THE YOUNG REBELS (1970-1971) FORGOTTEN TELEVISION

THE YOUNG REBELS (1970-1971) – With the 4th of July approaching, here’s another seasonal post. Harve Bennett himself was involved with this series that ran for 15 hour-long episodes. A group of young men and one young woman help fight for American Independence in 1777 Pennsylvania.

Louis Gossett, Jr. starred as former slave Isak Poole, Richard Ely played Jeremy Larkin, Alex Henteloff was Henry Abington and Hilarie Thompson portrayed Elizabeth Coates. The quartet served as spies and guerilla fighters against the British. Philippe Forquet guest starred in 14 episodes as the Marquis de Lafayette, who gave orders to our heroes.

Jeremy led the foursome while hiding his rebel activities from his father (Will Geer), a Tory mayor. Isak was the group’s best fighter and Elizabeth was their best spy. Henry was an inventor who devised gadgets for the Young Rebels. 

THE EPISODES: 

FATHER AND I WENT DOWN TO CAMP – After the fighting at Brandywine the wounded Marquis de Lafayette gets temporarily separated from the main Continental Army. Four young rebels patch him up and reunite him with George Washington. Lafayette recruits our heroes as a covert unit and sends them to recover some of the rebel cannons seized by the Red Coats. Frank Converse, Ivor Francis and Sheb Wooley were among the guest cast.

THE RING OF FREEDOM – The Young Rebels thwart a British plot to make off with the Liberty Bell and melt it down. A pre-M*A*S*H Larry Linville, and Eric Christmas guest starred in this episode.

THE BLOOD OF AN ENGLISHMAN – During one of our heroes’ guerilla missions Isak is seriously wounded. Jeremy, Elizabeth and Henry pull off a plan to abduct the nearest physician – a Brit serving with the Red Coats. The doctor’s conscience compels him to heal Isak. The supporting cast included John Colicos and Tom Troupe.

TO HANG A HERO – Typical of television shows and movies, The Young Rebels ignores historical accuracy. Our heroes are sent to New York to help out Nathan Hale in his spy mission, even though Hale was hanged in September of 1776, long before the Young Rebels were formed. When Hale is captured by the British, our heroes try and fail to save him. Brandon De Wilde played Hale.   

FORT HOPE – Our heroes must infiltrate a British Prisoner of War camp to retrieve vital information from a rebel inmate. They learn the rebel has died and must learn which of the other prisoners he entrusted with the information. Guest starred Lew Brown and others.

SUICIDE SQUAD – “So what are we, some kind of Young Rebel Suicide Squad?” Had to be said. Our heroes convey supplies and vital intelligence to George Washington and his men at Valley Forge. They also defeat a Red Coat attempt to assassinate Washington. The supporting cast included Steve Ihnat, Paul Carr, Frank Marth and B-Movie regular Myron Healey as George Washington.

ALIAS BEN TODD – When a British spy dies in the tussle to recover the documents he stole, Jeremy uses the spy’s letter of introduction to impersonate the dead man. He infiltrates a Red Coat camp and obtains crucial information for the rebel cause. Lee Purcell guest starred.

THE HOSTAGES – An enemy major (Eric Braeden) takes ten rebel citizens hostage, threatening to kill them all unless one of them reveals the identities of the Young Rebels operating in the vicinity. With Jeremy and Elizabeth among the hostages, it’s up to Isak and Henry to save the day. Gordon Jump and former Dead End Kid Billy Benedict were in the supporting cast.

THE AGE OF INDEPENDENCE – Future Chief Justice John Marshall (David Soul) comes to town recruiting men for the Continental Army. Jeremy, Isak and Henry must decline but don’t dare mention their covert service for Lafayette. Other Americans mistakenly think they are cowards or traitors. 

STALEMATE – The Young Rebels try to hijack a Red Coat shipment of arms, ammunition and food supplies so that they can give it to the Continental Army instead. Circumstances result in a deadlock between our heroes and a detachment of British troops. John Orchard guest stars.

VALLEY OF THE GUNS – Jeremy, Isak, Elizabeth and Henry wind up having to rescue the real-life American patriot composer William Billings (Monte Markham) from the British. The guest cast also included Al Rossi and Barron Christian.

DANGEROUS ALLY – Henry’s cousin Edward (Richard Kelton) allows his bitterness to drive him to heinous activities against the Red Coats. Henry is captured by mistake and it’s up to Jeremy, Isak and Elizabeth to save him before he can be executed. THE Farrah Fawcett and John Mitchum guest starred.

THE INFILTRATOR – When one of the Young Rebels’ missions results in disaster, they realize someone among the local population is secretly a British Loyalist. Can they smoke them out before their new, upcoming mission? Guest starred Bernard Fox, Stephen Young and Elizabeth Baur.

UNBROKEN CHAINS – The one and only Paul Winfield guest starred as Isak’s long-lost brother Pompey, who was sold to another plantation owner long ago. The pair are reunited, but it turns out Pompey is fighting for the British, who have promised him his freedom as payment. Isak must choose between helping his brother or staying true to the rebel cause.

TO KILL A TRAITOR – Jeremy is sent on an emergency mission to Philadelphia to smoke out and kill a man spying for the British. Gary Lockwood and James B. Douglas were among the supporting cast. 

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