tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post8296844699882424391..comments2024-03-13T23:42:41.022-07:00Comments on We Are Controlling Transmission: Spotlight on Specimen: UnknownJohn Scolerihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15830334036783163702noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-80060078382886367312019-02-14T14:29:51.021-08:002019-02-14T14:29:51.021-08:00You forgot "BISSELL".You forgot "BISSELL".hockey24hrshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17665339445715581362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-38743239957997079362012-04-22T05:10:03.433-07:002012-04-22T05:10:03.433-07:00Steve Mitchell refers to Dabney Coleman as "u...Steve Mitchell refers to Dabney Coleman as "uncredited." However, Coleman's name does appear in the end credits of the episode.Mike Kingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-11174439482694604962011-01-17T18:38:04.129-08:002011-01-17T18:38:04.129-08:00That was way too much fun to read, Steve. Worthy o...That was way too much fun to read, Steve. Worthy of several "Growlers"...the Official Beverage of We Are Controlling Transmission.Peter Farrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08282435407442494330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-29905037744872917602011-01-16T21:25:09.729-08:002011-01-16T21:25:09.729-08:00Truly one of the great shows from the 60's and...Truly one of the great shows from the 60's and unlike so many old shows it really does hold up today. Sure there are some weak outings, but on average the show was compelling, really well made, and most importantly, very well acted. Vic Morrow's work just gets better with time. "Saddle up!"Steve Mitchellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-52727075106409974012011-01-16T21:09:44.405-08:002011-01-16T21:09:44.405-08:00Major COMBAT enthusiast here, too. The Morrow-dire...Major COMBAT enthusiast here, too. The Morrow-directed episodes are all excellent; "The Glory Among Men" and "Cry in the Ruins" are at the top of the list of all 152----but, then again, there are many other (non-Morrow) greats..."The Farmer", "S.I.W.", "Gift of Hope"...the hits keep comin' in this series. Great, classic stuff.<br /><br />LRLarry Rapchaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-89680331940145684642011-01-16T17:25:15.254-08:002011-01-16T17:25:15.254-08:00Huge COMBAT fan here too, as Steve knows since we&...Huge COMBAT fan here too, as Steve knows since we've geeked out over it. Seen every episode, some numerous times. Have the superb Image Footlocker set. "Hills are for Heroes" is my favorite too; Morrow's masterpiece. And so so many other great ones, through so many periods of the show's run--including its transition to color.<br /><br />I'd be down with ACAD, but not sure how many takers.<br /><br />Speaking of other shows: DJS, when's STONEY BURKE hitting the streets?<br /><br />Kirby, take the point--Littlejohn, you're on me.Larry Blamirenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-83515141177346371012011-01-16T16:30:07.572-08:002011-01-16T16:30:07.572-08:00I'm looking forward to your COMBAT adventure w...I'm looking forward to your COMBAT adventure when OUTER LIMITS is over. By the way there is a decent episode guide, COMBAT A VIEWER'S COMPANION by Jo Davidsmeyer.Walker Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16089880902426182100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-46627241715302930902011-01-16T11:24:23.357-08:002011-01-16T11:24:23.357-08:00Wow, Pete...A COMBAT A DAY...152 episodes...that w...Wow, Pete...A COMBAT A DAY...152 episodes...that would be an epic commitment. Overwhelming idea, and a daunting task, but it might be fun. The show has fans and IMAGE did well with the DVD's. So...Steve Mitchellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-37306691661098923682011-01-16T11:19:21.899-08:002011-01-16T11:19:21.899-08:00Actually, Walker-
As I just commented to John, I ...Actually, Walker-<br /><br />As I just commented to John, I love Combat but I'm not sure I'd have anything interesting to say or have much enthusiasm to say that not much for 152 episodes. A fascinating concept popped into John's head though and I think we'll travel down that road for our next adventure. It's an exciting and (as far as I know) unique concept (although in today's world, nothing is unique thanks to the net) that we'll talk more about as soon as OL is ready to wrap. I think it'll hold your interest, Walker.Peter Enfantinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04317575598411394944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-5960186118465722392011-01-16T11:10:08.829-08:002011-01-16T11:10:08.829-08:00Peter, I'll sign up for all 5 years! I can han...Peter, I'll sign up for all 5 years! I can handle COMBAT and OUTER LIMITS. And Bare Bones e-Zine and MANHUNT and...Walker Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16089880902426182100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-52309993199095433412011-01-16T10:34:25.107-08:002011-01-16T10:34:25.107-08:00I tell ya Steve-
I'd love to break ranks from...I tell ya Steve-<br /><br />I'd love to break ranks from all this horror and science fiction and do a Combat a day someday but I'm not sure what the reaction would be.Peter Enfantinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04317575598411394944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-63338433743589506182011-01-16T10:30:45.165-08:002011-01-16T10:30:45.165-08:00I was drinking Coca Cola from a long neck bottle a...I was drinking Coca Cola from a long neck bottle and it was sweetened with sugar not corn syrup. Very old school. HILLS ARE FOR HEROES is the magnum COMBAT opus, and is still quite amazing today. The hand held camera work presages SAVING PRIVATE RYAN by decades. It took 22 days to shoot which put it 10 days over schedule, and director Vic Morrow took a lot of heat for it. Sadly, I never talked to episode writer GENE COON, so I can't answer any inspiration questions, but my guess is that both movies may have been an influence as they were fresh memories for the folks producing the series at the time.Steve Mitchellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-7329703885142156432011-01-15T19:52:28.005-08:002011-01-15T19:52:28.005-08:00You're right about that, Walker---it was proba...You're right about that, Walker---it was probably RC Cola and Ruffles, at the time. <br /><br />I do remember that "Hills Are for Heroes" is a two-parter---Jim Barron and I discussed this not long ago, sharing an appreciation for the episode. That title had to have been influenced by the Steve McQueen HELL IS FOR HEROES, from '62. But I'd have to bet the story was inspired by 1959's PORK CHOP HILL. Any supporting evidence for that?<br /><br />Yeah, it would have been like the Nazis to arrogantly outsmart themselves by turning hot chicks into something shiny and inert.Ted Rypelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-17869698917330572202011-01-15T16:38:45.813-08:002011-01-15T16:38:45.813-08:00For 30 years I owned a great cover painting from a...For 30 years I owned a great cover painting from a men's adventure magazine by Syd Shore. It showed Nazis turning girls into gold ingots. No wonder they lost the war! <br /><br />"Hills are for Heroes" is one of the very best episodes of COMBAT. A two parter directed by Vic Morrow it actually showed Nazis gunning down GIs. Usually Vic and his gang had no trouble making Nazis eat dirt but this episode had a more anti war theme and was more realistic. <br /><br />Glad you guys were not hiding behind he couch but I bet you were not drinking beer...Walker Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16089880902426182100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-47629822570990932112011-01-15T16:14:55.884-08:002011-01-15T16:14:55.884-08:00What a fun ride this blog is becoming! Thanks to a...What a fun ride this blog is becoming! Thanks to all above for the nice words. Re: hiding behind the couch...never happened in my dark basement "screening room." It was just me and the control voice. I never really found OL to be really scary...okay, when the brave MP emerges from the second floor covered with Zanti's it rocked me but good! Bugs of all shapes and sizes were my Kryptonite when I was a kid watching the various 4:30 movies and catching up with all those Famous Monsters. The spider in INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN still creeps me out to this day. Re: Nazis and Nude Chicks I so would have loved seeing those STAG Mag covers come to life, but Saunders and his squad had a war to win, one machine gun nest at a time, with little time for Nazi Babes.Steve Mitchellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-20953319728529217832011-01-15T09:50:47.054-08:002011-01-15T09:50:47.054-08:00Peter---
I could wait in the "CORDAY" l...Peter---<br /><br />I could wait in the "CORDAY" line for a long time. <br /><br />Larry Rapchak---<br /><br />Thanks. It's great company to be sharing. Even back in the scattered-fan day we knew that our TOL-pondering pals ("we'd be a scary species among other intelligent life forms") were more thoughtful than the pure Star Trek cling-ons ("shunt right past that stuff to an edenic future!"). Looking forward to more of your commentary, particularly about the memorable music.<br /><br />Gary Gerani---<br /><br />Hello! Great to hear you again! It's been since TOLAIR and that marvelous still collection of yours. David is right, though: we need your definitive essay to bring closure to the gum-card issue. I agree about what a terrific forum this has become. Made possible not only due to the cyber-village but also because Peter and John's episode-a-day compact has brought renewed immediacy to the subject. Like anticipating Monday evenings all over again!<br /><br />Walker Martin---<br /><br />Ditto your comments on what a fine show COMBAT was ("Hills Are for Heroes" still resonates, though I haven't seen it in years). Jim Barron will agree resoundingly. Our only regret, as kids too uninformed yet to miss the Nazi nudes, was that there were no dinosaurs out of the DC war comics! (or machine-gun sound fx like "budda-budda" and "takka-takka")<br /><br />But Larry Blamire is laser-sharp in observing that there wasn't a bear we shrank from on first sight. We welcomed them all, both out of juvenile fascination with the grotesque and that familiar boasting of the merit-badge of courage so popular with the slasher crowd a generation later.<br /><br />As the B-movie age we'd been weaned on was coming to a close, we knew that THESE monsters were way cooler than most. And that they carried more meaning than simple ghastly appearance.Ted Rypelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-66576514344801489822011-01-15T07:54:02.942-08:002011-01-15T07:54:02.942-08:00White Rook! Nice job, buddy, and a novel approach....White Rook! Nice job, buddy, and a novel approach. Really liked what Steve had to say though I found Steve much less interesting.<br /><br />Look forward to your zantificating.<br /><br />Hiding behind the couch? Hell, what self respecting kid would do that? I'm betting DJS, Gary, et al, were like me with the monsters--glued to the damn set!Larry Blamirenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-50409440434171889462011-01-14T22:20:20.666-08:002011-01-14T22:20:20.666-08:00But who says we've changed at all since we fir...But who says we've changed at all since we first saw them!Peter Enfantinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04317575598411394944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-42799820349802655442011-01-14T21:31:54.960-08:002011-01-14T21:31:54.960-08:00Nice interview Steve. By the way I'm a real fa...Nice interview Steve. By the way I'm a real fan of COMBAT; I watched it when it was first on TV and I have all the box sets which I'm working my way through. My only complaint revolves around the subject that the men's adventure magazines always stressed, mainly the habit that Nazis had of partying with nude girls. COMBAT does not have a single scene showing Nazis doing this normal, male behavior. How come?<br /><br />Concerning OUTER LIMITS, I've noticed that most of our commenters, and maybe even Pete and John, first saw the show as kids, either on the original airing or reruns. I first saw the episodes in my twenties while attending college. While you guys were hiding behind the couch when the monsters appeared, I was drinking beer, eating sandwiches, and laughing like hell. Now here I am, in my sixties, drinking beer, eating sandwiches, and laughing like hell when the monsters appear.<br /><br />Some things never change...Walker Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16089880902426182100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-33915440239475853062011-01-14T20:43:45.657-08:002011-01-14T20:43:45.657-08:00Congrats, Manchester! A terrific way of conveying...Congrats, Manchester! A terrific way of conveying your perceptive thoughts about this episode, which I suppose does have something of that Manly Men on a Manly Mission WWII-style flavoring. The presence of Richard Jaeckel tends to confirm this. Meanwhile, everybody's favorite movie general Morris Ankrum could have played MacNally's part without a single word being changed, though this would have wreaked havoc with the subtle romantic triangle you were suggesting (although if Gary Merrill can earn the love and lust of Sally Kellerman...). Looking forward to your "Zanti" self-interview, Steve. And here I thought "The Duplicate Man" wouldn't happen till the end of this blog! BTW, hello there Ted Rypel! It has been ages, at least close to three decades. So glad you could be a part of this OL extravaganza, which is shaping up as quite an amazing experience for us True Believers. It's incredible... no matter how often David writes about these episodes, there's still the exhilaration of discovering something new and brilliant that comes through in the tenor of his comments. The damn show is THAT GOOD. Now, Steve, all we have to do is to convince someone to let us produce a THRILLER-like Special Edition with all the cool trimmings we can muster -- on Blu-ray, no less!Gary Geraninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-91068839128845456352011-01-14T19:15:36.246-08:002011-01-14T19:15:36.246-08:00Steve--
Enjoyed your auto-interview; good to hear...Steve--<br /><br />Enjoyed your auto-interview; good to hear from both you and Ted. <br /><br />I remember enjoying this episode when it premiered because--AT LAST--- there was an OL that I could actually understand!Larry Rapchaknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-3994651213220758402011-01-14T18:43:07.081-08:002011-01-14T18:43:07.081-08:00Ted-
You'll have to stand in line!Ted-<br /><br />You'll have to stand in line!Peter Enfantinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04317575598411394944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-75069914492822237712011-01-14T18:18:42.170-08:002011-01-14T18:18:42.170-08:00Really enjoyable, Steve. I love the reminiscences...Really enjoyable, Steve. I love the reminiscences that spring straight from the heart of the child that was. 'Cuz I was also that child. <br /><br />The day after a new TOL, I'd gather with my similarly sf-enamored cronies and we'd recount the episode with appropriate "oohs" and "aahs." Even after the occasional disappointment, we knew this show was special. Different from anything else we had seen on TV. Insidious, in its power to capture our attention with eerie compositions, bizarre creatures (disturbing in ways we couldn't yet identify as subtext), and sinister music unlike the forgettable filler on most shows.<br /><br />My kudos also for the amusing interview format.<br /><br />Looking forward your Zanti Spotlight---a first-echelon episode on virtually everyone's list. Just remember: the foundational phonemes of the Zanti language seem to be "lonz-lo trin-zini"; some permutation of those syllables will get you wherever you want to go on Zanti!<br /><br />Peter: I'll take the lab samples that say "CORDAY" and "GARLAND"!Ted Rypelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-45955468017130388362011-01-14T17:50:37.502-08:002011-01-14T17:50:37.502-08:00Fabulous job as always, Steve. Your interviewer re...Fabulous job as always, Steve. Your interviewer really knew how to draw out the best in you, I think. I didn't notice the mushroom platter with "AGAR" on the side until now. If the camera pulled back, we would have seen similar trays labeled "TREMAYNE," "CARLSON," and "DENNING."Peter Enfantinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04317575598411394944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535833613343533564.post-62962057767562114672011-01-14T17:49:23.219-08:002011-01-14T17:49:23.219-08:00Steve, great questions! And Steve, great answers!...Steve, great questions! And Steve, great answers!<br /><br />Loved the discussion about the actors and their good work here! Gail Kobe is one of those smart actresses who stand out -- TOL had plenty of those and it's always a pleasure to watch them.<br /><br />Can't wait for your Zanti-rrific spotlight later on!Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00345830456539347899noreply@blogger.com