Combat! episode reviews by Jo
Davidsmeyer (137) Ollie JoeRATING: 3 bayonets Written by Frank MossDirected by Bernard McEveety First aired 27-Sep-1966 Episode 3 of Season 5 |
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| SYNOPSIS: The squad picks up two survivors from Charlie company: the
company's number one goldbrick, Charlie Pelton, and the eagerest of beavers, Ollie Joe
Brown, boy army. Ollie is an orphan who has found a home in the Army and thinks of himself
as G.I. to the core. His over-eagerness brings anxious moments and danger to the squad.
His demeanor switches from born killer one minute to gentle-as-a-lamb the next, until his
friend Pelton is killed and Saunders learns that Ollie killed his lieutenant.
REVIEW:
Is he a G.I. perfect soldier? Is he a
lost child? Is he dangerous? Yes, to all of the above. Robert Walker, Jr. as Ollie Joe
creates a multi-layered mosaic of a character in this 3-bayonet thriller. In less-skilled
hands, this character would have been unbelievable and annoying. Walker makes Ollie Joe a
real person, haunted by personal demons. Only slowly does he let the audience realize that
his demons have taken possession of him.
The clever script by Frank Moss first shows Ollie as a jolly fool who has risen past personal tragedy. Step by step, it marches the audience to the realization that Ollie has not been made stronger by these tragedies, but destroyed by them. NOTES, ODDITIES, AND BLOOPERS:· No one is wearing backpacks or carrying extra equipment. When they break for chow, ration-boxes and eating utensils appear from nowhere.· Very long and undramatic opening battle sequence. · Stuntman Earl Parker is the G.I. in foxhole who gets killed in the opening. · Filmed at Hop Kiln Winery. · A bloodbath at the river (the Russian River) where the squad slaughters 17 Germans without taking a single hit. ABOUT FILMING THE EPISODE: According to Jo-anne Strobl, Manager of Hop Kiln Winery, "An episode of Combat! was filmed at Hop Kiln Winery back in 1967. Most of the filming was done inside the old brick kilns. Scenes using dud grenades were also filmed." "Ollie Joe" was filmed prior to the restoration of the brick kilns. Originally built for drying hops, the structure was restored as a winery and tasting room. It is located in Healdsburg, California. CAST: Rick Jason as Lt. HanleyVic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders Guest Star Jack Hogan as Kirby William Bryant as McCall Warren Vanders as Lt. Earnshaw Special Guest Fan comments about this episode - add your own comment! |
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Combat! Episodes
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