The Furlough
- Episode aired Dec 27, 1966
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
88
YOUR RATING
In a bomb-scarred London suburb, Saunders spends a furlough helping an orphanage director.In a bomb-scarred London suburb, Saunders spends a furlough helping an orphanage director.In a bomb-scarred London suburb, Saunders spends a furlough helping an orphanage director.
Photos
Rick Jason
- Lt. Hanley
- (credit only)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDuring the scene when everyone is in the bomb shelter, the child to the left of Carol Lawrence changes actresses between the wide shot and the closeup.
- GoofsSaunders' uniform is wrong. The boots should not be bloused. He is only wearing a CIB, no medals or qualifications.
- Quotes
Ann Tinsley: Your eggs. How would you like them fixed?
Sgt. Saunders: Oh, uh, on a plate.
Featured review
A different look at the war
An entirely different aspect of the war, back on the home front, is depicted in this heartfelt episode. One of Vic's privates is killed by a German sniper and Vic carries out his last wish -traveling to Boddington, England (80 miles from London) to give $300 to the orphanage managed by guest star Carol Lawrence.
Hiding in a bomb shelter during the Blitz is just one thing Vic experiences in this new world, and fans also get a chance to see him in a different light, with Carol providing a type of romantic interest for our hero.
Vic remains stoic at first, not reacting to the new milieu ar even showing any fear as the Luftwaffe bombs blow up loudly on the soundtrack. But the cute kids and Carol's empathetic performance soon win him over, starting with him doing simple magic tricks to the delighted kids in the bomb shelter. He even breaks through to a battle-shocked little girl who is frightened fo him at first.
But the orphanage is severely damaged by the bombing and they emerge from the shelter to see the mess left behind. He's there to help out Carol, who has a mini-nervous breakdown at the ongoing horrors of war. Planning to get back to his regiment, Vic becomes involved in refurbishing the orphanage and soon gets used to the unlikely new role.
It's so different from Sgt. Saunders in "Combat!" that it seems like an all-new role for the actor, and he fits it nicely, more thoughtful and sensitive than usual, even playing games with the kids during a pastoral picnic interlude. Vic's subtle acting is evident at the tragic climax which brings him and the viewer back to the harsh realities of war. And it's hard to imagine a more wholesome heroine for him, unless if Julie Andrews had been available.
NOTE: Jo Davidsmeyer, the published expert on the show for fans, stipulates in her annotated book as well as the Complete DVD edition's "Notes, Oddities and Bloopers" that the mute little girl Paulette in "The Furlough" is played by Broadway and TV star Christine Baranski, with stage name "Chris Charney". Actually Chris Charney is a child actor, five years younger than Baranski. Baranski was already a teenager when this episode was shot and obviously not the child who appears on screen.
Hiding in a bomb shelter during the Blitz is just one thing Vic experiences in this new world, and fans also get a chance to see him in a different light, with Carol providing a type of romantic interest for our hero.
Vic remains stoic at first, not reacting to the new milieu ar even showing any fear as the Luftwaffe bombs blow up loudly on the soundtrack. But the cute kids and Carol's empathetic performance soon win him over, starting with him doing simple magic tricks to the delighted kids in the bomb shelter. He even breaks through to a battle-shocked little girl who is frightened fo him at first.
But the orphanage is severely damaged by the bombing and they emerge from the shelter to see the mess left behind. He's there to help out Carol, who has a mini-nervous breakdown at the ongoing horrors of war. Planning to get back to his regiment, Vic becomes involved in refurbishing the orphanage and soon gets used to the unlikely new role.
It's so different from Sgt. Saunders in "Combat!" that it seems like an all-new role for the actor, and he fits it nicely, more thoughtful and sensitive than usual, even playing games with the kids during a pastoral picnic interlude. Vic's subtle acting is evident at the tragic climax which brings him and the viewer back to the harsh realities of war. And it's hard to imagine a more wholesome heroine for him, unless if Julie Andrews had been available.
NOTE: Jo Davidsmeyer, the published expert on the show for fans, stipulates in her annotated book as well as the Complete DVD edition's "Notes, Oddities and Bloopers" that the mute little girl Paulette in "The Furlough" is played by Broadway and TV star Christine Baranski, with stage name "Chris Charney". Actually Chris Charney is a child actor, five years younger than Baranski. Baranski was already a teenager when this episode was shot and obviously not the child who appears on screen.
helpful•00
- lor_
- Oct 15, 2023
Details
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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