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Post by Richard Kimble on Aug 10, 2017 14:20:06 GMT
"Anatomy of a Patrol" -- Another classic cat-and-mouse nail-biter. Trying to get a wounded pilot and valuable reconnaissance film back to HQ, Saunders must match wits with a German sergeant every bit as cunning as he is. The sergeant is played by a very young James Caan, in what may have been his first Hollywood role. He speaks some rather impressive German -- supposedly he phoned his German immigrant parents in NY to help him with the language. Per William Smith's Wiki page: He also studied at the Sorbonne in Paris and the University of Munich while learning languages through the military. Smith is fluent in Russian, Serbo-Croatian, French and German.
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Post by taylorfirst1 on Aug 10, 2017 14:34:54 GMT
I haven't seen this episode yet but I'm looking forward to it now. I'm a big fan of James Caan. And William Smith is one heck of a guy. Reading his bio is an exciting experience all by itself.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Aug 11, 2017 15:35:30 GMT
Jason always seems out of place to me in Combat. Maybe b/c he's a 40 year old 2nd Lt. His manner is more that of a major at least. You have to remember that the character was an NCO in the first episode and then got a battlefield commission. That explains why he is older than most 2LT's. I personally don't think he looked like he was 40. I'd say more like early 30's. He seemed to me like he was pushing 40 even in his early 30s, which is one reason his casting in "Fountain of Youth" works so well. Frankly Jason didn't seem right as a sergeant either -- there's something too Ivy League executive about him. Even when playing an Indian (on Wagon Train) he still came across as a college man One role I think Jason would have been good for: the head of the agency on Checkmate. Authoritative but with a sense of humor (as he showed in "Fountain of Youth"). He certainly would have been far preferable to the awful Anthony George.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Aug 19, 2017 7:55:46 GMT
Vic Morrow lets his real hairline show in "Ambush" His hairpiece was usually better positioned Vic w/o his hairpiece Apparently Pierre and Dick have been drinking
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Post by telegonus on Aug 22, 2017 9:20:44 GMT
You have to remember that the character was an NCO in the first episode and then got a battlefield commission. That explains why he is older than most 2LT's. I personally don't think he looked like he was 40. I'd say more like early 30's. He seemed to me like he was pushing 40 even in his early 30s, which is one reason his casting in "Fountain of Youth" works so well. Frankly Jason didn't seem right as a sergeant either -- there's something too Ivy League executive about him. Even when playing an Indian (on Wagon Train) he still came across as a college man One role I think Jason would have been good for: the head of the agency on Checkmate. Authoritative but with a sense of humor (as he showed in "Fountain of Youth"). He certainly would have been far preferable to the awful Anthony George. Maybe Checkmate, Richard. I gather you really don't like Anthony George. As an actor, I mean. At the time, when starring in Checkmate he was so unusual looking for a Hollywood leading man, with a face better suited to playing villains or exotic parts, he was in this respect unique on that classy show. I think that John Vivyan, coming off the success of the one season wonder Mr. Lucky might have been a good fit for Checkmate, too.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Aug 23, 2017 10:47:47 GMT
Combat s.1 ep.18: "Next in Command" Written and directed by Burt Kennedy A replacement corporal saves the squad by taking out a tank all by himself, but later under fire proves strangely hesitant to pull the trigger.A rare Combat appearance from a corporal. I'm not sure why they were so seldom seen -- my guess is the producers didn't want characters outranking the enlisted men unless it was required by the plot. The guest star is the Eternal Juvenile, boyish Ben Cooper. Even in his 30s with 5 days growth of beard he looks like he's still in high school. He's adequate. This episode is most interesting to me for two things: 1) Constant griper Kirby complains once too often -- Littlejohn moves toward him and Kirby clenches his fists before Caje breaks it up. It's unusual to see the regulars this hostile toward one another. 2) the comedy relief provided by Billy and Littlejohn, including a subplot about Littlejohn procuring a bicycle and taking it into combat. Were these comic capers a hallmark of Kennedy scripts? Even Morrow lightens up (a bit) and regards their antics with bemusement. Billy and Littlejohn do their Willie and Joe Back at the Front bit:
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Post by Richard Kimble on Aug 24, 2017 11:39:09 GMT
s.1 ep.22 "Night Patrol" Directed by Burt Kennedy Written by Frank Jessy (teleplay), Quentin Sparr (story) On a night patrol to take prisoners, Saunders and the squad run into a GI who seems to be fighting his own private war.Another Burt Kennedy-helmer, and another serving of the Billy and Littlejohn comedy team. The guest star is Skip Homeier, who is predictably solid. There's an interesting bit where his character says something with a bit too much unintended emotion, showing the power of Homeier's deep voice. The visual highlight is unquestionably the rather elaborate cave set where most of the action takes place. Presumably it was built for another production -- could it have been The Time Machine (1960)? Combat was filmed at MGM studios. Saunders is suspicious of this cave-dwelling soldier
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jean74
Sophomore
November to Remember!
@jean74
Posts: 167
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Post by jean74 on Aug 24, 2017 19:32:09 GMT
Sadly Vic is more known for his death than his life. And really wished he could had made a comeback with the Twilight Zone movie. Hollywood missed a great opportunity post Combat. To cash in on his leading man style.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Aug 25, 2017 8:58:02 GMT
s.3 ep.20: "Brother, Brother" Directed by Sutton Roley Written by Edward J. Lakso The brother of Kirby's old friend from the neighborhood joins the squad, and guilt-trips Kirby to repay the personal debt he apparently owes.
Is this the biggest part ever for Kirby? He gets more screen time than Saunders.
The obnoxious brother is played by Frankie Avalon, and as he always seemed kinda smarmy to me he does OK in the role.
There's a decent night action scene when the guys steal a German truck and are chased by some motorcycles with sidecars.
A fairly routine episode -- not bad, but nowhere near the top of the heap.
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Post by taylorfirst1 on Aug 25, 2017 23:53:52 GMT
In the 1960's guest stars were such an important part of TV series'.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Aug 27, 2017 10:53:33 GMT
s.2 ep.29: "Rescue" Director: Ted Post Writer: Edward J. Lakso Lt. Hanley is captured by a German soldier, but immediately rescued by a GI dressed as an SS corporal, who needs him to rescue an American colonel with vital information being held prisoner by the SS.
More an espionage thriller than a war story, this episode is a must for Rick Jason fans, as he is the only regular we see. The entertaining twists make up for the rather far-fetched plot, and solid work is provided by guest stars Ed Binns (colonel) and Guy Stockwell (corporal). Hanley and the corporal attempt to escape with the wounded colonel.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Aug 27, 2017 11:16:55 GMT
Season 1, Episode 19 "The Chateau" Directed by Laslo Benedek Written by George W. George, Judy George and Jonathan Hughes Doc, Braddock and some other GIs take a wounded Lt Masters to recuperate in a chateau owned by a count and his daughter. But soon a German major shows up with his troops and he has plans for them all.
A possibly unique episode. Not only do neither Saunders nor Hanley appear in this episode, but none of the "regular" regulars do either. Instead we see the 1st Doc (gone after the 1st season), Braddock (gone after 8 episodes) and some GIs we've never seen before (including Frank Sutton, soon to go all gung ho on Gomer Pyle) as well as frequent TV western heavy John Milford as the wounded Lt Masters. Why couldn't Hanley have been the Lt.?
This episode does have an impressive guest cast -- in addition to Sutton and Milford there's Dan O'Herlihy as the cliched German officer: cultured but ruthless and lusting after the count's daughter, played by Joan Hackett (who is very good). Radio vet Ben Wright plays the count.
Aside from the cast and the curious absence of the usual squad this episode isn't really very notable. I wonder if this script might have been written for a different show and modified for Combat?
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Post by taylorfirst1 on Aug 27, 2017 23:08:04 GMT
Season 1, Episode 19 "The Chateau" Directed by Laslo Benedek Written by George W. George, Judy George and Jonathan Hughes Doc, Braddock and some other GIs take a wounded Lt Masters to recuperate in a chateau owned by a count and his daughter. But soon a German major shows up with his troops and he has plans for them all. A possibly unique episode. Not only do neither Saunders nor Hanley appear in this episode, but none of the "regular" regulars do either. Instead we see the 1st Doc (gone after the 1st season), Braddock (gone after 8 episodes) and some GIs we've never seen before (including Frank Sutton, soon to go all gung ho on Gomer Pyle) as well as frequent TV western heavy John Milford as the wounded Lt Masters. Why couldn't Hanley have been the Lt.? This episode does have an impressive guest cast -- in addition to Sutton and Milford there's Dan O'Herlihy as the cliched German officer: cultured but ruthless and lusting after the count's daughter, played by Joan Hackett (who is very good). Radio vet Ben Wright plays the count. Aside from the cast and the curious absence of the usual squad this episode isn't really very notable. I wonder if this script might have been written for a different show and modified for Combat? This is actually one of my favorite season 1 episodes because of the very powerful message about sacrifice and the somewhat haunting ending.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Aug 29, 2017 9:01:53 GMT
s. 3 e. 7 "Operation Fly Trap" Directed by John Peyser Written by Don Tait The squad captures a farmhouse containing a German communications outpost and Saunders insists on staying there to set a trap for a German colonel, despite the protests of mouthy Sgt. Meider.
Guest star Gary Lockwood easily steals this rather average outing as the always griping Sgt Meider. This episode sure has a whole of German spoken -- at least ten German soldiers have lines, and Lockwood even spreckenses a little Deutsch himself a few times.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Aug 29, 2017 9:29:19 GMT
s.2 ep.30: "Command" Directed by Bernard McEveety Written by Kay Lenard and Jess Carneol While Lt. Hanley recuperates from wounds the platoon is taken over by tough talking Lt Douglas. But when Douglas leads the squad on a mission to blow a bridge, Saunders senses Douglas' gung ho demeanor is hiding something.
Another classic episode, with fine performances from both Morrow and guest star Joe Campanella. Morrow is especially subtle here, as Saunders is dubious of Douglas but cannot question his superior openly.
The very noisy farmhouse scene makes me wonder if Combat ever ran afoul of the anti-violence crusaders that began to monitor TV in the wake of The Untouchables' huge success.
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Post by telegonus on Aug 29, 2017 9:33:38 GMT
s.2 ep.30: "Command" Directed by Bernard McEveety Written by Kay Lenard and Jess Carneol While Lt. Hanley recuperates from wounds the platoon is taken over by tough talking Lt Douglas. But when Douglas leads the squad on a mission to blow a bridge, Saunders senses Douglas' gung ho demeanor is hiding something.Another classic episode, with fine performances from both Morrow and guest star Joe Campanella. Morrow is especially subtle here, as Saunders is dubious of Douglas but cannot question his superior openly. The very noisy farmhouse scene wonder if Combat ever ran afoul of the anti-violence crusaders that began to monitor TV in the wake of The Untouchables' huge success. I remember seeing this one not too many years ago on I forget which digital channel, and it impressed me. Joe Campanella, who always struck me as no more than a capable journeyman actor, amazed me. True about the violence. I think that Combat! deal with World War II and celebrated the average G.I. was a point in its favor. probably kept the censors at bay. The Untouchables, a very good show, was basically crime fiction, and Prohibition had long since been repealed. It was an easier target.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Aug 29, 2017 12:31:23 GMT
I remember seeing this one not too many years ago on I forget which digital channel, and it impressed me. Joe Campanella, who always struck me as no more than a capable journeyman actor, amazed me. I've always found Campanella underappreciated, capable of both emotional depth and intensity. For some reason he made very few feature films in his prime, and never had the hit series that could have established him as a character star. Mike Connors wanted to keep him involved with Mannix somehow, but Paramount insisted anything and anyone connected to Intertect had to go.
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Post by Richard Kimble on Sept 3, 2017 8:12:15 GMT
s.2 ep.17 "The Pillbox" Writers: Don Tait (teleplay), Ken Pettus (story) Director: Vic Morrow Lt. Hanley and a wounded GI take refuge in a deserted German pillbox. Hanley captures three German prisoners, but can't get out due to German patrols -- and the GI's wound won't stop bleeding...For his directorial debut Vic Morrow chose this safe, rather static script -- probably 90% of it takes place in the pillbox. With his cold face and radio announcer's voice Rick Jason wasn't really suited to these moral dilemma stories. Morrow was more comfortable in such situations, but he clearly wanted to concentrate on directing that week. As for the Germans Albert Paulsen is predictably effective, while Kubrick semi-regular Joe Turkel is sort of wasted in a role where he speaks no English. The episode absolutely belongs to Warren Oates as the wounded soldier. Oates' great gift was to come across as menacing and pathetic at the same time. He gives one of Combat's great guest performances; too bad this was his only appearance on the show. Warren Oates as the wounded soldier
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Post by Richard Kimble on Sept 3, 2017 8:12:36 GMT
s.2 ep.21 "Mail Call" Written by Arnold Belgard Directed by Bernard McEveety Everybody celebrates when the mail arrives -- that is everybody but Saunders, who receives devastating news (that he doesn't reveal). Meanwhile replacement Trenton shows up just from the hospital and by sharing his supply of liberated hospital coffee, along with endless smiles, ingratiates himself with the squad -- except for Saunders, who slowly begins to suspect injury-prone Trenton is not what he seems to be.At first this episode seems a bit off, with two completely separate story threads. But they slowly weave together until fitting seamlessly in the climax (is that a metaphor or what?). This may be Combat's best written script. It's definitely among the top episodes I've seen. My only complaint is the on-the-nose casting of guest star James Best as Trenton. Best isn't bad, it's just that he's played such characters so many times we can almost predict what will happen to him. It might have been a bit more imaginative to cast a conventional leading man/hero type in the role. But that's a tiny quibble about one of Combat's best episodes. Saunders gets bad news in the mailThough he suffers dizzy spells and hurts his knee in a fall, likable replacement Trenton quickly makes friends with the squad
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Post by Richard Kimble on Sept 5, 2017 11:14:51 GMT
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