CBS Saturday Night at the Movies

Rating: 10/10 (24 July 2012)

In 1965 I sat in front of my TV set,it was still Winter in NYC,I remember as the Christmas Tree was still up.The CBS Saturday Night at the Movies flashed on the screen,a Movie marquee with flashing light bulbs:"Stalag 17". I never heard the word Stalag,so naturally,I was hooked. I think they showed a clip...a War movie in a POW camp,World War II.I could NOT take my eyes off the screen,they were STUCK to the TV,even during the commercials. I LOVE this movie. As the film progressed,I knew that SEFTON was NOT the "Stoolie"(too obvious)maybe it was the Shell-Shocked Joey(too ridiculous),but there was something Off about PRICE...."Security"....maybe a little TOO security Minded with a Smart-ass attitude,as SEFTON said later after his "Blanket Party","The rat hit the hardest". Watch the film again,KNOWING PRICE was the Nazi,and you'll see some inside Dialogue that really incriminates him and even sitting under the Signal light to Shultz at the Chess board. I sometimes thought the movie was a little Stagy but it still moved. As a kid seeing this for the first time,I KNEW exactly where DUNBAR was hidden..in the water tower,the First place I thought the Krauts would look.A VERY funny Movie and the studio thought they had no choice but to promote it THAT way,it was HARDLY a comedy....it was a BILLY WILDER Film,and if you DON'T know WHAT category Wilder made films.....then you should NOT watch them.