Customer Reviews

The Shaggy Dog [VHS]

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I understand that Tim Allen has "reimagined" this film, but I don't know how it can compare to the original. Fred MacMurray, always reliable and loads of fun, is not the central character. The Mickey Mouse Club supplied the main characters. Indeed, Tommy Kirk & Kevin Corcoran carry this film, with able support from Tim Considine, Annette Funicello & Roberta Sherwood. There's also delightful support from Jean Hagen & Cecil Kellaway. I have no end of admiration for this original. Certainly, there are plot holes, but who really cares? I have the VHS, and then I saw the DVD and snatched it up. The DVD has 2 versions: a colorized version, but I have no use for that; the B&W is in a slight Widescreen. This is one of Disney's first live action comedies; Tommy Kirk is especially good, and had just completed "Old Yeller"; Kevin Corcoran was later excellent as "Toby Tyler". Disney studio were famous for their animated features, and wonderful documentaries ("White Wilderness", etc.). Mr. MacMurray later proved a hit in "The Absent-Minded Professor" and it's sequel, "Son of Flubber". My big concern is WHY anyone thinks they have to remake these wonderful capsules of Hollywood treasures. Robin Williams in "Flubber", and now Tim Allen in a remake? The originals are GREAT; the lazy studio heads should start looking for wonderful new material. We all know there's plenty of it out there. Those Sundance darlings, if promoted correctly, could kick some serious butt. Still, I encourage anyone with kids to check this out. It's WAY too much fun to be ignored. BTW: Remember the Mickey Mouse Club...the Hardy Boys...Spin & Marty? I do. I was especially intrigued with the Hardy Boys' "Mystery of the Applegate Treasure". Wouldn't that be fun on DVD? Anyone agree? PS~The DVD has a fond, loving tribute to Fred MacMurray. Worth seeing; as well as remaining cast interviews, commentaries, etc. UPDATE: Disney finally released the Hardy Boys (Applegate) and Spin & Marty. How smart of them! Now, we true lovers just have to wait for "Song of the South". Hey...it could happen...(?)

In the hit and miss world of Disney Home Video DVD releases we are treated to a rather suprising move by Disney. "The Shaggy Dog", a genuinely delightful fare, will be released in its original glorious B&W, widescreen format, as only Walt would have it. Also included is a colorized, pan & scan version for those who folks who just can't seem to tolerate those "black bars". This combined format should have been done with "The Absent Minded Professor". This seems like a no-brainer as this production should satisfy everyone. So why the hack job on the more modern "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken"? (which BTW is in its OAR in Region 2) You have a better chance of winning "Mega Millions" than guessing which Disney film will get proper treatment.

Update: 03.08.06

The B&W widescreen version is fabulous with sharp contrast and good lighting. Included with the B&W OAR version is commentary from the Shaggy Dog "Kids". Their remarks are delightful and clue us in on where many pieces of apparel in the colorized version don't match the original colors; i.e. one of Francesca's gowns was originally gold but colorized to a sickly blue in one scene changing to an equally pallor green in the scene to follow. So much for the dreaded colorization process.

It's an apples and oranges comparison between the Colorized, Pan & Scan and the B&W OAR editions. I'm just ever grateful that Disney (hopefully) finally has heard the pleas of the Region 1 consumer; at least for this classic. We can live in hope that they continue in this reponsible manner. Robert Iger, I hope comments like these reach your desk because writing Disney directly gets nowhere.

This is one of the funniest Disney movies they ever made. The adults are goofy, the kids adorable, and the exchanges between the two brothers....priceless. I'd forgotten how much I love it.

On March 7 all dog fan should be exited about a dog movie coming to DVD staring Tommy Kirk, Fred Mac Murray, Tim Considine, Kevin Corcoran and Annette Funicello. The Shaggy Dog is about a boy named Wilby Daniels who owns a ring the transforms himself into a sheepdog. His owner wants to destroy the U.S Space Program. The Shaggy Dog is a comedy complete with slapstick chases, sight gags, hot rods, spies and spells. The bonus features are an audio commentary with Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran, Tim Considine and Roberta Shore, The Shaggy Dog Kids feature and Fred Mac Murray - With Fondness. The rating is G. The movie is one hour and forty - four minutes long. This movie may be played in black and white or color. The aspect ratio for color is 1.33 and for black and white 1.75 and they are both enhanced for 16x9 TV screens. The sound is mono. The movie may also be played in French or Spanish. Enjoy!

One of the best Disney feature films with incredible performances from the young teenage cast, as well as Fred MacMurray and Jean Hagen. Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran play brothers, Wilby and Moochie Daniels, who are always getting into trouble with their imaginations (telling the cops their neighbors are spies) and experiments in the basement (a rocket goes through the roof of their house!) in this delightful family comedy. Tommy and Tim Considine play best friends who are in competition for the affections of two lovely young girls, hometown beauty Annette Funicello and the new girl in town, sophisticated beauty Roberta (Bobbie) Shore. Roberta's from Europe and owns a big, shaggy sheep dog, which takes an immediate liking to Tommy Kirk. As the story progresses, Tommy, Tim, and Roberta are visiting the local museum, Tommy accidentally knocks over a small table of ancient jewels and one of the rings gets caught in the cuff of his pants. Later at home, he discovers the ring and reads a mysterious encryption on the ring. Thus, turning him into a big shaggy sheep dog! The story is great and it keeps the viewers attention throughout. The folks at Disney have done a great job with this dvd release, which presents the movie in the original b&w widescreen version (this is the one I watched first) and a colorized version. Also included are interviews with Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran, Tim Considine, and Roberta Shore. A nice tribute to the late Fred MacMurray, with comments from all of the before mentioned. "The Shaggy Dog" had a follow-up film in 1976 "The Shaggy D.A." which starred Dean Jones as Wilby Daniels. The movie is inferior to the original, but is still entertaining and very funny thanks to Tim Conway's co-starring role. I wish the folks at Disney had made this follow-up film with Tommy Kirk and the entire original cast reprising their roles. I highly recommend "The Shaggy Dog," for it holds a very special place in my dvd library and I'm sure it would yours too.

This movie has kids and teens, animals, fun music, a magic ring that changes a person into a dog, spies, fumbling police, mixed up identities, fast cars, action and chase scenes, and a suffering dad who has to take the brunt of his boys antics including an attempt to prove he is crazy by a psychologist. This is an important film as the first live action comedy made by Disney introducing a popular series of formula Disney comedies through the sixties. The best parts of this films formula were mimicked in so many others that Disney made later.

It is also the first Disney film to feature Fred MacMurray. This was a comeback vehicle for the actor who was recently languishing without much work since the type of film he was known for was no longer produced. But after this film he was restored as an actor and went on to do many other films for Disney, including the "Absent Minded Professor" and its sequel "Son of Flubber","Bon Voyage", "The Happiest Millionaire", "Charley and the Angel", and "Follow Me Boys".

Tommy Kirk (perhaps starred in more Disney films than any other actor) is also in this film as Freds son "Wilby" and the hero, of sorts. After all, he is the one turns into a dog with the accidental help of a magic ring. Juvenile Disney star Moochie (Kevin Corcoran)plays his younger brother, and is outright hilareous with his show stealing antics. The ever charming Annete Funicello is here, along with a couple of other Mouseketeers in bit parts. But mouseketeer Roberta Shore plays the sweet Franceska, the new neighbor that Wilby falls for. Her dog looks just like the dog that Wilby turns into when he is enchanted, so Wilby takes his place to find out how good a dog's life really is. But Wilby soon finds out that her villainous father is a dangerous foreign spy.

While it was filmed as a low budget piece, it was very succesful comercially raking in $8 million in its first theatrical release. That was very big in 1959. The movie concept was first offered to a TV network as an idea for a new series, and they gruffly turned it down as "a stupid idea that no one would want to watch". Walt made it anyway, turning it into a theatrical release. When the crowds poured in to the theatre the studio boss called Walt to admit his mistake. Walt laughed all the way to the bank, and created a whole series of low budget comedies movies.

A great Disney advertising campaign for the movie capitalized on the then-current fad for "I was a teenage ____" movies. The film starts with some great animated title credits done expertly by veteran Dinsey animators X. Atencio, T. Hee, and Bill Justice. Released in 1959, written and produced by Disney Studio man Bill Walsh. Directed by Charles Barton. Disney veteran Bill Koehler did the animal training with the sheepdog that is used in some scenes as he did on at least half of the Disney films. (read his very rare book "The Wonderful World of Disney Animals" if you can find it.)

Look out for Paul Frees in this, he is the narrator and is seen as the psychiatrist (a rare on-screen appearance for the famous voice actor). His voice is featured throughout Disneyland ride attractions, especially in the Haunted Mansion (ghost host)and Pirates of the Caribbean, other Disney films and animation, and Rankin Bass holiday specials.

The plot has a touch of 50's paranoia about the cold war, but spoofs it rather than warning of the dangers. Kids just love this film and so do parents and teens. A sequel, "The Shaggy DA", was made after this. This movie was also remade recently for television by Disney with more modern special effects. I highly reccommend!

I first saw "The Shaggy Dog" while at camp Matollionequay as little girl years ago and fell on the floor laughing. When I saw it was available on DVD, I quickly purchased it to have it for my family so my 5 year old daughter, husband and I could enjoy it together. The movie is simply infectious and has humor for all ages. I mean, the whole idea is funny - a shaggy dog driving a car, a shaggy dog talking on a phone, a shaggy dog wearing pajamas, a shaggy dog chasing SPIES??!!

"The Shaggy Dog, Wild & Wooly Edition" is the DVD version featuring the original B/W film (slightly wide angle), the colorized version, and some extras. The bonuses include cast interviews which are fun to see. I know I prefer to see the original B/W, but my 5 1/2 year old vetoed me and so we watched the colorized version.

The story is chock-full and has many veins and sub-plots, which add to the fun. Basically, the story revolves around the Daniels family, with father, Wilson (Fred MacMurray), a retired postman, who (naturally) hates dogs; his wife, Frida, (played by Jean Hagen), and their two sons, Wilby (Tommy Kirk), a rather nerdy boy, and "Moochie" (Kevin Corcoran), his younger brother, who desperately wants a pet dog. They live in, yes, I'm sure, the "Leave It to Beaver" house and on that same street you see "The Beav" walking on in those old shows.

Throughout the movie, we see several stories playing out - a new neighbor moves in, an art dealer, his beautiful daughter, their butler and her shaggy dog. Through a trip to the museum, a connection between shaggy "Bratislavian Sheepdogs", an old painting of the Lady Borgia and the ability to shape shift is revealed. A mishap, a toppled table, a misplaced ring, an accidentally repeated incantation, and all at once, Wilby finds himself sprouting fur, and getting a black shiny nose! A professor of history and art advises Wilby that the spell may be intermittent. He doesn't realize how funny the adventures will be for the viewer. Wilby always seems to be getting into trouble, whether it's his father firing buckshot at his shaggy behind (don't worry, he only gets the laundry), or turning into a Bratislavian Sheepdog during a dance with the pretty new girl. Wilby, while a dog, overhears the new neighbor's plans to topple democracy, and the antics provided by a ten-year old, and a shaggy dog, and finally Wilson himself, trying to explain that yes, there is a spy ring in the neighborhood, and they know that because "My son is a dog. No, not all the time, just some of the time."(!)

Overall, this is film is great fun with really timeless humor. You can watch it again and again. There's no cursing or crude humor, so you don't have to be embarrassed to watch it with your kids or even your grandparents. I think this film would be ideal for kids today, from about age 4-15 or so, but it's good for adults, as well.

What fun it is to watch this beloved Disney favorite live action movie and sit through it with Tommy Kirk, Kevin Corcoran ("Moochie"), Tim Considine ("Spin" from the famous "Spin & Marty" serials from the Mickey Mouse Club) and Roberta Shore!!! Listening to their comments and stories and love for Fred MacMurray is certainly worth the price of this DVD alone. How wonderful it is to hear how well they speak of their co-stars Annette Funicello & Fred, and also Mr. Disney, and the various directors and people involved behind the scenes. Be sure to check out other recently released Disney movies with commentaries, like The Parent Trap with Hayley Mills, and Swiss Family Robinson, also starring Kevin Corcoran and Tommy Kirk. For serious Disney fans, this is absolute magic! You will be delighted!

This is a good clean funny Disney movie. Typical for the era it was made for and for kids. I was getting it for a small grandson as a birthday present and also ordered one for myself at the same time. Unfortunately, some of the remakes of Disney movies have not been for the very young any more which is why I prefer to get the original version. My grandson loved it and watches it repeatedly and his parents do not have to worry about a 6 year old seeing anything inappropriate for his age. At the same time adults also enjoy watching it for laughs and fun.

This light comedy from Disney had been released previously on Laser Disc and maybe on VHS (I don't remember), but we've been waiting a long time for this DVD version and it doesn't disappoint those of us who are old enough to remember it. The best part of this release is an interview with the once teenage stars of this film. If you're old enough to remember them, you'd better sit down before your turn on the DVD player. You're in for a shock. It's like going to a high school reunion with kids you haven't seen in 45+ years. They're all old. Thankfully, Roberta Shore (Francesca) is still beautiful and thankfully, she hasn't enlisted the aid of a plastic surgeon. She doesn't need it. I often wonder if Roberta's career wouldn't have gone further if she didn't play Annette's nemesis in this movie and the TV serial (also entitled "Annette"). Time Considine has held up a little better than Tommy Kirk but let's face it, we're all old buzzards now (sigh). The biggest shock is seeing Kevin Corcoran who played Tommy's kid brother in the movie. Right before my eyes, he has gone from Little kid to little old man! well, I warned you! Anyway, thier collective memories and commentary is delightful and informative and worth the price of admission by itself.

The film itself is a simple little comedy about a teenager (Tommy Kirk) who accidentally places a hex on himself and morphs into a sheepdog periodically without warning, much to the delight of his kid brother (Corcoran) who has always wanted a dog. Fred MacMurray plays a retired Mailman er, Postal Worker who, guess what, can't stand dogs. Francesca (Roberta Shore) is the pretty girl who has just moved in across the street and despite Roberta's billing, this is the biggest and most important female role in the film. Annette Funicello, riding the crest of her first wave of popularity, is in this film for name value only. There's a sub-plot involving Foreign Spys and microfilm or something, and the usual bumbling Policemen and sight gags, mixed with a little suspense; still it's a good family film and a minor classic, the likes of which even Disney doesn't make anymore.

Tommy Kirk remembers that this film was only outgrossed by Ben-Hur during the year of it's initial release. I believe him. Fred MacMurray (Double Indemnity, The Egg and I) started his new career as a bumbling, lovable, gruff middle-aged Dad in this film. Jean Hagen (Singin' in the Rain, Adam's Rib) stars as Fred's wife. Jean had become a TV Mom on The Danny Thomas Show and this part was merely type casting. She's good, as always but doesn't have a lot to do. The actor with the most demanding role is Tommy Kirk who played Wilby Daniels. He should have been top-billed, but giving teenagers top billing wasn't done in the 50's. No less important is the kid brother played by Kevin Corcoran. The real Box Office draw here were the Disney Teens: Tim, Tommy, Roberta, Kevin, and, of especially, Annette. At the time, Annette was the biggest draw on the Disney lot. That's why they used her for such a small role but gave her co-star billing.

There's a colorized version included in this set. Ugh! I have nothing against colorization, I just think it has a long way to go. This job was done in the Eighties, so it's not even up to today's standards.

Five Stars for the trip down memory lane.