Mooch

Mooch Goes to Hollywood (1971)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Mooch is a new dog in Hollywood and she's given some tips from narrator Zsa Zsa Gabor on how to make it in the city. This includes her running into a number of celebrities including Vincent Price, James Darren and Jill St. John.

MOOCH GOES TO Hollywood is a somewhat bizarre made-for-TV movie that clocks in at just 51-minutes and will mainly appeal to film buffs who will get a chance to see a number of familiar faces. Price, Darren and St. John get the most screen time as they actually interact with the dog but we also get cameos from Edward G. Robinson, Mickey Rooney, Marty Allen, Phyllis Diller, Cesar Romero and even Richard Burton.

If you're a fan of one of those stars then you might want to check this out. It's basically just a somewhat cute dog running around and bumping into some famous people. If you're looking for some hard-hitting drama or action then you certainly won't find it here but there's no question that the film has its charming moments. It's also a bit bizarre as I'm guessing this here was originally meant for children yet there are some jokes about the dark side of Hollywood including stripping as well as porno movies. But, then again, the 70s were a lot different than today.

A shaggy dog -- Higgins, who also starred in Benji and Petticoat Junction - arrives in Hollywood, where he runs into show-business bigwigs. The voice of Zsa Zsa Gabor advises the pup on how to become a big star in Tinseltown.

It's a cute movie co-written by Jim Backus. He got a wide variety of performers to make cameos, from Richard Burton, who speaks the introduction, to Edward G. Robinson in his last screen performance. Cuteness is the main point of this movie, along with the cameos, and it's certainly all right on that basis. See how many cameos you can spot as Higgins wanders about the Strip and elsewhere,

I am not sure if "Mooch Goes To Hollywood" was a pilot for a proposed television series. But if it was, I am really glad none of the big three networks decided to pick it up. It's a truly bizarre creation. I don't know what Jim Backus (who co-wrote it and also appears in it) was thinking, nor do I know how he was able to convince some major talent to appear in it. The end product does not seem for any potential audience. Certainly, adults will not like it. There's barely a plot, and the production has a real childish tone. Nor does it seem appropriate for a youth audience. Kids will probably not recognize any of the stars, nor will they understand the Hollywood setting and environment. Also, the production makes a few references to strippers and X-rated movies! While everything that I've mentioned to this point may make this seem appealing to fans of bizarro Hollywood productions, in actual fact the movie is pretty dull for the most part, and seems twice its actual length of 51 minutes. I would only recommend the production for cult movie/TV fans who have to see everything.

Mooch, a stray dog, rides the train to Hollywood to become a star. It would be best if she could find an owner/manager so she tries to ingratiate herself with famous stars. These include Vincent Price, James Darren, Jim Backus and others. Along the way, Zsa Zsa Gabor, the film's narrator, gives her helpful advice on practical matters. Mooch tries her best tricks out on everyone. When will she become a Hollywood hottie? This is Mooch's movie all the way. Even kids today will not care if they recognize the so-called stars because they will all be focusing on Mooch. She is just a doll, very talented, very patient. Watch her ride a motorcycle on the beach, submit herself to a makeover, and make her way out of a cage. No, this is not a best-selling movie or one with a lot of recognition. Nevertheless, if you should stumble upon it, snatch it up. Any praise it receives is moochly deserved.

Insanely inappropriate children's film in which a dog comes to Hollywood and -spurred on by a Zsa Zsa Gabor voiceover- dreams of modelling for Playboy, working as a stripper and throws herself sexually at the likes of Vincent Price, James Darren and Jim Backus. The missing link between 'The Littlest Hobo' and 'Showgirls'...and a film that sends out a terrible message to young, impressionable dogs.