Mooch

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.

"Mooch" is a terribly written and ill-conceived film that, not surprisingly, has slipped into the public domain. It has very limited appeal and I cannot think who the audience would be for this movie. For kids, it's really not very appropriate, as it shows Mooch trying to be a stripper as well as going to the Playboy Club! For adults, the story and inane narration make it much more like a kids movie...and a bit too saccharine. It's really a shame, as Mooch (Higgins) is an adorable and talented dog...and would soon go on to fame as Benji in various films.

The story is about this stray dog arriving in Hollywood and supposedly making it big in films. Along the way, he meets up with various B and C-list celebrities as Zsa Zsa Gabor provides narration....badly written and weird narraiton. Overall, a perplexing and bad film that just isn't going to impress most viewers....a film best left in the public domain.

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.

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,

A cute film for preschoolers through adults. Children will love "Mooch" as she romps all over Hollywood in search of her "big break." "Mooch" is all dog as she relies on her wit and charm (and a little advice from Zza Zza Gabor) to win the heart of "Hollywood." Adults, especially the "Boomers" will enjoy the archival footage of the early 1970's Hollywood. The supporting cast includes a good variety of famous TV and film stars. Zza Zza Gabor's intermittent narration is never distracting. The film's running time of 55 minutes makes it an excellent choice for family gatherings, after-school programs, dog parties and the like.