(147) The Bankroll

RATING: 1/2 bayonet

Written by Shirl Hendryx
Directed by Georg Fenady

First aired 13-Dec-1966
Episode 13 of Season 5

SYNOPSIS:

After an exhausting 24-hour pass leaves him broke, hungover, and happy, Kirby gets a new guy to back him in a poker game. They win a $1600 bankroll, half in markers from Pvt. Farley. After a firefight, Farley makes sure Kirby knows that the markers are worthless if Farley dies. Kirby learns that Farley has welched on every bet in his former units. Kirby collects half the money from Farley and gives it all to the kid, who was wounded while Kirby tried to protect his markers.

REVIEW:

"The Bankroll" offers Kirby at his cuddliest. He is just a harmless little fuzzball in this episode about an obnoxious welcher who owes Kirby and a fellow G.I. a pot of money. Kirby is so nice and noble at the end — what went wrong?

The bankroll gets Kirby thinking he has enough money to buy himself a stake in his Uncle's bowling alley, giving him something to go home to, "something that means something." Buck Taylor as Jeetleman gives another fine performance in Combat! He was last featured in the episode "The First Day" as the soldier who didn't make the mark his first time under fire.

NOTES, ODDITIES, AND BLOOPERS:

? Hanley's helmet is so shiny that it reflects lights during the firefight. It looks polished.

? Shot in Franklin Canyon and the MGM backlot.

? Kirby gives Jeetleman $400 more than he's owed.

? Dick Peabody is still on crutches, so he is not in the action sequences.

CAST CREDITS:

Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley
Vic Morrow as Saunders [does not appear]

Guest Star
James Stacy as Farley

Jack Hogan as Kirby
Pierre Jalbert as Caje
Conlan Carter as Doc
Dick Peabody as Littlejohn
William Bryant as McCall

Norbert Meisel as German Sergeant
Mike Farrell as Doctor
Steven Marlo as Carson
Mike Masters as Poker Player
Louis Elias as Lou
Oliver C. Stone, Jr. as Whitey
Dave Armstrong as Poker Player (usually listed as David Armstrong)
Larry Grant as German Soldier
and
Buck Taylor as Jeetleman