Goofy Gomer

USA 1950s
The character on the right of the above photobooth photo reminds me of Jim Nabors, the actor who played Gomer Pyle in a very popular 1960s, US, situation comedy, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. I have no idea whether these two lads are, like Gomer, Marines but the palm tree dotted coastal scene in the backdrop lends a naval/marine feel to the photo that fits my premise.
So what is going on in this photo? It looks to me as though Gomer’s pal on the left, has seen some money fall out of the coin return slot and mistaken that for a malfunction. Gomer has reacted to his pal’s grimace by making a funny face of his own. Therefore they have both missed the fact that the photobooth was already beginnng its work. I hope these boys were not off on a dangerous mission. If they were, they at least had an amusing souvenir of their time at home.

Above and below – Jim Nabors as Gomer Pyle
What a great shot. I like to think it made them laugh hard and long before starting its long journey to your blog.
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Cool comment Quinn! Yes, I hope it made them laugh, too.
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I love your speculations!
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Thanks Ashley!
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You are great at reading what’s going on in these photos. 🙂
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Thanks Mr O! It is part of the fun for me.
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I never missed an episode with the Gomer!!
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I remember loving him when I was a kid, but can barely remember what the show was actually about. It was Jim Nabors that grabbed all my attention.
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Excellent interpretation–this is a great photo find. Those two are having a good time!
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Thanks Roberta. I agree they are having a ball!
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That’s a good one, and a good comparison by the PBQ.
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Thanks WSPBGF! (Washington State Photo Booth Good Fairy or God Father! ) Received a superb HAND COLOURED photo in today’s post! TYSM!! ❌⭕️❤️⭕️❌
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Goll-eey Sarge, those Hawaiian cockroaches sure are big. I bet a fella get a real surprise if it went up a pant leg. Remember to smile at the camera.
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He was a funny guy with an incredible accent, for sure! 😃
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Funny guy!
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Agreed! 😊
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Well, golly! Lol. Great interpretation, Katherine. xo
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Wasn’t it a great show?
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I saw a couple of reruns. My grandma had John Nabor records. He could sing, too.
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Now you mention it, Rose, I remember seeing his records advertised on TV a long while ago. I wonder if he still sings?
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love your story!!
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Thanks Hanna!
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This one is priceless! 🙂
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Cheers! 😊❤
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I believe that these gents were members of the US Army Air Corps, judging by the uniforms (not to spoil your imagined back-story of course).
My dad was in the Army Air Corps in WWII.
This is him, as a cadet:
Interesting thing here is that the image of these two fly-boys is reversed as you can see in the “U.S.” emblem on the collar.
The other collar insignia is the winged propeller of the Air Corps. They were either still cadets or enlisted men as officers would have their rank insignia on the collar instead of the “U.S.”.
This could put them in Florida possibly as there were a number of training bases in Florida during the war, including Boca Raton, where my dad was for a time.
Either way, this is probably pre-1947, as that is when the Air Force was formed from the US Army Air Corps.
I could be wrong on a few of the details here, but I’ll let you know if I come across anything else.
Hope you find this info useful/interesting.
All the best–
Johnny
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They show that winged prop insignia on their hats which is the real clincher I think for them being cadets.
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Thank you so much for all that information, Johnny! I would like to use your comment as the basis for a new post about the photo, if that is okay by you?
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Fine by me–help yourself!
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