SYNOPSIS:
Eddie Cane, a cocky replacement, is
anxious to join the platoon with his old friend "Wild Man" Kirby. Cane's older
brother was Kirby's best pal back home. Cane thinks his brother died saving Kirby's life
during a juvenile gang fight. Out of false obligation, Kirby carries his
"responsibility" to the brink of disaster. When forced to choose between Eddie
and Saunders, Kirby reveals the truth and a young soldier learns to stand alone.
REVIEW:
Kirby makes an unhappy reunion with the brother of a
hometown friend, who expects "Wild Man" Kirby to give him special treatment.
Frankie Avalon provides a nice performance as guest star Eddie Cane. The teen idol
effectively plays this slime ball, easily switching from upbeat kid, to scheming
smart-aleck, to dangerous thug, and back again.
Script writer Edward J. Lakso provides a predictable plot, having the young punk see
the error of his ways and come to the rescue of our hero following an overly long,
high-speed chase.
NOTES, ODDITIES, AND BLOOPERS:
·
If the squad had a radio in this episode there would be no
story, they could just radio-in the German gun positions.
· Once again, Littlejohn proves
to be a bad poker player, allowing himself to be gambled out of his share of the
"liberated" chicken.
· Unlike the impermeable tires
of seasons one and two, these tires are susceptible to bullets.
· Bad lighting during the
night-time chase; how is the front of Saunders' truck lit up, if all the lights are behind
it?
· Kirby tries not to be his
brother's keeper with Cane (at least his nickname in this episode is "Wild Man,"
not Abel).
Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley
Vic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders
Guest Star
Frankie Avalon as Eddie Cane
Jack Hogan as Kirby
Conlan Carter as Doc
Pierre Jalbert as Caje
Dick Peabody as Littlejohn
Charles A. Bastin as German Officer
Hans Heyde as German Soldier
Combat! is owned by ABC Television and distributed in
the US by Paramount Pictures. It is not our intention to infringe on the
copyrights of the creators of Combat! This web page is meant for
the free enjoyment of Combat! fans everywhere. Unless otherwise noted, materials Copyright Jo
Davidsmeyer. All rights reserved. Photographs from the TV series
copyright ABC-TV.
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REVIEW:
