This Nazi officer's hat was worn by the character "Col. Robert E. Hogan," portrayed by actor Bob Crane, in the classic television series, "Hogan’s Heroes." The WWII style blue and silver German military officer's cap is decorated with Nazi Eagle pin, Luftwaffe wreath device, double silver braid, and has the actor's last name "Crane" handwritten in black ink in the interior.
Mr. Crane can be seen wearing the hat in "Hogan's Double Life" (Season 6, Episode 22). In this particular episode, Hogan is identified by a Gestapo officer while taking part in a sabotage operation outside of the POW camp. In an elaborate plan to discredit the officer and throw him off his trail, Hogan decides to impersonate a Nazi officer and infiltrate a birthday party for a German Field Marshall. After cozying up to the elderly Field Marshall and convincing the man that they are old friends, Hogan denies his true identity when confronted by the officer later at the party, effectively establishing the alibi that he has a Nazi "doppelganger" in order to throw suspicion off of himself and continue working for the Allies from behind enemy lines. Mr. Crane can be seen clearly wearing this hat and full Nazi uniform in the scene with two of his fellow POW's while preparing to leave the camp for the party via their underground tunnel network.
"Hogan's Heroes," which ran from 1965-1971, caused considerable controversy when the series first launched. Paramount Pictures unsuccessfully attempted to sue Bing Crosby Productions for copyright infringement for the series, claiming that it stole its premise from their 1953 film "Stalag 17," while many others felt that a Nazi prisoner of war camp was an inappropriate backdrop for a lighthearted comedy. But despite its somewhat rocky start, the series gained immense popularity, largely due to the onscreen charisma of leading man Bob Crane as "Hogan." Hogan's impersonation of a Nazi officer was a recurring plot device used in multiple episodes of the long running series, and while several different hat and device combinations were used over the course of the impressive six-year run, this specific cap was worn in the sixth and final season of the series.
After its use on the final season of the show, the hat had the original removable braids and devices exchanged for use on separate productions. It was then re-blocked to restore its shape after heavy use. Both are common practices within the motion picture and television industry. The hat is in good screen worn condition with minor evidence of age and is accompanied by a letter of authenticity from the costume house. Presented by The Golden Closet, your premier source for screen used wardrobe, props, and music entertainment memorabilia.
Hat size: 7 1/8 |
