Dogpound Shuffle

I recorded this gem off the "Foremost Movie" late one Sunday night and am surprised this film isn't more popular or available!! After watching so called 'Hollywood North' spring up over the last 20 years or so it's great to see where the true pioneers came from. Dogpound Shuffle was shot entirely in Vancouver sometime in 1973 and has a pre-Starsky and Hutch David Soul along with Ron Moody who apparently made his fame in Vaudeville in England. The story is basically about two down on their luck bums who spend most of the movie trying to raise enough money to get Steps dog, Spot(alternate title) out of the East Vancouver dog pound!! For anyone living in the lower East Side (one of the worst drug problems in the world) it's great to play recognize the location after watching "Rumble in the Bronx" one too many times. But God knows how you're going to do that when you can't find the movie ANYWHERE!! I seem to remember it appearing on e-bay awhile back but why the hell ain't it on DVD??

This film was most entertaining and well worth watching. The fact that Ron Moody was a principle player is almost a guarantee of a good film. This film concerns the adventures (or misadventures) of Moody who has lost his pet dog. He teams up with a drifter (David Soul) and together they hunt for the lost pooch. Their efforts get them into a series of predicaments one of which gets Soul a beating at the hands of the dogpound attendant ( a big brutal looking man). The beating was not in vain as they find out where the dog is. Another (not as hazardous) situation, has both men being asked to provide entertainment at a large house owned by one of the local bigwigs. Earlier Moody and Soul had strutted their stuff in a downtown bar. Moody the song and dance man and Soul accompanying him with his harmonica. They earned a few dollars ( both men being broke ) and also gained the attention of the son of the the bigwig. He invites them to perform at a party which his father is giving the following evening. They agree but only after substantial financial rewards are promised. They prove to be a resounding success and fortified with food and money continue the search for the dog. Eventually the whereabouts of the dog is located but the new owner is not prepared to give up the dog. Moody, who is also a drifter, is a most persuasive character ( a "skill" he has acquired via his many years on the road) and he has little trouble in tricking the reluctant new owner into parting with the dog. The film ends with Moody and Soul making plans for their future together. See it, I,m sure you will find it very entertaining and a nice departure from so many humdrum offerings.

I saw this movie on late night local tv when i was about 12. And ever since have asked people about it but nobody ever heard of it. Literally no one...I began to think maybe i dreamt it.

It was sad and funny and left you with a good feeling about love and friendship. I would highly recommend this to everyone. Don't remember anything that a child shouldn't see in it...the beating was ugly but we see that all the time. So the whole family could watch it.

Lew Grade had to step down as a director of ATV when he reached the age of 70 so he decided to go into the production of films,more's the pity. He inflicted some truly awful films on cinemagoers,including Raise the Titanic,which eventual him and his company.

This however was a totally delightful film starting the great Tom Moody and scruffy the dog. Moody proved to be a fantastic dancer in this film.

Even if you are not a dog owner of lover you will really enjoy this film.

So what did Lee Grades do? He sold the film to television so it never got a cinema showing. His judgement clearly failed him,but given his many poor decisions it is little surprise.

I watched this film last night, I found it very engaging . Not much of a story by modern day standards. It was easy going on the mind and soul. Two good actors not crowding each other out. David Soul played the kind hearted dim wit, Ron Moody the worldly wise con man with a great love of his dog and his dancing ability. (I was greatly impressed with his dancing ability).

While the film may be slow for modern tastes it as OK for me. The fight scene was well acted. I did like the latter scene with the escaped dogs. I also enjoyed the two leads conning the wife to open her door to rescue Steps dog. Also the happy ending.