Little Orphan Airplane (22 Feb. 1974)

Col. Steve Austin is dispatched to Africa to find and rescue U.S. pilot Josh Perkins who recently made a crash landing there and carries a valuable roll of film.

Director:

Reza Badiyi

Writer:

Elroy Schwartz

Stars:

Lee Majors, Richard Anderson, Scoey Mitchell

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Lee Majors	...	Col. Steve Austin
Richard Anderson	...	Oscar Goldman
Scoey Mitchell	...	Major Chooka
Marge Redmond	...	Sister Annett
Lincoln Kilpatrick	...	Captain Braco
Greg Morris	...	Josh Perkins
Stack Pierce	...	Bajad
Tierre Turner	...	Jajamin
David Turner	...	Farmer
Ji-Tu Cumbuka	...	Soldier
Arnold F. Turner	...	Sergeant (as Arnold Turner)
Don Mantooth	...	1st Radio Operator (as Donald Mantooth)
Reb Brown	...	2nd Radio Operator
Susan Powell	...	Sister Terese (as Susan Gay Powell)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dale Robertson	...	Himself

Storyline

Col. Steve Austin is dispatched to Africa to find and rescue U.S. pilot Josh Perkins who recently made a crash landing there and carries a valuable roll of film.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Afrikaans

Release Date:

22 February 1974 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 30, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Silverton Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

48 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the reconnaissance plane pilot is sending his mayday call and coded message, the transmission is weak and staticky, yet later when the tape of the radio conversation is played, the sound is crystal-clear.

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Quotes

Josh Perkins: Eh, Steve, about those improvements?
[meaning Steve's bionic replacements]
Col. Steve Austin: What about them?
Josh Perkins: Do they come in black?

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Connections

References Tales of Wells Fargo (1957)

User Reviews

Okay episode.... nothing spectacular here

Greg Morris - remember him from Mission: Impossible? - guest stars as a pilot who crash lands in Africa whilst taking photographs in a designated no-go zone. Not wanting the African authorities to see American involvement in a potential war in Africa - Oscar sends Steve to recover the photos.

Morris though survives the crash and is taken in by two sisters (one of which has a huge crush on Dale Robertson - the actor). Steve finds Morris, repairs the plane and flies himself, Morris and the two sisters to safety.

Not much to it is there? A poor enough episode really of the SMDM as nothing really happens that is out of the ordinary. Sure Steve runs fast with Morris on a trailer (the slow-mo is not used here but instead an embarrassing Benny Hill like run across the field is shown) and carries a plane engine around on his shoulder. He also throws stones at the ensuing African army platoon - apparently they sound like falling missiles ??? Corny.

Steve not only repairs the plane and flies them out but somehow manages to set up a meeting on set with Dale Robertson for the star-crossed sister once they are back in the US.

If you were recommending the SMDM to anyone - then I wouldn't pick this particular episode as a good example of the show.