Hogan's Heroes VS. STALAG 17 Movie!--Did Stalag 13 COPY Stalag 17?

[@martinbeneteau309]

I always thought that they used the idea of Stalag 17 as the setting. But changed it from serious drama to comedy. And when they did this they changed the whole theme of it. If Hogans Heroes was a drama, that would have been a different story. So I agree with the judge's ruling.

[@buildingladygarnet]

Stalag 17 had plenty of comedic moments as well!

[@peace-now]

You are joking. If there was no Stalag 17, there would be no Hogan's Heroes.

[@RumbleFish69]

Today, Stalag 17 would be referred to as "Dramedy". . To say this film had comedic overtones here and there is a gross understatement. Stalag 17 had more than a few funny moments. Hogan's Heroes, as much as I loved that show, clearly ripped off of Stalag 17. There were similarities in other characters and aspects of the series too. I always thought the show was based on the film until my father told me about the lawsuit many years ago. I think the jury got it right, but the judge, screwed that up! And the judge who reversed the decision, man, I think that dude was bought off by CBS! Why even have a jury trial if your going to pull that bullshit at the end?

[@joemurdoch4138]

Other than the fact that the main guard is named Schultz and that it takes place in a prisoner of war camp where the prisoners dig tunnels the two really have not that much in common. Hogan does not use his tunnels for escaping, and he is stays in the camp voluntarily so that he can fight the nazis from the inside. Klink is a bumbling fool that Hogan uses to his own advantage compared with the cruel Commandant of Stalag 17. Schultz, in the series, knows about Hogan's activities but keeps his mouth shut and says, " I know nothing. Nothing!" (one of the greatest recurring lines in television history) because it would be worse if the Nazis found out that it was all going on under his nose. In the film the guard is delighted to thwart the efforts of the prisoners. Seems to me the creators of Hogan's Heroes saw Stalag 17, as well as a few other prisoner of war movies and took them as a jumping off point for a great twist on the genre and on sitcoms. This was an action adventure sitcom that wrapped up a comedic story and an adventure story in 30 minutes. Brilliant and unique. I still love watching it. And Stalag 17 is one of my favorite films. Everytime TCM plays it, I record it and watch it again.

[@michaelcarter9395]

Maybe they should sue Utica Club Beer; they had a character named Schultz in their commercials....

[@calvingregory2017]

Also Schulz was there to put in his hours and go home. He wasn't into the politics of anything. He only cared if it affected him, the rest he could let go. I used to not like Schulz when I was younger as I felt he was a bit younger. But then when I started watching it more when I got older (around 18 or 19) I saw the nuance and depth the character had. I always thought it was great that in civilian life he ran a toy factory. So I doubt he joined up, I'm sure he was drafted. It wasn't in his nature to be a traditional "nazi"

[@theastewart6721]

I do not believe that Hogan’s Heroes was based on Stalag 17 at all. It was a comedy! A spoof! As an attorney I find it fascinating that the judge reversed the decision! Jury nullification is indeed rare! Very interesting video Rick! Thanks for sharing with us!

[@pjimmbojimmbo1990]

Both had a Schultz, Contraband Radios, were called Stalags, had POWs, and were in the Time Period of WWII. The Judge was correct.

[@Batlise]

I always thought it was more like the great escape - without the horrible ending. I can’t believe a jury would come to that verdict. The bench was right to overturn it. Wasn’t it supposed to be in a different time period at first? They made it clear it was not a concentration camp, not to be connected with death camps, and that it was a comedy. It can never be reproduced. I never knew all this stuff, over what looks like a simple comedy.

[@jackgrattan1447]

R.I.P. - Richard Erdman from STALAG 17, who died last month.

[@harrycolby2302]

Interesting.... I don't see plagiarism....I see creativity...To develop something like Hogan's Heroes into a television show with the bumbling Nazis was a piece of genius... Most of them are gone now... I think LeBeue is still alive.... Great post..

[@Not-THAT-ChrisPratt]

Robert Clary and Kenneth Washington (Sgt. Baker, Kinch's replacement) are both still living, but sadly the only two 😪

[@lindasmith6316]

I saw Hogan's Heroes before I saw Stalag 17 and immediately thought that was where they got the idea.

[@Hiraghm]

As a kid watching Hogan's Heroes, I assumed it _was_ based on Stalag 17... I don't see the problem? One's a good, serious movie, the other's a comedy.

[@CJHallx]

Of course Hogan's Heroes is a spoof of the POW genre of films.

[@michaelcarter9395]

But just because 2 properties are in the same genre, it do doesn't mean they violated copyright. Did A HARD DAYS NIGHT sue the MONKEES?

[@CJHallx]

@@michaelcarter9395 Hey Michael Carter: Just when did I say it did?

[@michaelcarter9395]

@@CJHallx I was just relating my personal experience in support of the Judge. I'm sorry if that didn't come through as intended...😟.

[@CJHallx]

@@michaelcarter9395 No problem, next time reply to the person you are talking to or at least mention their name as the one to whom you are speaking to. Thanks.

[@carp566]

Why would one harm the other? I see it as imitation is the greatest form of flattery. It would only make the movie MORE popular.

[@JosephAland]

carp566 If it were plagiarism, HH would harm Stalag 17’s creators by stealing their creative property without obtaining permission or compensating them for it.

[@donnicholas7552]

Stalag 17 was a great movie! There were similarities between the film and the TV series, but I wouldn't call it a rip-off. The main similarity was the character of Sgt. Schultz. They used the same name in the TV series. The character in the film was not as comical as the TV series version. John Banner's portrayal made you like his character, even though he was the "enemy." Hogan's Heroes was strictly a sitcom.

[@JJParadise1]

The leather jacket that Frank Sinatra wore in Von Ryan's Express, was later worn by Bob Crane in Hogan's Heroes. It was later worn by Greg Kinnear in Auto Focus.

[@JJParadise1]

@Junior Mudd Yes All three the same jacket. Google it

[@MrLourie]

Seems odd that if the judge in the case found insufficient evidence for the jury's decision, why then were the jury allowed to decide an outcome?

[@Maximara]

That strikes me as odd as well. If the judge felt that strongly he could have given what is known as a "directed verdict" rather than a Judgment notwithstanding the verdict.

[@davefrommaine9822]

No way it was a rip-off! In the first two episodes it was called Camp 13 not Stalag 13.

[@melodysledgister2468]

Didn't know that!

[@jackgrattan1447]

There was another James Garner movie called 36 HOURS that came out a year before HOGAN'S HEROES. John Banner (Sgt. Schultz) portrayed a funny German border guard in it, acting very much like Schultz. Sig Ruman (who played Sgt. Schultz in STALAG 17) also had a role in it.

[@melodysledgister2468]

Interesting. I had always believed the series was inspired by Stalag 17 and the other POW movies, but not a rip off, per se. I can see how the creators might have felt it was. I don't think they had a strong case, though. I mean, the title was Hogan's Heros, not Stalag 13.

[@TheNortheastAl]

For some reason this was a popular genre in the early decades after WWll. Stalag 17, The Great Escape and Hogan’s Hero’s all dealt with POWs held by the Nazis. Some dark, some light, and some in between. After the 70s I don’t think we’ve really seen many, if any more, of these types of films.

[@JosephScarbrough]

I just recently read - and I forget the source, otherwise I would cite it - that HOGAN'S HEROES was initially conceived as taking place in an _American_ prison in modern times; the concept of the prisoners carrying on activities under the guards' noses was still intact, however. Evidently, the creators got wind of a sitcom being developed for NBC (I believe) taking place in an Italian POW camp during WW2 called CAMPO 44 (or something like that), so the HOGAN creators quickly reworked their concept to have it take place in a German POW camp during WW2. Apparently, when CAMPO 44 finally went to air in 1967, _it_ was accused of ripping off HOGAN'S HEROES, and I don't believe it went to series beyond its pilot episode. Also interesting of note is that Al Ruddy wanted nothing to do with the production of the series, because he wanted to focus on writing screenplays for movies, but was persuaded to at least co-write the pilot episode, because back in those days it was common for whoever wrote the pilot episode of the show to be credited as the series' creator(s), and that they would be paid handsomely for it. This is why Sol Saks is credited as creator BEWITCHED for writing the pilot episode, even though that series was really the product of Screen Gems executive Harry Ackerman.

[@Sunsetdrivein]

I think the judge reversal was correct. This was merely a parody of Stalag 17, but with lots of differences. In HH the "tunnels" were huge! They had their own radio transmitter whereas Stalag 17 only had a receiver. In HH the prisoners were allowed to work in the motor pool "fixing" the Germans cars!

[@melodysledgister2468]

Yes, which was hilarious!

[@mattdandersn]

I donot see any correlation between Hogan and Stalag 17 or even The Great Escape. However the movie Chicken Run is an obvious ripoff of The Great Escape.

[@JeffMeadowsOutdoors]

I think Hogans Heroes is closer to The Great Escape. The similarities with Stalag 17 were coincidental to both having the same setting. In the Great Escape there were tunnels, forged papers, and civilian clothing, just like on Hogans Heroes.

[@pamelamays4186]

There was a time when I believed that Hogan's Heroes was "inspired" by Stalag 17. When movies and TV shows are made with common source material, of course there's bound to be similarities. Case in point, the story of Robin Hood, which has been retold on film many times. And in television. Most interesting example is I Dream Of Jeannie, which was very similar to the film, The Brass Bottle. So why wasn't NBC sued? The producers of the TV show also had been involved with the film.

[@michiganhistorychannel3180]

How about something on Dark Shadows storylines? FIRST!

[@Sloth53]

Dark Shadows would be awsome

[@db5202]

No, the Hogan's Hero's series made light of a dark part f history. Stalag 17 was closer to the reality of it. My Uncle was a survivor of Stalag 17-B. He hated HH but did watch Stalag 17 every year as a reminder of his friends who died there.

[@l.salisbury1253]

Hogan's Heroes was NOT making "light" of Nazi Germany- it is, in effect, a perfect "middle finger" to the 3rd Reich! Mainly because those incompetent Nazies were played by Jewish actors who escaped Germany or Austria.

[@chevyman1722]

I seen Stalag 17 and it wasn’t all that bad but comparing it with Hogan’s Hero’s it’s like night and day...while stalag 17 was a little funny it was not all as hilarious as HH...I like them both but for different reasons....while I don’t like when judges make bench reversals this case was 100% correct..

[@jimzilla1701]

Please enjoy the 36 Hours, starring James Garner (Great Escape) as a spy trying to escape Nazi Germany. The film also features "Dueling Shultz". Sig Ruman and John Banner (Shultz and Shultz) share a scene together. Not a great scene, but a great trivia tidbit.

[@AmericanActionReport]

Ideas can't be copyrighted. I've seen Stalag 17 twice, and I regularly watched Hogan's Heroes. Though I always saw a superficial resemblance between the two and thought that 17 was part of the inspiration for 13, I saw no further similarity. It would almost be like accusing me of plagiarizing Stalag 17 when two buddies and I in boot camp secretly transformed a storage locker into what we called a "recruit lounge."

[@pokeahookah]

The original concept was of a comedy about a group of convicts in a penitentiary that could exit at will, and had control of the warden, etc., but an exec at the considering network said that it would violate the broadcasters' code (a code similar to the MPAA code, and also long since abandoned) saying that, amongst other things, bad guys couldn't be heroes. The creators had to come up with another concept. Stalag 17 was long before Hogan's Heroes, which was much closer in time to 'The Great Escape' which was released only 2 years before.

[@Jared_Wignall]

Stalag 17 is a great film, just as Hogan’s Heroes is a great show. I do agree that there are similarities, but Hogan’s Heroes isn’t an adaptation of Stalag 17. Both feature POWs, so there are going to be some similarities here and there, but they’re both quite different in tone and plot. Thanks for the video Rick. Keep up the great work.

[@briankruse3584]

I think it was an obvious rip off. The the two

[@michaelcarter9395]

I had always heard that rumour, and I LOVED Hogan's Heroes, so when Stalag-17 came on my local PBS station, I sat down, ready for a movie, remotely similar to my favorite show, which it WASN'T! As a 12 year old, I hated Stalag -17. I agree with the judge. If the jury was right, then Stalag-17 was stolen from some earlier war movie...

[@melodysledgister2468]

Good point. My dad told me he thought HH was based on Stalag 17, too, but we thought it was a compliment--not something to sue over. I also saw the movie after the series, and was a little surprised how gritty it was. Great film, though!

[@white_heat.truth76]

Plaintiff: Well your honor, both stalags had a Sgt. Schultz, crystal radios and a set of wire cutters. Defendant: I know nothing! Judge: At ease!

[@Phaota]

Definitely one of my favorite classic comedies. It's amazing that the show even succeeded considering the concept. As a drama with a bit of humor, it made sense as a film, but a comedic series set in a POW camp? That should have bombed right away, but they managed pull it off and create a beloved classic.

[@dougr3142]

It's a POW camp, not a concentration camp, big difference.

[@Phaota]

@@dougr3142 Thanks for the clarification. Made the change.

[@canuck_gamer3359]

My personal opinion is that when Hogan's Heroes first began being broadcast, it would have been a stretch to suggest that it was plagiarized. But if you take into account the entirety of the series, it becomes more plausible. The best example I can think of is that both the film (Stalag 17) and the TV show contain scenes of the prisoners playing volleyball with a guard getting into the game. In each scene the guard is enjoying the game, clapping and jumping happily. If you watch the two scenes side by side or one after the other, it is pretty strikingly similar.

[@lauriemclean1131]

I was about to ask if the children's movie "Chicken Run" was based on Stalag 17, but then you mentioned "The Great Escape." If there was any plagiarism, it would have been there. Thanks for another great video.

[@RumbleFish69]

Laurie McLean chicken Run was actually based on Hogan's Heroes. 😕

[@ladypearl9134]

The tragedy is in the bench reversal. That makes a mockery of our justice system. Wonder how much the judge was paid?

[@nickd4310]

Having seen both, I always assumed that Hogan's Heroes copied the concept. Only two of the characters are similar: the commandant and Sgt. Schultz. But they are stock characters - the Prussian officer and the Bavarian peasant. Another similarity is that both had a U.S. officer who was confined with the enlisted men. I don't see what is wrong with copying a situation, in this case a POW camp for American airmen.

[@jscott1000]

The Sergeant Schultz was an interesting coincidence, and also the Commandant with his perfect record of no escapes. The way HH always had patches of snow on the ground looks right out of the set design for Stalag 17. Yeah Hogan's Heroes almost feels like it was based on Stalag 17 whether it was or not.

[@donaldmanthei3556]

If you are presenting a motion picture or a TV show and you want to make them as authentic as possible there are bound to be some coincidental similarities. As far as the name Shultz goes that is a very common German surname. I agree with the judge's decision.

[@nickyray4081]

Don't think it was, seen both the series and movie several times. Schultz, had some basic characteristics that were similar, but absolutely different people altogether. Hogan's Heroes was light-hearted with a serious undertone while the other was very serious with mild humor.

[@calvingregory2017]

I have never thought it was all that similar to Stalag 17. There are similarities. But when you do POW movies or shows set during the same time frame there is bound to be overlap. I had always thought that Hogan's Heroes was closer in tone to parts of the Great Escape. Well up until the end of the movie. As things never quite get that dire in Hogan's Heroes. I just felt the tone of Great Escape, especially Garner's character was more of an inspiration. But I had never heard anyone state a connection until now. They didn't plagiarize anything, they just have a similar tone. Though there is a history of sitcoms spoofing or parodying more serious material or movies, I don't believe that is true in this case.

[@RedDirtRules]

Good information 👍 I like your channel. Keep up the good work

[@paulstan9828]

I didn’t see the movie until after Hogan’s heroes. It reminded me of the tv show but I never thought they copied the movie. If you can say they did then Great Escape copied Stalag 17. I think it’s just the same subject that’s all.

[@markcaffarel1104]

The Great Escape was based on a true event.

[@bobfv1]

Straight up plagiarism in my opinion. CBS made the story into a sitcom that would be able to run for several seasons by introducing more characters and changing the premise so that the Stalag was a sabotage operation rather than a prison camp.

[@bearforceone689]

Did anybody think Hogan's Heroes wasn't based on Stalag 17 and to a certain extent The Great Escape? - TV show ideas come from Movies all of the time, nothing unusual or improper about it and I certainly wouldn't call it plagiarism.

[@richardesh7808]

As for Schultz being used in both Stalag 17 and Hogan's Heroes, Schultz was a common name in Germany I think.

[@ricknineg]

Practically every German character on the show was named Hans including Gen. Burkhalter and Schultz

[@fritzbundeslange6902]

Even though both Guards were named “Schultz” they had different personalities. While Hans Schultz was a lovable character, “Johann Sebastian Schultz in the movie was a real schweinhung! When the POWs were playing Playing volleyball there was an unnamed fat guard would r Was more like Hans Schultz in the movie

[@roberttelarket4934]

Fritz Bundeslange: It's schweinhunt not hung.

[@JamesCraigWhoop]

My grandfather Donald Bevan who penned the play Stalag 17 w Ed T. He has a poster with the original exhibit tag on it. He was also cognizant of Chicken Run using 17 as the coop number but loved that.

[@randytim512]

Wow..I didn't know a judge had the power to reverse the decision of a jury but I think it was a wise decision. Hogans Hero was unique enough to stand on it's own merits. Thanks Rick

[@whitey2bacons367]

Not sure what to think. A lot of movies and TV shows seems to use similar scripts and or ideas. Some people believe that Star Trek was basically Forbidden Planet set to a TV series with the similarities. in props and characters. Then again, Fail-Safe was a serious movie while Dr. Strangelove was a comedy. The producers of Fail-Safe tried to sue Kubrick and his company for plagiarism, though both movies came from different books and authors. But Stalag 17 and Hogan's Heroes are similar in a few words and possible characters but I'd say that's where the two meet. I doubt Hogan's Heroes is a rip off of Stalag 17.

[@gregory593]

There is one scene in Stalag 17 where Schultz plays volleyball and he lets one of the prisoners hold his rifle, and I believe there is a very similar scene in Hogan's Heroes where the other Schultz does the same thing. It does seem to me to be at least inspired by the scene in the movie. But I don't think one scene is enough to say that a TV show that ran for multiple seasons ripped off a movie. Other than that, the two shows are nothing alike in tone or plot or characters and the two Schultz are completely different. Stalag 17 didn't create POW camps or the name stalag, and a lot of the similarities could be attributed to the fact they were both inspired by the same historical setting.

[@mgmcd1]

I always thought the pilot was similar, but instead of getting the spy killed, they got him disgraced. But nothing more than that, except their attempts to get two prisoners out.

[@ricknineg]

The spy was taken in by the Gestapo and most likely question, tried and then shot

[@carmelopappalardo8477]

Of course there were some similarities. Not enough to claim copyright though. Hogan's Heroes also took from other movies including the Great Escape other dramas and comedies about war. They made characters of people who did exist in World War II. It is one of my favorite shows.

[@endtheliesnow5906]

This reminds me of a similar situation where the writer of the original Outer Limits episode ""Solider" sued the movie ""The Terminator" I don't remember what happened but the Solider episode (in my opinion) was very similar to the storyline of The Terminator.

[@mybingobrain]

Who, working in Hollywood does not see Oscar winning films? For sure they saw Stalag 17 and were maybe influenced by it but plagiarism? Nein! Nein! Nein!

[@tracythorn2918]

Hogan's Heroes was one of my favorites growing up in the early 70s. The show stands on its own merits whether there was a 17 influence or not. I wonder if Rick has done a bloopers segment of Hogan's Heroes. I remember a scene in Klink's office where I caught sight of a boom mike. I have no idea what episode it was.

[@ricknineg]

Not yet but make sure to subscribe and hit that bell button so you’re informed when I do post Hogan’s Bloopers. They are coming! Just take a while to put together

[@roberttelarket4934]

Stalag 17 was a supreme movie and reflected the harsh reality of a prisoner of war camp for men of western European descent, not the severity meted to Russians, Slavs, jews where death was certain for over 80%. As to Hogan's Heroes that was a comedy and in very very very little limited way was related to the movie. The only minor similarity was Sergeant Shultz's name. By the way stalag is pronounced correctly in German: shtalag.

[@steeloned]

That would be like the creators of Kelly's Heros crying foul because of the sitcom's name.

[@TomMSTie1138]

I can see how Hogan's Heroes was inspired by both Stalag 17 and the Great Escape, but plagiarized? Nah.

[@danielchase9583]

I am a fan of both and have watched both literally more times then anyone could count. Anyone who has seen both can tell that things were ripped off from Stalag 17. There are many lines that are in both word for word. That said both are great shows.

[@TW1257]

Stalag 17 was is one of my favorite movies. Haven't seen it in ages.

[@WaltANelsonPHD]

You should compare story plots from Hogans Heoes to some used in MASH. Gene Reynolds worked in both TV series. The Boxing Brino match was adapted and used in MASH. There are other story lines which made the trip.

[@ddgallion]

In order to reasonably claim that HH plagiarized S17, it would be necessary to identify original and unique aspects of S17 that were not only copied by HH, but that are not part of the historical record vis-a-vis German POW camps, the experiences of real POWs, and aspects of life in Germany at that time. There is nothing original about S17 except the specific characters and the specific events of the story. Clearly the stories are very different, therefore it would come down to characters. Schultz is a common name, and therefore having a Sgt. named Schultz is not unique or original, although that was probably the closest the claimants could come to identifying something original that they could claim was copied by the creators of HH.

[@douglashass5760]

Just always a mind blow, how shows like that get attacked seemingly for a quick buck from other producers.

[@clasicradiolover]

I have never seen or heard of Stalag 17. But what do you call it, a Stalag. Want them to change it?

[@aaronthomas3740]

The original pitch the CBS was it took place in a prison not a pow camp. Also one thing i find interesting is the pilot was b&w the rest in color. Bob Crane rejected the idea at the initial pitch saying nazis arent funny. Then read the script. Also have heard Richard Dawson was up for Hogan and Bob Crane got it. There was some animosity between them. I love this show know tons about it. Looking forward to more on it.

[@ricknineg]

You will def hear about Dawson vs Crane

[@aaronthomas3740]

@@ricknineg excellent i haven't really delved into that and am interested to hear more.

[@mcfrdmn]

Excellent videoclip about Hogan's Hereos.

[@ricknineg]

Thank you very much Michael! It’s always great to see another hogans heroes fan

[@sovietonion72]

The only similarities I see is the internal sets of the camps of timber walls beds etc.

[@stacybrown4257]

Ive not seen Stalag 17...I feel slighted somehow. Ill watch it n get back 2 you. What was your favorite cartoon and favorite cowboy?

[@Giraffe89]

It's not plagiarism if you Use it as inspiration It's only plagiarism if you copy the thing

[@brianrebmann5398]

Rick, as always excellent video full of facts of history which I always enjoy. I think the creators of Hogan's Heroes may have taken some inspiration from the film but I don't think they plagiarized from it.

[@nickimontie]

Very interesting! I had no idea. I love this show!!!

[@schristy3637]

You left out the Original premise of the show. The other way round. The way the show was Pitched. Look it up.

[@anthonycapiro7205]

Was there a private gellman in Hogan's heros under shultz command?

[@andrewzambella5023]

How about doing some things on Peyton Place starring Ed Nelson, Barbara Parkins, Ryan O'Neal & Mia Farrow?

[@sandraabbott7934]

I just thought that it was a comedy. Just like a lot of the sitcoms at the time. Very much paradoys. 😊

[@kellymcnichols5240]

SOME THINGS WERE COMMONALITIES DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY WERE COMMON TO THE ACTUAL PRISON CAMPS & HAS NOTHIBG TO DO WITH CREATIVITY, BUT MORE TO DO WITH REALITY. SOME OF THOSE WHO WERE IN TGE PRISON CAMPS, WOULD KNOW & HAVE EXPERIENCED!!!

[@danr1920]

Even if the idea was based on Stalag 17, so what.

[@michaeldublg]

Are you kidding me? ... Of course Hogan's Heroes was a rip-off of Stalag 17 .... The fact that most everyone believes or assumed it was an adaptation of the movie is proof of how identical they are and a no-brainer. ..... If Hogan's Heroes wasn't ripped off from Stalag 17 it would have to have to be one of the most amazing coïncidences in the history of freaking Hollywood. .... Get out of here with that BS

[@BubaLabinski223]

I think we are to bring hogans heroes back and keep it as a comedy Keep the same concept But with today’s actors

[@peace-now]

Of course it is a complete copy. Everything is copied: 1. The jokey Germans. 2. The Russian girls next door. 3. Running sabotage operations from the camp. 4. The German guarddogs which are stupid. 5. The imcompetent SS Officers 6. Sergeant Johann Sebastian Schultz in Stalag 17. 7. The camp commandant who is stupid and arrogant. 8. The various escape attempts - and stupid dogs again! 9. Various communication devices in the camp, like radios. The list goes on and on. Tell me what is actually different between Stalag 17 and Hogan's Heroes. Answer: Nothing, as far as I can see.

[@EverettDiego]

The similarities are far too many, to be sheer coincidence! The circumstances are spot on! ".....Never been a successful escape from Stalag 17!" (...or 13). The Judge got it wrong.

[@irishstock2108]

What's the point of making a comment or statement to your question, when you rarely if ever answer them.

[@georgepawlak6806]

You did a good job my thought on what the judge did was fine I think it's silly that the entertainment community shoes each other for silly things like the names of the characters or the movie itself Stalin means prison no big dealthey were good movies I watched both of them the TV series was great and the movie was very good for their times

[@gabevee3]

I think its a combination Stalag 17 and Casablanca but in comedy form. But that's me.

[@starey1]

I don't think Hogans Heroes ripped off Stalag 17

[@VIDEOHEREBOB]

Thanks Rick.

[@takeoverjupiter]

Stalag XIII was actually a real place

[@monkee5th]

I loved Stalag 17 great film

[@Local1Laborer]

Nice job Rick!

[@NicketyWicketyCW]

And even if stall 13 did copy stalag 17 Hogan heroes is far superior so it’s ok.

[@laapache1]

There Color Cinematography great on this show

[@computerbunnie]

YES - this is the comic version of Stlag 17 - 100% - i watched this as a kid growing up and then when i saw the movie stlg 17 (was older and could watch war films - parents had control back then haaa) i assumed 13 was the more family comic TV show spin from movie - wow - the judge did 17 authors WRONG

[@joesmuckatelly8282]

I think bob crane was a creepy crawler

[@stoehrcov]

Curtis!

[@dalebelseth3058]

Mindless comedy entertainment

[@warptek]

I know nuthing, nuthing......

[@danielkamen6035]

I always thought Hogan's heroes was based on Stalag 17. Nonetheless, I can't imagine a more tasteless comedy, if you want to call it that, than Hogan's Heroes. I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall listening to the person who was pitching this dreadful show to the networks. How could anyone think a show where people are wearing Nazi uniforms could be funny, or if it was appropriate in any way. Yes, I know, the show was making fun of nazis. Still, no reason to have the show on the air. It was never funny, and it was never smart. Just stupid. Several of the cast members were Jewish. They should have refused to be actors in this wretched show. No paycheck is worth appearing in this garbage.

[@MRKEVIN769]

More hogans heroes

[@kristopherwithakmichaels6549]

I think someone paid the judge off.