The Dog???
.....is not in the credits - who was the dog and what become of him?
nismo power r34gtr
He actually is in the credits, but a the very end.
shareHey....I worked on this film! The dog was the same dog who played Max in The Bionic Woman!! Sadly, he was not treated very well by his owner/trainer. Not to say that he was MIS-treated, but I was not happy with some of the things that poor dog was made to do.
Pity this movie was not very good...but the director had NO business making a comedy, since he had No Sense of Humor! He was a jerk!
If anyone is interested...I do have some slides and prints that I made from the original 35mm film stock from the 1975 production!
Obviously, I can't post the link here...but ask me if you want to see them!
Bruce Wayne
^^X^^
Hi, Bruce Wayne,
I just read your post after having seen the Won Ton Ton movie a few days ago, and am so glad SOMEONE mentioned the dog and the treatment it received.
First, some other impressions: I was amazed at how poorly the cameos were handled. Few actors got a chance to really shine. And they were all so talented. They were shot from too far away (Ethel Merman), the camera cut away from them just as they started speaking (Alice Faye), or they just sat there (Tab Hunter), etc.
I was shocked by the "fag" line even though I loved the performances of Victor Mature and Barbara Nichols. It was a different time, I must remind myself.
Was Madeline Kahn directed to play some of her scenes so big? I think of her stylized oblivious walk while buildings collapsed around her. Her comedic instincts were brilliant, so I guessed she was told to ham it up in ways that often didn't work.
The many violent car crashes were tiring.
Now we come to the dog. I gasped and cringed watching it being attacked and yelled at by Edgar Bergen and Walter Pigeon. Hit and kicked?! Did I see that?! The way they yelled at him! The dog didn't know they were acting, I'm sure! You could see his surprise, hurt, and confusion. When he was squirted in the face with a strong jet of water, he cringed and recoiled. That's funny? I felt sick after watching it. Tasteless, offensive, mean-spirited.
I do love those actors though, and some were able to make their moments work. They got a good line or two, and they acted them with conviction. Yay! They all deserved Much better. I hope you've had better movie experiences since. The dog, too! I suppose he's moved on by now.
I think this is the first message board I've written on. I generally don't like to pan things...but this strange film hurt my feelings, and it's been on my mind for days! Reading the complimentary reviews, I wanted a "reality check", and your comments affirm my take on it. Thanks for "listening"!
Harry Hart-Browne
I actually haven't watched this film in years! It was Not a pleasant experience, and I can't quite bring myself to sit through it, so can't comment on the content. I know I probably should, though, to get my perspective on it once again...maybe even recall some more memories from the shoot.
Yes, I do agree that they gave so many people so Little to do, just for the sake of their names, making the film more of a Novelty than a Revelation. I wasn't around for most of the filming, as we would always be ahead of the film crew, setting up the next set or location, or behind them, striking the previous set.
I do recall it being my Very First Location...up in Santa Barbara...and Art Carney being quite a character! And then I later worked on the Bionic Woman, with the same dog! Poor thing.
As for Madeline...I think she was told to play it broad, as was done in that period of Silents. But, as I have said...and will say again...the director had No Business directing a Comedy! What an Ass!
After the carnage of the cars crashing into the merchandise booths, I was able to salvage some of it...and had some Won Ton Ton bowls, collars, etc for a few years, but they are long-gone now. Wish I still had some...they would probably sell well on ebay!
But there is one great story from that miserable job...
I walked out of one of the production offices at the old studio (Culver, I think), and down the wooden steps, and noticed something shiny under them. I picked it up and it was a Solid Gold cuff-link, in the shape of a smiling face with a clown ruffle at the neck. I recognized it as Henny Youngman. I asked the office where I could find him, and was told that he had already returned to New York, but that I could give it to them and they would see that he got it.
Yeah...as if I would trust them!
That night, I showed it to my Mom, who told me that Henny was performing at The Playboy Club That Night...Not in New York!
So...I called the Playboy Club, told them what I had, and was told to hold. A minute later HENNY YOUNGMAN was on the phone!
He was So Excited that I had found his cuff-link, and Invited me to the Club to see his show!
What. A. Thrill!
So...One decent memory from that job! Maybe I Will watch the damn movie!
Bruce
Hahaha! What a GREAT Henny Youngman story!! So cool that its shine happened to catch your eye, as you were obviously the perfect person to find it. Wow, the series of events...you recognizing his face on a cuff link! The office not having the right info...your decision to hold on to it. Your mom, who did have the right info...you making the call...Him being close by enough to get on the phone. Cool!!!
I love stories like that. I don't know if you would benefit from watching that movie again. It was so strange. The story was a very cute idea, and I got flashes of that now and then. But it got so muddied by the ineptness and crassness.
Glad Art was fun. I'd imagine he would be. Did you get to see most of the cameo stars? That must have been wild. They all gave it their best shot.
Hope you gave that dear dog some love when you saw him on The Bionic Woman. Here's to professionals and happy sets!
Harry
It was So Long Ago...but I do remember Madeline Kahn, Bruce Dern, Ron Leibman and Art Carney. There was a big party on stage after filming...sort of a press event...and I recall poor old Mae West being trotted out for it. She was up on the stage, at the microphone, being told about the movie (she wasn't in it) and sort of being interviewed. She seemed a bit confused by the whole thing.
And there was Tab Hunter!! I am sure that there were a Lot of Stars at the party, but I had no camera then, if it would have even been allowed. Pity!
I did manage to get some of the Original Film of the movie when I was on the lot...have the slides and prints that I had made from them on ebay!
I'm in no hurry to see the movie again...but one day, I just might! At least I have a 75" HDTV to watch it on....the Picture will be enjoyable, if Not the actual Film!
We were never allowed to interact with that poor dog, on The Bionic Woman. But...I Do have a picture from one of the episodes with Him in the scene, on ebay!!
If you want to see any of my Stuff....I am thebatcaveofoz there! Lots of memorabilia from my 22 years in the biz!
(My Last Good Time in the biz was on 'The Torkelsons' for Disney in 1990! After that, it was downhill till I Had Enough and left it all behind me in 1995!)
Bruce
^^X^^
Hey, Bruce,
Funny about Mae West! They had her at the press event when she wasn't in the film?! I'd be confused, too! Bless her pioneering, feisty heart. You couldn't interact with the dog? Not fair. He seemed so sweet. I did an episode of Married...With Children, and that dog was very pleasant with a nice trainer. I don't collect stuff, but I checked out your batcave on ebay - lots of great shots of Natalie Wood and Nick Adams, but couldn't find any other items. What kind of work did you do in the biz? Happy Holidays, Harry
I have about 575 listings up now...they probably had ended when you saw them, but have been relisted.
I did set dressing for 22 years, TV and film. Would probably still be doing it, but it wasn't Fun anymore, the last couple of years...too many changes in the wrong direction, with non-union people being allowed to join, but never being taught the right ways of doing the jobs.
I left when they took the 'Show' out of Show Business!
Oh...but how about This for Cool....I just sold two of my Won Ton Ton slides and prints, of Victor Mature...to Victoria Mature--his Daughter!
My stuff is going all over the world to interesting places and people! After all these years, I am still sharing my time in the biz!
Some of my pictures from the set of The Muppet Movie went to Frank Oz!!
Merry Christmas!
Bruce Wayne