Highly Overrated But Still Good

good back-story, and good acting

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Dean Jones' second film for Walt Disney came via this minor but lively family comedy co-starring another Disney regular, the late Suzanne Pleshette (as his wife) – plus veteran comic Charlie Ruggles (appropriately cast as their vet {sic}) and soon-to-be popular Asian actor Mako (as a cowardly caterer). Although the plot sticks strictly to formula, dog lovers should be able to get a satisfactory amount of enjoyment out of this lightweight farce about a Great Dane, who being raised with a litter of dachshunds, creates all manner of chaos when he grows too large for their company and, besides, suffers from identity crisis at the most inopportune moments (namely a competitive dog show). In fact, apart from the likable pair of leads, the film's trump card is the various slapstick sequences that involve the naïve but fiercely protective Great Dane chasing the amiably anarchic dachshunds around the house (especially during an all-important garden party). Apart from the Asian caterers, a regular victim of the Great Dane's harmless ferocity is an overzealous cop who, in the film's most amusing non-canine incident, gives Jones the mother of all tickets.

Although I'm more a fan of the animated Disney classics, I must admit that Disney also used to do very good live-action movies back then. This is not one of them."The Ugly Dachshund" is a nice comedy, full of funny moments with 4 Dachshunds and a Great Danes very well named Brutus. It's so funny how those little "sausages" cause all that mess and the clumsy Brutus destroys everything while trying to stop the "little angels" (like Fran calls them).The destruction of Mark's studio and the party's destruction are some of the funniest destructions ever.Officer Carmody has got to be the funniest cinema policeman ever. Not even in the "Police Academy" movies the policemen are this funny. This character is wonderfully played by Kelly Thordsen.Mr. Toyama and Kenji are the most amusing Japanese characters ever, especially when they panic because of the "lion" (that's what they call Brutus and it's hilarious that they say "rion" instead). Both characters are greatly played by the actors Robert Kino and Mako.I also like very much the performances by Dean Jones, Suzanne Pleshette and Charles Ruggles.This is an enjoyable classic to watch, but it is already showing its age. It looks very dated now, especially nearly at the end, during that sequence with the dogs's show.

Dean Jones picks up another paycheck in this weak, silly Disney outing about showdogs. Along for the ride are Suzanne Pleshette (who was still a pretty fresh face when this, er, "dog" of a movie was made) and Charlie Ruggles, evidently suckered out of retirement to play a dottering trainer. Ordinarily, cute dogs or cats or something will usually save an inane picture, since neither the plot nor the human actors can. Not this time. Granted, the film was made in '66, so just maybe we can overlook the sexist attitudes, but the stereotypical suburban sets and boorish treatment of animals is over the line. Dachshunds, for example, should never be encouraged to jump on or off furniture since this can result in severe spinal injury, and, even though this was known when the film was made, the dogs are made to do it anyway. The aforementioned Dean Jones, a longtime Disney staple, apparently has no problem subordinating himself to animal acts, while Ms. Pleshette must have rationalized her part as "paying her dues". The only thing worse that comes to mind are the actors who were content to play second fiddle to a sock puppet in "ALF". If you have little children who just love seeing movies about cute dogs and watching grownups humiliate themselves, then this is the movie to see. On the other hand, if you're on a transatlantic flight and are forced to watch this execrable film, consider jumping.

A fairy tale update of the classic story, this beautifully art-directed Disney movie in glorious Technicolor, stars Dean Jones at the height of his comedic powers and a very young Suzanne Pleshette. Mark (Jones) adopts Brutus, a lovable oaf of a Great Dane, who, try as he might, can't fit in with Fran's (Pleshette) spoiled prize Dachshunds (think Lady and the Tramp's evil Siamese cats). The film is full of sight gags and slapstick from director Norman Tokar (The Cat from Outer Space, M*A*S*H). In true Disney fashion, the underdog wins out and saves the day.