The Soldiers
GenreSitcom
Created by
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes11
Production
Executive producers
Running time30 minutes
Production companyNational Broadcasting Company (1955)
Original release
NetworkNational Broadcasting Company
ReleaseJune 25 (1955-06-25) 
September 3, 1955 (1955-09-03)

The Soldiers was a 1955 NBC 11-episode summer sitcom starring Hal March, Tom D'Andrea, Red Pearson, and John Dehner.[1][2][3][4] The series was sent in mono and black and white. It was directed by Bud Yorkin and written by Hal March and Tom D'Andrea. On television the half-hour series was broadcast on Saturdays from June 25, 1955 to September 3, 1955.

The series featuring the misadventures of two reluctant privates played by March and D'Andrea; John Dehner as the captain, and Red Pearson as the sergeant. Mickey Rooney guest starred in one segment. The Soldiers was Hal March's first starring role in a television series. [5]

March and D'Andrea, who used their first names as series characters, had previously appeared in these same roles on the NBC anthology series, The Colgate Comedy Hour. In one episode a soldier becomes depressed because he cannot see his wife on their anniversary, having sent her a bus ticket to meet him. Without money for the meal, Hal and Tom raise funds for the soldier but wind up in jail doing so.[5]

After the series failed to take root, D'Andrea returned to his role as Jim Gillis on William Bendix's NBC sitcom, The Life of Riley; March became host of CBS's The $64,000 Question.

References

  1. Bob Leszczak Single Season Sitcoms, 1948-1979: A Complete Guide - 2012 - Page 172 0786468122 "The Soldiers James Saphier Productions. NBC. Saturday nights 8:00. June 25, 1955 — September 3, 1955. Broadcast live with a live audience. Approximately 11 episodes aired. Torn D'Andrea and Hal March had been doing a comedy ...
  2. Bob Leszczak From Small Screen to Vinyl: A Guide to Television Stars 2015 1442242744 "He began his career doing comedic stage routines, and teamed with actor/game show host Hal March for a popular sketch called “The Soldiers.” D'Andrea and March performed the skit numerous times on NBC's The Colgate Comedy Hour.
  3. Billboard - May 21, 1955 - Page 5 NBC-TV will slot "The Soldiers," the Hal March-Tom D'Andrea situation comedy, in Saturday 8-8:30 p.m. this summer, if the property can be sustained cheaply enough. Hazel Bishop will move Dunninger into the following Saturday half hour on ...
  4. David Baber Television Game Show Hosts: Biographies of 32 Stars 2007 - Page 160 1476604800 "He also worked with actor Tom D'Andrea in a series of skits called The Soldiers, which had been featured on The All Star Revue. NBC commissioned The Soldiers as ... booth (Fred Wostbrock). A Human Host One of the reasons 160 Hal March.
  5. 1 2 "The Soldiers". The Classic TV Archive Home Page. Retrieved 31 January 2017.


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