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Santa Without Padding TV Showtime - The Cleveland Press December 24-31, 1965 By Tom Weigel Page 5 Out of uniform as Sgt. Hans Schultz of Hogan's Heroes is John Banner, our cover boy Santa Claus. In his series, seen Friday nights (8:30, Ch. 8), Banner portrays a bumbling Nazi NCO whose appeal is earned in large measurebly his comical clumsiness in carrying out military orders. He is the show's buffoon and the series scene stealer. Anti-Heroes worshippers have quibbled that Hogan pokes fun at a no-laughing--matter situation. World War II as the butt for guffaws seems to them a misdirected aim at humor. But the show has proved to be one of the season's too new hits. Banner-wit', a visible axe to grind-is a staunch supporter of the format, noting in particular the popularity and acceptance of "Arsenic and Old Lace" and its murder theme. Thumbing one's nose at authority, he avows, is always an inducement to laughter. Banner, 55, and 270 pound3 without Santa Claus padding, was born in Vienna. In 1938, when Hitler's army marched into Austria, he became a refugee to the United States. Shortly thereafter he made his Broadway debut in "From Vienna," but his English was so bad he had to learn his lines phonetically. For three years (1942-45) he served in the U. S. Army Air Corps. This weekend will showcase a double dose of Banner and his cronies. Not only will he be his usual blundering self on Hogan's Heroes, but tomorrow he and his series associates take a fling on ABC's Hollywood Palace (9:30, Ch. 5). For a rival network to give its competition this exposure is the highest form of flattery and an obvious ratification of success.
Last Modified : Fri 16 May 2008 7:52 AM
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