Combat! episode reviews by Jo Davidsmeyer
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Episodes are rated from 0 to 4 bayonets
(111) Luck with Rainbows
Guest Star Michael Evans
RATING: 1.5 bayonets
Written by Wells Root and Ron Bishop
Directed by Alan Crosland, Jr. First aired 07-Dec-1965 Episode 13 of Season 4
SYNOPSIS:
Hanley, Littlejohn, Kirby, and an
expendable attempt to salvage film from a crashed reconnaissance plane. They are
interrupted by a British Major who commandeers the film and abandons the squad as Germans
approach. Through daring and luck, the out-manned and out-gunned squad destroys the
attacking German half-track. This so impresses the British Major that he requests Hanley
and Kirby to go with him on a sabotage mission to destroy V-2 rockets.
REVIEW:
Michael Evans, as the British Major,
shows typical English pluck in his pip-pip, cheerio scenes. He is almost haunting talking
about his hero, Bertie, who was once a great soldier and tactician, but his "light
had gone out." After sending too many men to their deaths, Bertie was left only with
a death wish for himself.
It was hackneyed back when Alexander Dumas used it in The Three Musketeers, so
it should surprise no one when the Major turns out to be the tragic Bertie. Through a
series of pep sentences and general derring-do, Hanley re-establishes Bertie's will to
live, saves the Major's life, and completes the mission by finding a map showing the
location of the V-2s.
The teaser, first act, and second act are fun, as Hanley and the Major are civilly at
odds with each other. Kirby is delightful enjoying his drinks and interacting with British
sergeant. Acts three and four go downhill in script, pacing, and general goofiness. In the
end, the Major does not go out in a blaze of glory as he had wished, and neither does this
episode.
CAST:
Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley Vic Morrow as Sgt. Saunders [does not appear]
Guest Star Michael Evans as Major Cole-Hughes
Jack Hogan as Kirby Dick Peabody as Littlejohn
Roy Dean as Wilson Peter Hellman as German Truck Driver Dirk Hansen as German Convoy Officer
Stephen Ferry as Paulsen Paul Busch as German Fuel Tanker David Adams as German #1
Kurt Landen as German #2 and Bill Glover as Sgt. Leighton
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