Brought to America from Belgium in the late 1920s after having been trained as a working military dog in his home country, Muro found an outlet for his many skills in Hollywood. Film studios were quick to capitalize on his background, as well as the recent memory of the Great War, and publicized Muro as both canine royalty and a decorated war dog hero known as Count Muro purely for propaganda value.
A purebred Belgian Tervuren, Muro was surprisingly not the first Belgian Shepherd to take Hollywood by storm. That honor goes to Ranger, a Belgian Malinois who started acting in the mid-1920s. Still an early ambassador for his breed, Muro remains to this day the only major Belgian Tervuren movie star ever. Credited as both Muro and King in his films, he had as many titles and taglines as films, including: Dog Marvel; Emperor of All Dogs; and King the Wonder Dog.
Today, we can only guess at the true number of Muro’s films. Thankfully, he received top billing in a few surviving titles so we still have a record of some of Marvel Dog Muro’s daring deeds.
Untamed Justice (1929) (First known credit, although Muro was probably in small roles before it. This silent film may be one of the thousands that have been lost.)
The Phantom of the North (1929) (Another starring credit and a mostly lost film. Only the first 20 minutes of this film has been preserved.)
The Lone Trail (1932) (A feature film edit of the Sign of the Wolf serial.)
Do you know any more Count Muro films? Or the identity of his trainer? Please let us know!
The post Dog of the Wild appeared first on Reel Dogs.
]]>
✯ Heroes of the Northwest ✯
Since the first major Hollywood movies casting dogs in the starring roles, like Baree, Son of Kazan (1918) and The Silent Call (1921), the dog of the wilderness concept became ubiquitous with dog movies and canine movie stars. Strongheart, Rin-Tin-Tin, Peter the Great, and nearly all of the early German Shepherd Dog stars played at least one wolfdog, dog raised by wolves, or dog serving humans in the Northwest—such as sled dogs, prospectors’ dogs, or crime-fighting partners of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
This adventure genre, with its brave, almost supernatural archetype hero dogs, and rugged human male leads, was so popular from the 1920s through the 1950s, it deserves its own page. Many of the stars were German Shepherds, many were based on James Oliver Curwood or Jack London novels, but variations on plots and dogs kept stories interesting enough for viewers to come back for more.
Luckily, many of these old films have found DVD or digital release for the first time and can be enjoyed by a new generation of reel dog enthusiasts.
There is even a novel, Shadow of the North, which takes a satirical look at the films and lives of these dogs and trainers in Hollywood during the 1930s:
✯ The Movies ✯
Here are some highlights of the wilderness genre from early feature films to the 1980s.
The Return of Grey Wolf (1926)
Renfrew Of The Royal Mounted (1937) (series)
Snow Dog 1950 (part of series)
Northwest Territory (1951) (part of series)
Nikki: Wild Dog of the North (1961)
The Courage of Kavik, the Wolf Dog (1980)
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
The post Dog of the Wild appeared first on Reel Dogs.
]]>The post Old Yeller appeared first on Reel Dogs.
]]>
Some of the most famous dog movies ever made starred rescue dogs. “Old Yeller” was no exception. Spike, a huge Labrador Retriever/Mastiff mix, was adopted by Frank Weatherwax (trainer of Lassie) from the Van Nuys Animal Shelter in California for $3.00.
After his first film, Old Yeller (1957), Spike appeared on The Mickey Mouse Club with his costar Kevin Corcoran. He went on to star in two more features, A Dog of Flanders (1959) and The Silent Call (1961), and appear in other films and TV shows including The Westerner (1960).
His legacy lives on today as the poster-dog of one of the best-known dog novels, and films, of all time. You can find the Old Yeller novel here.
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
The post Old Yeller appeared first on Reel Dogs.
]]>The post Australian Shepherd appeared first on Reel Dogs.
]]>
The Australian Shepherd is the Sancho Panza and Dulcinea of the movie dog world. The sidekick or love interest, there only to support the main dogs or humans. Although there are hardly any starring roles for Aussies, fans will be glad to know they are prolific in Hollywood and beyond, including famous canine stars of a bygone era. These dogs have their own Reel Dogs pages so you will not find their movies listed below. See Bunk, who appeared in many westerns in the 1920s, and Tuffy, who was active in the 1930s. Coffey and Bobby (from The Famous Five) also have their own page.
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
12 Dog Days Till Christmas * Year: 2014 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Many dogs in small roles.
12 Dogs of Christmas * Year: 2005 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Dozens of dogs.
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Jr. * Year: 2009 * Country: US * Breed content: Unknown
Across the Great Divide * Year: 1976 * Country: US * Breed content: See note
“Charity” is a black-and-tan Aussie mix who appears to be the same dog in Go West, Young Dog (below), which was released a year later. She has a central role in this wilderness film in which she herds a colt, protects kids, is attacked by wolves, and starts a bison stampede.
Air Bud: World Pup * Year: 2000 * Country: Canada/US * Breed content: Low
Many dogs besides the main Golden Retrievers.
All Roads Lead Home * Year: 2008 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
With the exception of the Border Collies and red Boston Terrier, all the dogs in this film can be seen only in quick glimpses, many in the final scene, including a Bulldog in a dog run and Japanese Chin in a girl’s lap.
Almost Normal * Year: 2005 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
The Animal * Year: 2001 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Bailey’s Billion$ * Year: 2005 * Country: Canada * Breed content: Low
With a starring Golden Retriever and costarring Border Collie love interest, but including many dogs.
Bark! * Year: 2002 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
A woman believes she is a dog. Not much seen of actual dogs, but a notable role for an Australian Shepherd.
Bark Ranger * Year: 2015 * Country: Canada/US * Breed content: High
Max plays “Ranger” in one of the only starring Aussie roles.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva la Fiesta! * Year: 2012 * Country: Mexico/US * Breed content: Low
One of a score of background dogs.
Brokeback Mountain * Year: 2005 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Only a glimpse with shepherds in the mountains.
Cow Dog * Year: 1956 * Country: US * Breed content: High
See Stub, The Best Cowdog in the West below.
Daniel and the Superdogs * Year: 2004 * Country: Canada/UK * Breed content: Low
Dozens of dogs, including Aussies in a few scenes.
Darling Companion * Year: 2012 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Main dog is a mixed-breed, but many others in background roles throughout, including the rare Belgian Laekenois.
Disturbing Behavior * Year: 1998 * Country: Australia/Canada/US * Breed content: Low
Tricolor older dog.
Doggie B * AKA: Doggie Boogie * Year: 2011 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
About canine freestyle (dog dancing) and featuring several dogs.
Dog Lover’s Symphony * Year: 2006 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
The main dog is a Labrador Retriever, but many are seen at the training school and agility field.
A Dog’s Journey * Year: 2019 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
One of the NYC dogs out for a walk with “Max”, only in one scene.
Familiar Strangers * Year: 2008 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Finian’s Rainbow * Year: 1968 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
A tricolor background dog.
Flight of the Navigator * Year: 1986 * Country: US * Breed content: Medium
With “Bruiser” seen a few times.
Fluke * Year: 1995 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
One of the greatest of dog movies. Starring Comet in the title role and a Saint Bernard mix, possibly with Aussie. Fluke’s mother at the beginning is a purebred Aussie. (A genetic miracle since “Fluke” is a Golden Retriever.)
Follow the River * Year: 1995 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Only a glimpse at the end of the film.
Fünf Freunde * AKA: Famous Five * Year: 2012 * Country: Germany * Breed content: High
Coffey plays “Timmy” for the first two films in this series, a role then taken over by Bobby. They have their own Coffey and Bobby Reel Dogs page, where you can see a full list of their movies. There is no NTSC release.
Garfield * Year: 2004 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
At the dog show.
Ghost Cat * AKA: Mrs. Ashboro’s Cat * Year: 2004 * Country: Canada * Breed content: See note
Features an Aussie-type mixed-breed.
A Gold Medal Winning Tramp Dog * Year: 2014 * Country: China * Breed content: Low
About a Border Collie, though other dogs can be seen at the disc dog competitions. Never widely released. You can see clips online through the link.
The Goodbye Bird * Year: 1993 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Small red Aussie, maybe a pup. Never commercially released beyond VHS.
Go West, Young Dog * Year: 1977 * Country: US * Breed content: See note
Inspired by the true story of a mail-carrying dog in the old West gold town of Calico in the 1880s, “Dorsey” is played by a black-and-tan Aussie mix who appears to be the same dog as in Across the Great Divide (above). This was originally a Wonderful World of Disney TV film that you can now see online after many years in obscurity.
Harness Fever * AKA: Born to Run * Year: 1977 * Country: Australia/UK * Breed content: Low
With an Australian Cattle Dog in a larger role than an Aussie.
Irresistible * Year: 2020 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Kermit’s Swamp Years * Year: 2002 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Only in the opening scene.
Kona fer í stríð * AKA: Woman at War * Year: 2018 * Country: France/Iceland/Ukraine * Breed content: Unknown
La Cité des enfants perdus * AKA: The City of Lost Children * Year: 1995 * Country: Belgium/France/Germany/Spain * Breed content: Low
The Last Chance Detectives: Escape from Fire Lake * Year: 1996 * Country: US * Breed content: Medium
Third in a trilogy of TV movies for kids.
The Last Chance Detectives: Legend of the Desert Bigfoot * Year: 1995 * Country: US * Breed content: Medium
Second of a trilogy of TV films, in which “Jake”, a tricolored Aussie, is introduced as a main character.
Le gang des cabots de Naples * AKA: Napoli Dogs * Year: 2006 * Country: France * Breed content: High
Not a feature film but short (50 min) TV docufiction about Italian street dogs. The Aussie star is portraying mixed-breed “Bartolo”. Also released as Napoli Dogs – Ein Hundeleben in Neapel in Germany, which is the DVD version you can find in North America.
The Longshot * Year: 1986 * Country: US * Breed content: See note
One scene with a mixed-breed of an Aussie/Saint Bernard type in a pickup truck. You can catch a glimpse of the trainer’s hand signaling the dog.
Marley & Me * Year: 2009 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Beyond the Labrador Retrievers, dozens of dogs are seen in obedience class, at the beach, etc.
The Noel Diary * Year: 2022 * Country: US * Breed content: Unconfirmed
A Netflix movie with an Aussie or blue-merle Border Collie.
Play Dead * Year: 2011 * Country: US * Breed content: High
A short film about what happens to dogs during the zombie apocalypse. Available online.
Red State * Year: 2011 * Country: US * Breed content: Unconfirmed
Possibly a blue-merle Aussie.
Run, Appaloosa, Run * Year: 1966 * Country: US * Breed content: High
Maybe the best Aussie movie: “Silver” fights cougars, rescues horses, battles bulls, and saves the day in an epic race. Not a true feature, but a Wonder World of Disney TV movie. The dog was trained by Jay Sisler, who performed in live events with his troop of Australian Shepherds and who was showcased in another Disney TV film, Stub, the Best Cowdog in the West (below).
Saw * Year: 2004 * Country: US * Breed content: Unconfirmed
There is a photo of an Aussie in this film. Unsure if an actual dog is featured.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers * Year: 1954 * Country: US * Breed content: See note
Some background dogs of Aussie and Smooth Collie types seen a few times, although maybe mixes.
Show Dogs * Year: 2018 * Country: UK/US * Breed content: Medium
“Daisy” is an Aussie love interest for “Max”.
Snow Bride * Year: 2013 * Country: US * Breed content: Medium
A Hallmark TV movie with “Brody”, a big tricolored Australian Shepherd.
Strays * Year: 2023 * Country: US * Breed content: Medium
Elsa plays “Maggie”.
Stub, The Best Cowdog in the West * Year: 1974 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Another Wonderful World of Disney TV movie. This one about Jay Sisler’s team of trained dogs and primarily filmed 18 years earlier for a featurette called Cow Dog. It was reedited and rereleased in 1974. You can also see one of his dogs in a starring role in Run, Appaloosa, Run (above).
The Thorn Birds * Year: 1983 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
This is a miniseries and technically out of the scope of Reel Dogs, which doesn’t deal with TV shows or animation. However there is some interesting canine content here, including a dog fight between an Aussie and a mixed-breed. Although this fight (over food) looks spontaneous, the two dogs have their muzzles tied shut, which you can see in the image above, and the few canine scenes are more choreographed than they appear.
The Trail of the Lonesome Pine * Year: 1936 * Country: US * Breed content: Medium
The only color film to feature Tuffy, a canine star of the 1930s. A part was specially added to this movie for him as the companion of the little boy. You’ll find a full list of his films on Tuffy’s own Reel Dogs page here.
Two-Bits and Pepper * Year: 1995 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
A single shot with a couple of Aussies in the back of a pickup.
The Witch * AKA: The VVitch * Year: 2015 * Country: Canada/US * Breed content: Low
With “Fowler” in a few scenes.
Venner for livet * AKA: Finding Friends * Year: 2005 * Country: Norway * Breed content: High
About a boy who rescues a tricolored Aussie. Available in North America and the UK under the German release title of Petter und Leo.
The White Outlaw * Year: 1925 * Country: US * Breed content: Medium
Bunk was a big star in the silent film era and has his own page here on Reel Dogs where you can see a full list of his films.
Within These Walls * Year: 2001 * Country: Canada/US * Breed content: Medium
A TV movie based on the first prison inmate program to train service dogs. The three pioneering dogs include blue-merle Australian Shepherd “Sierra” in a central role.
Know more Australian Shepherd movies? You can write to moviedogs@gmail.com. Thank you!
The post Australian Shepherd appeared first on Reel Dogs.
]]>
This list includes both the Japanese Akita Inu and American Akita, although we have yet to find an American Akita in any starring or major film role. If you know of one, please write to the email at the bottom of this page and we can add it to the list!
The title links will take you to Amazon movie pages (Reel Dogs earns a referral fee at no cost to you) or, for rarer titles, alternative sources for the films.
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta! * Year: 2012 * Country: Mexico/US * Breed content: Low
Dozens of background dogs in this film, including one of the same Akitas from Hachi, below.
Big Baby * Year: 2015 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
The main dog is a doodle, but you can see a dark Akita in the background at the park.
Dog Lover’s Symphony * Year: 2006 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Not part of the agility class, but at the shelter in a kennel, and maybe a mix.
Frequency * Year: 2000 * Country: US * Breed content: Unconfirmed
Hachiko monogatari * AKA: Hachi-ko * Year: 1987 * Country: Japan * Breed content: High
Still the best Akita film and a classic in all of canine cinema. Based on the true story of a dog who became something of a legend in his own lifetime.
Hachi: A Dog’s Tale * Year: 2009 * Country: US * Breed content: High
In this American remake of the classic Japanese Hachiko story, baby Hachi is played by Shiba Inus.
Hoshi mamoru inu * AKA: Star Watching Dog * Year: 2011 * Country: Japan * Breed content: High
Based on the manga by Takashi Murakami.
Inu to watashi no 10 no yakusoku * AKA: 10 Promises to My Dog * Year: 2008 * Country: Japan * Breed content: Unconfirmed
The main dog is a Golden Retriever.
L’intrus * AKA: The Intruder * Year: 2004 * Country: France * Breed content: Medium
Japanese Akitas in at least a few scenes.
Little Heroes 3 * Year: 2002 * Country: Canada/US * Breed content: Low
The third in a series about two mixed-breeds of a Border Collie and Norfolk Terrier type. A background player at the end of the film is a rare blue brindle Akita.
Marmaduke * Year: 2010 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Background dogs who also appeared in Hachi, above.
The Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson * Year: 2019 * Country: US * Breed content: Low
Rare sighting of an American Akita in a film.
Suna no onna * AKA: Woman in the Dunes * Year: 1964 * Country: Japan * Breed content: Unconfirmed
Sunō Purinsu: Kinjirareta Koi no Merodii * AKA: Snow Prince * Year: 2009 * Country: Japan * Breed content: High
A Japanese adaptation of A Dog of Flanders.
Wasao * Year: 2011 * Country: Japan * Breed content: High
Unusual long-coat Akita in a starring role in this film based on a true story. (Wasao is the dog’s name.)
Know more Akita movies? Please send info to moviedogs@gmail.com. Thank you!
]]>