I agree with many of the IMDB user reviews of 1959's The Shaggy Dog. It's corny but enjoyable, riddled with plot flaws that are a joy to ignore. In some cases it's timeless. (What's not to like about a cute dog that talks?) And in other cases it's dated. (Fred McMurray grabbing a shotgun and chasing the dog through the neighborhood?!) But I recommend viewing this movie for one reason alone: the "actor" who plays the title role -- Sam, the Old English Sheepdog. What a talent! He runs. He jumps through windows. He protects his owner from unwanted suitors. He climbs stepladders. Heck, he even moves the ladder and sets it up before he climbs it! At times, a puppet (or a guy in a dog suit) fills in for him, but what star doesn't have a stunt double? My favorite scene is after Tommy Kirk has turned into the shaggy dog and needs to sneak out of the dance without anyone seeing him. Sam the dog, who has approximately the same build as a panda bear, gets down low and starts to crawl across the floor on his belly -- oblivious to the fact he's crossing an open area and everyone can see him. When Roberta Shore calls out his name, Sam stops and turns his head as if to say "Wha?!" What a sweetie! If you love dogs, and especially if you love Old English Sheepdogs, you will not regret watching this movie.

You know, sometimes we write these commentaries about films as if they were somehow works of art to be dismantled and put together again through analysis. Sometimes a movie like this is just a hoot. It's the age old story of a couple guys lusting after the same girl/girls. Here Annette Funicello is the first and then Roberta Shore (whom I had all but forgotten). Tommy Kirk's nerd doesn't have much of a chance with these foxes against the handsome Tim Considine (who was on My Three Sons and then tossed aside as if he never existed), so he finds a way, through a magic ring, to get inside the body of her dog. Of course, then it's sight gag after sight gag, boy/dog stuff. It is done with a delicate touch because these kids could act. Don't take this stuff too seriously. Just sit and enjoy.

Well, I'll be dog-gone.It was my sweet, little, 8 year-old nephew, TeddyBear, who excitedly picked out The Shaggy Dog at the local video store for the two of us to watch together.... And, you know what? I'm glad he did.Regardless of its gaping plot holes and its laughably cheap make-up effects, The Shaggy Dog's script was definitely first-rate, fast-paced, and, generally, a lot of goofy, family-oriented fun-fun-fun.Packed with plenty of hilarious one-liners, slapstick chases and uproarious sight gags, The Shaggy Dog also featured an excellent cast who competently brought this 1950s Comedy right in on the mark.The Shaggy Dog's story centers around the zany experiences of white, suburban teen, Wilby Daniels (a bona-fide geek) who, always at a loss for words around the girls, suddenly finds himself in a very hairy situation when the unknown powers of an antique "magical" ring transforms him into (of all things) an Old English Sheepdog. (You go figure) Check it out. You'll be dog-gone glad that you did.... Arf! Arf!

Over the last few days,I've been in the mood of watching a fun family film.As I went looking at my DVDs,I spotted a film that my dad had given to me a while ago with Fred MacMurray-who I hugely enjoyed seeing in the excellent Absent-Minded Professor starring in.The plot:After having gotten back from being left behind at a local museum by his "best friend" and a new next door neighbour (who he secretly has a crush on)Wilby Daniels discovers that a strange looking ancient ring has ended up in one of his jean pockets.When he reads out the inscription on the ring,he turns into his neighbours dog!!.Due to his father saying that he will shoot any dog that comes into the house (this is because he had a lot of trouble with dogs when he was a postman.)Because of this,Wilby decides to stay with the newly-arrived neighbours.Whilst there,Daniels discovers that the neighbours are not as sweet as they seem...View on the film:Whilst the last half an hour of the film has a very entertaining Mad Mad Mad Mad World-style chase,an odd thing about the screenplay by Bill Walsh and Lillie Hayward,is that they offer no explanation as to how the neighbours dog returns when Wilby turns back into a human.Also,perhaps due to the films age,the ending (where Wilby seems pretty happy to hear that the girl he had a crush on is being sent back and questioned by the CIA!.) gives the movie's ending a surprisingly nasty taste.Although he is not given as bigger role as I would have liked,Fred MacMurray gives a good performance as Wilson Daniels,who has trouble dealing with all the crazy chaos around him.Tommy Kirk also gives a very strong performance as Wilby,by showing all the frustrations that he has to try and manage,because of his transformation.Final view on the film:A fun film for the whole family,with very good performances from MacMurray.