Old School TV--Entire "Combat!" Series

[Bat Guano]

Bought the entire 5 seasons on DVD (152 episodes!) a while back. Normally very expensive but I got lucky and got mine for about $100. Finally decided to get going on it after the holidays. The original show started in 1962, and I rarely missed an episode that year. Loved the show. Sadly, between more college and getting drafted, I pretty well missed the other 4 years. I am finally getting to rewatch that first year plus all the ones I missed. And, unlike a lot of other things from my ill-spent youth, it's not just as good as I remembered, it's BETTER. Far superior storytelling to anything out there...

I'm limiting myself to two 47 minute episodes per weeknight, and my wife is getting hooked as well. Best money I've spent in a LONG time. (You Tube also has some episodes if you're not familiar with it.)

Further info here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat!

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Combat-Complete-Vic-Morrow/dp/B00EEEHL9G/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1452578456&sr=1-1&keywords=combat+complete+series"]Amazon.com: Combat!: The Complete Series: Vic Morrow, Rick Jason, Pierre Jalbert, Jack Hogan, Dick Peabody, Bernard McEveety, John Peyser, Robert Altman, Sutton Roley: Movies & TV@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AJbK1FGML.@@AMEPARAM@@51AJbK1FGML[/ame]

 

[kaaskop49]

"Combat" was my favorite TV show back then. I've caught an episode or 2 on an oldies channel and, as the OP said, there are episodes on YouTube. Now, however, I find it hard to watch these episodes; they seem dated. I have no difficulty watching "The Invaders" from that same time period.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[fordson]

Yep, "Combat", "12 O'Clock High", "Navy Log" - these were all great TV shows of that era - and before the silly (but funny) "McHale's Navy" and "Hogan's Hero's". WWII Vets were home with new TV sets and the industry produced what they wanted to watch.
There was another TV program like "Combat" but can't recall the name. It wasn't as good though.

 

[Watchdog]

There was another TV program like "Combat" but can't recall the name. It wasn't as good though.

You're probably thinking about The Gallant Men. It pretty much tried to be a Combat copycat and cash in on that show's popularity without admitting it was a copycat. It failed miserably, lasting only one season in '62-'63. I don't believe any of its stars went on to do anything of note in television or films.

 

[fordson]

Yes, that's it! The story line wasn't as good as "Combat", nor the acting and service related accuracy.

 

[walkinghorse]

My Dad liked Combat! He served in the Navy during WW II and was stationed on Kodiak Island before, during, and after the campaign to remove the Japanese from Attu and Kiska islands. He did not watch Victory at Sea. I asked him why, and his reply was Combat reminded him why he was glad he was not in the Army, and Victory at Sea, gave him memories of a cold dark sea! He told me he joined the Navy cause they did not have to wear a tie!

 

[lrrifleman]

The old shows were quality. I don't hesitate when my children curl up to watch the shows of my childhood.

 

[Watchdog]

The old shows were quality.

They were, weren't they? My dad used some of the old shows to try teaching me life lessons.

We never missed an episode of Gunsmoke. The show would have the cowboys sitting around the Longbranch, playing poker. A conversation between dad and I went something like this:

"Boy, you see that deck of cards?"
"Yessir."
"That's fifty-two tickets to Hell!"

Or they'd show Sam the bartender drawing a glass of beer:

"Boy, you see those bubbles in that glass?"
"Yessir!"
"Every one of those bubbles is a devil!"

Same thing for the saloon girls.

"Boy, you see those women?"
"Yessir!"
"Don't you mess with girls like that, they'll get you in trouble, and drag you down."

To this day, I don't play cards.

 

[labworm]

Quite a few TV stations are catering to the Baby Boomers, showing many of the old time series. And you bet I am watching them.

One of Maxwell Smart's cars was a Sunbeam Tiger.

Ya think they know we have some green backs?

 

[10mmauto]

Thanks! Now I can't get the theme song out of my head!

 

[calmex]

Older T.V. shows weren't just quality, they could do and say stuff you can't do or say today. Take Get Smart for an example:

Chinese Villain: So, Mr. Smart. Do you know what they call me?

Smart: Lefty?

Chinese Villain: No, Mr. Smart. I work for KAOS, the International Organization of Evil. They call me the Craw.

Smart: The Craw?

Chinese Villain: Not the Craw!!! The CRAW!!!!

Smart: Oh, yes, the Craw.

Hillarious. Even today.

 

[Ron AZ]

I tried not to miss any episode of COMBAT! My Dad would not watch it. He was a WWII infantryman and said it was not what the war was really like ... that it essentially depicted only patrol action. I think he did not want any reminders either.