George

I don't normally watch kid's films, but this is one a few, I make an exception. Audience beware, this 250 pound lovable, will grow on you. Asked to look after our lovable shaggy canine, an aging airline pilot (Thompson) a sort of Romeo, gets much more than he bargained for, in 250 pounds of trouble. When our lovable canine friend, George, wants to cause chaos, he'll do a proper job of it. When driving George home, Thompson look small compared to him. His night brightens, where in the local town, an old flame reappears in his life, where him, her, and his best, younger and rather envious friend (Mullaney) who doesn't rate George that high on his hit parade, share George's disastrous exploits together, causing Thompson, quite a costly exercise. I couldn't understand how this guy could expel sex appeal, where even on the screen, he doesn't have much presence, looking better in uniform. He lives in a chalet, where a maid, who at first, might have you wondering about the sex, keeps everything afloat. Even though we love our main star, the gags just don't work, where predicability's follow, and we're left waiting to see what happens next, and our movie's not too reliant on plot. George also hates cats and is afraid of heights, these phobia's, responsible for some of the chaos. Things cause quite great concern, in twenty minutes, when George escapes, from a dog home, high in the Swiss alps (Oh) which had me concerned for George's welfare too, in some quite tense moments. This part of the movie, dragged on, but they are many other problems with it. But kids will like it. For me it's George, and the beautiful locations.

George is a cheerful story that fans of the 'Marmaduke' comic strip and any dog story would also find this film enjoyable. Released in W. Germany in 1975 'Alles wegen George' or 'All because of George' is fitting.

The story begins as Jim's sister Regina is getting married.. again, and Regina is already too busy to be inconvenienced by her 'baby' George and sends him to be w/ her brother the pilot. Jim a bachelor pilot is not prepared for George, a St. Bernard with acrophobia, but gets help from friends and a monastery.

It's 'G' rating makes it an ideal family friendly movie especially if you are put off by typical films in the genre as main characters are not obnoxious and try too hard to play to the audience. The cast is nothing to brag about and consists of mostly of unknowns. The story is more heart than suspense. A very well done low budget film from 1972 without major financial backing like indies of recent times.

Marshall Thompson must have really thought much of this project, because not only does he star in this movie, he also was one of the writers and producers. Watching it, one has to wonder if he was in his right mind. It's a real tired and slow affair, with its central idea of a dog that creates havoc for its owner being old hat even in 1972. There's no real plot to speak of - it's more or less the dog creating one headache after another for its new owner. What makes it even worse is that the havoc that the dog creates is staged and directed in the most inept ways you can possibly think of. And the dog never comes across as lovable or sympathetic - I was downright annoyed by this canine, and I suspect kids will feel the same way as well. The only positive thing to say about the movie is that it showcases some nice Swiss scenery in the background.

I am a male whose favorite movies include Bad Taste and Sweet Movie. However, George was a nice light-hearted diversion. It was very watchable and the scenery was gorgeous. Excellent family movie. It was made about 20 years before Beethoven. I am not a veterinary expert, but I think St. Bernards are around 150lbs, not 250 as stated.