Regarding Troopers Duffy and Hoffenmuller - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Sgt. Saunders · 12-17-2022, 09:43 AM

Two of my favorite supporting characters on “F-Troop” were Troopers Duffy and Hoffenmuller. Trooper Duffy was portrayed by longtime character actor Bob Steele, who appeared in many cowboy films during the 1930s and 1940s. In addition, Mr. Steele portrayed an especially sadistic gangster in Howard Hawks’ “The Big Sleep” with the great Humphrey Bogart. The last film I saw Mr. Steele appear in was the rugged western, “Hang ‘Em High,” starring Clint Eastwood and the late Inger Stevens.

On “F-Troop,” Mr. Steele portrayed Trooper Duffy, the oldest soldier at Fort Courage. Duffy was always telling Sgt. O’Rourke, Cpl. Agarn and the other soldiers about how he had served “shoulder-to-shoulder” with Davy Crockett at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 and that he was the only survivor of that famous battle. Duffy’s Alamo remembrances would invariably cause everyone to yawn and roll their eyes after hearing it so often.

In high school, Brother John Glackin had us laughing out loud, when he told us in history class, that another student had answered a test question on the Battle of the Alamo by writing, “All of the brave men at the Alamo were killed in the battle except for Duffy on ‘F-Troop.’’”

Trooper Hoffenmuller, Fort Courage’s only German-speaking soldier, was portrayed by veteran character actor John Mitchum, brother of the legendary Robert Mitchum. I always got a laugh when the English language-challenged Trooper Hoffenmuller would say, “Ach du lieber,” or some such German phrase in response to Corporal Agarn’s perplexing orders. Unfortunately, Trooper Hoffenmuller was only on the first season of “F-Troop.”

Mr. Mitchum was also known for his portrayal of Detective Frank DiGorgio, Clint Eastwood’s partner in the popular Dirty Harry films.

Bob Steele and John Mitchum were two superb supporting actors, who helped to establish “F-Troop” as one of the truly great comedy series of the 1960s.

Screwy Wabbit · 08-20-2023, 11:06 AM

Hoffenmueller may have only been in the first season, but at least Mitchum got to appear in the second season in "The Day They Shot Agarn."

12-17-2022, 09:43 AM	#1
Sgt. Saunders Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 27, 2021 Location: The Garden State Posts: 540	Regarding Troopers Duffy and Hoffenmuller Two of my favorite supporting characters on “F-Troop” were Troopers Duffy and Hoffenmuller. Trooper Duffy was portrayed by longtime character actor Bob Steele, who appeared in many cowboy films during the 1930s and 1940s. In addition, Mr. Steele portrayed an especially sadistic gangster in Howard Hawks’ “The Big Sleep” with the great Humphrey Bogart. The last film I saw Mr. Steele appear in was the rugged western, “Hang ‘Em High,” starring Clint Eastwood and the late Inger Stevens. On “F-Troop,” Mr. Steele portrayed Trooper Duffy, the oldest soldier at Fort Courage. Duffy was always telling Sgt. O’Rourke, Cpl. Agarn and the other soldiers about how he had served “shoulder-to-shoulder” with Davy Crockett at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 and that he was the only survivor of that famous battle. Duffy’s Alamo remembrances would invariably cause everyone to yawn and roll their eyes after hearing it so often. In high school, Brother John Glackin had us laughing out loud, when he told us in history class, that another student had answered a test question on the Battle of the Alamo by writing, “All of the brave men at the Alamo were killed in the battle except for Duffy on ‘F-Troop.’’” Trooper Hoffenmuller, Fort Courage’s only German-speaking soldier, was portrayed by veteran character actor John Mitchum, brother of the legendary Robert Mitchum. I always got a laugh when the English language-challenged Trooper Hoffenmuller would say, “Ach du lieber,” or some such German phrase in response to Corporal Agarn’s perplexing orders. Unfortunately, Trooper Hoffenmuller was only on the first season of “F-Troop.” Mr. Mitchum was also known for his portrayal of Detective Frank DiGorgio, Clint Eastwood’s partner in the popular Dirty Harry films. Bob Steele and John Mitchum were two superb supporting actors, who helped to establish “F-Troop” as one of the truly great comedy series of the 1960s.
	Last edited by Sgt. Saunders; 12-19-2022 at 10:36 PM.

08-20-2023, 11:06 AM	#2
Screwy Wabbit Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Apr 15, 2017 Posts: 64	Hoffenmueller may have only been in the first season, but at least Mitchum got to appear in the second season in "The Day They Shot Agarn."