Happy Independence Day!
(Posting earlier than usual due to the holiday weekend.)
(Posting earlier than usual due to the holiday weekend.)
of ‘Hogan’s Heroes’”
One of the funniest, yet most suspenseful, Sitcoms (?) from my childhood was the 1965-1971 CBS show “Hogan’s Heroes”. One of the finest and funniest examples of Gallows Humor.
A haunting show, because it takes place in a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp. But hilarious, perhaps because of the increased need for Comic Relief. Sight Gags, One-Liners, Sticking It to Those in Power, Masquerade/Deception, with Incongruity galore as the war prisoners run a military operation from a stalag.
One of the best examples of Characterization. Each character not only had in his own role in the operation, he also had his own personality; and his own form of humor.
My favorite Hogan moment? In many ways, every episode was a favorite Hogan moment. Like the ease with which he manipulated the Germans, especially Schultz and Klink. His crazy plans, which formed the crux of each episode, were often funny. He’d state the goal, like kidnap a German general, or steal a tank; and then we’d wonder how they’d do it. Even when he fully explained his plan, we’d still wonder how they’d be able to pull it off.
His explanation of the Norton, which held the German military spellbound, until they realized he merely revealed the design of a vacuum cleaner.
Along those same lines, his convincing the Germans that Carter’s electronic rabbit trap is really a top-secret device called the Gonculator.
His explanation of the Norton, which held the German military spellbound, until they realized he merely revealed the design of a vacuum cleaner.
Along those same lines, his convincing the Germans that Carter’s electronic rabbit trap is really a top-secret device called the Gonculator.
My favorite Klink moment was when Hogan convinced him to do something bizarre; and convinced him that such a maneuver would become known as: The Klink Dipsy Doodle. The dreamy look in Klink’s eyes and the joy/pride in his voice sounded so funny as he said, “The Klink Dipsy Doodle!”
One of my favorite Schultz moments was when, while somewhat tipsy, and while posing as a general, he referred to the Gestapo agents as “The Bully Boys”.
Robert Clary who played that role of LeBeau with humor and panache is the only original cast member still alive.
My favorite LeBeau moments were when the Russian lady would adore him. Nice refreshing change from his being insulted so much. Also, when he sang “Alouette” during a birthday show for Klink, which was obviously a ruse to cover a secret operation. He sang with such joy and abandon, being able to relish in his French culture. Fun moment.
My favorite Newkirk moment was when, while disguised as a factory foreman, he got drafted into the German army; and Klink came to the drafting unit to acquire new guards. Whenever Klink would walk by, Newkirk would pretend to sneeze and cover his face with a hanky. This happened more than once. And then, at the end, while Klink boasted how nothing escaped his attention, Newkirk sneezed and covered his face with a hanky as he’d done before, leaving Klink befuddled.
My favorite Kinchloe moment was when he took the place of a visiting African prince. So cool to see him get featured. And for once, Kinchloe, not Hogan, got the girl!
My favorite Carter moment was when he disguised himself as a German officer and visited the Commandant in the middle of the night. When Klink said he thought the officer wasn’t coming until the morning, Carter shouted “Three o’clock in the morning is morning, Kilnk! Four o’clock in the morning is morning, Klink! …”
My favorite Helga/Hilda moments? Just the way her eyes lit up when she saw Colonel Hogan. Especially Hilda, after I learned Sigrid Valdis married Bob Crane.
For My Favorite Episode, a more in-depth analysis of the show’s Characterizations/Humor Styles; a frank look at some of the Hauntings, and the Lessons Learned; be sure to read the full Newly Added Special Bonus Feature “The Haunting Hilarity of ‘Hogan’s Heroes’” in “How to Write All Kinds of Comedy Jokes, Volume 4: Other Avenues of Amusement”.
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Only the pilot episode was in black and white:
Gilbert Gottfried:
“The show is about a bunch of American POWs
being held by the Nazis during World War II.
If they get caught trying to escape, they’ll be shot.
It’s a comedy!”
Frank Conniff:
“I loved watching ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ as a kid.
It taught me that war is hell—
unless you’re locked up
in a World War II Nazi POW camp,
then it’s just a series of wacky misadventures!”
Only the pilot episode was in black and white:
Gilbert Gottfried:
“The show is about a bunch of American POWs
being held by the Nazis during World War II.
If they get caught trying to escape, they’ll be shot.
It’s a comedy!”
Frank Conniff:
“I loved watching ‘Hogan’s Heroes’ as a kid.
It taught me that war is hell—
unless you’re locked up
in a World War II Nazi POW camp,
then it’s just a series of wacky misadventures!”
Some of Colonel Hogan’s Lines:
“I have a plan that has no right to work,
but let’s give it a try anyway.”
“I never should have invited Klink to his own party.”
When asked by Klink
if Klink doesn’t get any credit for having any brains,
Hogan replies:
“I refuse to answer on the grounds
that I might tell the truth.”
After kissing the French civilian scientist
whom London put in charge of the operation
to destroy the German’s synthetic fuel factory:
“You know,
that’s the first time
I ever kissed a commanding officer.”
whom London put in charge of the operation
to destroy the German’s synthetic fuel factory:
“You know,
that’s the first time
I ever kissed a commanding officer.”
Making a toast:
“To our wives and lovers!
… May they never meet!”
“Guards at Stalag 13?
When did we give up the honesty system?”
“If I may make a suggestion, sir.
The next time you guys have a war,
make him [Klink] stay out of it.”
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