"The Shaggy Dog" is a fun film for the whole family. It's a clever plot with some nice little twists. This was the start of Fred MacMurray doing family films for kids and adults. Here he is a retired mail carrier, Wilson Daniels, who over the years has developed an intense dislike of dogs. Hmmm! I wonder why? So, naturally, a big dog is going to come into his life. The cast all are very good. Jean Hagen plays Mrs. Daniels (Freeda). Tommy Kirk is the male lead, playing Wilby Daniels. Kevin Corcoran is very good as his brother, Moochie. His best friend – who happens to be a big mooch, is Buzz Miller (played by Tim Considine). The girls in the movie are Annette Funicello as Allison and Roberta Shore as Franceska. Cecil Kellaway plays Professor Plumcutt; and a host of supporting actors play other parts. Most notable is James Westerfield as Officer Hanson.
Oh, yes. The real star of this movie is Shaggy, an Old English Sheepdog. Some characteristics of this type of large dog (males, 70- 100 pounds) are playful, intelligent loving, sociable and adaptable. Those about describe Shaggy in this film. This has to be the best trained, or one of the best trained dogs ever in the movies.
This Disney film from 1959 shows some of the youth culture of the period. Crewcuts, hot rods, school dances, dress of the time. Even Wilby's (Tommy Kirk) interest in missiles and other science projects is reminiscent of the time. That was a time of fascination with rockets and space flight among a number of teens. I was one of those.
"The Shaggy Dog" is a nice, clean family film that has plenty of comedy mixed in with a little intrigue and fantasy. The latter is the source of most of the comedy.
If anyone wonders about how films like this might go over with kids of today, I've had a little experience as a grandpa. And, it depends. In just a couple of different family situations, my grandkids from five to 12 (boys and girls) in one family said they very much enjoyed "The Shaggy Dog." They are being raised with very limited use of electronic gadgets, games and social media. Another family in the same age range with two girls who have extensive social media, had little interest in this or similar movies. I realize that's not science, but it's been a guide for me when entertaining grandkids.
Oh, yes. The real star of this movie is Shaggy, an Old English Sheepdog. Some characteristics of this type of large dog (males, 70- 100 pounds) are playful, intelligent loving, sociable and adaptable. Those about describe Shaggy in this film. This has to be the best trained, or one of the best trained dogs ever in the movies.
This Disney film from 1959 shows some of the youth culture of the period. Crewcuts, hot rods, school dances, dress of the time. Even Wilby's (Tommy Kirk) interest in missiles and other science projects is reminiscent of the time. That was a time of fascination with rockets and space flight among a number of teens. I was one of those.
"The Shaggy Dog" is a nice, clean family film that has plenty of comedy mixed in with a little intrigue and fantasy. The latter is the source of most of the comedy.
If anyone wonders about how films like this might go over with kids of today, I've had a little experience as a grandpa. And, it depends. In just a couple of different family situations, my grandkids from five to 12 (boys and girls) in one family said they very much enjoyed "The Shaggy Dog." They are being raised with very limited use of electronic gadgets, games and social media. Another family in the same age range with two girls who have extensive social media, had little interest in this or similar movies. I realize that's not science, but it's been a guide for me when entertaining grandkids.