I love Madeline Khan and Teri Garr. So, when I saw this movie for sale, I thought: "How could I have missed this gem?" After watching it, I now know why. It isn't a gem, it is a lump of coal. The movie tries to be tongue-in-cheek and high-camp but doesn't even succeed there. Yes, I know the movie isn't meant to be taken seriously (eg Young Frankenstein) but it fails there. The cast is full of stars, most of whom make cameos. Remember, the movie came out in 1976 so a lot of the old time actors and stars were still alive. But they were very hard to recognize and most only had just a few seconds of screen time. Seriously, this might be the worst movie I've ever seen.

Won Ton Ton, The Dog Who Saved Hollywood is by far a comedy masterpiece, but it stars the lovely Madeline Kahn in a truly hysterical performance. She rises so above the material. She possesses the same kind of movie magic of the screwball comediennes of the 30's and 40's and even comes off much better. I think if Madeline Kahn were a star in those days we would have had at least 100 films starring her. But when she made her film debut in 1972 she was a true Hollywood find. After all her first four movies are all now classics and two considered masterpieces. Not to mention two Oscar nominations. But with all that greatness the movie studios offered her parts in so-so comedies. I mean she made some more very good films, but not up to her first four. She was as beautiful and extremely talented as all her peers of the day. I always felt she was one day going to get her Academy Award in her older years, but unfortunately she died much too soon. Bruce Dern, Art Carney, Teri Garr, Phil Silvers, Ron Liebman, Nancy Walker and so many stars from the past appear in this take off on Rin Tin Tin. Paramount has yet to release it on DVD. 2006 is here today and its the films 30th anniversary. I wish they would release it for us all to enjoy and cherish a underrated performance from Madeline Kahn.

I'm not surprised that someone who was in high school when this came out didn't appreciate it. It is of course as much a farce as Mad Mad Mad Mad World, but it has become a cult film for old movie buffs, because it has the most impressive cast of old movie stars, supporting actors, bit players and celebrities of any movie ever made. Movie buffs and clubs have had parties where they show the film and have people list as many players as they can identify. Don't believe it? Mouse up the whole supporting cast and feast your eyes!

About the only interesting thing about this movie is just how many old stars you'll see, and for many of them, it was to be their last movie. Too bad it was in a stinker.