S1.E18

The Lorelei

Episode aired Jan 22, 1965
1h

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Rip Torn and Barry Russo in 12 O'Clock High (1964)

Every series deserves at least one good spooky episode, and this is it for 12o'H. The Lorelei is a bomber that returns from a mission and lands intact, but with its entire crew dead. Gen. Sa... Read allEvery series deserves at least one good spooky episode, and this is it for 12o'H. The Lorelei is a bomber that returns from a mission and lands intact, but with its entire crew dead. Gen. Savage assigns the plane to his new 2nd-in-command, Col. Royce, who he's supposed to evaluat... Read allEvery series deserves at least one good spooky episode, and this is it for 12o'H. The Lorelei is a bomber that returns from a mission and lands intact, but with its entire crew dead. Gen. Savage assigns the plane to his new 2nd-in-command, Col. Royce, who he's supposed to evaluate for assignment as a group commander. Royce is a highly-experienced, decorated, and well-... Read all

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IMDb RATING

8.3/10

YOUR RATING

2User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
As far-fetched as this episode may seem to be, it is in fact founded upon a grain of truth. The historical basis for the story, which is well represented in books on the air war over Europe, concerns a B-17F named "Tinker Toy", assigned in late 1943 to the 381st Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force, based at Ridgewell in East Anglia. Having returned from missions on multiple occasions with dead crewmen, "Tinker Toy" was looked upon by the group as a "jinx" ship. After surviving the violence of some 15 missions over enemy territory, the aircraft went down true to form on 20 December 1943, in a head-on collision with a Nazi fighter.

Goofs
At 45 minutes into the program Capt. Royce calls that they are losing altitude and will have to abandon the aircraft. The right side windows in the cockpit are intact. At 47 minutes the camera shows an empty cockpit, but now there are bullet holes in the same windows on the right side of the cockpit, and they have not been in any combat.

User reviews2

Review

Featured review

7/10

Is the plane haunted or infested with gremlins?!

When the story begins, a plane nicknamed 'Lorelei' lands at the base. When they go to check out the plane, the entire crew is found dead! A bit later, this same plane is assigned to the Colonel and the plane has unexplained problems again and again....as if it's possessed! The Colonel and the rest of the crew want a new plane....but General Savage refuses. What's next?

This is a weird episode and might have been good as a Halloween episode! While not entirely believable, it IS exciting to watch.

By the way, the Lorelei is a German myth. Supposedly on the Rhine, sirens would sing to the boat crew...luring them to their deaths on the rocks. A fitting name for the plane! Also, I noticed something I've seen repeatedly on the show....women usually sport 1960s hairstyles, not 1940s ones. The Colonel's wife looks out of place because of this.