Combat! episode reviews by Jo
Davidsmeyer
(112) The Flying MachineRATING: 12 bayonets Written by Edward J. LaksoDirected by Alan Crosland, Jr. First aired 22-Feb-1966 Episode 24 of Season 4) Guest starring Keenan Wynn
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| SYNOPSIS: Hanley
flies in a rickety observation plane with a wise-cracking pilot (Keenan Wynn). Returning
from their mission, they see a German convoy and fly in for a closer look — far too
close. They are shot down twenty-five miles behind enemy lines. To get his information
back in time, Hanley must repair the downed plane and fly it himself.
REVIEW:
The script for "The Flying
Machine" again tweaks the show's Air Corps veteran, Rick Jason. Several Combat!
scripts put his character in uncomfortable flying situations, showing him to be a nervous
flyer.
In "The Flying Machine," the bulk of the action follows Hanley as makes the plane air-worthy. To do this he: makes a hardware fix, repairs the torn wing, obtains gasoline, and removes a stone wall blocking the runway — all this without attracting the attention of the German's camped at the base of the hill. These amazing feats would have impressed MacGyver, but when Hanley also has to fly the plane out (and, presumably, land it) willing-suspension-of-disbelief collapses. Keenan Wynn, in his second guest role on Combat!, creates a fascinating character who is unimpressed by Hanley or his orders. The two are delightfully at odds. Peter Brocco, who plays the Frenchman Claude, was last seen in the episode " The Long Walk."The Flying Machine is available on videotape through Amazon.com CAST: Rick Jason as Lt. HanleyVic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders [does not appear] Guest Star Peter Brocco as Claude Fan comments about this episode - add your own comment!
Other season four Combat! episodes: |
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Combat! Episodes
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