Oct 15 - M*A*S*H theme invades my dreams***

Sunday, October 15, 1972 - Page 289

LOCATION: Newport Beach

11:00 PM
Got up around 10:30. Went out in the sun for about an hour buttered up with Sea&Ski. Not much improvement. Got up to page 41 in Ray's book. Worked on Tempus Fugitives as I usually do in my idle hours, organizing notes and determining the sequence of events.

1970 Sea & Ski Advert

Went to sleep at 3:30, woke up at eight when a dream told me M*A*S*H was on (I dreamed I heard the theme song) -- mom had the set on very low, too low for conscious auditory reception from my vantage point -- I woke at a minute after 8:00 and went down to watch it, then I watched the regular shows and "The Odd Couple," a movie I'd seen 'bout a year ago.

Original 1968 Theatrical Release Poster

I went to sleep early so I would stay awake all night and establish the convenient schedule I'd had a while ago. It would be more convenient with my working hours and I'd get more time to work on T.F.

Official Title: "Song from M*A*S*H (Suicide is Painless)"
The director's 14-year-old son wrote the basic lyrics in 5 minutes and, by 1980, had earned more than 1 million dollars for co-writing the song. Robert Altman made only $70,000 for directing the movie.

Original 1970 M*A*S*H Theatrical Poster
This movie turned the chaos of the Korean War into a satirical comedy -- many people believed it was really about the ongoing war in Viet Nam. (wikipedia info)

Screen Shot of TV's M*A*S*H Title Sequence
Based on the irreverent movie, this popular TV comedy depicted a MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) unit during the Korean War which was fought from June 25, 1950 until July 27, 1953. The CBS series, which ran from September 17, 1972 to February 28, 1983, lasted a lot longer than the war. The show opened with the catchy "Song from M*A*S*H" theme music from the movie, but the darkly philosophical lyrics were never heard on TV. (wikipedia info)

"Suicide is Painless"
Words by Michael B. Altman with Music by Johnny Mandel

Through early morning fog I see

Visions of the things to be
The pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see

That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it if I please

The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card I'll someday lay
So this is all I have to say

Suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it if I please

The sword of time will pierce our skins
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger, watch it grin

Suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it if I please

A brave man once requested me
To answer questions that are key
Is it to be or not to be
And I replied "Oh, why ask me?"

Suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it if I please

And you can do the same thing if you please

Suicide Is Painless lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

TOMORROW: Tourist's postcard discovered after 41 years