Movie Mutts: Hollywood Goes to the Dogs

Rating:
Summary: "MOVIE MUTTS" : FOUR PAWS UP AND A LICK
Review: Dog lovers and film enthusiasts alike will thoroughly enjoy Movie Mutts, a clever offering about the history and importance of the canine thespian to the silver screen. The book begins with some interesting background notes on how dogs were artfully incorporated into early filmmaking and sustained their roles through more sophisicated cinematic efforts, including animation. The authors (the principal writer is Coco, but her "human" gets some credit here) concentrate on the films of the 30's and 40's, many of which may be unfamiliar to readers, but the book achieves a likeable balance between the true superstars like RinTinTin and Lassie and the (shall we say) lesser known breed of Hollywood's four-legged finest. The impressive array of photographs is interspersed with interesting bits of legend and trivia (just how much did Toto get paid for The Wizard of Oz?) as well as Coco's clever reflections on her more famous brethren and even contains some helpful bits of advice on the inner workings of the canine mind. ("And make no mistake. We know when you're about to leave town.") I enjoyed the thematic organization of the pictures, which highlights some of the major social roles of dogs in film, with clever titles like "Family Friends," "Dogs in Heat" and the particularly enjoyable "Canine Cupids." (On a personal note, since I read the chilling chapter on "Bad Dogs," I haven't been able to look my own two pooches straight in the eye. But I shouldn't be doing that anyway, Coco admonishes.) You'll find yourself reflecting on your personal favorites, predictably, most of them from your childhood. Though I must say, Coco, the blatant omission of the fiercely intelligent Duke, from 1964's Dead Ringer, or Cleo, the sassy bassethound from the 50's sitcom The People's Choice (she must have had an early film career!) was surprising. But I'll be a "good sport" and toss it up to the depth and expanse of a subject matter that can't possibly covered in a hundred or so pages,. And just wait for the sequel.

Give it "four paws up and a lick." Add this one to your gift list for the dogowning movie buffs among your circle of friends.