Dubbing and voice-over technology in LazyTown episodes

[chuft]

That's really interesting.

Does the number 13 have the same connotation in Germany that it does in the US, that of an unlucky number?

Many buildings in the US do not have a 13th floor. Apollo 13, one of the moon missions of NASA, not surprisingly to the superstitious, had a major technical malfunction. They made a movie about it with Tom Hanks.

The Missing 13th Floor: How Ancient Fears Influence Modern Architecture

[Buzz]

But one instance where a 2nd dub triumphed in Germany, was the cult-classic American comedy show about a German PoW camp "Hogan's Heroes" (or known as "Ein Käfig voller Helden" (lit. "A cage full of heroes")). However, the first one was not very well received when it was broadcast late on Sundays and was canceled after 24 episodes. Then they turned to dubbing legend Rainer Brandt to devise a new dub, as the contractors had already bought the rights to all 168 episodes. The series is set in the fictitious German prisoner of war camp Stalag 13, which is located near the town of Hammelburg. Prisoners of the Western Allied forces, mainly US, British and French soldiers, are held in the Luftwaffe camp. Taking advantage of the cartoonish simplicity of their guards, the camp serves as the prisoners' own base from which they carry out numerous acts of sabotage and thus support the Allied war effort with their modest means.

In addition to the freer translation of the new dub, which is only roughly based on the original, the entertainment value of the episodes has been enhanced above all by the use of dialects. Colonel Klink (the supervisor of the camp) speaks Saxon, while Sergeant Schultz's joviality is underlined with a Bavarian dialect. It is similar with General Burkhalter (Klinks superior), who speaks with an Austrian, particularly Viennese, touch, as it is mentioned several times that he comes from Vienna. The actors playing Schultz and Burkhalter, John Banner and Leon Askin, were actually both from Austria. But Berlin, Cologne, Swabian and Platt were also used as dialects for some of the supporting characters, which only appear in one episode at a time, but always play an important role.

Klink's character is portrayed far more sympathetically in the German version; in the episode, protesting mildly against racist or otherwise bigoted resentment from his superiors. In general, dialogues in which he seemed like a German loyal to the state in the original are often completely omitted or taken ad absurdum. For example, Klink often starts rhyming for no reason or blaspheming about his housekeeper Kalinke. Frau Kalinke, Colonel Klink's Silesian cleaning lady, who is the subject of numerous jokes, is also a creation of the German version and does not appear in the American original. She is therefore not seen or heard in any of the episodes, although she seems to be well known to all the actors. The subject of the mostly raunchy jokes is that she not only runs Colonel Klink's household, but also has an affair with him. The German version also takes great liberties with the content. For example, the sabotage targets, which in the original mostly consist of weapons factories, ammunition transports and the like, are quickly turned into factories for schnapps, “synthetic toilet paper” and ready-made fried potatoes for the front.

It's worth mentioning that in the German version, the Englishman Newkirk stutters (how amusing)...I find this series, as well as M*A*S*H, completely inappropriate because, in my opinion, they trivialize war...I also don't believe that the regime in a German prisoner-of-war camp was as humane and harmless as portrayed...on the contrary, a large portion of Russian prisoners were left to perish in open fields, without adequate provisions or sanitary facilities...

[DrFauligstein]

It's worth mentioning that in the German version, the Englishman Newkirk stutters (how amusing)...I find this series, as well as M*A*S*H, completely inappropriate because, in my opinion, they trivialize war...I also don't believe that the regime in a German prisoner-of-war camp was as humane and harmless as portrayed...on the contrary, a large portion of Russian prisoners were left to perish in open fields, without adequate provisions or sanitary facilities...

True, but like the original cast had intended, the best way for them to deal with this terrible era is by satirization and ridiculing the powers that were during that time. Leon Askin, Werner Klemperer as well as John Banner were of Jewish heritage, thus giving this series even more of an emotional touch, as many of them fled when the Nazis had taken over. Something to note however was that Klemperer only took on the role of Klink as long as the character wasn't portrayed in a positive light, which of course (to his dismay or not, he unfortunately never made a statement), was retconned somewhat by the new German dub. He also had refused to reprise his role after he had done so once in the episode of the Simpsons "The Last Temptation of Homer".

It nontheless needs to be said that comedy has proven to be one of the best ways to deal with such events and it definitely showed in becoming a cult-classic in many parts of the world. Comedy, in its various forms, has long been recognized as a potent medium for entertainment. However, its power extends beyond mere amusement. Throughout history, people have turned to humor during trying times, intuitively sensing its therapeutic potential. Recent scientific studies have begun to explore and validate the deep-seated connection between comedy and healing, especially in trauma.

However, I definitely recognize that you have a different taste in this regard, which is fine by all means, but by god this show was worth getting it fully in Blu-Ray. It is filled with comedic genius, even in the English original. Regarding the trivialization of war, it most definitely does, but that's the beauty of it. By portraying the absurdity and incompetence of Nazi officials through humor, the show undermines the terror associated with them, stripping them of their power and dignity. This lighthearted treatment allows audiences to approach difficult historical themes without being overwhelmed by their gravity. It also highlights the triumph of human ingenuity and camaraderie over oppression, showing that even in the darkest situations, there is room for defiance, wit, and humanity. The show contributes to a narrative where resilience and resourcefulness prevail over authoritarianism. And really, nobody is going to be taking whatever happens in the show at face-value, thinking that what is portrayed somehow translates into the real world.

[Buzz]

True, but like the original cast had intended, the best way for them to deal with this terrible era is by satirization and ridiculing the powers that were during that time. Leon Askin, Werner Klemperer as well as John Banner were of Jewish heritage, thus giving this series even more of an emotional touch, as many of them fled when the Nazis had taken over. Something to note however was that Klemperer only took on the role of Klink as long as the character wasn't portrayed in a positive light, which of course (to his dismay or not, he unfortunately never made a statement), was retconned somewhat by the new German dub. He also had refused to reprise his role after he had done so once in the episode of the Simpsons "The Last Temptation of Homer".

It nontheless needs to be said that comedy has proven to be one of the best ways to deal with such events and it definitely showed in becoming a cult-classic in many parts of the world. Comedy, in its various forms, has long been recognized as a potent medium for entertainment. However, its power extends beyond mere amusement. Throughout history, people have turned to humor during trying times, intuitively sensing its therapeutic potential. Recent scientific studies have begun to explore and validate the deep-seated connection between comedy and healing, especially in trauma.

However, I definitely recognize that you have a different taste in this regard, which is fine by all means, but by god this show was worth getting it fully in Blu-Ray. It is filled with comedic genius, even in the English original. Regarding the trivialization of war, it most definitely does, but that's the beauty of it. By portraying the absurdity and incompetence of Nazi officials through humor, the show undermines the terror associated with them, stripping them of their power and dignity. This lighthearted treatment allows audiences to approach difficult historical themes without being overwhelmed by their gravity. It also highlights the triumph of human ingenuity and camaraderie over oppression, showing that even in the darkest situations, there is room for defiance, wit, and humanity. The show contributes to a narrative where resilience and resourcefulness prevail over authoritarianism. And really, nobody is going to be taking whatever happens in the show at face-value, thinking that what is portrayed somehow translates into the real world.

That was very detailed, and I absolutely agree with you. "And really, nobody is going to be taking whatever happens in the show at face value, thinking that what is portrayed somehow translates into the real world." – I'm not so sure about that... I fear that the politically egocentric and rather fun-oriented average American, as well as the younger generation here in our country, might take it at face value...these shallow, history-forgetting soaps convey a completely false image of the brutality and inhumanity of the Nazi regime or of war in general.

[Buzz]

That's really interesting.

Does the number 13 have the same connotation in Germany that it does in the US, that of an unlucky number?

Many buildings in the US do not have a 13th floor. Apollo 13, one of the moon missions of NASA, not surprisingly to the superstitious, had a major technical malfunction. They made a movie about it with Tom Hanks.

The Missing 13th Floor: How Ancient Fears Influence Modern Architecture

yes, the number 13 is considered unlucky in Germany, much like in the United States...however, the superstition in Germany is particularly associated with Friday the 13th, which is viewed as an especially inauspicious day...many Germans avoid making important decisions or starting new ventures on this date...the fear of the number 13 is so ingrained that some buildings in Germany skip the 13th floor, just as in the U.S...

[DrFauligstein]

That was very detailed, and I absolutely agree with you. "And really, nobody is going to be taking whatever happens in the show at face value, thinking that what is portrayed somehow translates into the real world." – I'm not so sure about that... I fear that the politically egocentric and rather fun-oriented average American, as well as the younger generation here in our country, might take it at face value...these shallow, history-forgetting soaps convey a completely false image of the brutality and inhumanity of the Nazi regime or of war in general.

While I can't say for sure that people did take it at face-value, most people I know didn't. As far as I am concerned, the younger generation will probably and unfortunately not have much interest in older media, as in my own circle of friends of Germans and international folk alike, none knew about this TV series in particular (or well any that I personally love from such eras). So I try to share it with whomever I can, because such a hit as it was deserves to be respected as a great series and form of protest against those who suffered under the authoritarian boot. Hell, it might even be more relevant than ever considering how war is currently on the horizon in certain parts, but also since right-wing to extremist thought is continuing to spread in the western world, with exactly the same kind of fear spreading as it did in the Weimar Republic (whether exaggerated or not). Klink in particular is my favorite character with his excentricites, borderline incomptence, but also his sense of humanity ingrained in the dub. In my own headcannon, since Hogan's Heroes, aka EKVH, got cancelled after season 6 (due to the head honchos wanting to appeal to a wider, younger audience and Bob Crane's ladykiller lifestyle), Klink is Nimrod, the feared British agent who is never revealed in the show, making many of his deficiencies just a masterminded act