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| William Holden sees the sunshine in Billy Wilder’s “Stalag 17” from 1953. |
I averted Stalag
17, regardless of my admiration for Billy Wilder and William Holden, as a result of I
grew up subjected to Hogan’s Heroes
reruns, and thought they have been principally the identical story. I’m amazed that sitcom
nonetheless has admirers, as a result of whilst a bit of child, I spotted that the present was
extremely sanitized, foolish, and worst of all, unfunny. The creator of Hogan’s Heroes claimed there was no deliberate
imitation of Stalag 17 from the present.
Regardless of the actual fact each tales featured a sensible aleck American soldier, a dopey
German sergeant, and a preening German colonel, with the wiley American POWs at all times
outwitting the inept Nazi captors. But, they are totally different—by way of high quality and depth.
I added Stalag
17 to my record of 2025 traditional movies to look at that I had by no means beforehand seen.
And in contrast to Hogan’s Heroes, I used to be
wowed by these POWs!
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| “Stalag 17” got here out a dozen years earlier than “Hogan’s Heroes” aired, however was nonetheless extra gritty and satiric, because of Billy Wilder. |
Since Billy Wilder directed Stalag 17, it’s no shock that the
story isn’t watered down. The POW camp comedy-drama continues to be gritty. Billy
Wilder’s tackle conflict and its spoils could appear cynical to some, I discover Wilder’s
outlook sensible. He lined comparable themes in 1948’s A Overseas Affair, with John Lund because the soldier/black market
profiteer. Stalag 17 is a microcosm
of life throughout wartime.
Contemplating Stalag 17 is usually stage sure in a jail barracks, the movie is stylishly advised.
In a nutshell, there’s a rat within the ranks of Stalag 17. Most of his fellow
prisoners assume it’s William Holden’s opportunist. Whereas that plot expertly
unfolds, this stage play is ideal for the intimacy of movie to deal with the
characters, as that is actually a personality piece. The way in which of photographing them
interacting or having a solo second is finished imaginatively, so it’s not stagey.
The blokes get exterior sufficient within the drab jail yard, which it breaks the
monotony and brings some drab environment.
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| Amidst the satire & antics, scenes like this present the grim actuality of “Stalag 17.” |
Stalag 17 boasts a big and
various ensemble solid. There’s hardly a dud within the bunch. They give the impression of being realistically
lean, scruffy, and soiled. They’re fairly a mixture of personalities and so they play
their archetypes admirably and entertainingly. Holden’s the star, however Wilder
doesn’t make it a star car, he’s a part of an ensemble, and Invoice leads
admirably.
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| William Holden’s prepared to barter because the barracks profiteer, in 1953’s “Stalag 17.” |
Wilder’s subversive subtext is there in Stalag 17, with the lads’s interplay
with the Germans and one another. The 2 teams are at all times attempting to outfox
one another. In fact, the Germans are the captors in order that they have the ball. However
the POWs obtained sport.
Did William Holden rightly win the Finest Actor
Oscar that yr? Solid because the lead in an ensemble piece is difficult. Pundits will
query whether or not a star gained on their very own steam or have been they bolstered by the
nice solid. Invoice was on a roll after Sundown
Blvd., so it was a preferred win and a profession Oscar, as nicely.
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| William Holden is suspected of being the barracks rat in 1953’s “Stalag 17.” |
William Holden as J.J. Sefton is cynical,
Wilder-style. Invoice’s Sefton makes probably the most of his enforced keep at Stalag 17. He’s
genial when mixing it up and doing enterprise with the fellows, however robust and
cynical relating to realities of camp life. Holden in all probability introduced some
of his ambivalent emotions about studio period stardom to his character’s utilizing
his attraction to achieve a corrupt surroundings.
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| William Holden gained an Oscar as prisoner/profiteer J.J. Sefton in 1953’s “Stalag 17.” |
Even William Holden felt the lead character as
the cynical barracks profiteer was a bit too unlikable—and Invoice had fought to
get away from a decade’s price of “Smiling Jim” roles within the ‘40s. Wilder obtained
his approach, although there’s a nudge on the finish, when the good Invoice Holden comes
out—as he is escaping the barracks!
Otto Preminger’s cool attraction is further sinister
for Colonel von Scherbach. Sig Ruman is the clownish Sgt. Schulz, which Hogan’s Heroes later borrowed. Each characters
are comedian villains, which permit Wilder to satirize them much more.
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| Otto Preminger, because the charming/creepy Colonel in 1953’s “Stalag 17.” |
Robert Strauss is comedian aid, “The Animal,” considerably
like John Belushi in Animal Home.
And Strauss additionally appears to have been an inspiration to Brad Garrett’s persona,
who got here to fame as Robert on Everybody
Loves Raymond. Strauss’ “Animal” and companion in crime, Shapiro, are a bit
a lot at instances, however Wilder knew the grim premise wanted some broad comedian aid.
Harvey Lembeck, an skilled comedian actor, is Harry Shapiro, the smart man/straight
man for “The Animal.”
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| Robert Strauss goes large as “The Animal” in 1953’s “Stalag 17.” After one scene with Strauss, I spotted the place Brad “Everybody Loves Raymond” Garrett obtained his shtick! |
Neville Model is baby-faced right here as sullen
Duke, the barracks bellyacher. He’s too good, I needed Holden’s Sefton to belt
him one! Jay Lawrence as Bagradian, one of many new prisoners, was a fascinating
persona, stuffed with imitations. And why not, he was the brother of F Troop’s live-wire, Larry Storch. Gil
Stratton is “Cookie” Cook dinner, who narrates and is Sefton’s wingman. He gives
everyman likeability and perception to J.J. Sefton’s persona. Robinson Stone is
silently superior as Joey, the traumatized soldier.
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| Jay Lawrence (heart) is a reside wire as the brand new POW in “Stalag 17.” |
Robert Shawley is cute as “Blondie” Peterson
and William Pierson very amusing as Marko the Mailman—my gaydar went off for
each! Shawley has hardly has any strains, however is true within the combine, and is kind of
pure. Oddly, his subsequent profession went nowhere. And Pierson, along with his nasal
rat a tat supply of the barrack’s bulletins is kind of hilarious.
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| Robert Shawley as “Blondie” Peterson, “Stalag 17’s” platinum twink! |
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| Keep in mind David Bowie as a WWII POW in “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence?” |
On the draw back, there’s two quite dud
performances, however they’re not unhealthy sufficient to harm Stalag 17. Peter Graves is Frank Value, who’s in command of barracks
safety. Graves is respectable however not particularly dynamic, which is why he by no means
turned a prime star in motion pictures or tv. He was a type of actors, like
Robert Stack, who acted along with his voice, like a radio announcer. Don Taylor,
boring as at all times, is Dunbar, one of many newest captives. It’s possible you’ll keep in mind him as
the groom within the authentic Father of the
Bride.
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| Peter Graves as barracks safety, barely will get by in 1953’s “Stalag 17.” |
Stalag 17 is a strong two hours,
however strikes at a very good tempo, particularly spectacular because it’s a filmed play, with
a lot of the motion happening contained in the barracks. Billy Wilder’s approach with
actors, skilled storytelling, and willingness to push the envelope, all play to Stalag 17’s benefit.
I don’t just like the conflict film style and but I used to be
mesmerized the whole time by Stalag 17.
And I’m happy so as to add this movie traditional to my traditional movie weblog. And in the event you
like my weblog, click on Comply with free of charge! https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/
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| See the hyperlink beneath for a wonderful copy of 1953’s “Stalag 17.” |
Right here is a superb, free copy of Stalag 17 to look at on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njcqwleu9kc
My take a look at William Holden’s breakout yr as
an actor right here: https://ricksrealreel.blogspot.com/2022/04/william-holdens-golden-year-1950.html
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| Look who came around “Stalag 17,” all the way in which from “Sundown Blvd.!” Norma Desmond herself, i.e. Miss Gloria Swanson. Perhaps she needed to see if Otto Preminger was all in favour of being her new butler! |
