MovieChat Forums > Stalag 17 Discussion > DVD Commentary (Spoilers) + Peter Graves

DVD Commentary (Spoilers) + Peter Graves

posted 14 years ago by Alfriend
4 replies | jump to latest

Did anyone listen to the DVD commentary with Donald Bevan (one of the two playwrights), Richard Erdman (Hoffee) and Gil Stratton (Cookie). It was really great. The had a lot of great anecdotes about Wilder, Preminger, Holden and almost the whole cast right down to the smallest cameos. What was resounding in its absence was the almost virtual ignoring of Peter Graves. They never mentioned him at all until the ending scene where the guys in the barracks throw Price (Graves) out the door as a decoy. The first comment occurred as Graves was thrown out the door and someone I think Bevan's says: "That was a good leap.". The second comment came when Graves was screaming for Help-- and someone dryly said; "That was the best acting he did in the film." They never mentioned his name once. And like I said they spoke about virtually everyone else and had anecdotes about what they did after the film, if they were still alive, etc. They were kind about everyone else even Preminger who they noted could be a real jerk to people when he directed, but they still took the time to say nice things about him as well. I wondered what had Peter Graves done or not done to be dissed by these guys whe seemed very kind and complimentary and full of good stories and good humor about everyone else and each other.

Anyone know anything about this?

[–] laaksonen-rj 14 years ago

This caught my attention, too, while listening to the commentary. Nothing wrong with the performance of Graves, I think.

[–] Alfriend 14 years ago

I agree. I thought Peter Graves was great in the film. There was something more to this. They mentioned everyone in the cast at length right down to small one-line roles. And yet Graves was never mentioned at all by name. And when they referred to him in the finale when he was on the screen by himself, it was so abrupt and curt, it was out of character for these guys who were so warm with each other and in their mutual memories about the film, Wyler and the rest of the cast. Very odd for sure.

[–] ClassicMovieFan21 13 years ago

SPOILER

I agree that the comments made about Peter Graves sounded derogatory. I do want to add that the first comment they made about him was in the opening scene when we first see him and the other POWs being woken up by Sgt. Schultz. Their comment was "Uh oh" and at first I thought they were referring to him being the spy but now I wonder if it's due to something else.

[–] Alfriend 13 years ago

Yes, it is very weird. Graves always seemed like a nice guy to me. Maybe he had a swelled-head or something as a young actor. These guys on the commentary seemed very down to earth and were so complimentary to virtually everyone else even the guys with the smallest parts; like they were a family for a time.