The Cool Cast Of HOGAN'S HEROES Part 2: The Life And Murder Of Bob Crane
Hogan's Heroes was a true ensemble show with a beloved cast. But the still unsolved murder of Bob Crane still casts a shadow.
Here is part 1 if you missed it:
The murder of Bob Crane
Murder in Scottsdale The Death of Bob Crane:
PASSWORD 1966-10-11 Irene Ryan & Bob Crane:
Bob Crane in 1978 on The Love Boat:
The Lucy Show S04E22 Lucy and Bob Crane:
Hollywood Palace 3-13 Christmas Show: Bing Crosby (host), Dorothy Collins, Hogan's Heros cast:
This is Bob Crane's complete interview with Rod Serling as it aired on KNX-CBS Radio on December 11, 1961. There are some short clips from this interview out there (including one on our YouTube channel), but this version is complete. "Crane approaches something close to genius in integrating his commercials with show-stuff. While he sometimes fractures a sponsor's message, he reassembles the pieces and augments and embellishes said message in such a manner as to increase the plug's effectiveness. This is a matter of record. Crane sells. Crane pitches hard. Add to this that he has the area's fastest-expanding morning audience and you have a degree of value that should make time buyers drool." -Liner Notes, "Laffter, Sweet and Profane" (KNX Promotional Album for The Bob Crane Show) Bob Crane has been called a genius in radio by his radio colleagues at WICC in Bridgeport, CT, and KNX and KMPC in Los Angeles. All sound effects, gimmicks, and voices are performed by Bob Crane (who was also known in radio as the Man of 1,000 Voices), either as pre-recordings or live right at the mic. Bringing all the pieces together, Bob transforms an otherwise bland commercial reading into a dazzling comedic performance.
On March 3, 1965, Bob Crane interviewed Regis Philbin and LA broadcasting legend Michael Jackson (note, this is NOT the "King of Pop" by the same name). This aircheck, which is over one hour in length also features Bob Crane at his finest before he became internationally famous for his role as Colonel Hogan on Hogan's Heroes. At the time this interview was aired, Bob was filming episodes for Season One of Hogan's Heroes, which had been picked up by CBS and slated for the Fall 1965 line up. But it was a frantic pace that he couldn't maintain. Although he signed the next one-year contract with KNX in May 1965, just a few weeks later, Bob announced that he would be leaving KNX to concentrate entirely on Hogan's Heroes and his acting career. Bob's interview with Regis Philbin and Michael Jackson begin around the 51:00 mark.
A young co-ed embraces free love and sets her attention on Bob. He attempts to rebuff the young lady but as they are both in medical studies Bob finds his life difficult. This show only aired 15 episodes before it was canceled:
Probably had something to do with the sick pornography he would make in his past time. It probably was more sinister than it was portrayed, and his murder was part of a cover up.