(Spoiler)...I am prejudice because the star is my father and I knew Majorie Helen (now Leslie Parrish), as a young child....the budget for this movie did not allow for a lot of things. Even so, the actors did pretty good job with all the clichés and lack of production funds. Funds were so slight that the actors portraying Koreans had to double and triple their roles. I knew, when I saw it as an adult, that the moment an actor saluted an empty jeep, this would a be a "doozy." As a side, I thought Kelly and Helen had good chemistry (actually, I am sure of it, but that's an another story). The production team rented a tank. Used a set on the Republic lot, and did the best they could with what they had. as for the actors, Kelly was already known from television roles and changed his stage name to "O'Kelly" not soon afterward. This is the last movie for Marjorie Helen before she changed her name (I believe). Frank Gorshin was introduced as an actor. A fun piece of nostalgia. Watch it for what it is and have a laugh.

This movie begins with a single American tank participating in combat and suffering from gear problems. As a result the crew of four is ordered to return to base for repairs. When they get back the story evolves into a romantic drama with two of the soldiers involved with two nurses while a third soldier falls in love with a local bar girl. It's at this point that the movie proceeds at an extremely slow pace and doesn't really pick up until the last 15 or 20 minutes. However, rather than reveal any more and risk spoiling the film for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this was a relatively cheap and poorly made Korean War movie which doesn't really offer much in entertainment value. It does, however, have Edward G. Robinson Jr. (as "Corporal Corbet"), Frank Gorshin ("PFC Skids Madigan"), Leslie Parrish ("Lieutenant Alice Brent") and Barbara Luna ("Nikko") for those who might be interested in any of these particular actors. But other than that there honestly isn't much to recommend and I rate this film as below average.

My little old 12 year old self and my two younger brothers*, Jim Ryan (7 years old) and Bob Ryan (6 years old)saw this TANK BATTALION at the old Ogden Theatre, near 63rd & Ashland in Chicago. It was on a Double Bill along with another American-International Pictures' Classic, HELL SQUAD (also 1958).**During that period, we were gobbling up any thing involving The Armed Forces, World War II and Korea.We all built model airplanes, model tanks & half-tracks, any thing Army. We also put together numbers like the U.S.S. Missouri and the Nautilas (the Navy's, not Walt Disney's!).We would frequently stop in to our local Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marine Recruiting offices and mooch any hand out recruiting literature that they had. They always obliged and were very friendly and courteous.On Television during that period, we had several programs on the Networks and in Syndication that had military themes. We can recall: The Silent Service, Citizen Soldier, Steve Canyon, Navy Log and even Phil Silvers as SGT. BILKO. Others followed in the years to come.What all the preceding reminiscing was about was to set up the following evaluation of TANK BATALLION.We knew that TANK BATTALION was a cheapie. It was an Independent Production, released by American-International. It was intended, you can be sure, to be part of those multi picture programs not watched at the local "Passion Pits",aka Drive-In Movies.It did, however, provide an afternoon's fun for the kids in the neighborhood. And, though probably completely overlooked is that a movie, any movie can have a good effect on young minds, as long as it isn't too "adult". What gives it value is a certain relation to Real Historical Events. Even if it is only a passing reference or the mentioning of some actual Battle, it has a certain value.But what we remembered most was one of the Actors featured as a member of the Tank's Crew. (sure was a small Battalion!) He had the nickname of "Skids", and he was always amusing the crew with Movie Star Impersonations. We really liked his James Cagney! It was all 'Thumbs Up" from us that day.Well, this was the first time for our seeing this "Skids" guy, but he surely had a real talent and was so gifted as to rise far above this schlock film. His name was Frank Gorshin.We were privileged a number of years later to meet Mr. Gorshin. The first time was at a special Batman TV Show Convention, commemorating the Series' 30th Anniversary.(it was in Summer of 1995, a little early but...).The Second time, we saw him at a Bud Courts' Hollywood Collectibles Show also here in Chicago. It was at this time we got to talk much more with him. We found him to be warm, friendly and very courteous and personable to his many fans. He had just finished a one man show engagement as George Burns, a production that we regrettably did not see. But it got really good reviews.It was probably one of his last public performances, this George Burns thing. Sadly, he passed away not too long afterwords, and not that long ago. We will long remember him as a 'regular' guy as much for his filmed and record work. The sight of him on that Saturday, dressed ever so casually, wearing his Pittsburgh Pirates cap. He confessed to still being that Pittsburgh kid,his moods rising and falling with the fortune of the 'Bucs'.* No, not those Younger Brothers, contemporaries of Jesse James! I meant my younger brothers.** It wasn't long that pictures like this would be shown on television. Now, I swear! My right hand to God! HELL SQUAD was on one of our local TV Stations within 6 months of our seeing it at the show! Honest Injun! Cross My Heart and hope to die! It's the truth.

This must be one of the worst "war" movies ever made. There are only about a dozen cast members. Most of the war scenes are stock footage. They did spring for the rental of a tank, though. There isn't much of a story, and what there is of it makes little sense. The depiction of the Koreans, both the good guys and the bad guys, is insulting. The special effects don't come close to recreating what it's like inside a tank. However, it's only 80 minutes long, and there are a couple of famous names in the cast (Frank Gorshin and Edward G. Robinson, Jr.). It's a hoot to watch.