This show is just too good. Man, brings back so many memories as a kid watching this. But now, at 68 with some life behind me, I wonder if our country could do the same ...
Yeah I've thought about that at times too. One thing to remember tho is at the outbreak of WW2, we were very isolationist as a Nation and totally unprepared to go to war when Pearl Harbor was attacked. When our back is up against the wall we get it done.
I am 68 also and what I do remember, and you might too, is that people back then had values that came from the Word of God. People loved God, family, and country. Most don't believe that today and everything is collapsing all around us we no longer have the ability to do anything about it. It is very, very sad.
I am 67 and like you this was my favourite TV show as a kid. We still have the same type of psychopaths running our countries as our fathers had when they went off to war. As long as we have MIC's buying politicians, the senseless killing will continue in the name of corporate profits.
@JFF35753 ......You are soooo right...I am 70 and I so wish society today had the values I saw when I was a kid.....life wasn't perfect then, but it wasn't crap like it is today
Damn this is a good show. Original movie is in my top 3. This series is fleshing it out unexpectedly, but how I wished it might. I was alive when it came out, but my British parents apparently didn't want me to watch it. Too real. To recent to them. Mom and Dad saw this unfold, and wanted me to gain some distance, I guess. I'm old now. Hits hard, even now. It was another time. Another world. Those who lived through it and witnessed it, must look at us with joy that we never experienced it to that extent. Mom is 93 and still fighting!!
I am 71 and feel the same here in the USA. My Dad loved this series. He was a Chief in the Navy in WWII, and had a strong since of patriotism and duty. We loved watching this series together.
one of the things I remember from these old movies was the smoking. It was a way of sharing more than just work but friendship and respect. Something that I was privy to when I was working in 1989. A foreman actually offered me a cigarette. I felt privileged and had to confess I didn't smoke.
We owe a debt to every participant in the fight for our freedom..the type of debt..that only honoring those warriors and what they went through and lost to win those freedoms can even marginally begin to repay..God rest those who paid that price ..with the love and belief they had for us..the future of free societies..and God help us to remember their bravery and sacrifices..Amen...There were heroes in those services
Only a year after this episode, Brandon De Wilde appeared as John Wayne's son in the military classic, "In Harm's Way".....he was only 22 years old at the time of this episode....many movie aficionados might say he looks very familiar...indeed he was....10 years earlier in 1954, he had his most famous role as a 12 year old boy in the film, "Shane".....his father in that movie?....the one and only Gregory Peck, who ironically played General Savage in the film version of Twelve O' Clock High.
According to the cast list, Gregory Peck wasn't in Shane. And TJ, you're right. it stands to reason since Dewildes character was Joey Starrett and Van Heflin's was Joe Starrett
I'm watching this and Foyle´s war, and I love it. Different series I know, though it is about what matters in the end. It is about what makes civilisation - blood sweat and tears: and this is how it is always going to be I am afraid. There is no escape from it, whether we like it or not.
i was only able to see season 2 of the series when it was on monday nights at 7:30,i'm glad now to see the other 2 on youtube.i hope shout factory can put the show on DVD!
We need to create the causes for peace 'with individual freedom'. However, there will most likely always be evil in this world. In my view evil is where an individual's freedom and rights are removed.
Back in the 60's most TV shows had a rotating cast of guest stars. You might see the same guest actor or actress play two or three different characters on the same series if it ran long enough. if i am not mistaken Tom Skerritt was in five episodes of this series and played a different role in each one. As for the music and sound effects. all the studios shared the same effects guys and composers so you'll hear variations or samples of the same melodies in just about every movie or TV show of the time.
@@ArronRatliff "As for the music and sound effects. all the studios shared the same effects guys and composers so you'll hear variations or samples of the same melodies in just about every movie or TV show of the time." Good to know! If true, it makes sense. And may broadly answer my own questions posted in this Dan Boon thread.
Solid, moving portrayal by Brandon DeWilde (of "The Member of the Wedding" play and movie, and "Shane" and "Hud" movie fame). In this episode, and in an instant during the aerial battle scene, we feel his character's anger and sharp thirst to avenge his friend and fellow gunner's death. And therefore just as strongly feel his psychological maturity into a brutal reality he can no longer withdraw from, and must in fact directly face if he is to truly live with his conscience regarding his part in the war. Commendably, this episode and DeWilde do not glorify his air-kills; quite the contary. His humanity remains intact. It's his maturity to face emotional pain, head-on rather than retreat from it, that we are shown. The writers (men who, literally, were there in combat) are to be commended. The emotional heft of DeWilde's character comes from the credibility DeWilde brings to him. It's a performance that's well balanced by Robert Lansing's subtle scenes with him, both before and after the pivotal air-battle sequence. A tragedy that DeWilde died far too soon. He did excellent work in many other productions. Among his standout best - besides in The Member of the Wedding, Shane and Hud - is in the excellent, character-driven war film "In Harm's Way" (where DeWilde more than stands his own across from John Wayne). There again, you can see where DeWilde's portrayal takes his character, and therefore us, into emotionally devastating territory. This was a cornerstone of DeWilde's performances: emotionally credible, deeply moving, tragic, innocent, sad, understated, beautiful. Much of his good work can be found on RUclips. And a few truly wonderful live appearances as well - as a boy and as a young man. He was also a musician-singer, and had a truly gifted harmonic voice. Evidence of that can also be found on YT. R.I.P. Brandon DeWilde. Your specialness, your gifts are missed. And remembered.
No Major will ever call any General by his first name - ever. Other than that this is one of my all time favorite series. I have fond memories of watching this series with my Dad, who was a WWII veteran.
Gremlin1960 gerald o' loghlin portrayed the sgt . in a cop show called "the rookies ".also a civil war sgt. in a show called " the blue and the grey " .
23:06 - 23:22 This air beast was damaged to the extreme it necessitated a 'belly landing'. However, in the battles in this particular episode clearly the 'kills' were lopsided in the Allies' favor.
How interesting...people seem to miss the similarity between Dominic Frontiere's 9-note 'fanfare' theme [here heard @ the beginning of the episode] and Alexander Courage's 8-note "Enterprise fanfare"...
I like the shock that kid went through when he blew up that 190. He probably killed a German pilot younger than himself. The first time you kill it's got to be horrors.
Not hard to do,kill a stranger....it's when you start thinking about it on ur time out...between missions ; the nightmares come after you out of it maybe decade's later...
I had a neighbor who was drafted during Vietnam. He was pissed off and scared, but then he learned that as an only child he would not be sent into combat. Instead he was sent to Paris.France. He was assigned to the motor pool where he towed disabled vehicles. Then he was made a driver. He said basically I was driving officers to whorehouses and waiting at the bar.
I wonder after his time, if he felt guilty about not pulling his weight like the others in combat. It is one thing to serve, but an easy ride makes me wonder. I myself was of age after the draft, but in no way at the time thought about enlisting. I still wonder today,,,,,should I have joined?
Eh ... you never know about things like that. I enlisted at 18 in the fall of 1969, reported for duty in January. When I was in Recruit Training - they told us not to worry about going to Vietnam - because we were all going. I had enlisted to go to Vietnam. I put down my preferences as Infantry and Amphibious Tank Gunner - but with a 2 year enlistment - that didn't mean anything. The Marines had two year enlistments then because they were in competition with the draft. They trained me in Artillery Weapons Repair and I graduated 3rd in my class - so they sent me to a 5th Echelon Repair Depot. When I got there the Captain in Personnel told me they were changing over to Civil Service Mechanics and didn't need any more Marines - so they were putting me in the "P's" - which was the Provost Marshals Office. That is - they made me a sentry. I was at that base for 3 months - and they sent me to be a sentry at another one for the last 12 months of my enlistment. And so - my contribution to the Vietnam War - was being a sentry in California for 15 months. This type of thing is common place. They train you to do what they think they want you to do - but then - when you actually get to a unit - that unit is going to use you however _they_ think they need you. Look at the Bow Gunner in _Fury_ - he was trained as a typist but - they didn't need a typist - but they did need tank crewmen. Happened all the time. My father was Career USMC. He said that the one time he was ever in a unit at TO (Table of Organization) Strength - was when he was sitting on a boat off Cuba. They were getting the 2nd Marine Division ready to land - and they filled it out. They had guys at all the bus stations, air ports, train stations - and if they saw a Marine - they'd grab him and tell him whatever his orders had been - they were now to go to the 2nd Marine Division Personnel Office. These guys sure as hell didn't serve in their MOS's (Military Occupational Specialty) - they served in whatever the 2nd Marine Division needed someone. If they needed someone of their MOS - sure - they'd use them there. If they didn't - they'd use them where they did. Sometimes ... that can work out really badly ... Barracks I was in at Quantico - lost their cook ... So ... they grabbed someone from the Grunt Company - handed him a Marine Corps Mess Manual and said - congratulations - you are now a cook. The food was so bad I threw it up ... They eventually fixed that but people (we were all like E-1's and E-2's) were spending their whole pay checks at the little Mini Mart eating cup cakes because they couldn't stomach the food in the mess hall ... In comparison - that base I was at my last 12 months - was up for Best Mess Hall In The Navy Award - and the food there was *_FUCKING GREAT_* (we all got fat until they started running us). The place I was at the first 3 months ... wasn't really bad ... but it wasn't very good either. They served rabbit a lot. It was in the High Desert and ... there were people there raising rabbits and selling them to the Marines ... Ironically - when I got out - they told us we had to go around and contact some people, such as the local Reserve Outfit and the Draft Board. Apparently most people didn't do that but I did what they had told me to do. Everyone had a Six Year Obligation that could be part active duty, inactive reserves or active reserves (you go to meetings). Since I had served 2 years on active duty - I now had a 4 year obligation in the Inactive Reserves (no meetings - they'd just call me back if they needed me). This was the same thing as the guys who were drafted. At the Draft Board - (where my status was changed from being on active duty to being in the inactive reserves) I asked, since I didn't know - what my draft number was. It was 18. So - even if I hadn't enlisted - I would have been drafted. [shrug] You just never know about any of that shit. .
@@maureenorourke3292 Kay Summersby would have been the second Mrs. Eisenhower had not one of General Eisenhower's peers or superiors 'read him the riot act' for requesting permission to bring her to the U.S. because the couple were deeply in love -- to the extent he was gonna ask Mamie for a divorce. It was explained to Ike that his reputation in the military and political arenas both would never recover from initiating a divorce and admitting the affair. THEN, some time later, Pres. Truman went through the U.S. Army Archives' files on Ike and BURNED the general's pertinent, official letters where he'd professed to the higher-ups his undying love for the British lady and sought from them an official 'OK' for permission for her to fly on U.S. government plane to Washington, D.C. (Ed. - wow). Even though Ike's and Kay's serious affair was validated, proven, etc., when the producer and writer of the 1979 ABC mini-series, "Ike: The War Year" [starring Robert Duvall and Lee Remick), that had involved years of research that included cooperation from Mamie and the grandchildren as sources, the family "lawyered-up" to censor and eliminate the love story portion. Lots of 'back-and-forth' between the two sides. For naught. The producer and writer were crestfallen because it was such a beautifully written, truthful subplot within the epic production. A significant re-write of the 'final' script was the only option; otherwise there'd be no "Ike: the War Years" on ABC or any network or movie house. . . . Speaking of writing, what excellent writing on this episode of "Twelve O'Clock High" that enabled the regular and guest cast to deliver these stellar performances. "Once again, thank you, 'jefke peremans,' for posting and sharing."
He wasn't a coward. He was taking a moral stand. A coward completely runs away, as far away from a gun as humanly possible. It looked like he lost his nerve in that gunnery position, until the loss of a friend gave him his nerve back, enough to avenge that death. But if his nerve to shoot depends on an anger to avenge a friends death. He won't last in that position. When he was through shooting he lost his nerve again.
The corporal is 21 years old. His father died in 1918. In 1964, they must have been using the strange sort of arithmetic taught in year 2019 American public schools.
If CPL Lawrence's father was killed on November 11, 1918, and let's say Lawrence was born the next year in 1919, and Lawrence was 21 years old in this episode, then the year for this episode would be 1940. Now given the fact that this series starts out in 1943, I'd say the writers of this show weren't too good at arithmetic.
B-17s and B24s were vulnerable to a vertical diving attack. The only gun that can defend at all, is the top turret, which is severely restricted in being able to traverse and pitch quickly enough.
Brandon de Wilde had a short acting career - COMBAT!, 12 O'clock High, and the movie "In Harm's Way." After that, he pretty much disappeared. Also, did EVERYBODY smoke in WWII?
Yep, at one time smoking was seen by the military to calm the average combat soldier's nerves. Beyond that, a majority of men, and many women smoked daily into the 1980s before quitting/never starting began to gain momentum.
Even today. Congress refuses to let military bases to ban smoking. The tobacco lobby has definite pull here. Many young men come fresh from the farm and learn to smoke and drink in the military.
There is a high rate of alcoholism amongst veterans. My brother in law is a veteran and an alcohol counselor. Many young men pick up the habit to relieve stress in the field.
So much has been written among these welcome, interesting Comments about former child star Brandon de Wilde I thought I'd give 'a shout-out' to another former kid performer -- Jimmy Hawkins; he plays de Wilde's friend and the proven gunner, Sgt. Jimmy Smith ** SPOILER ALERT ** who doesn't . . . After a couple decades of playing 'light' -- "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946, as one of the Bailey youngsters), 1950s sensation on Sat. a.m. TV, "Annie Oakley", on which he played the sharp-shooter's little brother Tagg, he more or less grew up to young adulthood in front of the TV audience via the hit sitcom, "The Donna Reed Show" (1958 - 66). Lucky him, for most of his 20 appearances he played pretty Shelley Fabares' boy friend, Scotty. And he reunited with Miss Reed who played his mother in "Wonderful Life". Last year I was viewing multiple "Donna Reed" half-hours on MPI's wonderful seasons 1 - 5 DVD sets; 'wonderful' because the prints are crystal clear, picture and sound, and each year is full of bonus tracks. And, who provides a 30-minute insight into his wide-ranging career and time spent with the "Donna Reed" TV family? Jimmy Hawkins. He shares that Oscar winner Donna Reed ("From Here to Eternity") was a considerate star and boss, a class act all the way, and a cherished wife and mom with her own family. Thank you for posting / sharing another "Twelve O'Clock High", 'jefke peremans'. Another 'thumbs up'!
Gee, a low-level bombing mission without the need for oxygen, pilot and copilot able to talk without using the intercom. That was some sort of NEW B-17 that I never saw.
Ever notice how many (nearly all) of these service people salute improperly? Why do almost everyone tuck their elbow down to the side instead of bringing the elbow up nearly level with the shoulder? They look like Curly trying to avoid Moe's finger poke in the eyes.
@@jimblue39 During the tiredness and rushing of war time, there would be more black eyes around from horizontal elbows here and there in groups and small quarters. Especially in ships
The major in this story, it was said at the beginning of the program that he had already flown 35 missions. I thought back then they were rotated out after 25 missions? Isn't that why Memphis Bell was so famous. The only B-17 to fly all 25 missions and return home.
My Dad's experience in the RAF was that you did a tour of 25 missions and if you survived you were out for 6 months of "light" duty before your 2nd tour. That's what happened to my Dad. He and his fellow crewmates were offered an opportunity at the completion of their first tour to sign up immediately and fly only another 20 missions. Then they'd be out of the fray. The whole crew agreed and they remained operational. The MO grounded them after their 38th mission for being "combat happy".
You are right. However, you could volunteer to fly another tour. It would have been better, if the Major had been rotated back into a training command.
My Air Force ROTC instructor flew 35 missions LTC (Retired) Norman C. Heywood as a navigator and bombardier for 8th AF in Europe. Plaque hung in his wall said member of the Lucky Bastards award.
Did you ever notice the lack of aerodynamics of the B-17's? G model chin turrets, top turrets, ball turrets, and waist single gun opened windows? None of these really help the plane or its crew as 20 mm can fire effectively from outside the range of US's 50 Cal's. Just think about change of tactics? 20 mm twins in a flush mounted retractable nose, belly and upper turrets with single 20 mm cannons in the two plexiglass waist windows and radio operators positions. Much heavier! But need for form up wasting too much airtime, set a central! Form up as you clime to assigned altitudes and fly to target? The Luftwaffe was afraid Russia, Brittan, and the USAAF were going to adopt these tactics! We should have. Most allied bombers didn't have lower guns or belly guns. Most, like the Lancaster, had nose/forward turret, some had additional top turret, and tail turret. All with very little side and lower to bottom firing points. All the B-17's, 24's, 25's & 26's did.
richmcleod01 Joe camel was introduced in 1987. A number of different brands were included in ration packages (experience here), the most popular seemed to be Lucky Strike.
My dad smoked Pall Malls unfiltered until he quit the day he retired from truck driving in 1980 he was in the Army before WWII and during the war he was in the Navy on a submarine
Ironic, isn't it, that the corporal who doesn't want to fight is assigned to fly with the group leader who can't stop fighting. Can someone tell me the sense in that?
It may have been this particular episode that he wasn't flying. There are other episodes that he doesn't lead the group.Robert Landsing was killed off the show. His plane was shot down by a B-17 that had been captured and flown by germans, and showed up out of nowhere to join their formation.
John Larken died while filming the episode where the nurse accidentally almost kills Gen.Savage with a morphine overdose and the Barber was the secret Nazi agent.
"DON TAYLOR" You've jumped the gun; this is only the 11th episode of the series. Larkin was in the majority of the first 25 shows; was 'M.I.A' nos. 11, 12, 13 and 23. His tragic, Jan. 29, 1965 fatal heart attack, immediately following completion of the thrilling 'The Threat,' the 25th's filming, is the reason Maj. Gen. Wiley Crowe is missing from the final seven, 1964 - 65 first season episodes. And THEN the "Twelve O'Clock High" faithful have to brace themselves for Lansing's (controversial, heavily debated) dismissal as star and series regular when year two commences in Sept. 1965..
I WOULDNT HAVE THE GENERAL'S JOB FOR ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD . HE HAS TO MAKE SNAP DECISIONS , AND SOMETIMES MEN GET KILLED BECAUSE OF THOSE DECISIONS .
. Savage is in a tough spot. he has to make a tough decision to make, but I think he made the mistake by not telling the group leader he had to stand down. He left it up the his, but I learned one time the hard way a person don’t want to stand down on his own. He wants to keep going tell he drop or something real bad happens. Sometime a leader has to take the bull by the horns and say this is they way it going to be; but He way worked out just fine not only with the group leader but with the young man whom he made a gunner out of and a Sgt. On top of that. I don’t know if it would like that in a real war or not it got the job done in this Hollywood war
the idea that a secular person would need an extra layer of explanation for being a conscientious objector is hideous. Oh OH I am a Quaker ,, I am a Buddhist, I am Lutheran,... How About I Am a Rational Humanist and I do not need some divine voodoo to make me moral.
Robert Lansing was brilliant. Has to be one of the best performances by an actor in a tv series.
Absolutely agree! He was what I can only imagine being very realistic!!!
I was young when these aired and I don’t remember this particular show but it has to be one of the best of the series.
many good episodes, particularly in the 1st season!
This show is just too good. Man, brings back so many memories as a kid watching this. But now, at 68 with some life behind me, I wonder if our country could do the same ...
Odd, but I've been asking myself the same question. Our youngsters just don't seem to me to have the same strength of character. I pray I'm wrong.
Yeah I've thought about that at times too. One thing to remember tho is at the outbreak of WW2, we were very isolationist as a Nation and totally unprepared to go to war when Pearl Harbor was attacked. When our back is up against the wall we get it done.
I am 68 also and what I do remember, and you might too, is that people back then had values that came from the Word of God. People loved God, family, and country. Most don't believe that today and everything is collapsing all around us we no longer have the ability to do anything about it. It is very, very sad.
I am 67 and like you this was my favourite TV show as a kid. We still have the same type of psychopaths running our countries as our fathers had when they went off to war. As long as we have MIC's buying politicians, the senseless killing will continue in the name of corporate profits.
@JFF35753 ......You are soooo right...I am 70 and I so wish society today had the values I saw when I was a kid.....life wasn't perfect then, but it wasn't crap like it is today
Damn this is a good show. Original movie is in my top 3. This series is fleshing it out unexpectedly, but how I wished it might. I was alive when it came out, but my British parents apparently didn't want me to watch it. Too real. To recent to them. Mom and Dad saw this unfold, and wanted me to gain some distance, I guess. I'm old now. Hits hard, even now. It was another time. Another world. Those who lived through it and witnessed it, must look at us with joy that we never experienced it to that extent. Mom is 93 and still fighting!!
I am 70 and feel the same way...hello from USA....God Bless your Mum....
I am 71 and feel the same here in the USA. My Dad loved this series. He was a Chief in the Navy in WWII, and had a strong since of patriotism and duty. We loved watching this series together.
Great episode. Gen. Savage is a true leader and open minded while remaining tough and no nonsense.
This series is a reminder of solace and leadership, only wish I had been beside them.
one of the things I remember from these old movies was the smoking. It was a way of sharing more than just work but friendship and respect. Something that I was privy to when I was working in 1989. A foreman actually offered me a cigarette. I felt privileged and had to confess I didn't smoke.
We owe a debt to every participant in the fight for our freedom..the type of debt..that only honoring those warriors and what they went through and lost to win those freedoms can even marginally begin to repay..God rest those who paid that price ..with the love and belief they had for us..the future of free societies..and God help us to remember their bravery and sacrifices..Amen...There were heroes in those services
Amen to that brother....
Here's to everyone's favorite Dad-jutant, Maj. Harvey Stovall. ❤
I really like Harvey's Character, he's smart, sensitive, smart and a nice looking guy!
Of course this is from a woman's perspective!😊
Very educational, just Fantastic ❤
Just an Excellent show!
I love the lessons the general gives to his people
Only a year after this episode, Brandon De Wilde appeared as John Wayne's son in the military classic, "In Harm's Way".....he was only 22 years old at the time of this episode....many movie aficionados might say he looks very familiar...indeed he was....10 years earlier in 1954, he had his most famous role as a 12 year old boy in the film, "Shane".....his father in that movie?....the one and only Gregory Peck, who ironically played General Savage in the film version of Twelve O' Clock High.
+Will Drucker Incorrect, yes Brandon was in ¨Shane¨, but with Alan Ladd; and yes Peck played Gen. Savage in the film version of ¨Twelve O´Clock High¨.
I believe the actor who played dewilde's father was Van Heflin.
According to the cast list, Gregory Peck wasn't in Shane. And TJ, you're right. it stands to reason since Dewildes character was Joey Starrett and Van Heflin's was Joe Starrett
He also gave a good performance as Paul Newman's younger brother in His (1963).
Hud
Excellent episode....
I'm watching this and Foyle´s war, and I love it. Different series I know, though it is about what matters in the end. It is about what makes civilisation - blood sweat and tears: and this is how it is always going to be I am afraid. There is no escape from it, whether we like it or not.
Good storyline on this one.
i was only able to see season 2 of the series when it was on monday nights at 7:30,i'm glad now to see the other 2 on youtube.i hope shout factory can put the show on DVD!
Love this series and I wish I could have met character s in this series
Love this show
I have to give credit to Gerald O'Loughlin. Not many actors can end a TV show by wiping their nose.
Thank you...
A good episode.
Peace.
We need to create the causes for peace 'with individual freedom'. However, there will most likely always be evil in this world. In my view evil is where an individual's freedom and rights are removed.
@@markemerson8399... Globalist Elites/power/greed/ego maniacs
I didn't even recognize Dabney Coleman without the upper lip whiskers.
Yeah, he's a lot less creepy looking without it...
🎵"bombing 9 to 5" 🎵😀😀😀😀
Me neither. Didn't notice until I saw the final credits.
Notice the Star Trek sound track. On other episodes there are lots of other actors that appeared on Star Trek too.
This show aired in 1964, three years before Star Trek.
Back in the 60's most TV shows had a rotating cast of guest stars. You might see the same guest actor or actress play two or three different characters on the same series if it ran long enough. if i am not mistaken Tom Skerritt was in five episodes of this series and played a different role in each one. As for the music and sound effects. all the studios shared the same effects guys and composers so you'll hear variations or samples of the same melodies in just about every movie or TV show of the time.
Star Trek sound track? You're nuts.
@Kevin McDougall Interesting. I'll have to check that out. Big fan of the original "The Outer Limits" series here.
@@ArronRatliff "As for the music and sound effects. all the studios shared the same effects guys and composers so you'll hear variations or samples of the same melodies in just about every movie or TV show of the time." Good to know! If true, it makes sense. And may broadly answer my own questions posted in this Dan Boon thread.
Solid, moving portrayal by Brandon DeWilde (of "The Member of the Wedding" play and movie, and "Shane" and "Hud" movie fame).
In this episode, and in an instant during the aerial battle scene, we feel his character's anger and sharp thirst to avenge his friend and fellow gunner's death. And therefore just as strongly feel his psychological maturity into a brutal reality he can no longer withdraw from, and must in fact directly face if he is to truly live with his conscience regarding his part in the war.
Commendably, this episode and DeWilde do not glorify his air-kills; quite the contary. His humanity remains intact. It's his maturity to face emotional pain, head-on rather than retreat from it, that we are shown. The writers (men who, literally, were there in combat) are to be commended.
The emotional heft of DeWilde's character comes from the credibility DeWilde brings to him. It's a performance that's well balanced by Robert Lansing's subtle scenes with him, both before and after the pivotal air-battle sequence.
A tragedy that DeWilde died far too soon. He did excellent work in many other productions. Among his standout best - besides in The Member of the Wedding, Shane and Hud - is in the excellent, character-driven war film "In Harm's Way" (where DeWilde more than stands his own across from John Wayne). There again, you can see where DeWilde's portrayal takes his character, and therefore us, into emotionally devastating territory. This was a cornerstone of DeWilde's performances: emotionally credible, deeply moving, tragic, innocent, sad, understated, beautiful.
Much of his good work can be found on RUclips. And a few truly wonderful live appearances as well - as a boy and as a young man.
He was also a musician-singer, and had a truly gifted harmonic voice. Evidence of that can also be found on YT.
R.I.P. Brandon DeWilde. Your specialness, your gifts are missed. And remembered.
Absolutely agree about Brandon!
DeWilde was a great Actor from the start. He died so tragedy young.
I agree about taking emotional pain head on. The more you supprese it the worse it gets until it explodes.
No Major will ever call any General by his first name - ever. Other than that this is one of my all time favorite series. I have fond memories of watching this series with my Dad, who was a WWII veteran.
Im kleinem Team schon. Der Major ist älter und hast sich als Büroleiter angeboten
Robert Lansing and Gerald O'Loughlin worked together again in the short lived 1980s series Automan.
Gremlin1960 gerald o' loghlin portrayed the sgt . in a cop show called "the rookies ".also a civil war sgt. in a show called " the blue and the grey " .
The nadir of both their exemplary careers, with "Empire of the Ants" (1977) being squeezed out in Lansing's case.
I remember this episode from when I was 5. Sargent York.
It's always amazing that there's never any damage to the planes when they land after a mission.
They seem to shot a lot of German planes down with very little lost to 918th?
I've seen many tapes of WWII B17's in England landing shot up, wings like swiss cheese, tails mostly shot off, one tire, part of roof missing, etc.
Hollywoid
23:06 - 23:22 This air beast was damaged to the extreme it necessitated a 'belly landing'. However, in the battles in this particular episode clearly the 'kills' were lopsided in the Allies' favor.
robert lansing played gary seven in an episode of star trek the original series.
It was the series' best episode.
@@davekinghorn9567 That is open for debate. It's not even a real episode but a pilot for a new series that wasn't picked up.
Not east to say it time to change...n walk away, especially when you love the job
How interesting...people seem to miss the similarity between Dominic Frontiere's 9-note 'fanfare' theme [here heard @ the beginning of the episode] and Alexander Courage's 8-note "Enterprise fanfare"...
There is no similarity. Only a tone deaf non-musician would say there was.
@@larrysmith6797 Feel free to elaborate with valid details.
I came here to make that comment.
@@WaybackRewind Thank you for the reply!
@@larrysmith6797 So...prove it....
I like the shock that kid went through when he blew up that 190. He probably killed a German pilot younger than himself. The first time you kill it's got to be horrors.
Not hard to do,kill a stranger....it's when you start thinking about it on ur time out...between missions ; the nightmares come after you out of it maybe decade's later...
De Wilds also played Paul Newman's brother in Hud.
Did they ever use some of the bombs for those who were sending up the flax, it would have saved many aircraft.
I had a neighbor who was drafted during Vietnam. He was pissed off and scared, but then he learned that as an only child he would not be sent into combat. Instead he was sent to Paris.France. He was assigned to the motor pool where he towed disabled vehicles. Then he was made a driver. He said basically I was driving officers to whorehouses and waiting at the bar.
Even Ike had a girlfriend in WWII Europe
I wonder after his time, if he felt guilty about not pulling his weight like the others in combat. It is one thing to serve, but an easy ride makes me wonder. I myself was of age after the draft, but in no way at the time thought about enlisting. I still wonder today,,,,,should I have joined?
You think it would have made a difference in the outcome of things if you had joined?
Eh ... you never know about things like that.
I enlisted at 18 in the fall of 1969, reported for duty in January. When I was in Recruit Training - they told us not to worry about going to Vietnam - because we were all going.
I had enlisted to go to Vietnam. I put down my preferences as Infantry and Amphibious Tank Gunner - but with a 2 year enlistment - that didn't mean anything. The Marines had two year enlistments then because they were in competition with the draft.
They trained me in Artillery Weapons Repair and I graduated 3rd in my class - so they sent me to a 5th Echelon Repair Depot. When I got there the Captain in Personnel told me they were changing over to Civil Service Mechanics and didn't need any more Marines - so they were putting me in the "P's" - which was the Provost Marshals Office. That is - they made me a sentry. I was at that base for 3 months - and they sent me to be a sentry at another one for the last 12 months of my enlistment.
And so - my contribution to the Vietnam War - was being a sentry in California for 15 months.
This type of thing is common place. They train you to do what they think they want you to do - but then - when you actually get to a unit - that unit is going to use you however _they_ think they need you. Look at the Bow Gunner in _Fury_ - he was trained as a typist but - they didn't need a typist - but they did need tank crewmen.
Happened all the time.
My father was Career USMC. He said that the one time he was ever in a unit at TO (Table of Organization) Strength - was when he was sitting on a boat off Cuba.
They were getting the 2nd Marine Division ready to land - and they filled it out. They had guys at all the bus stations, air ports, train stations - and if they saw a Marine - they'd grab him and tell him whatever his orders had been - they were now to go to the 2nd Marine Division Personnel Office. These guys sure as hell didn't serve in their MOS's (Military Occupational Specialty) - they served in whatever the 2nd Marine Division needed someone. If they needed someone of their MOS - sure - they'd use them there. If they didn't - they'd use them where they did.
Sometimes ... that can work out really badly ... Barracks I was in at Quantico - lost their cook ... So ... they grabbed someone from the Grunt Company - handed him a Marine Corps Mess Manual and said - congratulations - you are now a cook. The food was so bad I threw it up ... They eventually fixed that but people (we were all like E-1's and E-2's) were spending their whole pay checks at the little Mini Mart eating cup cakes because they couldn't stomach the food in the mess hall ...
In comparison - that base I was at my last 12 months - was up for Best Mess Hall In The Navy Award - and the food there was *_FUCKING GREAT_* (we all got fat until they started running us). The place I was at the first 3 months ... wasn't really bad ... but it wasn't very good either. They served rabbit a lot. It was in the High Desert and ... there were people there raising rabbits and selling them to the Marines ...
Ironically - when I got out - they told us we had to go around and contact some people, such as the local Reserve Outfit and the Draft Board. Apparently most people didn't do that but I did what they had told me to do. Everyone had a Six Year Obligation that could be part active duty, inactive reserves or active reserves (you go to meetings). Since I had served 2 years on active duty - I now had a 4 year obligation in the Inactive Reserves (no meetings - they'd just call me back if they needed me). This was the same thing as the guys who were drafted.
At the Draft Board - (where my status was changed from being on active duty to being in the inactive reserves) I asked, since I didn't know - what my draft number was. It was 18.
So - even if I hadn't enlisted - I would have been drafted.
[shrug]
You just never know about any of that shit.
.
@@maureenorourke3292 Kay Summersby would have been the second Mrs. Eisenhower had not one of General Eisenhower's peers or superiors 'read him the riot act' for requesting permission to bring her to the U.S. because the couple were deeply in love -- to the extent he was gonna ask Mamie for a divorce. It was explained to Ike that his reputation in the military and political arenas both would never recover from initiating a divorce and admitting the affair.
THEN, some time later, Pres. Truman went through the U.S. Army Archives' files on Ike and BURNED the general's pertinent, official letters where he'd professed to the higher-ups his undying love for the British lady and sought from them an official 'OK' for permission for her to fly on U.S. government plane to Washington, D.C. (Ed. - wow).
Even though Ike's and Kay's serious affair was validated, proven, etc., when the producer and writer of the 1979 ABC mini-series, "Ike: The War Year" [starring Robert Duvall and Lee Remick), that had involved years of research that included cooperation from Mamie and the grandchildren as sources, the family "lawyered-up" to censor and eliminate the love story portion. Lots of 'back-and-forth' between the two sides. For naught. The producer and writer were crestfallen because it was such a beautifully written, truthful subplot within the epic production. A significant re-write of the 'final' script was the only option; otherwise there'd be no "Ike: the War Years" on ABC or any network or movie house.
. . . Speaking of writing, what excellent writing on this episode of "Twelve O'Clock High" that enabled the regular and guest cast to deliver these stellar performances.
"Once again, thank you, 'jefke peremans,' for posting and sharing."
He wasn't a coward. He was taking a moral stand. A coward completely runs away, as far away from a gun as humanly possible. It looked like he lost his nerve in that gunnery position, until the loss of a friend gave him his nerve back, enough to avenge that death. But if his nerve to shoot depends on an anger to avenge a friends death. He won't last in that position. When he was through shooting he lost his nerve again.
Brandon de Wilde's father in Shane was Van Heflin.
So, wait, no one hears the Star Trek theme in the first few moments of htis episode?
From retired usaf major, Sierra hotel.
The corporal is 21 years old. His father died in 1918. In 1964, they must have been using the strange sort of arithmetic taught in year 2019 American public schools.
This took place in the 1940s not 1964.
If CPL Lawrence's father was killed on November 11, 1918, and let's say Lawrence was born the next year in 1919, and Lawrence was 21 years old in this episode, then the year for this episode would be 1940. Now given the fact that this series starts out in 1943, I'd say the writers of this show weren't too good at arithmetic.
The arithmetic seldom makes sense when the back story is shoe horned into historical events.
You're right about the math but one thing you overlooked..... No commercials.
Hey...We dont take kindly to your type of new fangled math around these parts.
Father died in 18. Born late 19. Plus 22. 1943 ya ingrate! 9 mo gestation Dec 18 - voila late 19
B-17s and B24s were vulnerable to a vertical diving attack. The only gun that can defend at all, is the top turret, which is severely restricted in being able to traverse and pitch quickly enough.
Why don't you want to be a crewmember of a b-17? Me personally, don't want to get killed. Call me crazy I don't know.
True dat...
Who wants to get killed; I'm glad the 'Greatest Generation' did what they did to stop Germany and Japan.
Brandon de Wilde had a short acting career - COMBAT!, 12 O'clock High, and the movie "In Harm's Way."
After that, he pretty much disappeared.
Also, did EVERYBODY smoke in WWII?
Yep, at one time smoking was seen by the military to calm the average combat soldier's nerves. Beyond that, a majority of men, and many women smoked daily into the 1980s before quitting/never starting began to gain momentum.
Even today. Congress refuses to let military bases to ban smoking. The tobacco lobby has definite pull here. Many young men come fresh from the farm and learn to smoke and drink in the military.
@@juanmonge8 tobacco is legal as is alcohol...
And no every person didn't smoke.. geez what a foolish thought.
There is a high rate of alcoholism amongst veterans. My brother in law is a veteran and an alcohol counselor. Many young men pick up the habit to relieve stress in the field.
@@donlove3741 Right, not everybody. Maybe 80% to 90% smoked.
So much has been written among these welcome, interesting Comments about former child star Brandon de Wilde I thought I'd give 'a shout-out' to another former kid performer -- Jimmy Hawkins; he plays de Wilde's friend and the proven gunner, Sgt. Jimmy Smith ** SPOILER ALERT ** who doesn't . . .
After a couple decades of playing 'light' -- "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946, as one of the Bailey youngsters), 1950s sensation on Sat. a.m. TV, "Annie Oakley", on which he played the sharp-shooter's little brother Tagg, he more or less grew up to young adulthood in front of the TV audience via the hit sitcom, "The Donna Reed Show" (1958 - 66). Lucky him, for most of his 20 appearances he played pretty Shelley Fabares' boy friend, Scotty. And he reunited with Miss Reed who played his mother in "Wonderful Life". Last year I was viewing multiple "Donna Reed" half-hours on MPI's wonderful seasons 1 - 5 DVD sets; 'wonderful' because the prints are crystal clear, picture and sound, and each year is full of bonus tracks. And, who provides a 30-minute insight into his wide-ranging career and time spent with the "Donna Reed" TV family? Jimmy Hawkins. He shares that Oscar winner Donna Reed ("From Here to Eternity") was a considerate star and boss, a class act all the way, and a cherished wife and mom with her own family.
Thank you for posting / sharing another "Twelve O'Clock High", 'jefke peremans'. Another 'thumbs up'!
It cost his close freind his life but that gave junior balls and everyone is happy
Gee, a low-level bombing mission without the need for oxygen, pilot and copilot able to talk without using the intercom. That was some sort of NEW B-17 that I never saw.
Some of the music sounds a lot like Star Trek sometimes. 19:03 to 19:06..
Ever notice how many (nearly all) of these service people salute improperly? Why do almost everyone tuck their elbow down to the side instead of bringing the elbow up nearly level with the shoulder? They look like Curly trying to avoid Moe's finger poke in the eyes.
Yes I did. But I never said anything probably because in the movies or tv they seldom get it right!
@@jimblue39 During the tiredness and rushing of war time, there would be more black eyes around from horizontal elbows here and there in groups and small quarters. Especially in ships
That kid from Shane grew up to look like MacGyver's kid brother.
The major in this story, it was said at the beginning of the program that he had already flown 35 missions. I thought back then they were rotated out after 25 missions? Isn't that why Memphis Bell was so famous. The only B-17 to fly all 25 missions and return home.
My Dad's experience in the RAF was that you did a tour of 25 missions and if you survived you were out for 6 months of "light" duty before your 2nd tour. That's what happened to my Dad. He and his fellow crewmates were offered an opportunity at the completion of their first tour to sign up immediately and fly only another 20 missions. Then they'd be out of the fray. The whole crew agreed and they remained operational. The MO grounded them after their 38th mission for being "combat happy".
You are right. However, you could volunteer to fly another tour. It would have been better, if the Major had been rotated back into a training command.
My Air Force ROTC instructor flew 35 missions LTC (Retired) Norman C. Heywood as a navigator and bombardier for 8th AF in Europe. Plaque hung in his wall said member of the Lucky Bastards award.
Did you ever notice the lack of aerodynamics of the B-17's? G model chin turrets, top turrets, ball turrets, and waist single gun opened windows? None of these really help the plane or its crew as 20 mm can fire effectively from outside the range of US's 50 Cal's. Just think about change of tactics? 20 mm twins in a flush mounted retractable nose, belly and upper turrets with single 20 mm cannons in the two plexiglass waist windows and radio operators positions. Much heavier! But need for form up wasting too much airtime, set a central! Form up as you clime to assigned altitudes and fly to target? The Luftwaffe was afraid Russia, Brittan, and the USAAF were going to adopt these tactics! We should have. Most allied bombers didn't have lower guns or belly guns. Most, like the Lancaster, had nose/forward turret, some had additional top turret, and tail turret. All with very little side and lower to bottom firing points. All the B-17's, 24's, 25's & 26's did.
Rod Firefighter
And Boeing now makes the 737 equipped with the infamous crash o matic.
Brandon deWilde was an excellent actor who died much too soon.
Anybody got a smoke?
Smoke, smoke, smoke that cigarette. Joe Camel ruled the skys
in WW 2.
richmcleod01
Joe camel was introduced in 1987. A number of different brands were included in ration packages (experience here), the most popular seemed to be Lucky Strike.
chesterfields--my favorite.
@@ardvarkkkkk1 Lucky Strike green went to war.
My dad smoked Pall Malls unfiltered until he quit the day he retired from truck driving in 1980 he was in the Army before WWII and during the war he was in the Navy on a submarine
Ironic, isn't it, that the corporal who doesn't want to fight is assigned to fly with the group leader who can't stop fighting. Can someone tell me the sense in that?
Clint Eastwood said it ... "A man has to know his limitations."
Brandon De Wilde played John Wayne's son in ..." In Harms Way "
Young corporal played Harm's ways . L.t. Torrey his father Capt Torrey play by the Duke
At 22:14 that's a young Dabney Coleman!
Thanks for the link, never would have recognized him.
So I guess John Larkin must have gotten his third star or something, He is no longer on the show and Lansing is no longer flying as group leader.
DON TAYLOR Lansing died of a heart attack at the age of 52, while this series was in production. He was a real WW 2 veteran.
DON TAYLOR Correction: Larkin not Lansing.
It may have been this particular episode that he wasn't flying. There are other episodes that he doesn't lead the group.Robert Landsing was killed off the show. His plane was shot down by a B-17 that had been captured and flown by germans, and showed up out of nowhere to join their formation.
John Larken died while filming the episode where the nurse accidentally almost kills Gen.Savage with a morphine overdose and the Barber was the secret Nazi agent.
"DON TAYLOR" You've jumped the gun; this is only the 11th episode of the series. Larkin was in the majority of the first 25 shows; was 'M.I.A' nos. 11, 12, 13 and 23. His tragic, Jan. 29, 1965 fatal heart attack, immediately following completion of the thrilling 'The Threat,' the 25th's filming, is the reason Maj. Gen. Wiley Crowe is missing from the final seven, 1964 - 65 first season episodes.
And THEN the "Twelve O'Clock High" faithful have to brace themselves for Lansing's (controversial, heavily debated) dismissal as star and series regular when year two commences in Sept. 1965..
General savage song should Be . SMOKE SMOKE SMOKE THAT CIGARETTE
I WOULDNT HAVE THE GENERAL'S JOB FOR ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD . HE HAS TO MAKE SNAP DECISIONS , AND SOMETIMES MEN GET KILLED BECAUSE OF THOSE DECISIONS .
Which explains the cigarettes and bourbon during war...
"Enterprise" fanfare - @0:01
only eight notes
@@watchgoose But they are significantly distinct notes.
. Savage is in a tough spot. he has to make a tough decision to make, but I think he made the mistake by not telling the group leader he had to stand down. He left it up the his, but I learned one time the hard way a person don’t want to stand down on his own. He wants to keep going tell he drop or something real bad happens. Sometime a leader has to take the bull by the horns and say this is they way it going to be; but He way worked out just fine not only with the group leader but with the young man whom he made a gunner out of and a Sgt. On top of that. I don’t know if it would like that in a real war or not it got the job done in this Hollywood war
Interesting prose, as a leader tough decisions have to be made, but leadership is a tough decision.
Brandon played little 'Joe" Starrett to big Joe Starrett played by Van Heflin in "Shane."
That actor has a thick Brooklyn accent yet he says he's from Des Moines. WTF???
'YOU ARE ALREADY DEAD'
Yes, at 21.3, the 8th raised their standards and started using Corpsman instead of Medics. Social Climbers!
charlie is alived horray!
the idea that a secular person would need an extra layer of explanation for being a conscientious objector is hideous. Oh OH I am a Quaker ,, I am a Buddhist, I am Lutheran,... How About I Am a Rational Humanist and I do not need some divine voodoo to make me moral.
1 airplane is finished his mission.
20gun of 1 enemy 40gun of s o f r y.
So predictable
Need. A. Smole
Smores? Snores? What do you mean exactly??????
Marty Baron, what do you mean, snores, smores, smope, snoke, or maybe skoke.