Alcoa Theatre (TV Series) The Glorious Fourth (1960) User Reviews

Nothing special

[searchanddestroy-1 · 6/10 · 25 February 2020]

A bunch of Confederate soldiers during the civil war try to reach their lines; nothing more. This is a pretext of character study in absence of an officer to lead the patrol. This made me think about some American films describing war in Korea, where lost patrol schemes were legions. Good directing and action scenes, especially for this kind of stuff. Some comedy lines, such as the sequence of children seeking in the farm, where the Confederate soldier suddenly faces a Yankee.

Moving tale of the Civil War

[lor_ · 28 October 2023]

This Alcoa/Goodyear Theatre Western story takes a myth, in this case the fighting men of the Civil War, and focuses it on a folksy approach, with the rebels as protagonists. If you're willing to forgive the usual sugarcoating as well as popular glorification of the South it's an enjoyable ensemble piece.

With his comedy chops, Dick York is a natural as the corporal leading what's left of the Fourth Regiment after suffering near-total casualties in previous battles.

Not casting stars was a wise move, as it keeps one guessing regarding cast members' survival chances. Other than York, only handsome Jeremy Slate, looking a bit anachronistic for the 19th Century, is a famous face on screen. The first half of the show is quite lighthearted, with making fun of the new recruits, but matters turn serious when the shooting (and fighting with bayonets) begins. For all of the soldiers' cheekiness, that deadly undertone is powerfully expressed.