(045) The Party
RATING: 3 bayonets
Written by Edward J. Lakso
Directed by John Peyser
First aired 24-Dec-1963
Episode 15 of Season 2
SYNOPSIS:
Enjoying a pause in the American advance, Caje, Kirby, and Nelson try to
advance themselves with a trio of French beauties. They clean themselves up to no
avail — the ladies have planned a special party with three grim Sergeants. Though
outranked, Caje, Kirby and Nelson are not outmaneuvered. The would-be
Lotharios scheme to separate the sergeants from the ladies.
REVIEW:
The 1963 Christmas Eve episode, "The Party," is a delightful romp. As a
change-of-pace, the squad are engaged in the war between the sexes. In the end, the
ladies are victorious.
Hogan, Jalbert, and Lowell show their flair for comedy as they plot against
the sergeants who would steal the objects of their desire. Hogan and Hanley play
a charming comedy scene where Kirby unsuccessfully tries to con the lieutenant.
Andrea Darvi, last seen as the sorrowful orphan Micheline in "No Trumpets, No Drums," now plays it for laughs as a larcenous orphan who uses her smile to get into
Billy's heart (and wallet). The three older orphans also use their smiles to
good advantage, conning the sergeants and Saunders' men into providing a feast
for their orphanage. Veteran character actors Biff Elliott, Nick Georgiade, and
Terry Becker play the sergeants who dig themselves into a hole. George Davis, a
semi-regular on the show playing French villagers, has a charming mime routine.
A highlight of the "The Party" is the guys attempts to make themselves
presentable. Their frolics in the river are joyous and rowdy. This is a rare episode
in that the actors are clean for most of it. Much time was usually spent in
makeup to get that proper grimy look. This week, the three soldiers look great in
their $200 haircuts and clean, pressed, undamaged uniforms (where they got
either on the frontlines is not explained).
Director John Peyser keeps the pace of this episode fast, never letting
viewers pause to examine the plot or remember that somewhere a war is going on.
ABOUT FILMING THE EPISODE:
"The Party" was Tom Lowell's first on-screen kiss. "I had forgotten to tell my
wife at that time about it. When she saw the episode on Christmas Eve, she was
so mad. She would not speak to me for two days." Lowell is the only actor who
got to kiss one of the female guests in this episode. Pierre Jalbert had to
settle for stealing a kiss from the goose, which is in the background of one of
the shots in the jeep.
NOTES, ODDITIES, AND BLOOPERS:
· The barber shop set provides a joyous, fun scene of the guys primping for
their dates. The same barber shop is used later in the season in "The Hostages," for a tragic killing and the capture of the Caje, Saunders, and Doc.
CAST:
Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley
Vic Morrow as Sgt Saunders (does not appear)
Guest Star
Danielle DeMetz as Angelique
Jack Hogan as Kirby
Pierre Jalbert as Caje
Dick Peabody as Littlejohn
Tom Lowell as Nelson
Biff Elliott as Rafferty
Terry Becker as Claybourne
Nick Georgiade as Londos
Monique Lemaire as Roxanne
Danielle Aubrey as Renee
Charles Kuenstle as Driver
Robert Sorrells as Reeves
George Davis as Old Man
Andrea Darvi as Jeannine