Product Details

• Actors: Ray Walston, Cheryl McWilliams
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MCA/Universal Television
• VHS Release Date: August 11, 1993
• Run Time: 71 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302089611
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,977 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Most of this second volume of stories from the 1985-87 television anthology series is a middling offering from former Steven Spielberg protégé Robert Zemeckis, who later won an Oscar for directing Forrest Gump. (Spielberg was the creator of Amazing Stories.) Zemeckis's episode is a bit of schlock horror called "Go to the Head of the Class," and while it stars Christopher Lloyd in a fiendish role as a decapitated teacher, and an atypical part for Mary Stuart Masterson as a manipulative teenage babe, there isn't much that sticks to the ribs.

The real treat on Book 2, however, is the animated "Family Dog," directed by the little-known Brad Bird but supervised by Tim Burton long before he became a household name. A witty and observant satire on family dysfunction as seen through the eyes of a pet pooch and perennial scapegoat, "Family Dog" follows the misadventures of a sweet-natured mutt just trying to fit in with his human housemates but betrayed at every turn. Tormented by a bratty boy, prodded by an exuberant toddler, and an easy target for an unhappy mom and duplicitous dad, the dog can't get a break. Burton's dark sensibilities are certainly in play, and the animation--while owing something to Warner and Disney--is novel and expressive. One needn't worry about young viewers watching this one: there's no physical brutality and the comedy always prevails. Plus, the ending proves, definitively, that every dog does indeed have his day. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family dog is the funniest piece of animation EVER!, July 8, 2000

By	Shelley Shay (Denton, TX **(God Bless the USA!!)**) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I remember when I was watching this when it originally aired. I was a senior in high school and I was watching the show on my 9" color TV in my bedroom. I didn't realize my mother was watching the same show on the big TV until the first commercial when we could hear each other gasping for breath. I was laughing so hard, I could barely make it to the big TV w/o falling over in a faint. When I say laughter, I'm talking about the kind that just hurts... no noise comes out except for gasps of breathing inbetween high-pitched whistling. Fifteen years later, my mother and I are still talking about that show and how we both thought we were going to die from laughing so hard.

If you're not a dog lover, well... you should even be reading this review, but only someone who's had dog that's been a stinker at least once will be able to appreciate this masterpiece in animation comedy. Annie Potts (of "Designing Women" and "Pretty in Pink" fame) does the voice of the mother in the family. The characters are just hilarious and that dog is the cutest, funniest cartoon dog I have ever seen. I can't say enough about this clip except that I'd love to have it on DVD. I highly recommend this cartoon... it's totally suitable for every member of the family.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Family Dog Takes the Cake!, March 6, 2000

By	Shari L. Robb (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

The Family Dog is absolutely the funniest cartoon I have ever seen. We wore out our copy years ago, and I'm so grateful to find that it's here for sale. Although we haven't seen it for eons, my family still quotes from it, and we never fail to crack up in giggles at even the memory! I can't speak for the Christopher Lloyd portion, but Family Dog is WELL worth the investment, for the youngsters as well as the adults in the family!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's perfect... would like it on DVD, September 24, 2005

By	David Burnfield (Sydney Australia) - See all my reviews

We first watched it about 18 years ago and it's brilliant, a real gem. We watch it every couple of years now and enjoy just as much. The VHS tape (which was a copy) is almost unwatchable... would love to get the DVD.

Would also like to subscribe to "Suburban Paradise" magazine but don't get it here...

Good on you Brad, love your stuff!