Comments on: “The Hindenburg” (1975): Fact & Fiction http://www.airships.net/blog/the-hindenburg-1975-movie The Graf Zeppelin, Hindenburg, U.S. Navy Airships, and other Dirigibles Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:03:46 +0000 hourly 1 By: Chris http://www.airships.net/blog/the-hindenburg-1975-movie#comment-26506 Chris Sat, 24 Sep 2011 04:01:05 +0000 http://www.airships.net/?p=6853#comment-26506 Having seen the movie far too many times ;) I think I can answer some of your questions here: Chief Steward Hirsch would definitely be based on real-life Chief Steward Kubis. Col. Ritter's wife and & Mrs. Erdmann - same. I have never read anything to indicate that either Nelson Morris or Burtis Dolan were "card sharks" so I'm fairly certain those two charcters (Napier & Pajetta) were totally fictional. Ludecke...definitely was a rigger in the film (was one of the riggers tasked with patching the Hindenburg's fin mid-flight). The film depicted four riggers, but there were only three on the real flight - two died and the one who survived (Freund) was in the tail. Ludecke is killed in the fire, having been sent to the nose with the others off-watch to trim the ship, so I'm pretty sure his character was also made up. Rigger Neuhaus = Hans Freund Lt. Hank Truscott, US Navy, was based on real-life Lt. George Watson, who worked at Lakehurst with Charles Rosendahl / Captain Fellows in the lighter-than-air division, and served as the Navy public relations officer on May 6. Lt. Lombardi - no idea except that he represented any number of security detail who were at the field for the landing. There was, indeed, a Kathie Rauch of Milwaukee, Wisconson, and the letter was real. And she claimed to be clairvoyant. All of this in the film is true. Helmut...now that's a new one on me, and I also saw it on IMDB. However, Larry Moran would have been just 6 or 7 years old at the time of the film's production, so it must have been an obscure bit part (guess I'll have to see the movie a few more times & look for him!) No idea if Frankel survived the fire, would have been nice to see a more complete follow-up on who actually survived or was killed other than the photo montage at the end, but then it would have been longer... Having seen the movie far too many times ;) I think I can answer some of your questions here:

Chief Steward Hirsch would definitely be based on real-life Chief Steward Kubis.
Col. Ritter’s wife and & Mrs. Erdmann – same.

I have never read anything to indicate that either Nelson Morris or Burtis Dolan were “card sharks” so I’m fairly certain those two charcters (Napier & Pajetta) were totally fictional.

Ludecke…definitely was a rigger in the film (was one of the riggers tasked with patching the Hindenburg’s fin mid-flight). The film depicted four riggers, but there were only three on the real flight – two died and the one who survived (Freund) was in the tail. Ludecke is killed in the fire, having been sent to the nose with the others off-watch to trim the ship, so I’m pretty sure his character was also made up.

Rigger Neuhaus = Hans Freund

Lt. Hank Truscott, US Navy, was based on real-life Lt. George Watson, who worked at Lakehurst with Charles Rosendahl / Captain Fellows in the lighter-than-air division, and served as the Navy public relations officer on May 6. Lt. Lombardi – no idea except that he represented any number of security detail who were at the field for the landing.

There was, indeed, a Kathie Rauch of Milwaukee, Wisconson, and the letter was real. And she claimed to be clairvoyant. All of this in the film is true.

Helmut…now that’s a new one on me, and I also saw it on IMDB. However, Larry Moran would have been just 6 or 7 years old at the time of the film’s production, so it must have been an obscure bit part (guess I’ll have to see the movie a few more times & look for him!)

No idea if Frankel survived the fire, would have been nice to see a more complete follow-up on who actually survived or was killed other than the photo montage at the end, but then it would have been longer…

]]> By: John D http://www.airships.net/blog/the-hindenburg-1975-movie#comment-22178 John D Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:58:24 +0000 http://www.airships.net/?p=6853#comment-22178 A great website and great photo's and descriptions - thank you for all your hard work. The similarities between the actors and actual persons is very striking. the art direction on the film was excellent. All performances were absolutely believable. A great website and great photo’s and descriptions – thank you for all your hard work.

The similarities between the actors and actual persons is very striking. the art direction on the film was excellent. All performances were absolutely believable.

]]> By: Gordon http://www.airships.net/blog/the-hindenburg-1975-movie#comment-20949 Gordon Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:33:08 +0000 http://www.airships.net/?p=6853#comment-20949 Hi, there were some additional things about fictional characters and I need to ask some questions about the cast/characters. Characters: Emilio Pajetta = Nelson Morris Maj. Napier = Burtis J. Dolan (goes by the name Maj. Dolan in the Michael Mooney book) Chief Steward Hirsch = Heinrich Kubis Eleanore Ritter = Dorothea Erdmann Ludecke = Walter Ziegler, Helmut Lau, and Chief Engineer Rudolf Sauter Rigger Neuhaus = Hans Freund Questions: I know Frankel was the helmsman, but does he survive the fire? What were the roles of Lt. Truscott and Lt. Lombardi? Were they Detectives or at Lakehurst? There's this actor named Larry Moran, he plays Helmut / is he the cabin boy? Was Kathie Rauch a historical person? Hi, there were some additional things about fictional characters and I need to ask some questions about the cast/characters.

Characters:
Emilio Pajetta = Nelson Morris
Maj. Napier = Burtis J. Dolan (goes by the name Maj. Dolan in the Michael Mooney book)
Chief Steward Hirsch = Heinrich Kubis
Eleanore Ritter = Dorothea Erdmann
Ludecke = Walter Ziegler, Helmut Lau, and Chief Engineer Rudolf Sauter
Rigger Neuhaus = Hans Freund

Questions:
I know Frankel was the helmsman, but does he survive the fire?

What were the roles of Lt. Truscott and Lt. Lombardi? Were they Detectives or at Lakehurst?

There’s this actor named Larry Moran, he plays Helmut / is he the cabin boy?

Was Kathie Rauch a historical person?

]]> By: PeterSwede http://www.airships.net/blog/the-hindenburg-1975-movie#comment-10359 PeterSwede Thu, 23 Dec 2010 05:14:45 +0000 http://www.airships.net/?p=6853#comment-10359 It was a long time since I saw this move, but didn't it include the Horst Wessel song with fictional english lyrics to sound more sinister? Frank Tonge, the word should be "Führerstand" which means "drivers stand/cabin". It was a long time since I saw this move, but didn’t it include the Horst Wessel song with fictional english lyrics to sound more sinister?

Frank Tonge, the word should be “Führerstand” which means “drivers stand/cabin”.

]]> By: Carmen http://www.airships.net/blog/the-hindenburg-1975-movie#comment-9273 Carmen Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:40:29 +0000 http://www.airships.net/?p=6853#comment-9273 great comparison! like it! thanx for post! :-) great comparison! like it!
thanx for post! :-)

]]> By: Frank Tonge http://www.airships.net/blog/the-hindenburg-1975-movie#comment-5882 Frank Tonge Sat, 21 Aug 2010 01:47:12 +0000 http://www.airships.net/?p=6853#comment-5882 Thank you for the information. I do not know how to upload the stamp images to this site. Perhaps you could enlighten me, or provide an email address that is compatible. Best wishes, Frank Thank you for the information. I do not know how to upload the stamp images to this site. Perhaps you could enlighten me, or provide an email address that is compatible.
Best wishes, Frank

]]> By: Dan (Airships.net) http://www.airships.net/blog/the-hindenburg-1975-movie#comment-5843 Dan (Airships.net) Fri, 20 Aug 2010 01:12:15 +0000 http://www.airships.net/?p=6853#comment-5843 LZ-129 carried swastika flags on its fins throughout its career, so any image of LZ-129 without them is inaccurate. I have never heard the term "Fuhrersland" in connection with LZ-129. I would be interested to see the stamps you mentioned. LZ-129 carried swastika flags on its fins throughout its career, so any image of LZ-129 without them is inaccurate.

I have never heard the term “Fuhrersland” in connection with LZ-129. I would be interested to see the stamps you mentioned.

]]> By: Frank Tonge http://www.airships.net/blog/the-hindenburg-1975-movie#comment-5839 Frank Tonge Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:20:10 +0000 http://www.airships.net/?p=6853#comment-5839 Hi! As a stamp enthusiast I am creating an album on Zeppelins printed by the various countries. I have a souvenir stamp sheet from Mauritania issued in 1976. On the stamp the ship shown is claimed to be L-129 flying over the Berlin Olympic Stadium in 1936. There appear to be two inaccuracies. 1--There is no swastika shown on the fin. This does not correspond with your article's photo. 2--On the gondola shown lower on the sheet the bow shows the name "Fuhrersland. " Was this correct or a figment of the designer's imagination? I think your site is fantastic, you did a great job clearing up some of my misconceptions. Thank you! Hi! As a stamp enthusiast I am creating an album on Zeppelins printed by the various countries. I have a souvenir stamp sheet from Mauritania issued in 1976. On the stamp the ship shown is claimed to be L-129 flying over the Berlin Olympic Stadium in 1936. There appear to be two inaccuracies.
1–There is no swastika shown on the fin. This does not correspond with your article’s photo. 2–On the gondola shown lower on the sheet the bow shows the name “Fuhrersland. ” Was this correct or a figment of the designer’s imagination?
I think your site is fantastic, you did a great job clearing up some of my misconceptions. Thank you!

]]> By: Chris Thomas http://www.airships.net/blog/the-hindenburg-1975-movie#comment-5164 Chris Thomas Thu, 22 Jul 2010 22:45:09 +0000 http://www.airships.net/?p=6853#comment-5164 Dan- Even after all these years I cant seem to find anyone younger than 80 years of age that collects, knows of or will share interest in the hindenburg. Even those few wont speak or share. I kinda feel alone in my interest. My search for a Hinderburg Item has left me discouraged year after year and my search for another person in TEXAS who shares the same interest or hobby cant be found.. Do you live here? I would love to talk more with you and see what materials you have gathered or at least pictures? Chris Dan-
Even after all these years I cant seem to find anyone younger than 80 years of age that collects, knows of or will share interest in the hindenburg. Even those few wont speak or share.

I kinda feel alone in my interest. My search for a Hinderburg Item has left me discouraged year after year and my search for another person in TEXAS who shares the same interest or hobby cant be found.. Do you live here? I would love to talk more with you and see what materials you have gathered or at least pictures?

Chris

]]> By: Paul Adams http://www.airships.net/blog/the-hindenburg-1975-movie#comment-5049 Paul Adams Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:08:30 +0000 http://www.airships.net/?p=6853#comment-5049 For those interested, the soundtrack by David Shires is now available on a limited edition CD and it is rather good. It can still be found on various site around the web. For those interested, the soundtrack by David Shires is now available on a limited edition CD and it is rather good. It can still be found on various site around the web.

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