Doughboy
(035)

SYNOPSIS:
On patrol looking for location of the German gun known as "Big Frieda," Saunders is captured by Phil, an old doughboy trapped in the past. Reliving the first World War, he captures Saunders, who he thinks is a German. Within his confused memory, Phil knows the location of the big gun. And the lives of the Americans moving up depend on Phil's failing mind.

REVIEW:
"Doughboy" features strong acting from an exceptional cast. Eddie Albert does a star turn as a veteran suffering the lingering effects of shell-shock. In a montage of vintage war films, trench warfare, and new Franklin Canyon footage, the audience enters Phil's nightmare and relives his tragedy from the first world war, of watching all his men slaughtered. A staple in war films of the time, Albert played Colonel Newton in The Longest Day, released a year before this episode, and played Colonel Bliss in 1963's Captain Newman, M.D.

Italian actress Alida Valli (often billed in films simply as "Valli") plays Marie, who nursed him to health in the first war and is now his wife. Both actors were Hollywood veterans at the time, having started their careers in the thirties. They are still active today. Vic Morrow more than holds his own in this lofty company. Tom Gries, the director, would go on to create the TV show "Rat Patrol" (1966).

NOTES, ODDITIES, AND BLOOPERS:

• Eddie Albert's rifle is an authentic WWI era Springfield.
• During the firefight on the farm, the horses, chickens, and goats are unflustered by the gunfight raging around them.
• The railway gun fires as fast as a 105; a gun of that type could only fire about three times an hour.

ABOUT FILMING THE EPISODE:
Georg Fenady remembers, "We didn't have many actresses on the show. But [we had] a few. Great ones, too. I remember Valli. A sweet, sweet lady. Beautiful woman. She was a big star." Valli has appeared in 113 films. In an international film career encompassing six decades, Valli is perhaps most fondly remembered for the 1949 thriller The Third Man.

CAST

Vic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders

Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley
(does not appear)

Guest star Eddie Albert as Phil

Jack Hogan as Kirby

Paul Busch as German Sergeant
Hans Gudegast as German Vehicle Commander
Michael McDonald as Ed
Bill Harlow as Nick

Special Guest Star Alida Valli as Marie