Twelve O'Clock High

[EIBBOR2654]

This TV series is why I enlisted in the Air Force. Thank God I served in SAC, yes I'm a SAC trained killer and proud of it! I still serve but with a Lawn Dart unit (F-16s), I miss the heavies, B-52s. Still the B-17 was the toughest bomber of WWII and the crews will always be my Heroes! I watched an interview of a German fighter pilot about attacking B-17s. He said that trying to shoot down a B-17 was like making love to a porcupine! Got to love that comment.

[maureencora1]

With the 332th Fighter Group the Red Tails as one episode as Escorting the 918th Bomber Group.

[Kharkovkid]

My Dad found and bought the nose art from the B-17 Green Gertrude in the early 60`s...It was a hula girl body with a Popeye Gargoyle head on top. He donated it to a museum when my mom got tired of it. I went to that museum when Memphis Belle came out. The directior admitted to me it had been liberated from the warehouse.... I was stunned.

[LargeSizedMarge]

My dad's favorite show. He was a sheet metal fabricator with the 381st HBG in Ridgewell England. I asked him once why he didn't join our local VFW and he said "Nobody ever asked me to risk my life". All I did was stay on the ground. His pet peeve was four-flushers that never saw combat but always wanted to tell stories like they were.

[bensdadfrank]

This is the closing theme, still remember the bells in the bass line as i trotted off to bed, and dreams of flying a B17. Found out many years later that it was pure hell for those who had to actually do it. Thank you vets.

[2buba2]

This program is now on MeTV in Nebraska, too. Wonderful!!!!

[parsonsrules]

A great theme from a very good show. Lansing played his part like it should have been portrayed.

[P51ride]

This series is being shown on the MeTV network here in Florida at 2:00 AM weekdays.

[kariebeez]

This is the prettiest theme song. The show comes on a retro digital station late at night. Funny, the song came back to me but I don't remember the show.

[MidnhtCrzr]

It was from this TV show that I first learned what a bomber was, what a B-17 was, what an 88 was. This show should be redone in color and utilize modern technology like CGI that can replace inaccuracies like a P-47 opening fire on a B-17.

[BearUrsus]

@MidnhtCrzr I hear you on the P-47. While the American Thunderbolt and German Focke-Wulf 190 may have resembled each other at high speed, (P-47's were often shot at by bomber gunners) anyone who knows the difference between the two would catch that. Same goes for subbing a P-51 Mustang for an Me 109. Again, similar look, TOTALLY different airplane.

[res57]

My Dad and I watched this and Combat together- I think thats all we ever had in common. I miss those days!

[JamesFloresMexico]

I have such high regard for this show, and the history it entails. I loved the theme song as I cry every time I hear it. One of my favorite shows while growing up in Mexico City. along side many Western shows like Laramie, and Big Valley.. Thanks for the memories.

[shinobunyc]

@JamesFloresMexico I have exactly same feeling with you. Japan was still poor those days as well as my family. One day, a TV set came to my home and many American TV drama came to Japan in those days. I was about 10-12 years old and coudn't understand what they saying in English at all, but every week when I hear this theme, I don't know why but I almost cried.

I am glad that I've found your coment here.

All the best,

From New York City.

[Frisco71957]

I wanted to say also that I felt priviledged and honored to have served with or been a family member of these heroric men and women who served in WWII, inspired me and enabled me to know what real courage, real honor and real duty is..foremost amongst them was my late father Sgt Colestine A. Frei, Jr. a US Army Medic who treated wounded and my distant cousin, a USAAF B-17 pilot, 8th Air Force, killed on a bombing mission in 1944. They acted rather than talk! I salute all of them! Capt Frei, CAP

[Frisco71957]

There are very few shows that are living memorials to those who sacrificed greatly even offered the ultimate sacrifice for each other, for their country and in order to defeat evil so that humanity could once again hope.The greatest these "Living Memorial" shows IS Twelve O'Clock High. Inspired by the show and Kennedy, that I served the US for 22 yrs in the Civil Air Patrol from 1972 to 1994 alongside of some of these men. Capt. George Frei, CAP

[Frisco71957]

There are shows that are considered to be great but there are very few that are living memorials to those who sacrificed greatly even offered the ultimate sacrifice for each other, for their country and in order to defeat evil so that humanity could once again hope.The greatest these "Living Memorial" shows IS Twelve O'Clock High. Inspired by the show and Kennedy, that I served the US for 22 yrs in the Civil Air Patrol from 1972 to 1994 alongside of some of these men. Capt. George Frei, CAP

[doromamire]

at this operation, one of frank's bombs was on my head.

[fatkinson1954]

I never knew why my father had such strong feelings about WWII, in which he served. But now that I know more about why the war was fought, I completely understand. God Bless America and the people that make her great and free.

[fatkinson1954]

My father was Army Air Corp during WWII. He has quite a story to tell. I tried to post the URL to his story but the site won't let me do it.

[varanid9]

Great quality. I must have been around 4yrs old last time I watched this on military channel 2 when my dad was stationed in Korea. I never forgot this music, though. I have never seen this show rerun.

[zequelll]

the B-17 is a beautiful plane

[varanid9]

@zequelll My dad was army, but he always said that the B17 was the most beautiful plane in the world. I don't know if that's why, but it really does have, to me, elegant lines and a majesty unmatched by any other plane before or since.

[zequelll]

@varanid9

from a time when people took pride in their work, like SS America and SS United States, art deco, etc. Also my uncle flew an a-36 apache in WW2 :P

[irish89055]

@varanid9 Yes, true. My father flew B17's and they are definitely ARMY.... Army Air Force.. Great looking plane, had one here near Richmond, VA yesterday. Great series, my dad enjoyed it..

[LargeSizedMarge]

@irish89055 Army Air Corps, not Force.

[irish89055]

@LargeSizedMarge  Try again Marge..... The USAAF was evolved from the USAAC in 1942 then became the USAF in Sept 1947..

[LargeSizedMarge]

@irish89055 Thats good. My dad joined the USAAC in 1939, and was very adamant that he was in the corp not the air force. It must have been a sticking point for him, possibly the change made people with a few years under their belts upset by the time 1942 rolled around.

[LargeSizedMarge]

@LargeSizedMarge The Air Corps ceased to have an administrative structure on 9 March 1942. As "the permanent statutory organization of the air arm, and the principal component of the Army Air Forces," it remained as a branch of the Army until 1947, and the overwhelming majority of personnel assigned to the AAF were members of the Air Corps......

[mesquiteguy1221]

My Uncle and I when I was a little boy used to sit up late at night and watch the T.V Series and eat vanilla Ice cream with choc-syrup, great memories. And I still love listening to the Big Band Music from that time. My Favorite WW-2 Air plane is Obviously the vaunted B-17G.

[MrMike3865]

Terrific series with an awesome theme song! I would watch this and Combat when I was a kid. I liked the footage of real air combat that was added. "Bombardier to pilot target approaching"

[SgtBooker44]

The B-17, what an awesome bird

[95tahoe1]

Great theme song!!!

[footram]

As a kid this was my favorite tv show. Friday nights were a special treat. My father was a bomber pilot during WW2 and to this day, when I think of 12 O'Clock High, I think of my dad. Love you Pop!

[thebes56]

Love the music too!

[Philliesrock97]

this and COMBAT! are two of the best tv series of all time

[bear3of9]

If you want to read a remarkable book on the young men who flew the B17's, I highly recommend " Masters Of The Air. " by Donald Miller. I could not put this book down. This is a true account of the young pilots who flew these incredible machines. I think you will enjoy the book

[bear3of9]

My  dad and I used to watch this show when they originally aired. I enjoyed it then and still do. One of my favorite b&w movies is Twelve O'clock High with Gregory Peck, Dean Jagger, etc

[2buba2]

Sorry, bull1rick, but every time I try to post the website where you can order dvds, my comment gets blocked. May I suggest googling 12oclockhightv; the website should come up on one of the links.

[2buba2]

Why are my comments being blocked?!

[bull1rick]

I loved this show. Anyone know where I might  find a DVD of this series or who might have copies on VHS?

[Shalakosackett]

Cracker barral restaraunt

[2buba2]

Never mind, gentlemen. It just started playing normally again. Thank goodness! I am hooked on that theme! Blessings to all.

[2buba2]

Hey, has anyone else been having problems playing this video recently?  About 45 seconds into it an error occurs freezing the play. It took out the audio capacity of my previous smartphone. Very disturbing! Comments?

[caguy562]

Gosh, this brings back memories.....used to watch this show when I was a kid living in Anchorage, AK of all places....RIP Paul Burke!

[MrPloopy]

This was my Dad's & my favorite TV show when I was 4, 5, & 6 years old. Only later did I learn why my Dad was such a fan - he was a pre-teen & teen aged Polish slave laborer in Wiesmoor (NW Germany btwn Emden & Wilhelmshaven) from May 1942 until May 1945 and witnessed many an air battle from the ground. I think it was his way of paying tribute to the fallen & surviving aviators who helped win his freedom, to put his nightmares in perspective, and to see German asses kicked again & again.

[46619TAB]

@MrPloopy My best friend's mom was smuggled out of Berlin when she was 9 by Christian friends, she and her family were German Jews. She lost her family to Hitler but has a family here in the US. She's a fiesty old girl and one BRIGHT light in my life!!

My dad's parents came to the US from Germany in 1929, dad was 5. He was at LosAlomos during WWII.

Your dad, is he still with you? Have you taken notes from him regarding his experiences, 'cause you've a got a book to write!

[stalker1647]

@MrPloopy - Thanks for Posting this - I'm from an AF family - my Grandfather and Father were Army Air Service, Air Corps, Air Force, and I retired from the Air Force after 28 years. People ask me why we do this - why Americans go all over the world to risk their lives to take fire and steel to foreign lands.It is so that boys like your father - and the ones with him - will get a chance to live free.

[DTLELDAR]

i used up all my characters from my last comment so as an add-on i was wondering i am red-green color blind so i was told i cannot be a pilot. so i decided i want to join the 101st or 82nd airborne division. but i was just wondering can i be a pilot if i am red-green color blind?

[DTLELDAR]

i am only 13 but i used to watch rat patrol and this show ALL THE TIME with my dad on American Life Network. now they took shows like rat patrol, tweleve o'clock high, combat! and time tunnel off of ALN. we can't find them any where. i miss them so much cause i would love watching these shows. does anyone know if they are still on the air what channel they moved them to? P.S. i wanted to join the airforce but i am red-green color blind. i was told i cannot be a piolit so i want to join the 101st

[2buba2]

I watched this show with my Dad, a C-46 pilot in WWII. It moved me to join the Air Force where I flew F-4s. I used to sing the poem "High Flight" to this show's theme song while airborne. Drove my pitters nuts. There are DVDs available via internet - top quality, too. Around $400 for all 3 seasons. Worth every penny. God bless all the aircrewmen who sacrificed for us and for posterity that we may live free.

[louklou812]

One of the best WWII series ever made, too bad ABC had to mess with it, it might have lasted more than three years. Rest In Peace, Paul Burke, as well as all the other cast members who are deceased as well as World War II veterans who have left us, God Bless them all!

[suir52]

Rest in Peace, Paul Burke, who died recently.

[lionsgate12345]

To FATkinson1954- What do your political

opinions of the President have to do with a a 1960's television entertainment? Get a life, then get lost.

[fatkinson1954]

You should get a life. And you should wake up or one day you'll find you're living under socialism and are no longer free.

[bluegoosejuice]

There isn't a show on televison now that compares to TWELVE O'CLOCK HIGH. NOT ONE!

[fatkinson1954]

Amen to that.

[fatkinson1954]

@bluegoosejuice I'd have to agree.

[fatkinson1954]

It does make you think about the story of World War II. Maybe the lessons learned about preserving Democracy and Liberty is something we should think about more often. It's something that a socialist President cannot fathom.

And in case anyone wasn't clear, yes I was referring to O.B.A.M.A. (One Big Ass Mistake for America).

[louklou812]

Presumeably you did not vote for Mr. Obama, sounds to me like there is a hint of envy or jealousy, maybe?

[fatkinson1954]

I'd never be envious of a wimp and/or a far left puppet.. He's a weak leader, he thinks everyone who earned should give up what they have and give it to everyone who didn't earn it. He thinks he's going so solve world problem by buddying up with ruthless dictators.

If we aren't vigilant, he'll take this country to ruin. You'd better wake up or you'll find yourself living under socialism.

[irish89055]

Where's B-1 Bob??

[donharmon42]

Best audio clip for the theme music I have heard, although the tail is unfortunately cut off. How do I download the audio file?

[irish89055]

yes, me too, loved watching with my father a B-17 pilot.. They clobbered that target(rail yard?)... Notice the waiste gunner in the 17 dropping the incendiaries shooting over the 17 doing the filming... way kool..

[lionsgate12345]

I was just nine years old at the time the first season of Twelve O'Clock aired. I couldn't wait for 10 PM Friday nights to

huddle in front of the television. and watch my hero Robert Lansing tell it the way it was. It was the most memorable, exciting, and compelling drama of this fourth graders life. Great memories of a

moving tribute to the B-17 crews that

put it all on the line for the folks back home. There's nothing that compares to it in realism and drama today. A TRUE MILESTONE!

[fatkinson1954]

Well, I don't agree that nothing compares to it. I would compare it to all of the men and women who put it on the line every day in the defense of this nation.

God Bless them every one.

[Rickatspeedoflight]

One of my favorite shows as a child. Great theme music.

[bcwatson57]

I loved that theme and that show!!!!!!!!

[garyowen4ever]

this theme can move the hardest of hearts and the church bells aren't wedding bells, but bells that toll in respect for the supreme sacrifice of those who served!

[fatkinson1954]

Amen!

[yunklestiltskin]

The History channel ran this show for quite a stretch, I enjoyed watching it again. This is a masterful piece of orchestration and a satisfying melody that sticks in the memory.

[Heepster1]

Seems I'm in good company here ! That's the 1st time I ever heard the theme song SO good ! Was always on a small TV--in headphone it's great...I was 12-13, my Dad was in the 15th AF in Italy and we watched this together each week without fail..thanks for posting ! Dave White

[wendylovesdogs]

Thank you for posting this! I loved the series, the theme song and especially Col. Gallagher! Amazing!

[planetside11]

Me too. I used to never miss 12 O'Clock High whenever it aired when I was growing up in Tampa. I loved it, and have never forgotten this theme song. Thank you so much for posting it. I really appreciate that.

[terryjohn]

never seen it as im 48 .over here in uk

tj

[amadokk]

The very best TV theme of all time.

TV Folklore has it that too many wives of Vets wrote in complaining that it caused PTSD reactions from the WWII Vets who watched it; too realistic of the horrors of war. That is why the series was cancelled. Second best drama on TV during the 60s; right after The Fugitive.

[cypersurfer]

Is there a DVD out for the TV show. I am have looking around for it. Fanstantic TV show. All of Q & M productions were great. Thanks.

[streaker1957]

great tv show when i was a kid love watching Paul Burke command a flight

of b-17 s

[dickypot]

The best theme ever composed for a TV show. And back then they used real musicians, not a synthesizer like they do today.

[foreversoulmate]

Brought tears to my eyes just thinking about all the times I watched this as a kid. I'd kill to see it again.

[yumdukho]

when I was a kid, I loved this drama.

[SoloPilot6]

Oh, yeah, this is the CLOSING theme, so no voice-over. Duh!

[SoloPilot6]

Doesn't sound right without "Tonight's episode . . ."

[fitzy2424]

Yep ... loved it as a kid.

[flydadj]

One of my favorite shows when I was a kid. Love the music too! Can't wait for it to come out on DVD!

[russphilly]

Great show it was!!! yep watched it every week!!!!

[barkochba132]

Great theme song. I hope this will come out in DVD soon, other Quinn Martin series have been appearing. Other World War II series have proven popular such as "Combat!" and "The Rat Patrol".

[digital2500]

This is a beautiful Dominic Frontiere theme song!

[KFitzgchs]

One of my favorite TV Series when I was a kid! Thanks for posting this clip!

[304822581]

this is a good one too!!!!