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Combat! reviews by Jo Davidsmeyer
*
Episodes rated from 0 to 4 bayonets
(085)
The Town that Went Away
RATING:
 1 bayonet
Written by George F. Slavin
Directed by Sutton Roley
First aired 22-Dec-1964
Episode 14 of Season 3
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SYNOPSIS:
Hanley and men are sent to evacuate
the town of Bonnaire, which has been targeted for German attack. But the mayor, his three
beautiful daughters, and the townspeople thwart Hanley's every effort. The switch road
signs to send the weary soldiers in the wrong direction and invent a fake monastery to
hide their real efforts: to save the town's cognac supply from destruction.
REVIEW:
In the
conclusion to "The Town that Went Away," Hanley says "I guess the war can
wait for one short hour." That line sums up this light diversion from the usual grim Combat!
episode. "The Town that Went Away," is done strictly for laughs, appropriate for
the holiday season, when the show originally aired.
The squad regulars are thoroughly charming as they allow themselves to be wined, dined,
and duped by the mayor. Jack Hogan's Kirby is his usual skirt-chasing self, and winds up a
prisoner of love. Dick Peabody and Conlan Carter make the most of their on-screen time
with the ladies and Hanley provides an outstanding example of a
patented pep talk designed to inspire civilians.
NOTES, ODDITIES, AND BLOOPERS:
· Danielle Aubrey, one of the mayor's daughters, appeared in
second season's Christmas week episode, "The Party."
ABOUT FILMING THE EPISODE:
"It was always special on the set
when there were ladies around," says Georg Fenady. "But actually it was a little
difficult to get the crew to act any different in terms of language and, well, boys will
be boys." Many of the regulars engaged in pranks and games to amuse themselves
between takes. They would sometimes abscond with jeeps and have races around the MGM
backlot and engage in rowdy competitions. Fenady recalls one director who refused to come
back unless the regulars promised to avoid playing one particular game. The director had
gotten caught in the crossfire.
CAST:
Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley
Vic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders [does not appear]
Guest Star
Jay Novello as Paul Lejeune
Jack Hogan as Kirby
Conlan Carter as Doc
Dick Peabody as Littlejohn
Pierre Jalbert as Caje
Billy Beck as Rafe
Danielle Beausejour as Yvette
Danielle Aubrey as Marie
Gerald Michenaud as French Boy
and
Susan Silo as Annice
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