General Joseph W. Stilwell: This isn't the state of California, it's a state of insanity.
Hollis P. Wood: You sneaky little batards aren't getting doodly shit from me, except maybe my name, rank, and Social Security number: Wood, Hollis P., Lumberjack, Social Security 106-43-2185.
Captain Wild Bill Kelso: War nerves? Who said war nerves? The Patron: I heard it on that radio there. [Kelso shoots the radio.] Captain Wild Bill Kelso: Radio's wrong.
Captain Wild Bill Kelso: Kid, you gotta get that sub. Wally Stephens: What sub? Captain Wild Bill Kelso: The Jap sub. Wally Stephens: Where? Captain Wild Bill Kelso: The ocean, lame-o.
Colonel "Madman" Maddox: To Hollywood... and glory!
Trivia:
The dialog between Claude and Herbie was written along the same lines as Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton. In fact, Jackie Gleason and Art Carney were offered the roles but Gleason refused, saying he would not and could not work with Carney any longer.
Both John Wayne and Charlton Heston were offered the role of General Stilwell. Wayne phoned director Steven Spielberg, who had given him the script, and not only turned it down due to ill health but tried to get Spielberg to drop the project. Wayne felt it was unpatriotic and a slap in the face to WWII vets. Heston is thought to have turned it down for the same reasons.
Spielberg exposed one million feet of film over 247 shooting days.
Spielberg has revealed that he almost made this film a musical.
The gas station where Captain Wild Bill Kelso (John Belushi) lands to refuel was the same one used in Steven Spielberg's movie Duel. Lucille Benson, who plays the gas station owner, appeared in Duel as the Snakerama owner at the same station.
Credits Fun:
End credits feature scenes showing cast members screaming.
DVD Easter Eggs: (Hidden So You Don't See Anything You Don't Want To See)
Edition: Universal
Region: 1
Description: Isolated music score
From the disc’s main menu go to the 'Language Selection' and there select 'Spoken Language'. As one of the entries you will then see 'Isolated music score'. Select it and you will be able to enjoy John Williams’ fabulous score in its entirety.