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Rin Tin Tin

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File:Rintintin.jpg
1928 movie ad

Rin Tin Tin (often billed as Rin-Tin-Tin in the 1920s and 1930s) was the name given to several related German Shepherd dogs seen in films and television dramas.

The first of the line (c. September 10, 1918 – August 10, 1932) was a shell-shocked pup found by American serviceman Lee Duncan in a bombed-out dog kennel in Lorraine, France, less than two months before the end of World War I. He was named for a puppet called Rintintin that French children gave to the American soldiers for good luck. The dog returned at war's end with Duncan to his home in Los Angeles, California.[1]

Nicknamed Rinty by his owner, the dog learned tricks and could leap 11 feet 9 inches. He was seen performing at a dog show by film producer Charles Jones, who paid Duncan to film Rinty. Duncan became convinced Rin Tin Tin could become the next Strongheart. The dog's big break came when he stepped in for a recalcitrant wolf in The Man From Hell's River (1922). Rin Tin Tin would be cast as a wolf or wolf-hybrid many times in his career, though not looking like one. His first starring role, 1923's Where The North Begins, playing alongside silent screen actress Claire Adams, was a huge success often credited with saving Warner Brothers from bankruptcy. It was followed by Shadows of the North (1923), Clash of the Wolves (1925), A Dog of the Regiment (1927), Tiger Rose (1929) and The Lightning Warrior (1931). His financial success for Warner Brothers inspired several imitations from other studios looking to cash in on Rin Tin Tin's popularity, notably RKO's Ace the Wonder Dog, also a German Shepherd.

Radio

Between 1930 and 1955, the character of "Rin Tin Tin" (though not all the original dog) was heard in three different radio series, beginning April 5, 1930 with The Wonder Dog, in which Rin Tin Tin did his own sound effects until his death in 1932 when Rin Tin Tin, Jr. took over. This 15-minute program was broadcast Saturdays on the Blue Network at 8:15 p.m. until March 1931 when it moved to Thursdays at 8:15 pm. In September 1930, the title changed from The Wonder Dog to Rin Tin Tin. Don Ameche and Junior McLain starred in the series, which ended June 8, 1933. With Ken-L-Ration as a sponsor, the series continued on CBS from October 5, 1933 until May 20, 1934, airing Sundays at 7:45 pm.

The final radio series was broadcast on Mutual from January 2, 1955 to December 25, 1955 a 30-minute program heard Sundays at 5:00 p.m. Sponsored by National Biscuit for Shredded Wheat and Milk Bone, the series featured Rin Tin Tin's adventures with the 101st Cavalry. The show starred Lee Aker as Rusty, James Brown as Lt. Rip Masters and Joe Sawyer as Sgt. Biff O'Hara.[2]

Dog days

Following Rin Tin Tin's death in 1932 in Los Angeles (in the arms of actress Jean Harlow, according to Hollywood legend), his owner arranged to have the dog returned to his country of birth for burial in the Cimetière des Chiens, the renowned pet cemetery in the Parisian suburb of Asnières-sur-Seine. He was 14 years old.[1]

Though Rin Tin Tin's abilities were well received, contemporary dog actors are viewed as superior, delivering far more believable performances due to advances in dog training techniques.[3]

"Rin Tin Tin" was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1623 Vine St.[4]

Successor Rin Tin Tins

Rin Tin Tin, Jr. appeared in several short films in the 1930s, including the 12-part serial, The Adventures of Rex and Rinty. Rin Tin Tin III starred alongside a young Robert Blake in 1947's The Return of Rin Tin Tin.[1]

The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, an ABC television series that ran from October 1954 to May 1959, featured Duncan's Rin Tin Tin IV as the lead dog, and Rin Tin Tin II although some of the work was performed by a dog owned by Frank Barnes called J.R. and another of Duncan's Rin Tin Tin line dogs named Hey You.

The name Rin Tin Tin has since been attached to various projects that have had little or nothing to do with Duncan or the preservation of the Rin Tin Tin bloodline dogs.

The authentic bloodline of Rin Tin Tin was not lost following the death of Lee Duncan on September 20 1960. With his endorsement, the bloodline continued in Texas with Jannettia Brodsgaard Propps, who had purchased several direct descendants from Duncan. Her granddaughter, Miss Daphne Hereford, continued the lineage following her grandmother's death on December 17, 1988. With Hereford's guidance, the authentic bloodline of Rin Tin Tin continues through breeding of his offspring at El Rancho Rin Tin Tin in Latexo, Texas. The current Rin Tin Tin is tenth in line from the original and makes personal appearances across the country to promote responsible pet ownership.[1]

The authentic Rin Tin Tin line dogs are also trained as service dogs to provide assistance to special needs children.

Early filmography

  • Man from Hell's River (1922)
  • Where the North Begins (1923)
  • Shadows of the North (1923)
  • The Lighthouse by the Sea (1924)
  • Clash of the Wolves (1925)
  • The Night Cry (1926)
  • While London Sleeps (1926)
  • Hills of Kentucky (1927)
  • Tracked by the Police (1927)
  • A Race for Life (1928)
  • The Million Dollar Collar (1929)
  • A Dog of the Regiment (1929)
  • Tiger Rose (1929)
  • The Lightning Warrior (1931)

Sources

  • Basinger, Jeanine, Rin Tin Tin chapter in Silent Stars, 1999. ISBN 0-8195-6451-6.

References

  1. ^ a b c d History of Rin Tin Tin
  2. ^ Dunning, John. On The Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. Oxford University Press, 1998. ISBN 0-19-507678-8
  3. ^ History of Traditional Dog Training
  4. ^ Canine Stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame


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