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This show was loosely based on a movie by the same name which starred Jack Lemmon and Ricky Nelson. The premise was that a non-conventional Army officer and a misfit Navy crew sail a derelict schooner called the Kiwi on various undercover missions against the Japanese. It ran one season (September 1965 - April 1966) but is well worth a watch should you ever catch a rerun. It starred Jack Warden as the irascible Army Major Simon Butcher and Gary Collins as Lt. (j.g.) Rip Riddle the by-the-book Navy man. The two locked horns regularly at first but eventually became reluctant friends. Bill Zuckert and Charles Irving played their respective commanding officers General Cross and Admiral Beckett in this top secret Army/Navy joint venture.
The crew of the Kiwi was made up of many familiar faces. Chief Miller was played by Mike Kellin (who played the same role in the original movie). Taylor was played by Don Penny, Trivers was played by comedian Fred Smoot, Nagurski was played by Rudy Solari (who went on to play Casino in Garrison's Gorillas) and the often seasick Hollis was played by Mark Slade (who went on to play Billy Blue Cannon in High Chaparral). There were also many familiar guest stars like Hans Gudegast (who went on to play Dietrich in Rat Patrol) and George Takei (who is known the world over as Sulu in Star Trek).
This show was a comedy but had many suspenseful moments. The chemistry among the crew and the situation of war lends itself beautifully to fan fiction.
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