{"id":43001,"date":"2015-12-29T08:00:19","date_gmt":"2015-12-29T13:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/?p=43001"},"modified":"2022-02-05T23:45:43","modified_gmt":"2022-02-06T04:45:43","slug":"movie-review-the-ugly-dachshund","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/movie-review-the-ugly-dachshund\/","title":{"rendered":"Movie Review: The Ugly Dachshund"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

DVD Cover Copyright Disney<\/em><\/p>\n

A live action comedy based on Gladys Bronwyn Stern\u2019s 1938 novel of the same name, The Ugly Dachshund <\/em>was theatrically released on February 16, 1966. The 93-minute film was accompanied by the short \u201cWinnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree,\u201d which was re-utilized as the first of four segments in the animated feature The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh <\/em>(1977).<\/p>\n

Plot Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n

Early in the morning, Mr. Mark Garrison (Dean Jones), an artist, rushes his wife, Fran Garrison (Suzanne Pleshette), to the hospital for a special delivery. A police officer, Carmody (Kelly Thordsen), is set to ticket Mr. Garrison for speeding when he realizes the situation and graciously provides an escort.<\/p>\n

Actually, Carmody does not comprehend the situation\u2014the Garrisons are not bound for the maternity ward but for the animal hospital, where the family Dachshund, Danke, bears three female puppies: Wilhelmina, Heidi, and Chloe.<\/p>\n

Upon returning to the animal hospital to retrieve the dachshunds, Mr. Garrison is asked for a favor. The veterinarian, Dr. Pruitt (Charlie Ruggles), wonders if Danke can nurse, in addition to her kin, a newborn male Great Dane, the runt of the litter, until he is weaned. Opposed to the idea initially, Mr. Garrison agrees, and he soon comes to love this Dane, Brutus, in a situation that evolves into a competition with Mrs. Garrison and her dachshunds. The dachshunds frequently instigate chaos, yet Brutus receives all the blame.<\/p>\n

Mr. Garrison is perturbed, and when his wife enters Chloe into a dog show, Mark covertly agrees to work with Dr. Pruitt to train Brutus for the show\u2019s Great Dane category. Unfortunately, having grown up among dachshunds, Brutus thinks he is a dachshund. With the show only days away, the men face a seemingly impossible task. Can Brutus, the underdog, possibly have his day and become best in show?<\/p>\n

Plot Opinion<\/strong><\/p>\n

The plot of The Ugly Dachshund<\/em> is weak and predictable, but the plights of Mr. Garrison and Brutus afford enough structure to make the story passable.<\/p>\n

Reviews<\/strong><\/p>\n

New York Times<\/em> columnist Howard Thompson offered a mixed review of The Ugly Dachshund<\/em>, deeming the concept \u201ccute\u201d but over-saturated with canines. On the latter point, Thompson said, \u201cTo one viewer, at least, a dog is a dog. And there is something distinctly off key, even unhealthy, about a young couple whose every waking minute revolves around a bark or a tail-wag. If ever a Disney picture\u2014and a marriage\u2014needed children, it\u2019s this one.\u201d (1)<\/p>\n

Thompson was more enthusiastic about the Winnie the Pooh short, saying, \u201cThree cheers for \u201cWinnie the Pooh\u201d! \u201cThe Ugly Dachshund\u201d? He\u2019ll do.\u201d (2)<\/p>\n

Joseph Gelmis was more enthusiastic about the main feature in his Newsday <\/em>review, deeming the flick good family fun. On Disney comedies in general and The Ugly Dachshund <\/em>in particular, Gelmis said, \u201cWalt Disney deals in the obvious\u2014and makes it pay. He rains cats and dogs and monkeys down on his audiences, and there are never any whimpers from actors or the public. He tells a little story, not enough to slow up the cute action shots of the animals at play, and he plays it all for family laughs.\u201d (3)<\/p>\n

Regarding the \u201ccats\u201d and \u201cmonkeys,\u201d Disney\u2019s previous two films were The Monkey\u2019s Uncle <\/em>(1965) and That Darn Cat!<\/em> (1965).<\/p>\n

Casting <\/strong><\/p>\n

The casting of Suzanne Pleshette as Mrs. Garrison garnered some media attention because Pleshette was hardly associated with family entertainment, regularly portraying licentious characters. (4)<\/p>\n

On her new venture, Pleshette jokingly said, \u201cI told Mr. [Walt] Disney he spent 40 years establishing an image, and that I might wreck it in three weeks.\u201d (5)<\/p>\n

More seriously, she continued, \u201cMy parts for Disney show how perceptive he is. He sees things in people that other producers overlook. For Disney this is the first film with real sex appeal. It\u2019s all very proper, of course, but there are some hugging and kissing sequences.\u201d (6)<\/p>\n

Acting<\/strong><\/p>\n

Overall, I think Charlie Ruggles offers the best effort in genuinely portraying the kind elderly Dr. Pruitt, and Dick Wessel is solid in a limited role as Eddie the garbage man. Dean Jones overacts moments of agitation, but the exaggeration is amusing.<\/p>\n

Antagonist<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Ugly Dachshund <\/em>lacks a true villain, but Mrs. Garrison is one of the most annoying characters in any Disney movie. She grates on the viewer\u2019s nerves by bombastically blaming her husband and Brutus for disasters that are really the fault of herself and her dachshunds. This irritation peaks during a vitriolic rant in the aftermath of a debacle in Mr. Garrison\u2019s art studio.<\/p>\n

Beneath the rancor, Mrs. Garrison is actually a loving wife. She just gets carried away with her dogs sometimes, which is most of the time in the movie.<\/p>\n

Music<\/strong><\/p>\n

Background music is utilized throughout the film to complement the varying moods. Somber, soothing tunes dominate during serious interactions between Mr. and Mrs. Garrison, while swift, whimsical melodies are featured during chaotic moments involving the dogs.<\/p>\n

To dissect one scene late in the film, the music commences on a triumphant note with Mr. Garrison trying to persuade Brutus of his true identity as a Great Dane, before gaining a whimsical air as Brutus does not understand Mr. Garrison\u2019s point. The segment then culminates in a beautiful melody as the Garrisons hug.<\/p>\n

Cats and Dogs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cats and dogs are rarely amiable, but Brutus is a figurative exception to this rule. He is mistaken for a lion, even though he is a canine, not a feline, and he helps protect the neighborhood from cat burglars!<\/p>\n

Humor<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Ugly Dachshund <\/em>provides consistent laughs, though it is rarely hysterically funny. Coupled with the characterization, the humor is fulfilling.<\/p>\n

Officer Carmody exudes an amusingly sarcastic attitude towards Mr. Garrison.<\/p>\n

Danka, Wilhelmina, Heidi, and Chloe buy Mr. Garrison birthday presents. These gifts do not seem to impress him, and I cannot really blame him. The dogs adorn cute party hats, though!<\/p>\n

Mr. Garrison goes from exalting Brutus to scolding him almost instantaneously. In general, Mr. Garrison is at his funniest when angry.<\/p>\n

The dachshunds, with help from Brutus, wreak havoc in the living room, in Mr. Garrison\u2019s studio, and at an outdoor party. The latter scene is especially funny, though politically incorrect, with people aimlessly scrambling and running into tables, each other, and seemingly-scrumptious desserts. That cake looks good!<\/p>\n

Relationship to Other Disney Films<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Ugly Dachshund <\/em>was the second of eleven Disney films to feature Dean Jones, who had previously starred in That Darn Cat!<\/em> and was subsequently involved with Monkeys, Go Home! <\/em>(1967); Blackbeard’s Ghost <\/em>(1968); The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit <\/em>(1968); The Love Bug <\/em>(1968); The Million Dollar Duck <\/em>(1971); Snowball Express <\/em>(1972); The Shaggy D.A. <\/em>(1976); Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo<\/em> (1977); and That Darn Cat <\/em>(1997). Jones was named a Disney Legend in 1995. (7)<\/p>\n

Suzanne Pleshette appeared in four Disney films after The Ugly Dachshund<\/em>: The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin<\/em> (1967), Blackbeard\u2019s Ghost<\/em>, The Shaggy D.A.<\/em>, and The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride (<\/em>1998).<\/p>\n

Charlie Ruggles previously portrayed the maternal grandfather, Charles McKendrick, in The Parent Trap <\/em>(1961), and he subsequently played John Everett Hughes in Follow Me, Boys <\/em>(1966).<\/p>\n

One of the names Mrs. Garrison ponders for a puppy, \u201cEsmeralda,\u201d was the name of the female protagonist in The Hunchback of Notre Dame <\/em>(1996).<\/p>\n

One of the dachshunds is an adequate pianist. Like Berlioz and Marie from The Aristocats <\/em>(1970), she seems to know both her scales and her arpeggios.<\/p>\n

Winnie the Pooh shorts were also released with The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit <\/em>and The Island at the Top of the World <\/em>(1974). These shorts, \u201cWinnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day\u201d and \u201cWinnie the Pooh and Tigger Too,\u201d respectively, were included as the second and third segments of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In the Parks<\/strong><\/p>\n

No attractions or character meets pertaining to The Ugly Dachshund <\/em>are featured at Disney\u2019s theme parks.<\/p>\n

A dark ride themed after Winnie the Pooh, \u201cThe Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,\u201d is featured at both Walt Disney World\u2019s Magic Kingdom and California\u2019s Disneyland Park.<\/p>\n

Overall<\/strong><\/p>\n

A weak plot notwithstanding, The Ugly Dachshund <\/em>is entertaining and worth watching.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

Photo Copyright Tim Rogers<\/em><\/p>\n

Notes<\/strong><\/p>\n

1) Thompson, H. (1966, April 7). A Disney Package: Don’t Miss the Short. New York Times<\/em>, p. 45. Retrieved December 2, 2015, from http:\/\/0-search.proquest.com.alpha1.suffolk.lib.ny.us\/docview\/117083339?accountid=35174<\/a><\/p>\n

2) Ibid.<\/p>\n

3) Gelmis, J. (1966, April 7). Time for Hollywood to Get Religion–and Some Cash. Newsday<\/em>, p. 3C. Retrieved December 2, 2015, from http:\/\/0-search.proquest.com.alpha1.suffolk.lib.ny.us\/docview\/915339358?accountid=35174<\/p>\n

4) Walt Disney Changes Tempo With Bit of Sex and Old Lace. (1965, July 27). Newsday<\/em>, p. 2C. Retrieved December 2, 2015, from http:\/\/0-search.proquest.com.alpha1.suffolk.lib.ny.us\/docview\/914377723?accountid=35174<\/a><\/p>\n

5) Ibid.<\/p>\n

6) Ibid.<\/p>\n

7) Remembering Dean Jones. (2015, September 1). Retrieved December 2, 2015, from https:\/\/d23.com\/about-legends\/remembering-dean-jones\/<\/a><\/p>\n

What do you think of The Ugly Dachshund? Let me know in the comments!<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Sponsored Ad:<\/strong>\u00a0 Would you like to help support The Mouse For Less website in continuing their mission of being THE Disney vacation planning resource?\u00a0 You can do so by purchasing The Ugly Dachshund<\/a><\/em> from our Affiliate Link through Amazon. Thanks so much for your support!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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