Richard Dawson Movies
Trained in British repertory, actor Richard Dawson achieved prominence in the late '50s as a cabaret and TV comedian. Arriving in the U.S. in 1961, Dawson made the variety-show rounds with an act consisting largely of quickie celebrity impressions. One of his first acting assignment was as Peter Sellers' takeoff Racy Tracy Rattigan in a 1963 episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show. A solid dramatic role as a military prisoner in King Rat led to a longer stint as resourceful cockney POW Peter Newkirk on the popular sitcom Hogan's Heroes (1965-1971). After appearing as a regular on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Dawson settled into his true niche as a wisecracking game-show host. From 1976 through 1985, he emceed TV's The Family Feud, winning an Emmy Award for his troubles (he later resumed his Family Feud hosting chores in the 1994 syndicated version). Fittingly enough, Richard Dawson's first feature-film role after Feud was as the smarmy host of a futuristic life-or-death quiz program in Arnold Schwarzenegger's The Running Man (1989). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
This episode begins with a major setback when Sgt. Carter bungles a mission to photograph Klink's code book (he forgot to put any film in the camera). When it becomes necessary to create a diversion to complete the mission, Hogan arranges a scenario whereby it appears that a live bomb has landed in camp. Ordered by General Burkhalter to defuse the bomb, Hogan is secure in the knowledge that the weapon is a fake created by Carter in his lab. Or is it? Written by Phil Sharp, "A Klink, a Bomb and a Short Fuse" first aired on November 4, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1967
Hogan is assigned to provide safe conduct to downed Soviet pilot Igor Piotkin (Bob Hastings). Unfortunately, the fiercely patriotic and stubborn Piotkin refuses to flee to freedom by way of London. He insists upon heading directly to Russia -- and never mind that the homeward path is festooned with German troops. Written by Phil Sharp, "A Russian Is Coming" made its first network appearance on November 25, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1966
In the first episode of a two-part story, Hogan sneaks into Paris to carry out his latest assignment: To locate several secret German fighter bases. In the course of events, he also attempts to free underground agent Tiger (Arlene Martel) from her brutal Gestapo captors. Hogan's mission is complicated by the presence of sexy Russian spy Marya (Nita Talbot in her series debut), who intends to get the necessary information for her country first. John Dehner heads the guest cast as Col. Backscheider. Written by Richard M. Powell, part one of "A Tiger Hunt in Paris" first aired on November 18, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1966
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Hogan and his men have successfully managed to sneak into Paris, courtesy of the unwitting Col. Klink. Racing against time -- not to mention his Russian competitor, secret agent Marya (Nita Talbot) -- Hogan must free underground agent Tiger (Arlene Martel) from the Gestapo and also locate several secret Nazi fighter bases. Crucial to the success of Hogan's schemes is a fortune-teller named Antonovich (Henry Corden), who happens to be a dead ringer for Nazi police chief Heinrich Himmler (also Henry Corden). Written by Richard M. Powell, part two of "A Tiger Hunt in Paris" first aired on November 25, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1967
Hogan and his men draw up a plan to blow up a roomful of German generals during a secret banquet meeting. Posing as caterers, our heroes manage to plant several booby-trapped ashtrays in the banquet hall. The problem: London insists that the sabotage scheme be called off, because one of the officers is an Allied plant. Though quite funny, this episode is somewhat sobering in that Hogan has no qualms about killing Klink and Schultz along with the rest of the German brass. Also appearing are Maurice Marsac as Sgt. Jacques Mornay, John Hoyt as General Bruner, and Ben Wright as General Mercer. Also known as "Evening of the Generals," the episode was written by Laurence Marks and first telecast on December 2, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1965
Hogan is assigned to smuggle British POW Captain Michaels (Michael St. Clair) -- and the prototype for a new German gunsight -- out of Stalag 13. Unfortunately, this requires Michaels to sail across 80 miles of ocean, and the underground's submarine is out of commission. The solution: Hogan convinces Klink that the camp is in dire need of a new officer's club -- built in the shape of a yacht. Written by David Chandler and Jack H. Robinson, "Anchors Aweigh, Men of Stalag 13" was first telecast on December 31, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1966
General Burkhalter "liberates" a priceless French painting from the Louvre, intending to add the masterpiece to Hermann Goering's private collection. Hogan and LeBeau take it upon themselves to keep the painting from falling into the wrong hands. To do this, our heroes pay a covert visit to Paris and use Sgt. Schultz as their unwitting dupe (when has Schultz ever been a witting dupe???) First telecast on December 30, 1966, "Art for Hogan's Sake" was written by Laurence Marks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1969
Amazingly, Sgt. Schultz actually knows the location of an atomic bomb plant. Unable to wheedle the information out of Schultz using the standard methods (including bribing the corpulent sergeant with LeBeau's gourmet food), Hogan relies on a vial of truth serum, courtesy of the Underground. Dave Morick, Hogan's Heroes' all-purpose supporting player during the series' final two seasons, is again cast as an officer. Written by Laurence Marks, "At Last -- Schultz Knows Something" first aired on December 26, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1968
Louise Troy appears as "Axis Annie" Gebhart, a German radio propagandist. Hoping to relay coded messages to the Allies, Hogan and his men agree to an on-air interview conducted by Annie. Unfortunately, their words come across as fervently pro-Nazi, thus Hogan must cook up a scheme to destroy the transcriptions. Written by Laurence Marks, "Axis Annie" originally aired on February 10, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1968
An undercover U.S. intelligence agent arranges for Hogan and his crew to be smuggled into Berlin. Disguised as members of a hospital staff, the heroes are ordered to kidnap a British defector before he reveals top-secret information to the Nazis. The supporting cast includes such frequent Hogan's Heroes drop-ins as Harold J. Stone (as Major Teppel), John Stephenson (Decker), and Edward Knight (Gestapo Major Metzger). Written by Laurence Marks, "Bad Day in Berlin" first aired on December 7, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1969
Hogan is ordered to sabotage the test of a new German weapon capable of zeroing in on Allied radio signals, and to steal the weapon's blueprints. At first, the assignment goes off without a hitch. But as time rolls on, things are complicated by unforeseen entanglements and incredible bungling on both sides. R.S. Allen and Harvey Bullock were responsible for the round-robin teleplay. "Bombsight" first aired on November 7, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1967
It seems incredible, but the evidence is overwhelming: Sgt. Carter has turned against Hogan and gone over to the German side. But fear not, Hogan's Heroes fans: Carter's defection is but a ruse, which will (hopefully) enable him to ferret out the location of a top-secret German chemical factory. Antoinette Bower makes the first of two third-season appearances, here cast as Leni Richter. Written by Richard M. Powell, "Carter Turns Traitor" first aired on December 23, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1967
Once again, General Burkhalter tries to marry off his Wagnerian sister Gertrude (Kathleen Freeman) to Colonel Klink. The General installs Gertrude as Klink's temporary secretary, which causes problems with Hogan's latest sabotage operation. But Hogan has something else to worry about -- a Gestapo spy has infiltrated his ranks. Frequent series guest star Woodrow Parfrey appears as Hugo Hindman. Written by Bill Davenport, "Casanova Klink" was first telecast on October 14, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1968
Season four of Hogan's Heroes got under way on September 28, 1968, with the episode titled "Clearance Sale at the Black Market." While relaxing at a local hofbrau, Sgt. Schultz accidentally catches Gestapo major Kriegel (Gavin McLeod) in an illegal cash transaction. To cover his own behind, Kriegel orders Schultz to the Russian front. Hogan and his men must simultaneously expose Kriegel and rescue Schultz. "Clearance Sale at the Black Market" was written by Laurence Marks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1967
When he gets a poor discipline rating, Klink brings in tough sergeant Reinhold Franks (Milton Selzer). At first, Klink is pleased that Franks has gotten the POWS in line -- but his pleasure turns to pain when the ambitious sergeant schemes to have Klink transferred to the Russian front. It is up to Hogan to simultaneously discredit Franks and cast the incompetent Klink in a good light. Written by Phil Sharp), "Colonel Klink's Secret Weapon" was first broadcast on March 24, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1968
Assigned to plant a bug in Luftwaffe headquarters, Hogan and his crew volunteer to paint the building, thereby completing their mission right under the enemy's nose. In the course of the paint job, Newkirk comes upon a map of German plan installations. Forced to stow the map in an overhead lamp, Hogan and his men must cook up a new excuse to get back into the building. Written by Laurence Marks, "Color the Luftwaffe Red" originally aired on November 16, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1970
Hogan is once again saddled with Colonel Crittendon (Bernard Fox), the Allies' biggest bungler. This time, Crittendon enlists Hogan's aid in a scheme to kidnap Field Marshal Rommel from a nearby German hospital. Crittendon's espionage skills and keen powers of observation result in Hogan and his crew being captured themselves. Written by Bill Davenport, "Crittendon's Commandos" first aired on March 20, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1970
Hogan's Heroes entered its sixth season (meaning that the inmates of Stalag 13 were incarcerated approximately twice as long as any real American POW during WWII) with the episode titled "Cuisine a la Stalag 13." LeBeau's decision to escape may wreak havoc on the palates of both the prisoners and their captors: Even fat Sgt. Schultz, who has become accustomed to LeBeau's gourmet cooking, refuses to eat the gastronomic disasters served up by Sgt. Carter. But there is a more urgent need for LeBeau's services: Hogan needs to butter up a German general whose aid is an Allied agent. Kenneth Washington joins the cast as Sgt. Richard Baker, while the guest cast includes Brenda Benet as Marie Bizet. Written by Laurence Marks, "Cuisine a la Stalag 13" first aired on September 20, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1966
Klink's inability to win a promotion has kept him awake until the wee small hours of the morning, confounding Hogan's plans to smuggle a prisoner out of Stalag 13. To get Klink's mind off his problems, Hogan offers to act as matchmaker between Klink and General Burkhalter's attractive niece. Unfortunately, Burkhalter is more eager to marry off his less than attractive sister Gertrude (Kathleen Freeman, in the first of several series appearances). Written by Phil Sharp, "Cupid Comes to Stalag 13" originally aired on April 15, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1967
As part of the Allies' plans to invade Normandy Beach on June 6, 1944, Hogan is ordered to place the German generals encamped at Stalag 13 out of commission. To accomplish this, Hogan miraculously pulls enough strings to get Col. Klink promoted to German chief of staff -- or at least, to convince the generals that this promotion has taken place. The supporting cast includes several frequent Hogan's Heroes guest performers: Harold Gould as Von Scheiber, J. Pat O'Malley as the British general, and John Hoyt as Bruner. Written by Richard M. Powell, "D-Day at Stalag 13" first aired on September 23, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1966
Mercenary Gestapo agent Major Hegel (Paul Lambert demands that the Allies give him $1 million worth of industrial diamonds, lest he blow the whistle on Hogan's espionage operation. Left with no alternative, Hogan and his men agree to steal the precious gems. Ulla Stromstredt is cast as Hegel's gorgeous partner in crime Myra. Scriptwriter Laurence Marks managed to sustain the series' high humor content while still incorporating two violent off-screen deaths. "Diamonds in the Rough" originally aired on September 30, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1966
Failing a physical examination, Klink is ordered to combat duty on the dreaded Russian front. This naturally causes consternation amongst Hogan and his men, who don't want Klink to be replaced by a more efficient Kommandant. To save their favorite patsy -- and themselves -- Hogan's heroes cook up a scheme to convince the German high command that Klink is indispensable. Written by Laurence Marks, "Don't Forget to Write" first aired on December 9, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1968
Hogan successfully completes his mission of mining an enemy bridge. He then discovers to his chagrin that a truckload of Allied prisoners will soon be crossing the same bridge. The solution to the crisis hinges on Carter's Sioux heritage and Newkirk's Robin Hood-like ancestor. (Trivia note: Larry Hovis, who played Carter, was actually raised on the Yakima Indian Reservation in Washington State.) Written by Arthur Julian, "Drums Along the Dusseldorf" originally aired on March 30, 1968, as the final episode of Hogan's Heroes' third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1968
In order to transfer vital information to the Allies in London, Hogan must convince Klink to take a circuitous trip to "Argentina." This requires the service of underground agent Erika Weidler, who seductively plays up to Klink. At a crucial juncture, Erika's outraged husband (actually Sgt. Carter in disguise) charges in and challenges Klink to a duel -- so naturally, the Commandant is more than willing to allow Hogan to help him escape to the Western hemisphere (or so he thinks). In her second Hogan's Heroes appearance during the series' third season, Antoinette Bower is cast as Erika. Written by Richard M. Powell, "Duel of Honor" first aired on February 3, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
