MASH and Hawkeye Mash

When the television show M*A*S*H debuted, it focused on a group of Army doctors working at a field hospital in Korea. Surgical doctor Benjamin “Hawkeye” Pierce was played by Alan Alda, and he was the center of the cast. However, other characters on the series also garnered a great deal of attention. These included meek Corporal “Trapper” John McIntyre (played by Wayne Rogers), wisecracking Sgt. “Klinger” Lee (played by Robert Middleton), and deadpan Major “Potter” Henry Smith (played by Frank Burns).

One of the great things about M*A*S*H is the food it featured. While the 4077th M*A*S*H unit was stationed near the front lines of the war, its kitchen staff was able to prepare some pretty impressive meals. From Pork Choppers with Barbeque Sauce to Intravenous Drip Dip, a number of dishes made their way onto the M*A*S*H menu. Even the character of Private Igor Straminsky, who was often seen preparing MASH-inspired fare, had his own cookbook in the late 1990s.

Among all the dishes that made their way to the MASH menu, one of the most popular was called hawkeye mash. It was a mix of equal parts vodka and whisky, which was stirred with ice, and poured into a martini glass. The drink was a favorite of Hawkeye, and it appeared in many episodes of the series.

As time went on, Hawkeye’s personality changed a bit from what was portrayed in the book and film. He became a man of conscience who struggled to maintain some sense of humanity and decency in the insane world into which he had been thrown. This was largely due to the influence of actor Alan Alda, who infused the character with some of his own political ideals and morals. Some fans felt that this made the character too self-righteous and sanctimonious for his own good, as well as the good of the show.

Another difference between the TV and movie/book versions of Hawkeye was his marital status. In the film, he was a confirmed bachelor who enjoyed numerous romantic liaisons with women of all ages, but on television he was a lecherous philanderer who flirted with almost every woman he came into contact with. His inability to commit to a long-term relationship was one of the primary reasons that Margaret and Hawkeye were at odds with each other.

After the end of M*A*S*H in January 1983, 20th Century-Fox donated the O.R. set and the Swamp set to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Among the items donated was Hawkeye’s gin still. The still was displayed in an exhibition at the Smithsonian until July 1983, when it was packed away for storage. It may be in a box somewhere, waiting for the right show to come along and give it new life.