Stalag 17

Two worthy Academy Award nominees from 1950's Sunset Boulevard -- actor William Holden and producer/co-writer/director Billy Wilder -- reteamed for the gripping World War II drama, Stalag 17. The result was another Best Director nomination for Wilder (his fourth), and the elusive Best Actor Oscar for Holden. Holden portrays the jaded, scheming Sergeant J.J. Sefton, a prisoner at the notorious German prison camp, who spends his days dreaming up rackets and trading with the Germans for special privileges. But when two prisoners are killed in an escape attempt, it becomes obvious that there is a spy among the prisoners. Is it Sefton? Famed producer/director Otto Preminger tackles a rare acting role as the camp's commandant, and actor Robert Strauss won a Supporting Actor nomination for his role as "Animal."