12 O'Clock High

This was a not only a thinking man's series about WWII but also one that had a psychological approach to the fatigue and emotional stress that these men had to face in the line of duty. This was one of the best if not the greatest television shows of its day that depicted the outcome of the challenges of the 918th Bombardment Group of the United States Air Force during the horrors of battle in WWII.

When "Twelve O'Clock High",premiered on ABC in the fall of 1964,it was like a show unlike no other since it was based on the classic 1949 war film that starred Gregory Peck. The television show was a remarkable achievement that lasted three years on the air from 1964 until 1967,and produced 78 episodes,with the last 17 episodes in color in its final season. The black and white episodes lasted only two seasons from 1964 until 1966,while the color episodes ran from 1966 until 1967(the 61 episodes were in black and white from 1964-1966;the 17 episodes were in color from 1966-1967,in its final season). "Twelve O'Clock High" was head and shoulders above its competition and it is ranked to "Combat!" as one of the most intense dramas to ever depict about the horrors and scars and emotional traumas in the line of duty,that was World War II. While utilizing stock war footage for bombardment and astounding dogfight scenes,the brilliant story lines really addressed the timeless issues of the warfare and the effects on some of the individuals who were in the line of battle both on the ground and in the air. Issues and subject matter like heroism and cowardice,and integrity along with compassion and commitment were the order of the day. And it was brought to life on a intimate scale.

It also made a huge star out of actor Robert Lansing as General Frank Savage. His character during the first two seasons of the show brought more depth and integrity to the character than any other actor I have ever seen and it shows in the earlier episodes of the series. With a beautiful soaring theme by composer Dominic Frontiere,the strong production values of legendary producer Quinn Martin("The Untouchables", "The Fugitive","The FBI","The Invaders")along with long time QM associates Charles Larson,Phillip Saltzman,and fellow executives Howard Alston,Adrian Samish,and John Conwell as well as the supporting cast of the series including Frank Overton,John Larkin,and Andrew Duggan. The series garnered rave reviews,and was poised for a long network run on the small screen. However,the network executives over at ABC stepped in to make improvements which killed it. When the program was retooled for the second season,Robert Lansing's character of General Savage was killed off.....reportedly his plane was shot down somewhere over in Europe in hostile German country(in a gripping second season opener episode titled "The Loneliest Place In The World",which aired on September 13,1965).

However,Paul Burke(from the 1950's cop show Naked City)was brought in as his replacement and from there the results to the changes really killed it. Paul Burke to me was never the right choice for the role and simply out he was not a very good actor. The show took even a major dive when the episodes were in color. When the show was cancelled in the summer of 1967,after struggling for two seasons with the new cast,the network downplayed this show just to ignore the fact the this series had promise after it received rave reviews and a Golden Globe Nomination during the first season of the series.

I had never heard of this series, yes I had seen the movie, it was terrific, now my husband and I are really enjoying this Series. No one could play the part of Frank Savage, like Robert Lansing does. He has all the Human Passion, that a man in his position requires. I am in awe at how he always gives a man the benifit of the Doubt, the men want to be what he wants them to be, and do what is expected of them.

A very well done Series as far as I have seen. It is one that I want on video, as it shows us how fear must have engulfed the men in the air force. Little do we know how their necks would have been raw from turning their heads constantly, searching for the enemy, a heartwarming series, that make us say "Thank You" to all the men and women in World War11, whether on the ground or in the air, or in the boats on the ocean.

Thanks to everyone of you, we have freedom, let us be Thankful.

A First Time Viewer Joy

I recently had a chance to see this show again after many years. I thought that it was a great show before, and I feel the same way now (I refer to the Robert Lansing/season one show -- I agree completely with the comments that head this list).

Robert Lansing, and the writers, show how leadership happens, when the commander doesn't have the option of starting over with someone else. He knows that his unit is only as strong as the weakest member, and he uses his knowledge and his leadership ability to get his men to do their best, even when it may cost him personal popularity.

The combat scenes are well done, but so are the scenes when the airmen are back at the base, or off duty, in wartime England, socializing with the civilians before risking their lives on another day time bombing run deep into Germany.

Quinn Martin & Irwin Allen were 2 of the mainstays of 1960's ABC TV. It amazes me that this show did not last longer. It is very well done. Between this, the Fugitive, & The FBI, Martin pulled a big load for ABC.

This series presented the story of the bombing crews in World War 2, specifically the B series bombers with the machine gunners in the turrets & the bombing runs over Europe. While the movie is well done, this series is also excellently done.

The surprise is this lasted only 3 seasons. I often wondered when a quality series like this one got canceled if the ratings were rigged back then. They would cancel quality series like this & Star Trek in 3 seasons. Yet some series that were real garbage in comparison would last longer.

The pretty much male cast in this show were all excellent actors who seemed to fit their roles very well. When this was made, the planes were still available to use to make things look realistic too. Overall, this was an excellent series. The stories were always the same & Martin did not get a chance to produce a finale for this one. Considering it went off about the same time as the Fugitive, it is hard to imagine him being able to finale this, though a re-creation of V-E day for these bomber crews would be exciting.

The first season of 12 O'clock High was a credit to all involved. As a 10 year old watching in 1965 there was not enough action. However, the story lines were good and the acting and production seemed believable. You really felt an empathy for COL Savage as one of his planes and 10 men took a hit and went down in flames. Filming in Black & White added that "look" that was also the trade mark of that great TV series "Combat". It is a shame that Lansing did not get along with Quinn Martin (mentioned above) as the series went down hill when he left. I still recall the episode when he did'nt come back from a mission. Twelve O'clock High is a memorial to those Pilots and Aircrew of the US 8th/5th Air Force as the majority of the young men did not make it through to their 20 odd missions and return to the States. Imagine sitting in a B-17, cold and miserable, freezing to death for up to 8 hours or more then having to fly through the wall flak on that final run to the target. Being jumped by enemy fighters on the way in and out of the target with nowhere to hide. They were sitting ducks. The British gave up daylight Bombimg.

Regrads Pete H, Sydney, Australia