According to Brenda Royce's excellent biography of Hogan's Heroes, the notion that the series was based on "Stalag 17" was "a popular misconception." The original Hogan's Heroes pilot was set in a minimum-security prison, not a German POW camp. The character of Sgt. Schultz didn't even exist the Bernard Fine and Al Ruddy script. (Yes, the same Al Ruddy who went on to produce The Godfather and Million Dollar Baby.)
Schultz was added to the pilot by the series' most inspired writer, Richard M. Powell, to serve as a bridge between Klink and Hogan. Powell borrowed the name from the character of Capt. Schultz, in the 1942 Jack Benny film, "To Be Or Not To Be." He claimed not to have seen Stalag 17 at the time. According to Royce, Bob Crane said Col. Hogan was based on James Garner's character in The Great Escape.
If the version of Hogan's Heroes greenlighted by CBS was "lifted" from anything, it was an NBC pilot called Campo 44, about American soldiers in an Italian POW camp during World War II. The "dim-witted" second in command was more interested in avoiding the front lines and preserving his own skin than winning the war.
Ruddy claims he and Fein read that NBC was considering Campo 44, and immediately decided to change the setting of their own show to a German POW camp. (Copycatting has always been a TV staple -- witness I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched, to name just one example.) CBS was sold, and the rest, as they say, was six seasons of sitcom history.
P.S. Ironically, two actors from Campo 44 made repeat appearances in Hogan's Heroes. The "dim-witted second-in-command" was played by Vito Scotti, who portrayed war-hating, pizza-loving Major Bonacelli on Heroes. The other actor was Powell creation Col. Crittendon, played by Bernard Fox.
P.P.S. The jury in a lawsuit filed by the "Stalag 17" scribes ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. Their verdict was overturned by the presiding judge.
P.P.P.S. With the exception of Baer & Joelson's note-perfect "War Takes A Holiday" (Hogan convinces Hochstetter, Klink, and Schultz the war is over) Powell's 29 scripts are usually the series' best. In addition to Schultz and Crittendon, Powell created blonde underground hottie Tiger, Russian dazzler Marya, and dauntless Gestapo Major Hochstetter. Powell episodes remain brilliant today. They're consistently creative and memorable, and worth seeking out.
Schultz was added to the pilot by the series' most inspired writer, Richard M. Powell, to serve as a bridge between Klink and Hogan. Powell borrowed the name from the character of Capt. Schultz, in the 1942 Jack Benny film, "To Be Or Not To Be." He claimed not to have seen Stalag 17 at the time. According to Royce, Bob Crane said Col. Hogan was based on James Garner's character in The Great Escape.
If the version of Hogan's Heroes greenlighted by CBS was "lifted" from anything, it was an NBC pilot called Campo 44, about American soldiers in an Italian POW camp during World War II. The "dim-witted" second in command was more interested in avoiding the front lines and preserving his own skin than winning the war.
Ruddy claims he and Fein read that NBC was considering Campo 44, and immediately decided to change the setting of their own show to a German POW camp. (Copycatting has always been a TV staple -- witness I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched, to name just one example.) CBS was sold, and the rest, as they say, was six seasons of sitcom history.
P.S. Ironically, two actors from Campo 44 made repeat appearances in Hogan's Heroes. The "dim-witted second-in-command" was played by Vito Scotti, who portrayed war-hating, pizza-loving Major Bonacelli on Heroes. The other actor was Powell creation Col. Crittendon, played by Bernard Fox.
P.P.S. The jury in a lawsuit filed by the "Stalag 17" scribes ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. Their verdict was overturned by the presiding judge.
P.P.P.S. With the exception of Baer & Joelson's note-perfect "War Takes A Holiday" (Hogan convinces Hochstetter, Klink, and Schultz the war is over) Powell's 29 scripts are usually the series' best. In addition to Schultz and Crittendon, Powell created blonde underground hottie Tiger, Russian dazzler Marya, and dauntless Gestapo Major Hochstetter. Powell episodes remain brilliant today. They're consistently creative and memorable, and worth seeking out.