snicklefritz

a movie racemouse

In one of director Billy Wilder's gems.... the brilliant WW2 comedy Stalag 17 (1953), the p.o.w. barracks black marketeer J.J. Sefton (William Holden in his Oscar winning role) runs mouse races in the barracks......complete with an improvised track and pari-mutual wagering (in this case for cigarettes....not cash). In one of the races the co-favorites are named.....Snicklefritz and Equipoise. In one scene, two of the p.o.w's..... Harry and Kasava (nicknamed 'Animal') have a pre-race argument about who to bet on. Finally, Harry (Harvey Lembeck) convinces his crony Animal (Robert Strauss) that they should bet their ten cigarettes on ....Snicklefritz. After a fast start, Snicklefritz suddenly stops mid-race to chase his own tail, allowing Equipoise to win the race. Animal.... "why did I let you talk me into betting Snicklefritz.....we lost! " Harry..... "i don't know what happened.... I clocked him this morning and he was running like a doll". Animal...."you clocked him....why don't I clock you!".

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