There are those who firmly believe that the year 2008 has gone to the dogs. Given the worldwide economic crisis, one would tend to agree, but that is not the meaning we are looking for here.
For films, 2008 has been a good year for movies that feature canine actors, with hits such as Beverly Hills Chihuahua a look at how the other half of the dog world lives, through Beethoven’s Big Break where a homeless trouble attracting dog makes it big in the movies and gains a family. The sweeping finish to a year of furred characters is the sweetly touching and funny Marley & Me, a memoir of a man and his dog that is in theaters now.
Humans and dogs share a long history of co-operative living. Dogs were the first animal to be domesticated and brought into the human’s style of living, and for better or worse they became our cohorts in the agrarian way of life. Man depended on dog and dog trusted man.
These canine “brothers” of humans are seen as loyal, brave, and trustworthy workers, helping man with his toils, as well as loving and faithful companions in his life. We call the dog man’s best friend, and it is no surprise that we carry the love and respect for this creature into our art forms. Songs have been written and portraits painted of dogs, and then there are the movies.
In the movies we have seen stories about brave dogs, lost dogs, amazing dogs, funny dogs, rich dogs, poor dogs, all mirroring the human condition. One thing that is appealing to humans is that dogs seem to have a sense of humor, they know when they are being funny and making us laugh.
They know when they are mimicking humans and it seems to tickle them as much as it does us. On the flip side they are sensitive and know they can break our hearts with a single soulful glance. Dogs are natural born actors, and it is incredible to see what they can do when given a role or a task to perform to be filmed.
Time Magazine has recently published their list of the top ten dog movies. In chronological order these are: Lassie Come Home (1943), Lady and the Tramp (1955), Old Yeller (1957), 101 Dalmatians (1961), Cujo (1983), The Adventures of Milo and Otis (1986), Turner and Hooch (1989), Beethoven (1992), Homeward Bound (1993) and Best in Show (2000.)
Well, with the exception of Cujo, which is just creepy to think about as a FAVORITE dog film, the list is pretty much on target with what my co-workers and friends have picked as the best dog pictures. We do have a few that didn’t make Time’s cut.
There are dog films, or films with a dog in them that have touched the heart or tickled the humor of viewers, and these are our additions to the list.
Favorite Dogs in Movies, or Dog Movies Not Already on the List:
Rin Tin Tin –
His first starring role was in Where The North Begins (1923). Before he became a “star” he played a wolf in several films. He was posthumously honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. According to Wikipedia, the tenth generation Rin Tin Tin is still touring and promoting responsible pet ownership and care.
The Ugly Dachshund (Disney 1966) –
Legally Blonde –
Pluto –
Pluto is the essence of canine wisdom and yet can exhibit the perplexity of understanding given what the human (or Mouse in this case) world dishes out. He is a hero, but first of all he is a dog.
Wizard of Oz (1939) -
Back to the Future (I, II, III) –
Men In Black –
You’ve Got Mail –
Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1960) -
These are some of our favorites to go along with the others listed. It would be interesting to see what dog in which film inspired you, or made you cry or made you want a dog of your own or fall in love with your own pet yet again.
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