Combat! episode reviews by Jo Davidsmeyer
Episodes are rated from 0 to 4 bayonets 

The Old Men

Rating: 2 bayonets

First aired 11-16-65
Episode 10 of Season 4

Written by Esther and Bob Mitchell
Directed by Georg J. Fenady
Produced by Gene Levitt

"The Old Men" is the flip side of the episode "The First Day," showing old recruits, not young ones. It seems no matter what their age, new recruits always cause problems for Saunders and his men.

 

It's good to see Arnold Merritt again (he appeared as Crown in "Rear Echelon Commandos," "I Swear By Apollo," and "Off Limits" and died as a different character in "The Long Way Home").

 

Interesting to see how attitudes have changed over time -- the Arnold Merritt character is so impressed that an actual politician is fighting next to him. Nowadays, a soldier would be represented as more inclined to shoot a politican in the field, rather than hero worship him.

 

Another Paul Busch appearance (and death) as our first-ever German prisoner who doesn't speak English. (Isn't it amazing how often the squad manages to capture bi-lingual Germans?)

 

Nice direction by George J. Fenady in his second turn behind the Combat camera and an entertaining script by Esther and Bob Mitchell. Nothing spectacular here, but a fun watch.

Bloopers

Kirby likens the three old soldiers to a Veteran's Day parade. But during WWII the remembrance on November 11 was called Armistice Day -- to commemorate the end of World War I, which ended on the "11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month."

Cast Credits

Vic Morrow
as Sgt. Saunders

Rick Jason
as Lt. Hanley
(Note: does not appear in episode)

Simon Oakland

Jack Hogan as Kirby
Pierre Jalbert as Caje

Arnold Merritt ... Private Fisher
Paul Busch ... German Corporal
Norbert Siegfried ... German #1
William Harlow ... GI Jeep Driver

Tom Drake as Private Todd
and
William Phipps as Private Barnhill

Dialog Excerpts

Kirby:

The replacement depot must have goofed. Those guys don't belong up here.

Saunders:

Who does?

SNAFU (45 k)

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Other season four Combat! episodes:
[ Season 4 : Intro ] [ The Linesman ] [ The Main Event ] [ Hear No Evil ] [ 9 Place Vendee ] [ A Sudden Terror ] [ Evasion ] [ Finest Hour ] [ Breakout ] [ The Farmer ] [ The Raider ] [ Crossfire ] [ Soldier of Fortune ] [ The First Day ] [ S.I.W. ] [ Luck with Rainbows ] [ The Flying Machine ] [ The Old Men ] [ The Casket ] [ The Good Samaritan ] [ Retribution ] [ The Mockingbird ] [ Hills Are for Heroes ] [ "Counterplay" ] [ Nothing to Lose ] [ Ask Me No Questions ] [ "Ringer (The)" ] [ "One at a Time" ] [ "Run, Sheep, Run" ] [ "Gitty" ] [ The Leader ]