Police Dog

I'm an animal lover at heart so watching and enjoying this film was a given. It's certainly miles better than those incessantly awful Disney movies that have to make animals talk in order to appeal to the kids - I saw a clip of the superhero dog comedy UNDERDOG the other day and, by the gods, it's awful.

POLICE DOG is much more sedate and realistic, although the plotting isn't up to much. Your average copper loses his partner to a violent criminal and is paired up with an Alsatian, much to the chagrin of his girlfriend who feels that he loves the dog more than her.

This is much like the 1950s version of the James Belushi comedy K-9, albeit without the laughs. If you're a dog lover then you'll be in for a treat as Alsatians play a large role in the proceedings and have plenty of screen time. They're exceedingly well trained and get up to all kinds of escapades. The human cast don't really get much of a look in - after all, they're there merely to act as support for the dogs - although there are minor parts for John Le Mesurier and Christopher Lee, the latter with an amusing working class accent.

More like an extended public information film than a feature film; it's purpose to show the contribution of Alsatians to easing Britain's crime wave of the fifties. Said crime wave is personified by a zoot-suited criminal straight out of 'The Blue Lamp', who having already already kicked a dog (if you'll pardon the expression) at the outset by shooting a copper, back at his pad flaunts the weapon he used to girlfriend Sandra Dorne (the connoisseur's blonde floozie); also like Dirk Bogarde in 'The Blue Lamp'. And as in 'The Blue Lamp' it hardly constitutes a spoiler to reveal that the desperado doesn't remain at large for much longer and soon comes to grief with a little bit of help from Man's Best Friend.

Frank is a policeman in London. Shortly after the story begins, Frank and his fellow foot patrolman partner give chase to a suspicious character. Frank is well behind when his partner catches up to the suspect. Surprisingly, the suspect pulls out a gun and shoots the policeman...and is able to escape. Frank is naturally upset and looks into integrating a police dog into his job. So, he takes a dog other cops thinks is too fierce and he soon turns Rex into a first class police doggy. But this helps to bring out hidden problems with Frank's relationship with Pat, as she's quite jealous of the dog and demands he give up either the dog or her. How does all this work out by the end of the movie?

In general, I avoid doggy movies. It isn't because I dislike dogs...heck, I've got one myself. But too many dog films are very schmaltzy...and, fortunately, "Police Dog" isn't schmaltzy nor poorly made. In fact, it's worth seeing. And, I do agree with the review that calls it "harmless British 'B' family film viewed by dog lovers and friend of Chris Lee".

By the way, if you do see this film note that Christopher Lee plays a cop...albeit a rather dim one! This is quite a departure for Lee as he often played clever, evil sorts in movies.

When his partner is gunned down, police constable Tim Turner thinks about quitting the Force. His fiancee, Joan Rice, suggests that he become a dog handler for the Metropolitan Police. However, when taking care of his new partner, Rex III, becomes an all-consuming job, she says it's either her or the dog.

It's a minor tale, sustained by director Derek Twist's ability to tell a cogent story efficiently. Like many an editor graduated to director, he knew how to 'cut in the camera', especially when he also wrote the story. He had joined British Gaumont in the early 1930s, and by the middle of the decade was editing THE 39 STEPS; Michael Powell credited him with saving THE END OF THE WORLD He directed only five movies. but a lot of television in the middle of the 1950s. He died at the age of 74 in 1979.

Rex III was an ex-police dog. He got an "introducing" credit for this movie and was never noted again.

Two British foot patrolmen pursue a burglary suspect and one ends up shot to death by the suspect. Patrolman Frank vows to catch the killer. His superior suggests that foot patrolman be accompanied by dogs to provide them with protection and aid them in the pursuit of suspects. So constable Frank takes in a stray dog and trains him to be a police dog. The new dog proves to be an great asset and aids Frank in the capture of the cop killer and save Franks life. I suppose if I wanted to sound clever, I would call this a "dog of a movie." In fairness, POLICE DOG is a harmless "B" family film. The film has some plot contrivances such as having officer Frank's girlfriend jealous because Frank is spending to much time with his new dog instead of her. Also the killer is pretty stupid. He returns to the same neighborhood where he committed the murder to rob again only to recognized by officer Frank. You would think he would pick another part of town to rob.

Christopher Lee has a small part as a police officer who does not like dogs. The dog of the title is billed as "Rex III." I suppose that means the "Rex" in this film is grandson of "Rex-The Wonder Dog" who starred in western movies and serials in the 1930's.