A fundamentally silly Western-themed sitcom that caught both the creators and actors by surprise when it became a hit after debuting in 1965, F Troop holds up remarkably well, thanks in large part to its terrific cast. Set in a mythical American West, the series begins with the arrival at Fort Courage of new commanding officer Captain Wilton Parmenter (Ken Berry)—an accidental hero ill equipped to lead a frontier outpost—who doesn't know that crafty Sergeant O'Rourke (Forrest Tucker) and Corporal Agarn (Larry Storch) are using the Fort as headquarters for a variety of moneymaking schemes, some of which include the eager-to-please Hekawi Indians, headed by Chief Wild Eagle (Frank De Kova). By sheer accident, Parmenter often manages to upset the best-laid plans of his shifty subordinates, and therein lies the impetus for most of the 34 episodes compiled on this extra-less six-disc boxed set. The laughs are often provided by Fort Courage's motley crew of troopers, each carefully drawn and played to the hilt by such outstanding character actors as James Hampton, Joe Brooks, and former Western star Bob Steele. Of course, Berry's bumbling manner and expertly executed pratfalls add to the general amusement, as does his nervousness around periodic visitor Wrangler Jane (Melody Patterson), who has a crush on the captain. The series couldn't sustain the level of excellence it achieved in this first season—soon writers were repeating gags and situations with alarming frequency—and the show wrapped after only two seasons. Sure to delight nostalgic baby boomers, this is recommended. (E. Hulse)
F Troop: The Complete First Season
Warner, 6 discs, 867 min., not rated, DVD: $39.98 Volume 21, Issue 5
F Troop: The Complete First Season
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