The Wackiest Ship in the Army
(1965-1966)
60 minutes
Adventure / Comedy / Sitcom
Background: The South Pacific during World War II. The story of the USS Kiwi, a leaky, two-masted 1871 schooner incorporated by U.S. Army Intelligence to assist in winning the war. Posing as neutral Swedish sailors, its crew attempts to observe Japanese movements, assist allies, and inform officials of enemy strategy. Spiced with light comedy. Based on the motion picture.
Cast:
Jack Warden as Major Simon Butcher
Gary Collins as Lt. Richard 'Rip' Riddle
Mike Keller as Chief Miller
Fred Smoot as Machinist Mate Seymour Trivers
Don Penny as Pharmacist Mate Charles Tyler, ship's cook
Duke Hobbie as Finch
Rudy Solari as Gunner's Mate Sherman Nagurski
Mark Slade as Radioman Patrick Hollis
Bill Zuckert as General Cross
Charles Irving as Admiral Beckett
29 episodes aired on NBC from September 19, 1965 to September 4, 1966.
1. Shakedown 9/19/1965
2. The Sisters 9/26/1965
3. Goldbrickers 10/3/1965
4. The Day the Crew Paced the Deck 10/10/1965
5. The Colonel and the Geisha 10/17/1965
6. Bottoms Up 10/24/1965
7. The Stowaway 10/31/1965
8. Boomer Mckye 11/7/1965
9. Vive La Kiwi 11/14/1965
10. The Lady and the Luluai 11/21/1965
11. A Shade of Kaiser Bill 11/28/1965
12. And Tyler, Too 12/5/1965
13. Last Path to Garcia 12/12/1965
14. I'm Dreaming of a Wide Isthmus 12/19/1965
15. The Lamb Who Hunted Wolves (1) 1/2/1966
16. The Lamb Who Hunted Wolves (2) 1/9/1966
17. What Is Honor-a Word? 1/16/1966
18. Hail the Chief 1/30/1966
19. Liberty Was a Lady 2/6/1966
20. My Father's Keeper 2/13/1966
21. Brother Love 2/20/1966
22. And Two If by Sea 2/27/1966
23. The Ghost of Lord Nelson-san 3/6/1966
24. Voyage to Never Never 3/13/1966
25. The Girl in the Polka-Dot Swimsuit 3/20/1966
26. Chinese Checkers 3/27/1966
27. My Island 4/3/1966
28. Fun Has More Blondes 4/10/1966
29. Routine Assignment 4/17/1966
