william-paul-beau-gruendler

And the incomparable Warren Oates don't even get the star billing he deserves! Playing a man (Lt calls him "Kid"!) in mortal pain, "PVT Stark" lets his life's blood tell his sad story. As a "runner", he was probably given non-shooting duties in deference to his wife and young child (although he's relieved of his bayonet by the LT) ... I can only imagine the little details called for by the director to make this the tense, emotional shock of a roller coaster it is: one wild ratcheting! Even the cast looks hand-picked. Weren't Turkel and Morrow in something else together?

The Force is with this one, and not an ounce -nay, nary a drop - of cynical ranting will save the naysayers' misguided criticisms from the ash heaps of evil and darkness ... Monsters, planets, original and new characters, props, costumes, sets, music, animation, THE WILHELM SCREAM(!), hugs, songs, pantomime, Art Carney(!) peace, joy and harmony in a galaxy far, far away and long, long ago... Become a child again. Happy Holidays!

Second time seeing this (now) deeply moving episode in over FIFTY YEARS. This time I watched, wistfully, as as an old, disabled combat infantryman. Music by Rosenman's is pervasive relentless and moving as always. Kirby spouts the wise-guy rejoinders (watch for his writers'blooper!) . Saunders' pithy, two-syllable one-liners are in perfect character. Guest star Simon Oakland, a TV face well-known, plays one of The Old Men: a cynical, crusty combat veteran of North Africa hampered by PTSD and a bum knee ... Two other old guys and a young "veteran" round out the stellar cast: Tom Drake as Todd, a politician needing a service record; William "Bill" Phipps is PVT Barnhill, the poor, scared guy just wanting to get home to wife and kids. Arnold Merritt does a fine job in a tough role of the "new-yet-old Vet" whose words and deeds finally carry the meaning of the whole, tense show. We really get to know these grunts before the wild, firefight finale. Even Kirby is shown firing his BAR in that signature style of his. Caje gets scout duty (AND wounded!) again... My only complaint is the failure, on-camera, of the cast to collect dogtags and fix the bayonets on the rifles, stab it in the ground, and place the helmets on them.