(123) The Ringer

RATING: 3 bayonets

Teleplay by Gene L. Coon

Story by Gene L. Coon and Del Carnes

Directed by Michael Caffey

First aired 15-Feb-1966

Episode 23 of Season 4

SYNOPSIS:

In "The Ringer," a suspicious straggler joins the squad and behaves erratically, endangering the lives of Saunders and company. Who is he? Where did he come from? Is he even an American? He convinces Saunders he has seen enough action to warrant his accompanying the squad on a mission, where he disobeys orders and raises everyone's suspicions.

REVIEW:

Mart Hulswit is Arthur Adams, the mysterious straggler with something to hide and something to prove. Some good action sequences at the end of the episode surround an ultimately unsatisfying conclusion, but, what-the-heck, getting there is fun.

Morrow does his usual excellent job, especially chewing out Adams. Hogan, as Kirby, again shows his gentler side in this episode. This is a trend that I hated to see developed. By fifth season, Kirby has been so "niced-up" that he has become nearly a caricature: "the curmudgeon with the heart of gold."

The exterior sets and devastation at the bombed out house look cartoonish and contrived. The craters, fence, and buildings look hastily assembled and fresh. The interior sets do not quite match the exteriors.

NOTES, ODDITIES, AND BLOOPERS:

· Much of the opening fight is reused footage from first season episodes.

· Caje is wearing a pinky ring and a wedding ring C when did he have time for a wedding?

· In the first battle, the wooden barrel Morrow hides behind is shot through, but the bullets exit the side (making fountains of water) instead of passing straight through to hit Saunders.

· Pierre Jalbert's pant leg catches fire as he tries to put out the fire in the farmhouse. After Caje puts out the fire, it is still burning in a later clip.

· Filmed at Franklin Canyon and MGM.

· At first, Littlejohn is shot in the shoulder, but the blood and treatment are on the arm.

CAST:

Vic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders

Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley

Guest star

Mart Hulswit as Arthur Adams

Jack Hogan as Kirby

Pierre Jalbert as Caje

Dick Peabody as Littlejohn

Peter Colton as Johnson

Tom Pace as German #1

Mike Krempels as German #2