The Ugly Dachshund (1966)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

It is not deep, but it is fun to watch. It does have a bit more of an edge to it than other similar films.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Fran Garrison (Suzanne Plechette) is one very lucky lady. She is married to successful artist Mark (Dean Jones) and has a lovely home in California. In addition, her prized Dachshund Danke is about to give birth. Therefore, Mark starts the car and drives the expectant dog to the vets. As he breaks several traffic laws, Mr. Garrison is given a huge ticket while Danke is rushed inside. It's triplet little wiener dogs. When Mark finally makes it to the delivery area, he notices a Great Dane mother nursing ten puppies! The good vet is trying to nurse another little pup who has been rejected by her mother. Now Mark, who has tolerated his wife's tastes and wishes to the limit, has always wanted a bigger dog. Therefore, when the vet suggests that Mark take home this runt Dane and get Danke to nurse him, too, he does it. Initially believing Danke has had a fourth pup, it soon becomes clear that this pup, who Mark names Brutus, is another breed. Fran DOES NOT want him in the house but Mark finally insists. Comically, Brutus tries to do what the little wieners do, but he's too big. In addition, the trio, named Chloe, Heidi, and Ludmilla, get Brutus in trouble when they wreck the living room in a stampede but hide before Fran finds the mess. Twice more, when the growing pups destroy Mark's studio and a posh party the couple gives in the backyard, will the Garrisons be able to keep Brutus? A heroic deed Brutus performs helps matters immensely! This enjoyable, classic Disney has wonderful animal performers in four clever, adorable Dachshunds and one darling Great Dane. They make the film something special. But, alas, Plechette's character is just short of a harpy and certainly not a good example of a loving wife while Jones' husband, conversely, is much put upon. A police officer, while funny, seems to gleefully want to give folks ticket after ticket, not a worthy example of a cop, either. Yes, its all done for a laugh but, ultimately, backfires. Maybe kids won't notice but will keep their eyes on the canines. As family entertainment for animal lovers, its pleasures are many.

This Disney comedy stars Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette as a happily married couple who have dog issues. Pleshette is the proud owner of a pregnant dachshund who has to make a mad dash to the veterinarian to give birth which costs Jones a bunch of moving violations.But while at the veterinarian's, Charlie Ruggles after delivering Suzanne's three dachshund pups persuades Jones to take in a Great Dane pup because the mother rejected it from her litter. Jones not too reluctantly agreed as he's always wanted a big man size dog.Of course when Suzanne finds out she reluctantly agrees, but not for long as the puppy grows up big and bumptious. The bulk of the film is taken up with the big bumptious Great Dane making a wreck of their lives. Poor dog whose named Brutus gets blamed for everything even when it isn't his fault. But he proves himself a winner at the end, literally.Jones and Pleshette are a nice couple and the chemistry is good. One thing I took exception to is the sequence where the big dog actually trees a police officer. I mean really, we all know that cop Kelly Thordsen in real life would have just shot the dog. There's been enough stories out there about trigger happy cops to know that's the case. But not in the Magic Kingdom.It's an innocuous Disney comedy that other than that scene holds up well as family entertainment.

Dean Jones picks up another paycheck in this weak, silly Disney outing about showdogs. Along for the ride are Suzanne Pleshette (who was still a pretty fresh face when this, er, "dog" of a movie was made) and Charlie Ruggles, evidently suckered out of retirement to play a dottering trainer. Ordinarily, cute dogs or cats or something will usually save an inane picture, since neither the plot nor the human actors can. Not this time. Granted, the film was made in '66, so just maybe we can overlook the sexist attitudes, but the stereotypical suburban sets and boorish treatment of animals is over the line. Dachshunds, for example, should never be encouraged to jump on or off furniture since this can result in severe spinal injury, and, even though this was known when the film was made, the dogs are made to do it anyway. The aforementioned Dean Jones, a longtime Disney staple, apparently has no problem subordinating himself to animal acts, while Ms. Pleshette must have rationalized her part as "paying her dues". The only thing worse that comes to mind are the actors who were content to play second fiddle to a sock puppet in "ALF". If you have little children who just love seeing movies about cute dogs and watching grownups humiliate themselves, then this is the movie to see. On the other hand, if you're on a transatlantic flight and are forced to watch this execrable film, consider jumping.

A fairy tale update of the classic story, this beautifully art-directed Disney movie in glorious Technicolor, stars Dean Jones at the height of his comedic powers and a very young Suzanne Pleshette. Mark (Jones) adopts Brutus, a lovable oaf of a Great Dane, who, try as he might, can't fit in with Fran's (Pleshette) spoiled prize Dachshunds (think Lady and the Tramp's evil Siamese cats). The film is full of sight gags and slapstick from director Norman Tokar (The Cat from Outer Space, M*A*S*H). In true Disney fashion, the underdog wins out and saves the day.