Why Did Klinger Stop Wearing Dresses on M*A*S*H?

Summary

• Jamie Farr’s role as Corporal Klinger in M*A*S*H evolved from a bit character to a fan favorite over 11 seasons.
• Klinger’s transition from cross-dressing to more traditional army attire happened slowly following Colonel Potter’s introduction and Klinger’s own eventual promotion to sergeant.
• The decision for Klinger to stop wearing dresses was a mix of character development and societal pressure, with actor Jamie Farr pushing for the change.

A landmark television series that set the tone for decades to come, M*A*S*H has maintained a rabid fanbase even decades after its release. This is thanks to a colorful cast that included the wisecracking surgeon Hawkeye Pierce, the strict head nurse Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan, and the eccentric corpsman Corporal Maxwell Klinger. Fans of the series grew up with many of these characters, seeing them evolve and face all sorts of challenges and triumphs.

Sometimes, these changes marked a major shift in the series, and when looking back at the show, one of the most notable character arcs comes from Corporal Maxwell Klinger. Originally meant to be a bit character, Klinger was thrust into a lead role because of his large personality and attire that made him stand out. We will examine why Corporal Maxwell Klinger started wearing dresses and why the character shifted away from this in later seasons.

Jamie Farr: The Actor Who Brought Klinger to Life

Born Jameel Joseph Farah on July 1, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio, to Lebanese American parents Jamelia M. Farah and Samuel N. Farah, Jamie Farr showed an interest in acting as early as 11 when he entered and won a high school competition.

Farr would go on to attend Pasadena Playhouse, where he was discovered by an MGM talent scout, which led to his first role as Satini in the 1955 movie Blackboard Jungle. Shortly after, he would go on to serve in the US Army, returning in 1959 after serving two years; upon his return, he chose the stage name of Jamie Farr.

Jamie Farr would become best known for his role as Corporal (later Sergeant) Maxwell Klinger on M*A*S*H, where he became a fan favorite on the TV show, with his combination of campiness balanced by a driven persona that had him as one of the more skilled and dependable medics. He was indispensable to the 4077th MASH unit and a schemer who was brave, loyal, and deeply caring when it counted.

While M*A*S*H remains his most notable credit, Farr would amass over 100 credits, with notable parts in the Cannonball Run films, and appearances on beloved shows like The Twilight Zone, I Dream of Jeanie, Get Smart, Diagnosis Murder, and The Andy Griffith Show, to name but a few.

What Was the Reason Klinger From M*A*S*H Was Always in Dresses?

Corporal Maxwell Klinger would make his first appearance in a dress as early as the fourth episode of season 1. While this surprised actor Jamie Farr (quote below), it became central to the character. The reasoning behind the wardrobe change was Klinger’s attempt to be released for mental health reasons with his desire to be a transvestite (using the terminology of the show) as a means to get him released.

This element would become a consistent joke for the show throughout the first several seasons. This gag would result in more and more ‘outrageous’ outfits for Klinger’s character, including famous hand-me-downs from actors like Betty Grable and Ginger Rogers (Via National Museum of American History).

“They brought me into a trailer and I saw this WAC officer’s uniform. I thought I was in the wrong dressing room. I put it on and walked onto the set and the entire cast and crew went into hysterics.” Jamie Farr

However, Maxwell Klinger started to wear dresses less frequently with the introduction of Colonel Potter (played by actor Harry Morgan). The hardened Colonel was less willing to put up with Klinger’s hijinx, or more specifically, seeing through his ruse. In the show, Klinger would go as far as to lose his entire dress collection in the season 5 episode “Bug Out.”

The transition from cross-dressing to a more traditional army man coincided with him getting a better rank, Sergeant. Jamie Farr’s Klinger remained a prominent cast member, but by the final episode, “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen,” he was far removed from the cross-dresser character of the early seasons.

Why Klinger Stopped Wearing Dresses on M*A*S*H

There were two reasons why Klinger stopped wearing dresses. The first one was that the character was a fan favorite that also needed to develop and grow to maintain the audience’s interest. 11 seasons would be a long time for a long-running gag, one the writers likely saw as not viable to continue indefinitely.

This presents a natural progression of Maxwell Klinger’s character, and it makes sense that he moved up the ranks and spent so much time with the 4077th MASH unit that he needed to move past the punchline that initially made him famous. The choice seemed best, as Sergeant Maxwell Klinger remains one of the most beloved and recognized cast members from the iconic ’70s show.

However, actor Jamie Farr had a more personal reason, and behind the scenes, he pushed his character to wear fewer dresses. Bearing in mind that the show came out in an era where homosexuality (even perceived) was seen in a negative light, actors like Rock Hudson and Anthony Perkins kept their sexuality under tight wraps during the era; Farr was concerned about his family.

While Jamie Farr has been on record saying he greatly enjoyed the character and the wardrobe where he got to outshine the rest of the cast, who had to wear plain olive green garb, he feared that his children would be mocked in school for their father wearing dresses.

While it is unfortunate that societal pressure gave the actor reason to push for the move away from wearing dresses, it is understandable, and Farr’s love for the Maxwell Klinger stands as a testament to his acceptance of the peculiar role that was thrust upon him.

“The cheesier and more outlandish the outfit, the better it was.” Jamie Farr

Where to Watch M*A*S*H

M*A*S*H proved to be a landmark success in television, masterfully blending comedy and drama with an ensemble cast. The series finale, drawing 105 million viewers, was the most-watched TV episode ever. Much of the show still holds up today, with its commentary on wartime being just one of the elements that make it forever prevalent. Thankfully, fans have the option to revisit the show whenever they want, with all 11 seasons of M*A*S*H currently streaming on Hulu.