This Hi-Octane comedy story had to have been inspired by the popularity of GOMER PYLE. It made sense to have Jethro ALSO serve his country, kind of in the same league as Gomer -- shift to MORE insanity.
So what does Jethro do? He goes to Jed's movie studio and fetches a bunch of uniforms, including that of a WW II German general? Next he gets himself a surplus army tank? THREE STOOGES-like stuff that drives Mr. Drysdale completely overboard. Raymond Bailey shows off his comedy schtick in spades.
Stooge bit #2: Jethro and Drysdale (dressed as a German field marshal?) roll the army tank into Griffith Park. Question; How the heck did they do that? To get to the famous park you'd have to cross lots of busy streets in Hollywood. Where's the LAPD?
Stooge bit #3: Jethro starts firing ammo(!), Mr. Drysdale bails and jumps into a rowboat to make a hasty escape. Has to be the most OUTRAGEOUS scene ever done on the show. Director Guy Scarpitta should have gotten an Emmy nod, above and beyond the call of duty. 10 Stars.
Stooge bit #4: Two forest rangers FINALLY arrive and one of the rangers recognizes Drysdale as the guy in his WWII army unit who bamboozled him out of his dough! Say what? Drysdale is arrested on the spot.
There's a goofy scene with Bea Benadaret (PETTICOAT JUNCTION), returning as Pearl, Jethro's mom. Granny and Elly go to visit her in the country, and her phone conversations (and comedy voices) are great. Bea was a master of voices, foremost on THE FLINTSTONES.
Stay tuned. Positively NUTS. Thank you Guy Scarpitta and writer Paul Henning.
SEASON 6 EPISODE 6 remastered color. Seasons 6 through 9 are expected to be released on blu ray by 2027. Thanks always to METV for running these oldies daily. We love it.
