MovieChat Forums > Combat! (1962) Discussion > Why was Saunders alway so grouchy?

Why was Saunders alway so grouchy?


Throughout the series Vic Morrow's character rarely ever smiled. Was that for a reason?

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Hello Army War just doing his job as a SGT.

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FIBER!! K-Rations did not provide the recommended daily requirements for "Fiber Intake," as required by the soon-to-be created FDA. However, in the Korean "Conflict" ALL personnel received the daily requirements of 'FIBER,' and thus, a happier 'elimination' from the war! Don't you watch "MASH"?

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I love Bob

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I do not think he was grouchy. He had a job to do. Plus he was always caring and was also nice to small children. So don't think he grouchy all the time.

Back To School!

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@mark-mc Am I reading you right? Are you saying Saunders was constipated from lack of fiber? If Saunders was constipated, then everyone would be constipated. They all ate the same thing. It is true that nutrition has improved from K-Rations to MRE's, but I can't think of a better fed Army than the U.S. during WW2.

Help stamp out and do away with superfluous redundancy

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Wouldn't you be grouchy too if you were fighting in a war? Hell yes!

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How did I know someone was going to have this response. I guess the rest of the squad were having a ball.

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Well I'll admit your question is rather silly. Why is Saunder's grouchy? I mean come on! Read books on World War II or any war. War is hell, not fun. Vic Morrow wanted to show that with the Saunder's character. Your question would be better praised why is Hanley always grouchy or angry?

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Silly? Not really. I'm talking about the whole run of the show, never even a slight smile? His character was so one-dimensional. The other characters don't seem to be of the same mindset as Saunders. They were in the same situation. And in reality, I think his men would have eventually grown tired of his grouchy attitude. They want a squad leader they can relate to, not someone who constantly has a bug up his ass. And let's face it, Vic Morrow continued to play the same grouch in every role for the remainder of his career.

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Silly? Not really. I'm talking about the whole run of the show, never even a slight smile? His character was so one-dimensional.

One dimensional? Hardly. But he played his character the way a man in that position would behave. And there were moments where he showed a different side.

The other characters don't seem to be of the same mindset as Saunders. They were in the same situation.

They aren't in charge and responsible for the lives of every man in the squad. They don't have to send guys off to do jobs that get them killed. Don't you think that might account for a difference in their attitude?

And in reality, I think his men would have eventually grown tired of his grouchy attitude.

And do what? Quit? LOL

They want a squad leader they can relate to, not someone who constantly has a bug up his ass.

What kind of touchy-feely new age nonsense is that? Someone they can relate to? Are you serious?

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I am a Viet Nam vet, and I can tell you that grouchy act would wear thin after a while in my company. I'm not saying he has to be a father figure. Just someone they can respect and have confidence in, not somebody who's constantly bitchy. A squad leader in the field is not like drill instructor. That's for basic and raw recruits.

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Again he was not a grouch. As he did show his tender side at times. As also responding to one, that says why was Hanley always angry or grouchy. He had his moments but he also was a lot "nicer" than Saunders. And was cool, calm, and collected. That is just IMHO!


Fools of April

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What? Vic Morrow did not 'play the same grouch for the remainder of his career'. Yeah,he often played the 'heavy' but that's because Hollywood is a messed-up town that likes to typecast actors. Morrow was an exceptional actor with incredible range.


As far as "Combat!" is concerned, it was only natural for Saunders to be a serious character. He was in combat in WWII for Christ sake! Did you expect him to be all happy-go-lucky?







"Put your trust in the Lord. Your ass belongs to me. Welcome to Shawshank."

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"Did you expect him to be all happy-go-lucky? " Yes, sometimes. Everybody else was.

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There were light-hearted moments between Saunders and the other squad members. He did smile and he enjoyed their R&R. One of the funniest moments was when the guys discovered the hot showers.


But again,it was WWII and Saunders had to be responsible for the squad. I can't imagine how stressful it would be for a Sergeant to keep his men from getting killed.





"Put your trust in the Lord. Your ass belongs to me. Welcome to Shawshank."

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He'd already been through the North African Campaign. And here he is, doing it all over again in Normandy.
I'd be pretty thoroughly pissed off.

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And Kirby was always a jerk in every episode. It get tiring after a while.

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[deleted]

Being shot at every day, eating dehydrated swill out of a can, crapping in the bushes, and sleeping in your clothes in a hole without showering for months on end will harsh even the most cheerful disposition.

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I just watched a few episodes of Combat, found it a well above average series. Vic Morrow was excellent as Sgt. Saunders IMO, and not grouchy at all, just serious, damn serious; and he played his character as a mature, caring, thoroughly grownup human being who just happens to be serving in the U.S. army during a very long and bloody war. Those were not happy days. The sergeant's stern demeanor, his non-jokey, often understandingly angry disposition in battle strikes me as heroic, not grouchy. I wouldn't want a joker in my pack, or platoon, as the case may be, if I were a soldier in a shootin' war. I like Morrow the actor, and the character he played in Combat. Good and brave soldier that he was, one senses his strong, almost paternal (or at least big brother) feelings for his men. The Germans were the Enemy, yet he doesn't appear to hate them particularly as a people. Overall, a great guy, not a "grouchy" one.

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