Loretta Swit
Actress
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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Highlights
Loretta Swit on her M.A.S.H character "Margaret Houlihan" "the best damn nurse"; on her character's relationship with "Frank Burns"- Loretta Swit on the role of women during wartime and how M.A.S.H dealt with the issue
Loretta Swit on researching for the role of "Christine Cagney" in the original television film version; on the policewoman she modeled her role after
Loretta Swit on the legacy of M.A.S.H
Chapters
- Chapter 1
- On how she became involved in acting; on her studies at the American Academy; on method acting under her teacher Gene Frankel
- On the first time she saw television; on watching and later appearing on Captain Kangaroo; on her early commercial work
- On landing a role on Gunsmoke at CBS
- Chapter 2
- On getting the role of "Margaret Houlihan" on M.A.S.H even though her previous work was dramatic acting, not comedy
- On her M.A.S.H character "Margaret Houlihan" "the best damn nurse"; on her character's relationship with "Frank Burns"
- Chapter 3
- On the M.A.S.H episodes "Dreams" and "Comrades in Arms", both written by Alan Alda
- On the impact of Larry Gelbart leaving M.A.S.H; on other changes in the cast of characters on the series; on the reaction to characters being killed off on the show
- On the filming of the last episode of M.A.S.H, "Time Capsule" and the filming of the finale "Goodbye, Farewell, Amen"; on the legacy of the show
- Chapter 4
- On how unique M.A.S.H was to television
- On her variety show appearances
- On being offered the role of "Christine Cagney" on Cagney and Lacey; playing the character in the tv film version; on pushing for Tyne Daly to get the role in the TV series; on her research for the role
- On her feature film roles in S.O.B, Games Mother Never Taught You, Miracle at Moreaux
- On the television show A Killer Among Friends with Patty Duke
- Chapter 5
- On researching for a role; on appearing on Murder She Wrote with Angela Lansbury
- On her proudest career achievement; on her advice to aspiring actors; on how she'd like to be remembered
Shows
People
Topics
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!
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.
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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