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12 O’Clock High

12 O’Clock High

ABCABC
1964-1967
First Broadcast: September 18, 1964
Last Broadcast: January 13, 1967
12 O’Clock High is based on the motion picture by the same name. The series followed the missions of the fictitious U.S. Army Air Forces 918th Bombardment Group in their B-17 bombers. Stationed in England at the fictional airbase Archbury Field, the group is commanded by General Frank Savage (Robert Lansing) and later by Colonel Joe Gallagher (Paul Burke). Due to the first two seasons being filmed in black and white, actual World War II combat footage supplied by the U.S. Air Force was included in many episodes. The show also had access to a real B-17 bomber, but it could only taxi. In later 12 O’Clock High episodes, a P-51 Mustang was worked into the storylines to cut production costs. The Mustang cost less to fly than a four-engined B-17 and only required one pilot. The show ran for 3 seasons on ABC and was a co-production of 20th Century Fox Television and QM Productions.
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The 12 O’Clock High Logbook: The Unofficial History of the Novel, Motion Picture, and TV Series
  • Used Book in Good Condition
  • Duffin, Allan T. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 428 Pages – 04/04/2017 (Publication Date) – BearManor Media (Publisher)

Last update on 2025-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Where To Watch

Heroes & Icons
ChannelDate/TimeSeasonEpisodeTitleDescription
Heroes & Icons
Heroes & Icons
03/23/2025 2:00AM219Which Way the Wind BlowsBritt brings in a weather forecaster to help prevent combat losses from unexpected weather hazards.
Heroes & Icons
Heroes & Icons
03/30/2025 2:00AM220The OutsiderAn error-prone pilot (James MacArthur) ignores orders in an attempt to prove himself.

Complete TV Listings For 12 O’Clock High

12 O'Clock High Cast

ImageActorCharacter(s)# Episodes
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Frank OvertonMajor Harvey Stovall61
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Paul BurkeCol. Joe Gallagher48
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Chris RobinsonSgt. Sandy Komansky / Lt. Gunther47
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Robert LansingBrig. Gen. Frank Savage32
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Barney PhillipsMajor Donald “Doc” Kaiser27
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Robert DornanCapt. Bob Fowler / Co-pilot / Capt. Johnson / Lt. Porter25
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John LarkinMaj. Gen. Wiley Crowe21
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Andrew DugganMaj. Gen. Ed Britt17
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Lew GalloMajor Joe Cobb14

Complete Cast & Crew For 12 O’Clock High

Theme Song & Opening Credits

Composer: Dominic Frontiere

Episodes

There were 3 seasons and 78 episodes of 12 O’Clock High. Check out the 12 O’Clock High episode guide.

Quotes

We have no quotes for this show yet.

Trivia

The producers approached Volkswagen about being a sponsor of the show. The scenes of the pilot episode that they showed VW executives included actual war footage. One of the executives recognized one of the buildings being bombed as a VW plant and declined to sponsor the show.

Gregory Peck played General Frank Savage in the Twelve O’Clock High movie. George Nader was originally set to play the role in the tv series, but the role was eventually given to Robert Lansing.

The fictional 918th Bomb Group was based on the real 306th Bomb Group, (3×306=918).

The aircraft General Savage flies is named the “Piccadilly Lily” and the radio operator on the craft is named “Cliff”.

Four generations of Colonel Gallagher’s family were in the military.

In the show, the name of the base was Archbury. This fictional name was based on the real-life base of Alconbury, which was the wartime home of the 306th Bomb Group, the group after which the 918th was modeled.

If you have a keen ear, you’ll notice that some of the music used for segues on Star Trek are also used on 12 O’clock High.

Robert Lansing was reportedly difficult to work with, which is why he was replaced by Paul Burke in the second season.

At the Primetime Emmys of 1965, 12 O’Clock High won Outstanding Individual Achievements in Entertainment – Cinematographer (William W. Spencer). The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Bonanza were also nominated.

Websites

12 O’Clock High Fan Fiction (Fan Fiction) – Fan fiction based on the 12 O’Clock High tv series.

12 O’Clock High Forum (Forum) – Connect with fans and discuss the show in our forum.

Fans of 12 O’Clock High Facebook Group (Facebook) – A Facebook group for 12 O’Clock High fans to interact and share their love of the show.

12 O’Clock High Fan Fiction at ArchiveOfOurOwn.org (Fan Fiction) – Archive of fan fiction for the show.

Bob’s B-17 Page (Fan Site) – A fan site with information about the 12 O’Clock High tv series.

Merchandise

-4%
The 12 O'Clock High Logbook: The Unofficial History of the Novel, Motion Picture, and TV Series
Amazon.com
$28.49 $29.95
PRIMEPRIME
The 12 O'Clock High Logbook: The Unofficial History of the Novel, Motion Picture, and TV Series
12 O'Clock High Collection-TV Show-SEALED CASE-78 shows-Rare Bonus Flying G-Men
eBay
$24.99
12 O'Clock High Collection-TV Show-SEALED CASE-78 shows-Rare Bonus Flying G-Men
Amazon price updated: March 31, 2025 6:49 am
Tags: 12 O’Clock High, 12 O’Clock High tv series, Paul Burke, Robert Lansing, Andrew Duggan
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