Question: I've heard that, because the film was shot in sequential order, some of the actors were unaware who the spy is until the last three days of filming. When they were offered their roles, wouldn't they have received a copy of the script to read in advance to learn their lines?
Cubs Fan
7th Jan 2022
Stalag 17 (1953)
2nd Feb 2012
Stalag 17 (1953)
Trivia: According to the audio commentary on the special edition DVD, William Holden felt he didn't deserve the Best Actor Oscar awarded to him, and that it should have gone to Burt Lancaster for From Here to Eternity. Holden's wife believed that his win was just belated recognition for his Oscar-nominated performance in Sunset Boulevard.
25th Mar 2009
Stalag 17 (1953)
4th Aug 2008
Stalag 17 (1953)
Continuity mistake: When the POWs are preparing to move Dunbar, Sefton draws his pocketknife and throws it into the table, slanted, near a square etched into the tabletop. In the following shot, the knife is farther away from the square, and it stands up straight. (01:48:15)
1st Aug 2007
Stalag 17 (1953)
Trivia: At the Christmas party, the POW singing "I Love You" is Ross Bagdasarian, who under his stage name David Seville, created Alvin and the Chipmunks.
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Answer: The cast would have received copies of the script but with parts of the last scene omitted. They would be given the missing pages during the last days of the shoot, in which time they learn their lines, rehearse, then film the ending. Considering the time involved in filming a movie, actors do not necessarily memorize the entire script beforehand, but do so as each scene is shot. Also, it's questionable as to whether or not any of the cast did not know the ending as the movie was based on the Broadway play.
raywest ★