Attention all Hogan's Heroes fans!
Are you ready for some behind-the-scenes hilarity that will have you seeing the show in a whole
new light?
We've dug deep into the archives to uncover the most side-splitting bloopers and mistakes
that the cast and crew would probably prefer to forget.
From unexpected prop malfunctions to flubbed lines that will make you wonder how they kept
a straight face, we've got it all.
So grab a snack, kick back, and join us as we take a humorous journey through the blunders
and missteps that added to the charm of this classic TV show.
It's a rare peek behind the curtain that you won't want to miss!
Factsverse Presents: This Photo is Not Edited, Look Closer at the Hogan's Heroes Blooper
Workplace Drama
It seems that Colonel Hogan's claim of being stationed at The Pentagon may not be entirely
accurate unless of course he had a time machine and was working on its construction back in
1942.
The fact is, the iconic building wasn't officially completed until January of 1943, which means
that every other instance where Hogan claimed to be stationed there couldn't have been true.
Looks like we've caught a slip-up in his otherwise impressive record.
Color Changing Uniforms
As they say, the devil is in the details, and in Season 2 of the show, a minor wardrobe
glitch caused a major stir.
Blink and you might have missed it - during one particular episode, LeBeau's red hat inexplicably
changes to green in the blink of an eye.
Upon closer inspection, it turns out that the actor was originally given a green hat
for the first scene, only to have his signature red hat returned to him in subsequent shots.
Perhaps LeBeau was too busy focusing on more pressing matters, like the war, to worry about
a minor wardrobe malfunction.
But for eagle-eyed viewers, this blunder certainly didn't go unnoticed.
All Patched Up
In several episodes, viewers may have noticed that the eagle and swastika patch on the right
breast of Schultz's tunic was oriented incorrectly, with the eagle facing the opposite direction.
The eagle on the patch is supposed to face Schultz's left and toward his heart.
Lost In Translation
In the third season episode "How to Win Friends and Influence Nazis," a classic blunder occurs
when an important German document arrives and is marked "Top Secret" for the officials'
eyes only.
While it may seem like a no-brainer to label such sensitive material with a clear warning,
the fact that the document originated from the enemy camp makes this oversight all the
more glaring.
The document in question is presented to Col. Klink by none other than General Burkhalter
- a German officer who, one would assume, would not have stamped the words "Top Secret"
in English onto a document of such sensitive nature.
Such an obvious mistake would have likely attracted far more attention to an already
extremely volatile document.
Forgotten Knowledge
In the episode titled "The Scientist," Carter mentions that he can't teach LeBeau any chemistry
because he only worked at a drugstore and not a chemist's shop.
However, in a previous episode titled "German Bridge Is Falling Down," Carter demonstrated
his knowledge of chemistry by making explosive chlorine gas from ammonia and bleach.
Additionally, in a later episode titled "Hogan Springs," he had no trouble preparing a convincing
batch of "mineral water."
Misleading Seasons
In several episodes where winter scenes were portrayed with patches of snow on the ground,
viewers may have noticed that trees still had leaves and green grass could be seen in
the background.
The Secret Mistress
In several instances, Hogan's men or the Germans make references to Eva Braun, Hitler's mistress.
However, Braun's connection to Hitler was a highly confidential matter that was only
known to Hitler's inner circle and was not made public until after the war's end.
Taken To The Cleaners
Carter's beloved jacket with its cozy sheep fleece lining is practically a character in
its own right, appearing in every scene and sporting the well-worn look of a trusted companion.
However, eagle-eyed viewers might spot an intriguing detail in Season 6 - in one episode,
the jacket appears inexplicably new, its once-dirty surface now clean and shiny.
How did this transformation occur?
Was the jacket taken to the dry cleaners or did the production team have to replace it
altogether?
Such a small detail, yet it raises tantalizing questions for true fans of this classic series.
Serial Number Switcharoo
Oh, Schultz - he just can't seem to keep his story straight!
In the episode "The Flame Grows Higher," the beloved guard declares his serial number as
23789, only to later change his tune in "Bombsight" and claim that it's actually 34789.
While it's understandable that details like this can get muddled in the chaos of wartime,
one can't help but wonder why Schultz didn't have his facts straight to begin with.
Come on, Schultz, you've got one job - keeping those prisoners in line and your serial number
straight!
Elementally Inaccurate
During an easy to miss scene set in a German laboratory, a periodic table of elements can
be seen hanging on the wall.
Interestingly, the table displayed all 103 elements that were known to science in the
1960s.
However, during the war period, only 92 elements were known, with the rest being created by
nuclear science, including some that played a crucial role in the top-secret and world-changing
Manhattan Project.
Mouse From The Future
Ah, the perils of historical accuracy - in a show set in the 1940s, it's a bit jarring
to hear characters discussing a certain speedy Mexican mouse who didn't make his debut until
the 1950s.
Yet, in Hogan's Heroes, Speedy Gonzales is a topic of conversation on more than one occasion.
While it may seem like a minor detail, this blunder speaks to the careful attention that
must be paid to the historical context of any period piece.
Of course, most viewers probably wouldn't have noticed the anachronism, but for those
with a keen eye for detail, it's enough to raise an eyebrow.
The Vanishing Well
In the fifth season's episode titled "The Well," a significant portion of the action
takes place near a water well that is situated to the right and slightly behind Klink's office.
Interestingly, this well is not visible in any other episode of the show.
Out Of Place Palms
When you watch Hogan's Heroes, you might notice that the outdoor scenes have a distinctly
Californian feel to them, complete with palm trees dotting the landscape.
While this might not seem like a big deal, it's actually quite interesting since Germany,
where the show is set, doesn't have many palm trees due to its cooler climate.
Next time you sit down and watch an episode, keep your eyes peeled for these exotic trees
that don't quite belong in the show's setting.
Sweet Kicks
In the fifth season episode "Standing Room Only," there is a noticeable blooper that
might have slipped past the show's viewers during its initial run.
During a shot where LaBeau climbs a ladder, he can be seen wearing high-top sneakers,
while the rest of the guys are all sporting their military-issued boots.
It's an amusing detail that adds a touch of humor to the episode, and it's a testament
to the show's enduring popularity that fans are still noticing these small but memorable
moments today.
Taking The Plunge
One of the recurring plot devices on Hogan's Heroes involves the prisoners receiving packages
from a courier plane.
As the plane drops its cargo with a parachute, Hogan would often observe the drop through
his trusty binoculars.
However, keen-eyed viewers might notice a discrepancy - in the original frames, we catch
a glimpse of the delivery man's legs as he jumps from the plane, yet in later scenes,
the prisoners are shown gathered around a package without any delivery man in sight.
Perhaps the delivery man simply vanished into thin air, or maybe the show's editors simply
decided to focus on the more exciting aspects of the scene.
Either way, it's a small but intriguing detail that adds to the show's enduring mystique.
Reverse Alchemy
In the 18th episode of the series titled "The Gold Rush", Hogan and his team create steps
leading to Commandant Klink's headquarters using gold bricks disguised as regular masonry
bricks.
However, in the remaining 150 episodes, the steps seem to have reverted to the wooden
ones seen before the episode, and the gold bricks were nowhere to be seen.
Ahead Of Their Time
While historical accuracy – as we’ve already firmly established - is a crucial element
in any period piece, it seems that the fashion trends of the 1960s couldn't help but influence
the wardrobe choices of the ladies on Hogan's Heroes.
Despite being set in the 1940s during World War II, the female characters on the show
often sported styles more reminiscent of the era in which the show was produced.
While this may raise some eyebrows for those seeking a more authentic portrayal of the
time period, it's hard to deny the appeal of the chic and colorful ensembles that graced
the screen.
I Can See Clearly Now
During the initial season's episode "Hello, Zolle," sharp-eyed viewers would have spotted
that Major Zolle's glasses were evidently fake during any close-up shots.
Surprisingly, the glasses lacked lenses!
Similarly, in the sixth season's "The Dropouts" episode, Professor Bauer's glasses were also
missing the essential lenses, leading to yet another noticeable blooper.
Who knows though, maybe they were just for looks!
Remember back in the early 2010s when all the Urban Outfitters hipsters rocked this
look?
Not The Tanks You Are Looking For
While Hogan's Heroes may not be known for its historical accuracy, with discrepancies
ranging from soldiers' ranks to the medals they wear, it's the historical inaccuracy
in the second episode of season one that stands out as the funniest.
"Hold the Tiger" centers around a tiger tank, yet the showrunners settled for an American
M7 tank instead, likely due to the easier availability of the latter in Los Angeles.
So, what do you think?
Were you surprised to see that any of these bloopers, mistakes, and anachronisms wound
up appearing in Hogan’s Heroes?
To be honest, we only covered a small fraction of the countless bloopers that ended up making
it to air, but alas, we’re just about out of time.
Before you go, we’d to hear from you.
Were you a fan of Hogan’s Heroes and did you catch any of these humorous mistakes when
watching the series for the first time?
Let us know in the comments and feel free to share any other bloopers, continuity errors,
or out-of-place props that you might have discovered in the show.
As always, thanks for watching and we’ll see you soon with more facts-packed content.