I have a memory of Kurt Russell's logic here (before the chimp came on the scene): The concept was (wasn't it?) that research was showing that the highest-rated TV shows were always about either (1) Abe Lincoln, (2) doctors, or (3) dogs. Ergo, a show about "Abe Lincoln's Doctor's Dog" had to be the highest-rated of them all. Very cute.
Leave it to Disney to come up with something like that!
Yes, he pitched this idea to his bosses. The three most popular shows were about Abraham Lincoln, doctors, and dogs. So make a show about Abraham Lincoln's doctor's dog.
I was going to start this topic, but I see you've already done it. Scary.
"You're forgetting one thing- I just started using laser cats again!"
Just viewed an episode of Burns & Allen, "Changing Names," recorded off of the "Antenna TV" station (those reruns air at 2 in the morning).
In one of those scenes in which George speaks into the camera, he communicates his understanding that those books that sell the best are either about Lincoln, doctors, or dogs, and then says that a friend of his covered all bases by writing a book about, yes, Abe Lincoln's doctor's dog.
Presumably, someone at Disney remembered that one.
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Very sharp notice, MacsLaw-2
sharei know it's been 2 years since this subject was broached, but i recently watched an episode of "Screen Directors' Playhouse" (i believe that is what it was called). it was a tv show from the 50s that highlighted a different film director each week. each director chose what they wanted to film and they went about putting it together for viewing on live TV.
i forget the director, but the play/film/tv movie was, indeed, Abraham Lincoln's Doctor's Dog, with Robert Ryan as Lincoln (seemingly miscast at the beginning but settles nicely into the role) with a host of familiar faces in supporting roles but whose names are unknown (one such person is Robert Long, formerly of TV's "The Big Valley" and "The Nanny And The Professor" and many a fine film. including a co-starring role opposite Ma and Pa Kettle in one of their last adventures.
SPOILER ALERT - depressed by the Civil War, Lincoln is sick at home under constant doctor's care. one day the doctor comes upon a pup from a recently delivered pet birth and the doctor thinks it might help Lincoln come out of his illness and depression, so as a birthday present, the doctor gives the young pup to Lincoln and within days, Lincoln is laughing and ready to face the outraged and conservative members of the House and Senate over the direction of the war.
(side note: there is an early mention of an actor seen and appreciated named Booth)