This was originally aired by CBS as a single, two-hour debut: the following Thursday it became apparent that CBS had decided to air Magnum back-to-back with Simon & Simon (the cross-overs "Ki'is Don't Lie" and "Emeralds Are Not A Girl's Best Friend"), a scheduling arrangement that lasted a number of years.
Reunites three members of the cast of Black Sheep Squadron (1976): series regular Larry Manetti, series semi-regular Jeff MacKay, and guest star James Whitmore Jr.
William Holden is in the two films, both of which are set during World War II, that are mentioned in the episode. In "Stalag 17," he plays Sgt. J.J. Sefton, and in "The Bridge On The River Kwai," he plays Commander Shears.
Lance LeGault, Jeff MacKay, and James Whitmore Jr. all guest star in this Season 3 premiere episode, which introduces Jean Bruce Scott as "LT Maggie Poole." All three actors also guest starred (two years later) in the "Airwolf" Season 2 premiere ("Sweet Britches"), in which Ms. Scott joins the cast as "Caitlin O'Shannessy." Both series were created/produced/written by Donald P. Bellisario.