So, yeah, any time someone says "what a pleasant surprise," all I think of is this scene, for probably close to 40 years now. I think I'm better for it. Thanks.
Even though he played an antagonist in the show, you can't help but like Burkhalter. I can picture this scene after the war: Allied General: General Albert Burkhalter, you are being charged with war crimes against the Allies. Burkhalter: I had to deal with Klink for the entire war...compared to that, a war crimes trial will be like a vacation!
Burkhalter was Luftwaffe and perhaps would have not committed any war crimes. Perhaps just denazification and a nice post in East Germany... Klink of course would have worked for Schultz at the Schatze toy company wherein their roles would be reversed.
Actually, Burkhalter by his own admission was involved in the initial invasion of the Soviet Union, before he was assigned to overviewing POW camps such as Stalag 13. And he was involved in art smuggling from the Louvre in Paris, including that painting he stashed with Klink in one episode, intending to present it to Goering as a birthday present. So being charged with war crimes would not be out of the question. And Klink could be a perfect witness against him, at least with the painting...hehhehheh.
At the time of the show, many criticized the show for underplaying the nazi atrocities by building comedy around it. They are definitely wrong. This show makes the best mockery of a totalitarian regime where everybody is scared of each other.
Rare Mercedes-Benz W-31 at 00:37, 57 built, only 6 or so left, one in Hollywood, USA. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W31 That's a real WW2 German staff car there.
"Well Sir, we Klinks have always been known to be superb spitlickles,... äh... I mean... lickspittles, Sir. Of course, you already know that, Sir. A man as well-informed and intelligent as you would..." - _"Klink! Shut up."_ "Yes Sir, General Burkhalter. Very good, Sir!"
At 2:00, Larry Hovis played a very good HItler. My favorite characters were General Burkhalter and Major Hochstetter, especially when they were in the same scene.
One of my favorite shows. I've got the entire series in dvd box set. One thing that never made any sense though was having General Burkhalter, a Germany Army (Herr) Officer, in charge of Air Force (Luftwaffe) prisoner of war camps. That would not have happened. The Luftwaffe was entirely independent from the Herr. A Luftwaffe General or Field Marshal would have certainly been in administrative charge of all the Luftwaffe POW camps.
I always liked Burkhalter's staff car, with the double-axel of rear wheels. This is the Mercedes-Benz W31 type G4. Produced as a staff and/or command car for the Wehrmacht, it was considered too expensive to mass produce. Only 57 were made. At least 3 still exist, one of which is in Hollywood and used for movies - and Hogan's Heroes. Interestingly, this particular car was originally given as a gift from Hitler to Francisco Franco, the fascist leader of Spain. Hogan's Heroes also used another authentic car in its production. The Kubelwagen is seen at times throughout the series, including often being Major Hochstetter's staff car, and two of them were used for the episode "The Gasoline War". Porche created the Kubelwagen using the chassis of its Volkswagen Beetle with a different engine and body. The result was a soft-top 4-person vehicle with off-road capabilities, and it was used as a staff car and as a command vehicle in the field. Over 50,000 were produced, and many are still in existence in the hands of collectors, restorers and enthusiasts. If you're interested, check out the many Kubelwagen videos on RU-vid. It's a nifty car.
Windu: What is this man??? Palpatine: I am the senate. Windu: And what is this man doing here??? Palpatine: Are you threatening me? It is against the Geneva convention. Windu: AAAAARGHHHH! Palpatine: It's treason then.
One of the funniest shticks in the entire series was when General Burkhalter would come riding into Stalag 13 in his touring car and Klink would come running out of the building which was both his residence and office and say "General Burkhalter, what a great pleasure it is to have you here at Stalag 13" and he would say with disdain "shut up Klink". Then they would go into Klink's office, Hogan and the prisoners would be listening through the coffee pot and Klink would say something stupid and Burkhalter would say "Klink you dummkopf". Another hilarious scene in that sequence was once when Burkhalter was riding out of the camp in his touring car and Colonel Hogan was driving a German truck into the camp.
I remember Leon As skin doing a commercial for the old Atari VCS. "YES. A GAME OF SPACE INVADERS PREHAPS ? WHAT SHALL WE PLAY FOR?" "For Fun..." " FOR FUN?" HAHA HAHAHA
As much as I like the role of Gen. Burkhalter, I also enjoy the way these clips show a fine and interesting automobile, the Mercedes W31 G4. I don't think a alot of them were manufactured.
I read once that only 50 or 60 were built and that just three of the originals still exist: Burkhalter's car (in Hollywood) also used in movies; another on permanent display in a German car museum; and a third in the collection of the Spanish Army (originally a gift from Hitler to Franco). Not sure if this is true.
Its interesting to hear original US voices compared to the speakers in german tv. The voice of Burkhalter US/german Version sound like he speak both versions. But Klink and Schulz sound much more silly in german because they speak very different accents of german what allows a wide range of the most stupid sounding phrases for every situation.
I'm curious, do the prisoners in the German version of Hogan's Hero's speak in German too? Maybe the show is actually funny to Germans this far removed from World War II.
I loved this show. Not many know this, but several actors in the series ACTUALLY escaped the Holocaust from the real NAZIs. Klink, Le Beaux, Burkhalter, Hockstetter, to name a few.
[Stalag 13: Allied soldiers and former POWs are congregating in the yard, Hogan walks out of the Kommadants office with Klink behind him with two MPs flanking him.] Hogan: "it's okay Fellas I can handle this one" The MPs salute and leave them Klink: "Thank you Colonel Hogan." Hogan: "Well it's the least I can do." Klink: "I imagine you'll tell the allies everything that went on here, all those Geneva convention violations, the secrets plans and weapons brought in this camp. A fitting revenge after all these years." Hogan: "Oh Colonel Klink, surely you don't think I'm that petty do you? As much as I'd like to see you hauled off in chains I have a responsibility to give the allies the real man in charge." Klink: "Well I suppose so- wait, what do you mean the real man in charge?" [A jeep and truck arrive though the Gate, an American General steps out and salutes Hogan. General Stewart: "Colonel Hogan" Hogan: "General. Everything go well?" General Stewart: "Yes, your information once again was right on the nose and we found exactly where you said he'd be." [Three MPs exit the truck holding General Burkhalter in custody, Klink is stunned] Hogan [Saluting Burkhalter]: "Afternoon General, didn't expect you back so soon" General Stewart: "Yes I figured this was the appropriate place to house him pending his trial." Klink: "T-Trial" Hogan: "Yes, I told General Stewart here everything you told me Burkhalter was doing here, over your continuous objections of course but he always pulled rank and made you accommodate him." Burkhalter: "Klink, you idiot, do something! This was your camp, its your responsibility, tell them Colonel Hogan is lying!" [Klink walks up slowly to Burkhalter, removes his monocle, and looks him right in the eye and smiles.] Klink: "Ah General Burkhalter... it's always a pleasure to see you." [Klink turns his back and walks away as the MPs take Burkhalter away.] Burkhalter: "KLIIIIINK!"
