Season 1: Episode 13: USO Down
From Bravo 3/44th
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Contents |
Overview
- Directed by
- Ronald L. Schwary
- Written by
- Jim Beaver
- Guest Stars
- Patrick O'Bryan (as Pat O'Bryan) ... "Long John" Vivian
- Cynthia Bain ... Colby Jordan
- Marietta DePrima ... April
- Stuart Fratkin ... Larry Carlin
- Also Starring
- Linda Jameson ... Christy
- George Marshall Ruge ... Crew Chief
- Wade Cambern (The Band)
- Kerry James (The Band)
- John King (The Band)
- Joey Turnbull (The Band)
- Original Air Date
- 21 January 1988
- Title Card
- Although often called upon to perform in hostile battle zones, all USO entertainers worked on a voluntary basis.
Episode Summary
In World War II, we realized the necessity of entertaining the troops. The Korean war simply emphasized this fact. By the advent of the Vietnam war, it was really evident that the United Services Organization's entertainment division was a very important instument of war. The Bob Hope and Martha Raye open shows were very popular among the fighting men of Southeast Asia.
There were numerous tour groups travelling throughout Vietnam. American entertainers were joined by entertainers from Australia; England; and Canada and were in groups of all different sizes. Interestingly enough, the women did not need a whole lot of talent.
Again, this is a story about civilians in the war making for a very unique war. A small group of these entertainers were stranded in the jungle after the helicopter crashes. We again see how difficult it is for the well trained soldier to have to deal with untrained civilians. The group had a severly injured; a whiner; a prima donna; a war monger; and a very demanding young musician. They were noisey and were lit up like a Christmas tree. One can imagine how this group stood out in a jungle. It was like a big brass band and huge neon light saying, '...here we are, we're Americans, we're spoiled! So get used to it, Sucka!' It was a sure test of the leadership and responsibilities of Goldman and Anderson.
But the USO show must go on! (By Ernest Johnson)
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Transcript (see transcript listing)
Excerpt from scene [6:43] Point Man Fantasies
TAYLOR: Lord, have mercy!
ANDERSON: What's going on, Taylor?
TAYLOR: It's the heat, Sarge. I'm telling you, it's the heat!
ANDERSON: Hey, hey, heat don't make noise. Now, what did you see, son?
TAYLOR: A chick.
GOLDMAN: A chick? Right. Taylor, you been smokin' that weed again?
ANDERSON: Now don't be playin' around, son.
TAYLOR: It was a white chick, with some shorts on and some leather boots. I'm telling you, Sarge, the heat done fried my brain.
JOHNSON: Hey, Taylor. You sure, man?
TAYLOR: You want her, you go get her. Sarge, don't put me on point no more.
TAYLOR: It was a white chick.
Song Listing (see full series listing)
- Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) (B. Strong/N. Whitfield) Performed by The Temptations. Sky's the Limit. Motown, 1971.
Scene: Taylor sees "a white chick" in the jungle.
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- Mannish Boy (B. Diddley/M. London/M. Waters) Performed by Muddy Waters. The Real Folk Blues. MCA/Chess, 1965.
Scene: On a two-man mission to retrieve Carlin's saxophone, Long John touts his genetic qualifications.
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Trivia
- Anderson, Zeke
- won't tolerate soldiers carrying weed while out on mission
- not into fanatical crap
- Goldman, Myron
- doesn't know who Charlie Parker is, much to Larry Carlin's dismay
Favorite Quotes
CARLIN: What the hell are we supposed to do, man? We're civilians!
GOLDMAN: That's apparent.
CARLIN: I have got to mellow out.
CARLIN: You wanna see me cry? Okay, look, I'm cryin'. I am crying. These are real tears.
LONG JOHN: What's the matter, you wanna live for ever?
ANDERSON: What's the difference between being brave and being stupid?
GOLDMAN: I don't know. Maybe it's just timing.
Screenshots (see Screenshots page)
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