Strongheart

For the Native American actor, see Nipo T. Strongheart.

Strongheart, canine star of silent cinema.

Strongheart was the screen name of Etzel von Oeringen (October 1, 1917–June 24, 1929), a German Shepherd that became one of the earliest canine film stars. After being trained in Germany as a police dog, he was brought to the United States by husband and wife filmmakers Laurence Trimble and Jane Murfin, who had previously worked successfully with Jean, the Vitagraph Dog. He appeared in several movies, including a 1925 adaptation of White Fang. Some of these pictures were highly successful, and did much to encourage the popularity of the German Shepherd breed.

A popular celebrity in his day, Strongheart paved the way for the much better remembered Rin Tin Tin. Strongheart and his mate, Lady Jule, had many offspring and their line survives till this day. In 1929, while being filmed for a movie, Strongheart accidentally made contact with a hot studio light and was burned. These burns caused a tumor to form, which ultimately caused his death a year later. "God bless you Strongheart, God bless you", were the words of the eminent dog's eulogist and former trainer, Laurence Trimble.

In August 1928, Etzel Von Oeringen, the canine who played Strongheart, was accused of murdering a young child by the name of Sofie Bedard. It reportedly "tried to eat her". Strongheart's name was later cleared and Sofie's family was prosecuted for wrongly testifying in a court of law.

Filmography

• The Silent Call (1921)
• Brawn of the North (1922)
• The Love Master (1924)
• North Star (1925)
• White Fang (1925)
• The Return of Boston Blackie (1927), thought to be the only Strongheart movie still in existence

Strongheart in popular culture

• A dog food company named their product after him; Strongheart Dog Food is still being produced.
• Strongheart has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 1724 Vine Street.

References

• Boone, J. Allen. Letters to Strongheart (Prentice Hall, 1939; Robert H Sommer, 1977, ISBN 0-933062-19-2; Tree of Life Publications, 1999, ISBN 0-930852-34-6)
• Boone, J. Allen. Kinship with All Life (Harper and Row, 1954; HarperCollins, 1976, ISBN 0-06-060912-5)
• Strongheart. Hollywood Walk of Fame.

External links

• Strongheart at the Internet Movie Database
• Etzel von Öeringen on the Pedigree Database