr recalled his 11 years on the award-winning television show, “MASH,” when he played Cpl. Max Klinger, an Army soldier who was trying to get out of the service for psychological problems by wearing dresses.

Ironically, Farr spent his time before his appearance in the women’s volleyball locker room, where he met the media and relaxed.

In his 54th year in show business, Farr spoke for more than an hour and recalled memories from his times with many of the greats, including Red Skelton, his mentor. But his time on the set of “MASH” was what kept people around after the health fair booths were closed.

The show presented an Army MASH unit in Korea during the war and featured actors such as Alan Alda.

Farr, a Toledo, Ohio, native, said all of the places in Toledo that were mentioned in the show existed in Toledo at the time.

Farr recalled events that led to his getting the part of Klinger.

Producer Gene Reynolds signed him for $250 for one day to say a few lines, he said.

When they entered the trailer on the set, Farr said, he was told to put on a dress and a pair of high heels, size 17 or 18.

His appearance was such a hit, he was given a contract.

“I came out for one day, and I stayed for 11 years,” Farr said.

The show, he said, broke ground in television by being the first show to “kill off” a character and to ad lib lines.

His favorite episode, he said, was the two-part episode, “The Reporter,” which was entirely ad lib.

Another favorite, he said, was the appearance of Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

“He showed up, and I was dressed like the Statue of Liberty, and he saluted me,” Farr said.

The show’s final episode stands as the most-watched program of all time with 125 million viewers nationwide.

The final show aired Feb. 28, 1983, but is in worldwide syndication, Farr said.

“It was wonderful to be a part of that final show,” he said.

Farr took several questions from the audience, including one about his favorite dress in the show.

“My favorite Klinger dress was the ‘Gone with the Wind’ dress,” he said.

Farr continues to act in movies and stage plays and will appear in a play in Overland Park, Kan.

Farr’s appearance capped a morning of free health screenings and informational booths with a military theme. Military members in uniform were given special prizes.

Volunteers wore Army-green T-shirts, and members of the Army, Navy, Missouri National Guard and Marines staffed information booths.

Visitors to the event received lab screenings, foot screenings, glaucoma screenings and a free lunch. More than 50 booths featured information on a variety of health topics, including breast cancer, physical therapy, heart disease and sleep disorders.

More than 2,000 people attended the event, hospital officials said.

Army Pvt. 1st Class Austin Williams said he attended the event for the screenings, especially the blood pressure screening.

“My blood pressure is OK,” he said. “High blood pressure runs in my family.”

Williams, a two-year member of the Missouri National Guard, is based in Lebanon.

Brenda Burt, of Webb City, also came for the screenings.

“I have good bones,” she said after taking a bone-density screening.

She said she enjoyed the event.

“You can get it all done at once without having to see doctors,” Burt said.

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