Top Dog Film Stars
Lassie seen here in the first Television series with American child actor Tommy Rettig (produced by Robert Maxwell).
Although many actors have dreaded working with dogs, canines have become an integral part of the genre of movies. In bit roles and major parts, they can add depth, pathos, and humor to an otherwise dull film. The big screen has paraded many a bigger-than-life canine. Some have even obtained a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! Two of the biggest have become icons for ideal dogs. Others have continued this tradition. Some canines fall into the category of character actors or are employed for comic relief. While these canines are or were famous, they were always known by their stage name.
• Rin Tin Tin (1918–1932)
Rin Tin Tin was not the first dog actor to appear prominently in movies, but he was the first great dog star. Rin Tin Tin was a German Shepherd. He was found in Germany by Corporal Lee Duncan, a soldier during World War I.
Rin Tin Tin was starving when Duncan located him, his mother and litter mates. He held a noble ancestry. In February 1918, Rin Tin Tin and 4 other pups were living in the kennel of an abandoned German station. Duncan took it upon himself to rescue the mother and dogs. He adopted two: Rin Tin Tin and Nanete. Both were named after French Puppets given to the American soldiers for good luck.
Duncan returned to California. Only Rin Tin Tin survived the trip. Duncan went back to work but entered Rin Tin Tin into several dog shows. Soon the talented canine was discovered. He stepped in to perform the scene another dog had refused. Soon, he had a contract with Warner Brothers.
Rin Tin Tin was the star of 26 pictures for Warner Brothers Studio. His films initially saved the studio from bankruptcy. In his hay day, more than 10,000 fan letters arrive weekly. He died in 1932 but not before he established a precedent and a dynasty. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, but his body is lying in the world’s most famous pet cemetery in Asnières-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris.
Brief Filmography: The Man from Hell’s River (1927), A Dog of the Regiment (1927), Rinty of the Desert (1928), The Famous Warner Brothers Dog (1928), The Lightning Warrior (1931).
• Lassie (1940–2019)
(photo credit:State Archive of Florida)
After Rin Tin Tin, Lassie was the biggest canine to hit the silver screen. He, yes, Lassie was a laddie, and was trained by Rudd Weathermax. The Weathermax family were to establish themselves as serious animal trainers. They originally intended to help the owners train Pal (a.k.a. Lassie) to stop chasing motorcycles. However, the owners decided to give Pal over to Weathermax. It was the beginning of a fruitful relationship.
Lassie was not intended to be a film star. It just happened! He was initially hired as a stunt dog and then replaced a canine who refused to swim across a raging river. After this he was given the main role. Soon Pal as Lassie was a major motion picture star. His most notable role was in the critically acclaimed feature film "Lassie Come Home" (1943). After he retired form show business, his sons and grandsons took over.
Brief Filmography: Lassie Come Home (1943), Son of Lassie (1945), Courage of Lassie (1946), Challenge to Lassie (1949)
• Toto/Terry (1933-1944)
Toto's real name was Terry. She was a female Black Cairn Terrier who acted with many of the era’s greatest child stars. Although best known for her role opposite Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz", she also acted with another child star, Shirley Temple, in the movie "Bright Eyes".
Terry performed in 14 movies. Unlike either Rin Tin Tin or Lassie, Terry was not slotted into a specific role. Her performance in "The Wizard of Oz", however, did increase her earning power. Her wages went up to a princely $125 a week during shooting! This was a higher sum than many of the film’s human actors. Terry also came to the premier at Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
Brief Filmography: Bright Eyes (1934), Fury (1936), The Wizard of Oz (1939), The Women (1939) George Washington Slept Here (1942)
• Buddy (1987-1998)
Buddy appeared in only movie during his short but memorable career. Prior to his role as Buddy in "Air Bud" (1997), this Golden Retriever had appeared on the "Stupid Pet Trick" segment of the David Letterman Show bouncing a basketball. Buddy won over the crowd!
Buddy then went on to make his mark in movie history. He starred in "Air Bud". At the Academy Awards that year, he was honored as holding his own among “the greatest Animal Actors of all time“. Buddy’s career as a canine movie star was fleeting. Although he spawned an entire series of Air Bud movies, he only starred in one. A bout with cancer took away one of his rear legs. Buddy rallied but died in 1998.
Filmography: Air Bud (1997)
(Article written by Lacy Johnston with additional material by Julie Palmer)