Cinema Pups
Dogs have been man’s best friend for far longer than film has been around, so it’s fitting that Hollywood has always found a way to pay tribute to our domesticated buddies. The selections below highlight our love affair with our most loyal and loving companions. Through love, loss, and all the adventures in between, these films show just how wonderful it is to have a dog a part of the family.
Sometimes people have to make tough sacrifices, and in LASSIE COME HOME (1943) hard times force the poor Carraclough family to sell their loving dog Lassie to the rich Duke of Rudling. The Duke takes Lassie hundreds of miles away to his home in Scotland, but his granddaughter takes pity on the despondent dog, and arranges his escape. As Lassie journeys back to his true family, he faces perils along the way, but through the kindness of strangers and his dogged perseverance, he eventually makes his way home. Based on the 1940 novel LASSIE COME HOME, the film served as the cinematic debut of the collie Pal, who went on to star in six more Lassie films from the mid-1940s to early-1950s. Though he died in 1958, he sired a line of descendants who continued to play the fictional character that he originated.
TOP DOG (1995) shows just how far good training will take a dog as Chuck Norris stars as Jake Wilder, a maverick cop tasked with taking over the case of a recently murdered cop. Little does he know the job comes with a brand new partner, Reno, a highly intelligent police dog. Though Wilder isn’t too happy about his new partner, he soon learns the benefit of having the clever pup by his side, and the two form an unstoppable team.
There’s no doubt as to the positive effects of having a friendly dog by your side, and Emmy-award winner Gayle Kirschenbaum illuminates just how many different ways the intense bond with a dog can affect people in her film A DOG’S LIFE: A DOGAMENTARY. Kirschenbaum puts a “doggie cam” on her pup Chelsea and the two of them hit the streets of New York looking for love, but the tragic events of 9/11 lead Chelsea to find her true calling as a therapy dog, showing the healing powers of unconditional love.
Both cat and dog lovers will enjoy THE ADVENTURES OF MILO AND OTIS (1986), a loveable tale of the unlikely friendship between a Milo the cat and Otis the dog. When Milo accidentally falls into the river and gets swept away, the two begin a journey to find each other traversing mountains, plains and snow-covered lands in order to reunite.
Last but not least, celebrate the holiday season with the song-filled 12 DOGS OF CHRISMAS: GREAT PUPPY RESCUE (2012). When mean spirited mogul Finneas James (Sean Patrick Flannery) plots to shut down the Doverville puppy orphanage, Emma O’Connor (Daniel Chuchran) must come up with the money to save it. With the help of some friends, she races against time to put together a music holiday event that just might save the day. With fun for the whole family, this sequel is sure to delight.
Snuggle up with your furry friends, kick back, and enjoy one of our many selections here at Film Fresh. Hit us up on FaceBook and let us know which dog centric film you like the best!
