The Shaggy Dog (2004, DVD)

In 1959, having had huge success with its animations, and its two previous ventures into live action film, Disney decided to depart from well known book adaptations and film a completely original live action comedy. based upon a never before adapted and little known book by one Felix Salten The timing and cast they chose could not have been better. Fred MacMurray's was a well recognised star whose career had hit a quiet spell, Jean Hagen's was going through a run of guest-spots-on-TV-shows-itis , and Tommy Kirk and Annette Funicello were both well known to young fans of the Mickey Mouse Club, and just the right age to play the parts needed. Nor was it a bad career move from the actors, MacMurray was launched into icon status shortly after with his role in TV classic My Three Sons and Funicello went on to beach babe movie history. With the known faces of veteran actors and a solid script, and the same meticulous attention to detail in regards to special effects as previously seen in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, it was no surprise when it wowed critics and movie goers alike. Seemingly strangely, given the fact that the two previous live action films were in colour, this one was shot in black and white, as were several other films after it. Given that this film and those after it were very heavy on the special effects and the much higher cost of colour film in the past, I feel I should mention here it was likely due to budget constraints, with 20,000 Leagues and Treasure Island being filmed in Britain where the costs were lower due to the post-war debt-credit system. Despite the American black and white film effort, this went on to become a family favourite that transcended the generation gap, going on to endear itself to another generation during the 1970's as it was shown on the TV series The Wonderful World of Disney.

The story itself is a simple one. Wilby Daniels (Tommy Kirk) is your nice average American kid who is trying to come to grips with the changes in his life being a teenager brings. He comes across a ring and reads the inscription upon it, only to discover to his great discomfiture that he has jinxed himself. For the inscription is an incantation, one that turns the victim into a large sheepdog. he is relieved to turn back into himself, only to be further dismayed when it transpires that the jinx is still active, and turns him into a dog at the most inopportune moment. If that was not bad enough, he crosses paths with spies out to derail America's space efforts and only he can stop. There are plenty of laughs along the way as we watch Wilby struggle to normalise his life and avoid the fate of being Elwood the Dog. His angst in his emotional dealings with his parents (MacMurray and Hagen), to his teenaged Lothario efforts (with Funicello and Franceska Andrassy), make this film a delight in a timeless manner.

While the humour of inherent in the story may seem slapstick, it is not pie in your face silly. rather the gag is one that actually works as a plot device. It drives the story forward, and this is important because the film is not just a string of gags. The plot itself is detailed and the characters very three dimensional, making this a quality film that happens to be rather slapstick in premise, as opposed to being a mere running joke tied together with a few bits of dialogue. I have to mention the special effects again here. Just as the miniatures used in their classic 20,000 Leagues were done so meticulously as to even today not appear to be models, so the effects relating to the dog in this film were crafted. It actually appears that the DOG is doing all those things. years before modern CGI, this is no mere "get a a guy in a rented dog suit" hat trick, nor is it a mere cheesy, "let's just sit the dog there in one pose and pretend not to notice the steering wheel is not moving" type effect. Where the effects ARE let down is in some of the scenery, where it is obvious that it is filmed background scenery, but that was a standard conceit that continued well into the 70's and is even seen on television today when filming people in cars. It is therefore a niggle that is easy to live with.

Forty-eight years later, and nearly twenty years since its TV appearance heyday, how does this film play to modern youngsters? My teenage children howled with laughter, and wanted to invite friends over to watch it, and when they did, it was again favourably received despite their initial surprise at being shown a black and white film. The 5 and 3 year old also were enraptured, though the five year old did comment it was a shame it was not in colour, but this was an afterthought. Both young children sat through with rapt attention, and with a demand to watch the Shaggy DA for more "funny dog". I have to say, judging by this reaction, that the film is one to be added to the family shelf. Forget ridiculous remakes with questionable humour and blighted storylines, watch the original and the best.

As for getting it, the original black and whiteversion is out there on DVD, just look at the production year to ensure you are getting the 1959 version rather than the terrible Tim Allen remake. It is a budget release DVD,fully remastered for clear picture and sound, but with fullscreen presentation rather than the original widescreen aspect ratio, and comes in English only without subtitles or any kind of extras. That said, at under 6 GBP (or $10 if in the USA), you won't find better laughs to share with your kids even if you spend more money on a more exspensive DVD.