Combat Squad (Columbia Pictures) (1953)

Combat Squad’ Rugged New Drama Of Infantry in Muddy, Bloody Action Mat 1-A; Still No. 5 JOHN IRELAND, who stars with Lon McCallister in Columbia’s “Combat Squad” atthe ....... Theatre, meets lovely Linda Danson behind the lines. ‘Combat Squad’ Star Acts Between Naps John Ireland, who has starred in many great action roles, believes in obtaining the best results, movie-wise, with the least expenditure of energy. Like the tough, efficient combat platoon leader he portrays in Columbia Pictures’ ‘Combat Squad,” co-starring Lon McCallister at the ................ Theatre, Ireland can, and does, relax at the drop of a hat. As soon as his director announces completion of a scene during shooting, Ireland immediately heads for a cool corner and a nap. John’s easy-going attitude around the studio sound stage is typical of his career, in which he has achieved success more by taking advantage of opportunities than by spending ‘his energies in pursuit of advancement. He literally “swam” his way into show business as a participant in the William Wrigley marathon swim in Toronto in 1935 and later in a water carnival. Strangely enough, John’s lackadaisical attitude drops the moment he steps onto a stage for he immediately transforms himself’ into the vigorous, intense characters he portrayed in “Red River,” “Cargo to Capetown” and “Little Big Horn.” There’s Always Water! If John Ireland’s career as an actor should suddenly end, he can always take to the water for a living. Ireland, who co-stars with Lon McCallister in Columbia Pictures’ “Combat Squad,” now at the .............. Theatre, was a participant in the William Wrigley marathon swim in Toronto years ago and worked in a water carnival. (Review) The stern reality of men in battle—stripped of the false heroics and the trappings of glory—is thrillingly faced up to in Columbia Pictures’ ‘“(Combat Squad,” which opened yesterday at the’ ..4............ Theatre. John Ireland and Lon McCallister are starred in this blistering account of what the foot McCallister Made Bow When Only 12 Lon McCallister’s screen career contradicts the accepted theory that the best way to get a break in Hollywood is to first win fame somewhere else. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he is strictly a local boy who made good. McCallister, who is co-starred with John Ireland at the Resear fk: Theatre in Columbia Pictures’ “Combat Squad,” has been making good ever since he was 12 years old when he appeared in “Romeo and Juliet.” But his first big screen break came when he won the role of California in “Stage Door Canteen.” Critics acclaimed his performance and he was well on the way to winning even more important parts when his wartime service intervened. McCallister’s first post-war film was “Home in Indiana.” Since then he has amassed an enviable list of top credits that include the “Red House,” “Montana Territory,” “Scudda Hoo, Scudda Hay,” “A Yank in Korea,” and “Winged Victory.” ‘Combat Squad’ G.I. Wrote Own Story A G. I.’s exasperation with the fanciful tales told by most war pictures during World War II resulted in Columbia Pictures’ “Combat Squad,” the new action drama_ starring John Ireland and Lon McCallister atthe cis. Theatre. While serving as a flamethrower operator in the South Pacific, G. I. Wyott Ordung vowed some day to write a picture which would show combat life as it really is. Upon his discharge from the service, Ordung pounded out his version of what a war screen play should be and then set it aside. He brought it up to date by using the Korean front as a locale. The result is “Combat Squad.” He Started Young Lon McCallister believes in starting young. The handsome young star, currently seen with John Ireland in Columbia Pictures’ “Combat Squad,” now at the Theatre, secured his first picture role when 12 years old, in “Romeo and Juliet.” Subsequently he spent many years in radio and then returned to films in “Stage Door Canteen.” soldier must endure in a tough war theatre. The parades, the dress uniforms, the piping of fifes and the rolling of drums have been left behind in “Combat Squad,” the stark picture of what the average dogface must face as he marches up one weary hill after another. Here, like a jolt to the jaw, is the undiluted picture of how the infantryman endures the fury of war. In “Combat Squad,” Ireland plays a hard-bitten sergeant, a combat veteran, who efficiently faces up the needs of the moment and, at the same time, nurses a batch of green replacements into seasoned fighting men. Combat action in the film includes the taking of an enemy machine gun position, the clearing of a roadblock that has been holding up the advance, and the fliushing-out of snipers in a dense Korean forest. McCallister, an eager but inexperienced soldier, smarts under Ireland’s rough-handed treatment until, in the final test of combat, he gets his chance to prove himself. Ireland is sent, with Martin and two other green G. I.’s, to wipe out a sniper nest. An experienced rifleman, played by Hal March, tags along, as does the platoon medic, George E. Stone. The sole surviving sniper proves too smart to fall for the usual bait and Ireland, in order to draw his fire and make him reveal his hiding place, offers himself as a target. It is at this critical juncture that McCallister shows his mettle and emerges a seasoned veteran. “Combat Squad” was written for the screen by Wyott Ordung who also wrote the story. Cy Roth directed the new war drama for producer Jerry Thomas. “Combat Squad” Mat 2-B; Still No. 15 “Combat Squad” Mat 2-A; Still No. 75 “COMBAT SQUAD,” Columbia Pictures’ rugged new drama of the infantryman in action, stars John Ireland, left, and Lon McCallister, center. Hal March, right, and George E. Stone are featured. John Ireland, Lon McCallister Top Players in ‘Combat Squad’ (General Advance) A bald, unvarnished account of what the slogging infantryman endures in action is said to be graphically set down in Columbia Pictures’ “Combat Squad,” which, starting on sats ait , will be the new film at? the: 2250. Theatre. John Ireland is starred as a battleseasoned sergeant together with Lon McCallister who portrays a green infantry replacement. “Combat Squad” takes audiences on a front-line tour of an infantry platoon engaged in a life-and-death struggle for a few feet of ground. Here is a picture, with more emphasis on the guts and less on the eee WOUNDED IN ACTION, a “Combat Squad” infantryman is given blood by George E. Stone, in the new Columbia drama at the ...... Theatre. John Ireland, watching, is starred with Lon McCallister in “Combat Squad.” glory, of what the average G. I. experiences when ordered to take an enemy machine-gun position on some desolate hillside, to smash through a roadblock or to flush out hidden snipers. Ireland portrays the tired veteran who carefully nurses himself and his _ platoon through dangerous days on murderous hills. In the squad’s first action of the film, Ireland is ordered to take an enemy position that dominates a hillside. The unseen enemy literally looks down their throats with death-dealing machineguns. When a frontal attack fails, Ireland calls for a flamethrower and leads the assault himself. He orders McCallister, untried in battle, to the rear; the youth frets at the veteran’s rough handling. But it is during the platoon’s toughest assignment, wherein Ireland is sent to flush out troublesome snipers and, at the same time, blood the green replacements that McCallister comes to military maturity. In “Combat Squad,” the stars are supported by Hal March, who plays a seasoned rifleman in Ireland’s platoon, and George E. Stone as an heroic medic, a veteran of three wars. Story and screen play of “Combat Squad” were penned by Wyott -Ordung. Cy Roth directed the new Columbia war drama for producer Jerry Thomas. ‘Combat Squad’ Columbia Pictures’ “Combat Squad”? opens (50.4.3 at the Rtas oft Theatre. John Ireland, as a battle-hardened sergeant, and Lon McCallister, as a green replacement in Korea, are starred, with Hal March and George E. Stone featured. Wyott Ordung’s story and screen play for “Combat Squad” were directed by Cy Roth and produced by Jerry Thomas. Page 7