Combat! reviews by Jo
Davidsmeyer
Episodes rated from 0 to 4 bayonets
(056) Eyes of the Hunter
RATING: 1.5 bayonets
Written by Esther and Bob Mitchell
Directed by Bernard McEveety
Produced by Richard Goldstone
First aired 21-Jan-1964
Episode 19 of Season 2
SYNOPSIS:
Burgess is the only survivor of an earlier patrol to knock out a German observation
post. He volunteers to show Saunders and his men the way. But Littlejohn suspects that
this fearless soldier has an objective other than the OP. When Caje and Billy fall into
German hands, Burgess is ready to write them off.
REVIEW:
Director Bernard McEveety excels at action sequences, so this episode low on action and
high on dialogue-laden plot gives him little to work with. This script by Esther and Bob
Mitchell is a confused tale of a mysterious survivor who has a reputation for no good. The
character development is confused, as is the plotting.
As usual, the squad rescues this episode not their actions, but their acting.
Morrow, Jalbert, Hogan, and Lowell show the great teamwork that made this show so
watchable. Peabody especially provides some excellent moments, showing the best aspects of
this good-natured, decent man.
ABOUT FILMING THE EPISODE:
Rick Jason shared that Dick Peabody is as decent, humble, and self-effacing as the
character that he played. "He cannot come to grips with the fact that he is special.
... He considers himself lucky to even have been employed and never considers to this day
the impact he had on the show. And the impact that he continues to have on the show."
CAST:
Vic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders
Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley
co-starring
Ed Nelson as Burgess
Jack Hogan as
Kirby
Pierre Jalbert as Caje
Tom Lowell as Billy Nelson
Dick Peabody as Littlejohn
Erin Holland as German Corporal
Joe di Reda as Sergeant Calder
Hans Difflip as German Lieutenant
Ed Deemer as Machine Gunner
Joseph Sirola as Casper
Bill Smith as German Sergeant
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