(053) The General and the Sergeant

RATING: 2 bayonets

Written by Gustave Field

First aired 14-Jan-1964

Episode 17 of Season 2

SYNOPSIS:

In a newly liberated town, a former French general tries to usurp command of Saunders' squad. Saunders takes pity on this old man and plays along. The squad continues on to a destroyed French castle. They are caught inside when a German armored convoy stops to refuel. They are saved from discovery by the general. But his next assistance proves not so useful, as he gives the squad instructions that walk them into an ambush. Eventually, the general redeems himself, the squad wins the day, and the episode ends the squad and the lieutenant on military parade through town.

REVIEW:

"The General and the Sergeant" is a solid, middle-of-the-road entertainment. John Dehner as an over-the-hill general gives a touching performance. Denise Alexander (the charming-and-sensitive French girl from "No Time For Pity") puts in a good show again as a charming-and-sensitive French girl. Dehner is perhaps too good in his scenes where he makes a fool of himself. These are uncomfortable to watch.

When this story strives for pathos, it falls short. This episode works best where the script, direction, and the omni-present background music, is applied with a light touch.

Nice directing, nice acting, a fun script that, though on the saccharine side, still delivers entertaining moments. Forget the bulk of the episode, the best bits are watching Saunders try to keep a straight face with the antics of an old man who's trying to save face. Dick Peabody's grin during the inspection is also priceless. From the first meeting where Saunders endures being kissed in public on both cheeks, to the end where the squad parades by in tribute, it is obvious that Dehner and Morrow are two pros who know how to get the most out of their camera time. Except for a scene where Hanley ribs Saunders, but then must play "bad cop" to Saunders "good cop," the rest of the episode is just filler to hold together an hour of film.

Dehner was a TV and Hollywood staple for fifty years. A great character actor, he was a regular on "The Betty White Show," "The Westerner," "The Virginian," "The Doris Day Show," "The Don Knotts Show," and several other TV series, as well as appearing in over seventy films.

NOTES, ODDITIES, AND BLOOPERS:

· Lovely short scene between Saunders and Hanley on the road. One of the nicer moments where their friendship shows. Hanley actually teases Saunders.

· This episode was originally titled "La Retread."

· Poor Saunders, in this episode he gets a kiss from the general, but only a handshake from the beautiful girl. War is hell. Kirby, as usual, has his priorities. His only interest in the town is the caliber of its ladies.

· The most restrained (cheap) liberation scene in Combat! No flags, flowers, wine, or extras. This village only has a dozen citizens.

· In the map scene, the general is placing pins, indicating that the Allies are still on the beaches at Normandy, but discussing the war as if the Americans have advanced far into France. When saying that Patton is striking straight at the heart of the enemy, Berlin, he's pointing to Belgium.

· The cemetery the general visits is the same cemetery in "The Furlough."

· The tombstone for the General's wife reads "R.I.P. Elizabeth Ashley Bouchard." This episode came out the same year as The Carpetbaggers, which launched Elizabeth Ashley's career.

· Atypically, Saunders has a knife. He wears a bayonet scabbard on his pistol belt during the town scenes. But later in the chateau, it is gone. When Saunders grabs the German from behind, he must twist him around toward Caje where Caje can then knife him.

CAST:

Vic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders

Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley

Guest Star

John Dehner as General Armand Bouchard

Jack Hogan as Kirby

Pierre Jalbert as Caje

Tom Lowell as Billy Nelson

Dick Peabody as Littlejohn

Conlan Carter as Doc

Christian Pasques as First Young Man

Lucien Lanvin as Second Young Man

Maria Schroeder as Young girl #1

Gabrielle Rossillon as Young girl #2

Renaud Villedieu as Boy

Mathias Uitz as German Soldier #1

Denise Alexander as Jacqueline

Other WWII TV Shows: Black Sheep Squadron • 12 O'Clock High