"Baa Baa Black Sheep" (1976) TV series 1976-1978

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Directors:

Alex Beaton
Robert Conrad

Writers:

Gregory H. 'Pappy' Boyington (book) and
Stephen J. Cannell (created for television by)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | unknown

Release Date:

21 September 1976 (USA)

Genre:

Action | War | Adventure | Drama

Plot:

Pappy Boyington is the squadron-leader of a group of fighter pilots stationed on an island in the Pacific...

Plot Keywords:

Fighters | Aviation | Jap Zeroes | Corsairs | WWII

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination

Cast

John Larroquette	...	Lt. Bob Anderson (12 episodes, 1976-1978)
Steven Richmond	...	Stan Richards / ... (11 episodes, 1977-1978)
Robert Conrad	...	Maj. Greg 'Pappy' Boyington / ... (10 episodes, 1976-1978)
Robert Ginty	...	Lt. T.J. Wiley (8 episodes, 1976-1978)
W.K. Stratton	...	Lt. Larry Casey (8 episodes, 1976-1978)
Dana Elcar	...	Col. Thomas Lard (7 episodes, 1976-1978)
Denise DuBarry	...	Nurse Samantha Greene / ... (7 episodes, 1978)
Dirk Blocker	...	Lt. Jerry Bragg (6 episodes, 1976-1977)
Jeff MacKay	...	Lt. Don French (6 episodes, 1976-1977)
Simon Oakland	...	Gen. Thomas Moore (6 episodes, 1976-1978)
Joey Aresco	...	Sgt. John David 'Hutch' Hutchinson (6 episodes, 1976-1977)
James Whitmore Jr.	...	Capt. James Gutterman (6 episodes, 1976-1977)

Also Known As:

"Black Sheep Squadron" (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

60 min (37 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Indian Dunes, California, USA

Company:

Stephen J. Cannell Productions

Trivia:

The real Greg 'Pappy' Boyington appeared in the second half of the two-part episode "The Deadliest Enemy of All" in the cameo role of Gen. Harrison Kenlay. He also appeared at the end of the first season's final episode "The Fastest Gun" as an officer who pins a medal on Boyington in newsreel footage.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In several of the dogfight scenes, when there is a brief in-cockpit view of the pilot's hands dramatically pushing or pulling at the control stick, none of the (clearly visible) instruments ever move to indicate a climb, dive, or turn.

Quotes:

Capt. James Gutterman: [talking back to a Navy officer] I'm already carrier qualified Mommy!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Frost/Nixon (2008)

A viewer remembers

The tales of Boyington's Black Sheep may not have been the most historically accurate, best written, or even best acted WW II series on television.

What it WAS, however, was an entertaining hour in front of the tube, with a likable cast & easy to like/care about characters.

The Bellisaro hand in the casting in easy to see, with a number of familiar faces that returned to become regulars or recurring characters on Magnum P.I.

In short, a usually enjoyable show that never failed to deliver exactly what you expected from it.