(077) The Little Carousel

RATING: 4 bayonets

Written by Edward J. Lakso

Directed by Bernard McEveety

First aired 10-Nov-1964

Episode 8 of Season 3

SYNOPSIS:
In a newly liberated French town, Saunders is reluctant to accept the ministrations of a courageous thirteen-year-old girl, whose one ambition is to serve the troops as a nurse. Despite Sanders' sometimes cruel resistance to her, Claudine grows deeply attached to him, and he to her. During a battle outside town, she risks her life to bring Saunders medical aid on the line.

REVIEW:
"The Little Carousel" is a special episode for me. When I saw this as a child, I was devastated. I cried myself to sleep that night and remembered exact dialogue decades later. As a little girl who wanted to be a nurse, I strongly identified with the girl in the story.

Bernard McEveety directed another superb episode in "The Little Carousel." Morrow runs the range of emotions in this C bitterness, anger, frustration, joy, exultation, love. Saunders fell in love with this little girl who healed not only his body, but his soul. Sylvian Margolle, as the little nurse Claudine, is a sweet breath of life amid the war. Saunders' carefully groomed, hard-bitten facade falls away when he gives in to something he had almost forgotten existed - pure joy.

At the end, the stoic Saunders openly shows his agonizing grief in a primal scream, oblivious to his men around him.

CAST:
Vic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders

Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley

Sylviane Margolle as Claudine

Jack Hogan as Kirby

Conlan Carter as Doc

Dick Peabody as Littlejohn

Pierre Jalbert as Caje

Warren Vanders as Henderson

Donald Journeaux as Antoine

Paul Daniel as Old Man Patient