Have loved this movie, since first seeing it 40 years ago. Sweet and charming, witty and fun. The dogs are of course adorable, and the plot simple and captivating. Mark Garrison, who is referred to in the summary as Jim, I believe someone has their movies mixed up, Jim Douglas was in the Love Bug. Anyway, Mark and Fran are likable folks, the movie is also a favorite of my Grandsons, 3 and 5. Love Bug, Swiss Family Robinson, Old Yeller and Ugly Dachshund, are repeated often. The movie opens with a race to the hospital for the birth of the Dachsie puppies. Danke has three little girls puppies, and a Great Dane is pawned off on Mark, to be nursed by Danke. Seems the Dane has too many puppies, and so this begins the story. The Dane is the dog Mark has been yearning for, so he conspires to keep him in the family, even after he is weaned. The yarn scenes and the paint scenes genuine comedic antics of the best kind, and the party scenes at the end, classic. Don't miss this one, if you enjoy the Disney movie greats.
36 Reviews
Here come the dogs!
trixie-k-883 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
The Ugly Dachshund is a fun family film for dog lovers, especially Dachshund or Great Dane fanciers. It is both a charming dog movie, as well as a romantic comedy.
Mark (Dean Jones) and Fran Garrison (Suzanne Pleshette) are dog lovers, with Fran's choice breed being Dachshunds. After Fran's blue ribbon dog Danca has a litter of three female puppies, Mark begins to feel overwhelmed by the "girly" dogs. But when Mark goes to pick up Danca and her pups, he finds the vet Doc Pruitt (Charles Ruggles) trying to feed a rejected runt from his Great Dane's litter. After some persuasive suggestions, Mark takes the puppy home with his wife's dog so she can wet nurse him. Even when grown, the Great Dane Brutus doesn't seem to understand he is any different from his adoptive family. Brutus' clumsiness and the doxies' mischievous natures regularly wreak hilarious havoc on the home and lives of their owners. The dogs often cause discord and conflict, as they both blame the other's dog(s) for all the problems. But eventually the entire family, human and canine, find a way to live together.
It's a fun and silly to watch, just a lighthearted family movie. A must for anyone who has a Great Dane or Dachshund!
Mark (Dean Jones) and Fran Garrison (Suzanne Pleshette) are dog lovers, with Fran's choice breed being Dachshunds. After Fran's blue ribbon dog Danca has a litter of three female puppies, Mark begins to feel overwhelmed by the "girly" dogs. But when Mark goes to pick up Danca and her pups, he finds the vet Doc Pruitt (Charles Ruggles) trying to feed a rejected runt from his Great Dane's litter. After some persuasive suggestions, Mark takes the puppy home with his wife's dog so she can wet nurse him. Even when grown, the Great Dane Brutus doesn't seem to understand he is any different from his adoptive family. Brutus' clumsiness and the doxies' mischievous natures regularly wreak hilarious havoc on the home and lives of their owners. The dogs often cause discord and conflict, as they both blame the other's dog(s) for all the problems. But eventually the entire family, human and canine, find a way to live together.
It's a fun and silly to watch, just a lighthearted family movie. A must for anyone who has a Great Dane or Dachshund!
THE UGLY DACHSHUND (Norman Tokar, 1966) **1/2
Bunuel197624 January 2010
Dean Jones' second film for Walt Disney came via this minor but lively family comedy co-starring another Disney regular, the late Suzanne Pleshette (as his wife) – plus veteran comic Charlie Ruggles (appropriately cast as their vet {sic}) and soon-to-be popular Asian actor Mako (as a cowardly caterer). Although the plot sticks strictly to formula, dog lovers should be able to get a satisfactory amount of enjoyment out of this lightweight farce about a Great Dane, who being raised with a litter of dachshunds, creates all manner of chaos when he grows too large for their company and, besides, suffers from identity crisis at the most inopportune moments (namely a competitive dog show). In fact, apart from the likable pair of leads, the film's trump card is the various slapstick sequences that involve the naïve but fiercely protective Great Dane chasing the amiably anarchic dachshunds around the house (especially during an all-important garden party). Apart from the Asian caterers, a regular victim of the Great Dane's harmless ferocity is an overzealous cop who, in the film's most amusing non-canine incident, gives Jones the mother of all tickets.
A Disney Dog Delight
Troll-1919 November 2000
I first saw The Ugly Dachshund before I owned or shall I say a longhaired dachshund owned me. After seeing the movie the second time, I realized the dachshunds did not need extra training to totally upset a household. A delight to all dog lovers and dachshund enthusiasts in particular. Although the title pooch is a great dane, it is a "doxie" movie delight.
Dated but still a good choice for a Disney live-action film
Atreyu_II3 August 2007
Although I'm more a fan of the animated Disney classics, I must admit that Disney also used to do very good live-action movies back then. This is not one of them.
"The Ugly Dachshund" is a nice comedy, full of funny moments with 4 Dachshunds and a Great Danes very well named Brutus. It's so funny how those little "sausages" cause all that mess and the clumsy Brutus destroys everything while trying to stop the "little angels" (like Fran calls them).
The destruction of Mark's studio and the party's destruction are some of the funniest destructions ever.
Officer Carmody has got to be the funniest cinema policeman ever. Not even in the "Police Academy" movies the policemen are this funny. This character is wonderfully played by Kelly Thordsen.
Mr. Toyama and Kenji are the most amusing Japanese characters ever, especially when they panic because of the "lion" (that's what they call Brutus and it's hilarious that they say "rion" instead). Both characters are greatly played by the actors Robert Kino and Mako.
I also like very much the performances by Dean Jones, Suzanne Pleshette and Charles Ruggles.
This is an enjoyable classic to watch, but it is already showing its age. It looks very dated now, especially nearly at the end, during that sequence with the dogs's show.
"The Ugly Dachshund" is a nice comedy, full of funny moments with 4 Dachshunds and a Great Danes very well named Brutus. It's so funny how those little "sausages" cause all that mess and the clumsy Brutus destroys everything while trying to stop the "little angels" (like Fran calls them).
The destruction of Mark's studio and the party's destruction are some of the funniest destructions ever.
Officer Carmody has got to be the funniest cinema policeman ever. Not even in the "Police Academy" movies the policemen are this funny. This character is wonderfully played by Kelly Thordsen.
Mr. Toyama and Kenji are the most amusing Japanese characters ever, especially when they panic because of the "lion" (that's what they call Brutus and it's hilarious that they say "rion" instead). Both characters are greatly played by the actors Robert Kino and Mako.
I also like very much the performances by Dean Jones, Suzanne Pleshette and Charles Ruggles.
This is an enjoyable classic to watch, but it is already showing its age. It looks very dated now, especially nearly at the end, during that sequence with the dogs's show.
Disney's take on The Ugly Duckling with canines; animals wonderful, humans are second fiddle
inkblot1131 May 2017
Fran Garrison (Suzanne Plechette) is one very lucky lady. She is married to successful artist Mark (Dean Jones) and has a lovely home in California. In addition, her prized Dachshund Danke is about to give birth. Therefore, Mark starts the car and drives the expectant dog to the vets. As he breaks several traffic laws, Mr. Garrison is given a huge ticket while Danke is rushed inside. It's triplet little wiener dogs. When Mark finally makes it to the delivery area, he notices a Great Dane mother nursing ten puppies! The good vet is trying to nurse another little pup who has been rejected by her mother. Now Mark, who has tolerated his wife's tastes and wishes to the limit, has always wanted a bigger dog. Therefore, when the vet suggests that Mark take home this runt Dane and get Danke to nurse him, too, he does it. Initially believing Danke has had a fourth pup, it soon becomes clear that this pup, who Mark names Brutus, is another breed. Fran DOES NOT want him in the house but Mark finally insists. Comically, Brutus tries to do what the little wieners do, but he's too big. In addition, the trio, named Chloe, Heidi, and Ludmilla, get Brutus in trouble when they wreck the living room in a stampede but hide before Fran finds the mess. Twice more, when the growing pups destroy Mark's studio and a posh party the couple gives in the backyard, will the Garrisons be able to keep Brutus? A heroic deed Brutus performs helps matters immensely! This enjoyable, classic Disney has wonderful animal performers in four clever, adorable Dachshunds and one darling Great Dane. They make the film something special. But, alas, Plechette's character is just short of a harpy and certainly not a good example of a loving wife while Jones' husband, conversely, is much put upon. A police officer, while funny, seems to gleefully want to give folks ticket after ticket, not a worthy example of a cop, either. Yes, its all done for a laugh but, ultimately, backfires. Maybe kids won't notice but will keep their eyes on the canines. As family entertainment for animal lovers, its pleasures are many.
The ugly dachshund review
maddiebuggie10 July 2020
The dogs in this movie are super cute. The dog only make this movie a 7 stars. The plot line, storyline, characters, characters development are all average and nothing special. It a good watch if you want something cute and silly. But it not a much watch.
Entertains to a suitable level
r96sk26 July 2020
A little too repetitive at times, but 'The Ugly Dachshund' still entertains to a suitable level.
The plot is somewhat nonexistent, all of this film's perks come with its silliness, humour and acting - all of which are more than decent. Dean Jones & Suzanne Pleshette are fun in their respective roles of Mark & Fran. Charlie Ruggles (Pruitt) & Kelly Thordsen (Carmody) are alright too.
The animals are as cute as you would expect, everything involving them is very silly and even nonsensical in moments. If you just switch your brain off and enjoy the madness that ensues then you'll have a fine time.
If this was on for longer than 93 minutes then I would've certainly rated it lower. However, as it isn't, I feel it's right to class it as good.
The plot is somewhat nonexistent, all of this film's perks come with its silliness, humour and acting - all of which are more than decent. Dean Jones & Suzanne Pleshette are fun in their respective roles of Mark & Fran. Charlie Ruggles (Pruitt) & Kelly Thordsen (Carmody) are alright too.
The animals are as cute as you would expect, everything involving them is very silly and even nonsensical in moments. If you just switch your brain off and enjoy the madness that ensues then you'll have a fine time.
If this was on for longer than 93 minutes then I would've certainly rated it lower. However, as it isn't, I feel it's right to class it as good.
Such a Funny Film
LCWGringoLoco19 September 2004
This movie is excellent. Funny gags throughout the film and just a great comedic story. If you are a dog lover than you will be an "Ugly Dachshund" fan. The dogs are adorable and the actors do their part to make this wonderful family comedy. Totally under-rated.
I suggest sitting down a group of young kids and asking them what they think of it, I'll bet that the movie keeps their attention from beginning to end. This is a classic Disney movie on the same level as the "Love Bug" series and all of the other great film s released by the company during those years.
I recommend "The Ugly Dachshund" to anyone who loves family movies. *****
I suggest sitting down a group of young kids and asking them what they think of it, I'll bet that the movie keeps their attention from beginning to end. This is a classic Disney movie on the same level as the "Love Bug" series and all of the other great film s released by the company during those years.
I recommend "The Ugly Dachshund" to anyone who loves family movies. *****
...Females always make the difference.
Hey_Sweden28 August 2019
Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette star as married couple Mark and Fran Garrison, whose prize-winning Dachshund has just had pups. Then into their lives comes Brutus, a lovably exuberant Great Dane who comes to think of himself as a Dachshund. Much friction occurs between the husband and wife since she dotes on her dogs and he very much wants a dog of his own. The four Dachshunds get up to various mischievous escapades, and Brutus tends to get the blame.
The two lead characters aren't the most likeable you'll ever see in a Disney comedy, although he is often more sympathetic. She's very stubborn, and it takes a while before she realizes Brutus' worth. He's a good guard dog, and is quick to warn humans when one of the Dachsies gets into potential peril. There's also the standard amount of Disney slapstick and farcical situations, with the canines and humans alike being put through their paces. The highlight is a garden party that goes from bad to worse.
The cast gives it 100%, especially Disney veteran Jones. Co-starring are Charles Ruggles as the kindly old veterinarian J.L. Pruitt, Kelly Thordsen as the jovial Officer Carmody, Parley Baer as Dachshund expert Mel Chadwick, Robert Kino and a hilarious Mako as the Japanese-American men who organize the party, and Charles Lane as a dog show judge. Dick Wessel plays Eddie the garbage man, although he's curiously dubbed by the great voice-over artist Paul Frees. But any dog lover will want to watch this for the talented and endearing canines, who are obviously very well trained. It's particularly amusing when Brutus is in full "I'm a dachshund" mode.
Overall, "The Ugly Dachshund" is mild as far as comedy content goes, although it certainly does generate some decent chuckles along the way.
Six out of 10.
The two lead characters aren't the most likeable you'll ever see in a Disney comedy, although he is often more sympathetic. She's very stubborn, and it takes a while before she realizes Brutus' worth. He's a good guard dog, and is quick to warn humans when one of the Dachsies gets into potential peril. There's also the standard amount of Disney slapstick and farcical situations, with the canines and humans alike being put through their paces. The highlight is a garden party that goes from bad to worse.
The cast gives it 100%, especially Disney veteran Jones. Co-starring are Charles Ruggles as the kindly old veterinarian J.L. Pruitt, Kelly Thordsen as the jovial Officer Carmody, Parley Baer as Dachshund expert Mel Chadwick, Robert Kino and a hilarious Mako as the Japanese-American men who organize the party, and Charles Lane as a dog show judge. Dick Wessel plays Eddie the garbage man, although he's curiously dubbed by the great voice-over artist Paul Frees. But any dog lover will want to watch this for the talented and endearing canines, who are obviously very well trained. It's particularly amusing when Brutus is in full "I'm a dachshund" mode.
Overall, "The Ugly Dachshund" is mild as far as comedy content goes, although it certainly does generate some decent chuckles along the way.
Six out of 10.
This couple needs a divorce.
planktonrules1 January 2020
Mark and Fran Garrison (Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette) are a young married couple who spend the entire movie at each other's throats. You really wonder why they remain married in the story and I really think this is a major problem with the film....the couple simply hated each other.
The story begins with the couple racing like the devil to get their pet Dachshund to the vet because it's in labor. Never mind that dogs have been giving birth for thousands of years without vets....the dog is apparently quite pampered. After having three puppies, Mark learns that the vet has a bit of a predicament...his Great Dane had too many puppies and one of them wasn't going to survive. Since the Dachshund only had three puppies, Mark agrees to take the Dane and have it nursed by the mama Dachshund.
So far all this makes sense. However, Mark doesn't tell Fran that their fourth puppy is a Great Dane...and it takes her several weeks to notice! This makes no sense...nor did it make any sense that Mark would not talk to his wife about this. In fact, this is THE model for the rest of the movie--with the couple not communicating and each using the dogs against the other. Mark loves the Great Dane and Fran always sides with her Dachshunds and scapegoating the Great Dane....blaming it for the damage generally begin done by her Dachshunds. What's to become of this bickering family? And, will Fran ever come to like and accept the Dane?
My oldest daughter and I loved watching the scenes with the doggies. However, when the story centered on the couple, the film bogged down because down deep they don't seem to love each other--and what fun is it seeing an arguing couple?! More dogs...less bickering couple and you would have had a better movie. Overall, very watchable but a film that manages to just miss the mark...and all of this has to do with the total lack of chemistry between the two leads.
The story begins with the couple racing like the devil to get their pet Dachshund to the vet because it's in labor. Never mind that dogs have been giving birth for thousands of years without vets....the dog is apparently quite pampered. After having three puppies, Mark learns that the vet has a bit of a predicament...his Great Dane had too many puppies and one of them wasn't going to survive. Since the Dachshund only had three puppies, Mark agrees to take the Dane and have it nursed by the mama Dachshund.
So far all this makes sense. However, Mark doesn't tell Fran that their fourth puppy is a Great Dane...and it takes her several weeks to notice! This makes no sense...nor did it make any sense that Mark would not talk to his wife about this. In fact, this is THE model for the rest of the movie--with the couple not communicating and each using the dogs against the other. Mark loves the Great Dane and Fran always sides with her Dachshunds and scapegoating the Great Dane....blaming it for the damage generally begin done by her Dachshunds. What's to become of this bickering family? And, will Fran ever come to like and accept the Dane?
My oldest daughter and I loved watching the scenes with the doggies. However, when the story centered on the couple, the film bogged down because down deep they don't seem to love each other--and what fun is it seeing an arguing couple?! More dogs...less bickering couple and you would have had a better movie. Overall, very watchable but a film that manages to just miss the mark...and all of this has to do with the total lack of chemistry between the two leads.
Best live action film by Disney!
CindyH28 April 2000
As an adult, I watch it over and over again! This is indeed one of the cutest movies I've ever seen and not to mention the best. If your child likes dogs, this is a MUST see film. Some films involving animals have some terribly sad tragedy included but this film keeps it light and fun. It still contains a happy ending and you'll giggle all the way through!
Nostalgia
Briby8618 April 2021
Okay, I just saw this film again. Last time a saw it I was 10. It's sexist. It's using puns where people who is not good at english, is the joke. I didn't remember this film, but I remember I had a crush on Mako. It's low brow funny. Over the top. And In my head, I had a scene, where they drove to the hospital again, but this time it was Fran who had a baby. That was just my mind. Had I seen it now,
I would have gone WTF, but yet it's nostalgic. I saw it with my grandmother and her sister, who loved it, when I was a kid. The dogs were trained well.
Such a sweet family movie
Punk1921 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This movie is full of both gags, and tear jerking moments. It starts off with Mark Garrison (Dean Jones) and his wife Fran (Suzanne Pleshette) taking their Dachsund Dante to the vet. She is having pups. Well she gives birth to four puppies. The vet, Dr. Pruitt (Charlie Ruggles) gets Mark's attention by telling him about a sickly Great Dane puppy that has been abandoned by his mother.
To make a long story short, Mark takes the pup home, it grows and makes a huge mess. Towards the end of the movie Mark shows everyone (including his wife Fran) that Brutus, the Great Dane, isn't just a confused dog that thinks it's a Dachsund, but a friend that needs to be understood.
I was really shocked, because I loved dogs, and this movie really got me into the Dachsund and Great Dane breed. It was really good, but it wasn't great. I have to rate it at a 5, because of it's age and all that.
To make a long story short, Mark takes the pup home, it grows and makes a huge mess. Towards the end of the movie Mark shows everyone (including his wife Fran) that Brutus, the Great Dane, isn't just a confused dog that thinks it's a Dachsund, but a friend that needs to be understood.
I was really shocked, because I loved dogs, and this movie really got me into the Dachsund and Great Dane breed. It was really good, but it wasn't great. I have to rate it at a 5, because of it's age and all that.
As corny as it is, I adore this movie.
Acrylic12 March 1999
A fairy tale update of the classic story, this beautifully art-directed Disney movie in glorious Technicolor, stars Dean Jones at the height of his comedic powers and a very young Suzanne Pleshette. Mark (Jones) adopts Brutus, a lovable oaf of a Great Dane, who, try as he might, can't fit in with Fran's (Pleshette) spoiled prize Dachshunds (think Lady and the Tramp's evil Siamese cats). The film is full of sight gags and slapstick from director Norman Tokar (The Cat from Outer Space, M*A*S*H). In true Disney fashion, the underdog wins out and saves the day.
This movie is why I have 2 Dachshunds
wanoblick20 November 2011
Warning: Spoilers
I was 13 when I saw this movie in the theater in 1966.I fell in love with this breed and the movie.They are clever and mischievous and make you laugh every day.The movie is very accurate about Dachshund behavior.But it does have one major flaw that only Dachshund owners would know.Dachshunds do not yap.They have the wrong bark in the sound track.They have a very deep voice. And they can be very laud.But other than that this movie is a joy to watch.Especially with my Dachshunds.Poor Brutus. I can not help but feel sorry for him.And he isn't ugly either.Disney made very good family movies in the 1950' 1960's. But none of their newest movies measure up.
Harmless but noisy.
implaxis3 May 2020
(NOTE: Curmudgeon mode ON.)
I should have expected what I was getting into, but it was not something that filled the bill of what I needed right now. It had everything I hate about doting doggie mommies who dress up their pets and clueless doggie daddies who don't care about training their dogs. A full soundtrack of little yappy dogs and giant woofing ones. I don't think I laughed once during the whole movie.
Wrong movie for a grouchy mood, but wrong for specific recent reasons. I've recently had encounters with neighbors, the little yappy dogs on one side and a new VERY LOUD Rottweiler on the other. Now that I can get outside again, my hoped-for quiet backyard is assaulted by these noises all day.
fyi, I love dogs. I've fostered and adopted out at least 20 in the last three years, of varying breeds. I feel bad that I wasn't in the right mindset to enjoy the madcap mayhem presented here. But I don't think the writing was all that great either, and the jokes are sometimes looooonngly drawn out.
Perhaps the most unintentionally amusing scene was seeing the married couple settle down for the night in their matching twin beds.
Wrong movie for a grouchy mood, but wrong for specific recent reasons. I've recently had encounters with neighbors, the little yappy dogs on one side and a new VERY LOUD Rottweiler on the other. Now that I can get outside again, my hoped-for quiet backyard is assaulted by these noises all day.
fyi, I love dogs. I've fostered and adopted out at least 20 in the last three years, of varying breeds. I feel bad that I wasn't in the right mindset to enjoy the madcap mayhem presented here. But I don't think the writing was all that great either, and the jokes are sometimes looooonngly drawn out.
Perhaps the most unintentionally amusing scene was seeing the married couple settle down for the night in their matching twin beds.
Pure Disney Magic
Hollywood_Yoda7 October 2018
Disney films always have an animal, a child or someone suffering. This film was no exception, as it's another dog movie. This is a very wholesome film too, starring Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette. It's also a very comical film too.
One of the more memorable scenes I remember that makes this a very 60s film and more wholesome is a scene in the couples bedroom, depicting two single beds. You don't see that anymore, but it was prevalent in that era of morality.
The ugly dachshund that the title refers to is Brutus, a great dane who gets into all sorts of mischief while growing up with a litter of dachshunds. Great fun for the entire family, without provocative situations, language or violence.
One of the more memorable scenes I remember that makes this a very 60s film and more wholesome is a scene in the couples bedroom, depicting two single beds. You don't see that anymore, but it was prevalent in that era of morality.
The ugly dachshund that the title refers to is Brutus, a great dane who gets into all sorts of mischief while growing up with a litter of dachshunds. Great fun for the entire family, without provocative situations, language or violence.
Not up to Disney's standards
mrsastor4 August 2008
I must agree with the reviewer who said "Dean Jones was just collecting another paycheck," that pretty much sums it up.
I realize this is Disney and did not go into it expecting Oscar worthy drama, but in our home we really enjoyed the earlier films "The Absent-Minded Professor" and "The Shaggy Dog". Family friendly, and entertaining for the adults as well as the kids, as were a number of Disney films throughout the late 1950's to the 1970's.
"The Ugly Dachshund" does not measure up. I recently found the DVD for only a few dollars and remembered going to see this at the drive-in back when it was new. And we had dachshunds back in the 1960's, so I was expecting some happy memory associations. What a disappointment. There are a few cute sequences of the dogs making a mess out of the house, nothing that hasn't been captured equally well on television sitcoms of the day. Outside of this, the story is boring, the couple don't like each other and are trapped in an unhappy marriage, the film manages to drudge up remarkably little sympathy for even the dogs.
I don't think we'll watch this one again anytime soon. If you're looking for wholesome Disney family films of this era, I'd recommend The Shaggy Dog, Freaky Friday, The World's Greatest Athelete, or even The Barefoot Executive. All of them far better than this trouser cloud. This one is a dull and unhappy expenditure of 90 minutes with little entertainment to offer.
I realize this is Disney and did not go into it expecting Oscar worthy drama, but in our home we really enjoyed the earlier films "The Absent-Minded Professor" and "The Shaggy Dog". Family friendly, and entertaining for the adults as well as the kids, as were a number of Disney films throughout the late 1950's to the 1970's.
"The Ugly Dachshund" does not measure up. I recently found the DVD for only a few dollars and remembered going to see this at the drive-in back when it was new. And we had dachshunds back in the 1960's, so I was expecting some happy memory associations. What a disappointment. There are a few cute sequences of the dogs making a mess out of the house, nothing that hasn't been captured equally well on television sitcoms of the day. Outside of this, the story is boring, the couple don't like each other and are trapped in an unhappy marriage, the film manages to drudge up remarkably little sympathy for even the dogs.
I don't think we'll watch this one again anytime soon. If you're looking for wholesome Disney family films of this era, I'd recommend The Shaggy Dog, Freaky Friday, The World's Greatest Athelete, or even The Barefoot Executive. All of them far better than this trouser cloud. This one is a dull and unhappy expenditure of 90 minutes with little entertainment to offer.
Cute Movie!
cheatersquad3 August 2018
Despite being an old movie, this is very cute and likable. For its time, it has good production value. It is a tad predictable at times, but still adorable and fun to watch. I would recommend this movie to anyone who wants to watch a funny and cute story, while seeing some adorable puppies along the way. The acting is very good as well and doesn't seem as staged as it is in some other films.
Forget the dogs--give us Pleshette!
inspectors719 February 2006
Here it is, forty years later, and I could talk about Disney's minor effort in The Ugly Dachshund, a bland little quickie of a family movie that features not a single fresh idea or character. It does have cute dachshunds (which I appreciate) and a great dane (two votes from my wife and daughter; no taste there!), Dean Jones, Suzanne Pleshette, and Charlie Ruggles.
The story is unimportant and, unfortunately, is not very well pieced together; usually live-action features from Disney in the 60's and 70's were pretty tightly plotted. The movie just has one opportunity after another for the dogs to destroy the best efforts of humans. It's all so dumb and gentle and uninvolved that you'll want to slap a blue ribbon for mediocrity on the side of your TV--Blandest in Show!
But who cares, anyway? It has Suzanne Pleshette. I watched the whole movie and griped about the dozen minutes or so lopped off by Hallmark for a two hour time slot. That meant there was footage of Pleshette missing! Throughout the movie, she appears in one lovely outfit after another, looking like a gift from Heaven (and she falls on a Japanese fellow at one point--he's laying on his back after collapsing from his fear of the great dane--and she's got these tight pants on and . . . ).
Wooeee . . . was I gone long?
Just leave it to me to smut up a review of a Disney movie!
By the way, when Pleshette falls on the Japanese guy, he has this little grin on his face that made me think he went to the director and told him to forget paying him for the day--it was all worth it.
The story is unimportant and, unfortunately, is not very well pieced together; usually live-action features from Disney in the 60's and 70's were pretty tightly plotted. The movie just has one opportunity after another for the dogs to destroy the best efforts of humans. It's all so dumb and gentle and uninvolved that you'll want to slap a blue ribbon for mediocrity on the side of your TV--Blandest in Show!
But who cares, anyway? It has Suzanne Pleshette. I watched the whole movie and griped about the dozen minutes or so lopped off by Hallmark for a two hour time slot. That meant there was footage of Pleshette missing! Throughout the movie, she appears in one lovely outfit after another, looking like a gift from Heaven (and she falls on a Japanese fellow at one point--he's laying on his back after collapsing from his fear of the great dane--and she's got these tight pants on and . . . ).
Wooeee . . . was I gone long?
Just leave it to me to smut up a review of a Disney movie!
By the way, when Pleshette falls on the Japanese guy, he has this little grin on his face that made me think he went to the director and told him to forget paying him for the day--it was all worth it.
Has the inevitable "awww" factor...otherwise, a plodding and predictable Disney outing
moonspinner5523 September 2013
Advertising designer and his wife are at odds over their canine brood: her four Dachshunds to his friendly, clumsy Great Dane. Noisy comedy from Walt Disney buttresses the endless husband-and-wife arguments with four-legged slapstick chaos and sight gags, some of which will no doubt please the impressionable. Slick, empty nonsense with unconvincing marrieds at the center; Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette, sleeping in separate twin beds, lovingly refer to each other as "Dear" and "Darling" without any genuine affection between the them. Everything is cued-up in advance, processed for infantile reaction, and then cleared away without anything to remember the next day. *1/2 from ****
Where It's Lacking As Great Cinema, It Compensates With Cute Doggies
johnstonjames6 August 2012
Warning: Spoilers
i don't think anyone but a hardcore Disneyphile would make a argument for this as great cinema. however there is enough adorable doggie scenes to make it memorable. hardly the outstanding family classic that 'Old Yeller' is, but it's still one of the cutest 'doggie' flicks produced.
when the movie begins with footage of the newborn puppies in a box at the vet's with their eyes still unopened, any true dog fancier is going to get to get hooked in a little. the cuteness doesn't end with the sleepy newborns, it just keeps coming in major doses. Disney always did make some of the most satisfying "animal lover" films of all Hollywood products. this film is most certainly commercial product then actual cinema, but it knows what it's selling and it does it with economy and efficiency. probably not as easy as it appears on screen given the extremely lightweight subject matter.
i saw this film a couple of times while growing up and was curious to see it again after many years. i was pleasantly surprised that it offered more for the adult viewer than i had remembered. there are no children's roles in this movie, which is a good thing since it mostly aims for a "kiddie flick" audience and it's taste in comedy is purposely low brow and slapstick in order to appeal to the younger set.
not that the slapstick chaos isn't funny. as a kid i always thought this film was a real hoot. now that i'm much older i was surprised that the "canine comedics" actually seemed funnier and even a bit more real. as a pet owner myself for many years, i can only attest to the destructiveness and trying behavior of household pets. especially undisciplined and untrained ones. the evolution of Great Dane Brutus from overgrown oafish slob to champion dog show society, was very amusing and all too real. especially in the hilarious moment when he leaps onto the bed with Suzanne Pleshette in order to gain attention from the little Daschunds she is coddling.
even though the adult relationship between Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette is one dimensional and superficial, it is adult enough to distract older audience from all the canine cuteness. there are even some good statements about sharing and equality in married relationships that are accurate and insightful enough as to be a learning experience for more mature viewers. not to mention Jones and Pleshette are likable and charming and very "human". their "humaness" seems especially essential to a film where the doggies are the true stars.
competently handled by Disney director Norman Tokar, the movie holds true even today and is a primed example of efficiency if not ground breaking cinema.
Disney always did warmth and sentimentality better than most of the other studios which tended to shy away from such congeniality. something essential when making a film not just about animals, but about our ever lovable, and sometimes annoying, household pets which are so near and dear to so many of us.
when the movie begins with footage of the newborn puppies in a box at the vet's with their eyes still unopened, any true dog fancier is going to get to get hooked in a little. the cuteness doesn't end with the sleepy newborns, it just keeps coming in major doses. Disney always did make some of the most satisfying "animal lover" films of all Hollywood products. this film is most certainly commercial product then actual cinema, but it knows what it's selling and it does it with economy and efficiency. probably not as easy as it appears on screen given the extremely lightweight subject matter.
i saw this film a couple of times while growing up and was curious to see it again after many years. i was pleasantly surprised that it offered more for the adult viewer than i had remembered. there are no children's roles in this movie, which is a good thing since it mostly aims for a "kiddie flick" audience and it's taste in comedy is purposely low brow and slapstick in order to appeal to the younger set.
not that the slapstick chaos isn't funny. as a kid i always thought this film was a real hoot. now that i'm much older i was surprised that the "canine comedics" actually seemed funnier and even a bit more real. as a pet owner myself for many years, i can only attest to the destructiveness and trying behavior of household pets. especially undisciplined and untrained ones. the evolution of Great Dane Brutus from overgrown oafish slob to champion dog show society, was very amusing and all too real. especially in the hilarious moment when he leaps onto the bed with Suzanne Pleshette in order to gain attention from the little Daschunds she is coddling.
even though the adult relationship between Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette is one dimensional and superficial, it is adult enough to distract older audience from all the canine cuteness. there are even some good statements about sharing and equality in married relationships that are accurate and insightful enough as to be a learning experience for more mature viewers. not to mention Jones and Pleshette are likable and charming and very "human". their "humaness" seems especially essential to a film where the doggies are the true stars.
competently handled by Disney director Norman Tokar, the movie holds true even today and is a primed example of efficiency if not ground breaking cinema.
Disney always did warmth and sentimentality better than most of the other studios which tended to shy away from such congeniality. something essential when making a film not just about animals, but about our ever lovable, and sometimes annoying, household pets which are so near and dear to so many of us.
Marriage Gone To The Dogs
bkoganbing27 January 2015
This Disney comedy stars Dean Jones and Suzanne Pleshette as a happily married couple who have dog issues. Pleshette is the proud owner of a pregnant dachshund who has to make a mad dash to the veterinarian to give birth which costs Jones a bunch of moving violations.
But while at the veterinarian's, Charlie Ruggles after delivering Suzanne's three dachshund pups persuades Jones to take in a Great Dane pup because the mother rejected it from her litter. Jones not too reluctantly agreed as he's always wanted a big man size dog.
Of course when Suzanne finds out she reluctantly agrees, but not for long as the puppy grows up big and bumptious. The bulk of the film is taken up with the big bumptious Great Dane making a wreck of their lives. Poor dog whose named Brutus gets blamed for everything even when it isn't his fault. But he proves himself a winner at the end, literally.
Jones and Pleshette are a nice couple and the chemistry is good. One thing I took exception to is the sequence where the big dog actually trees a police officer. I mean really, we all know that cop Kelly Thordsen in real life would have just shot the dog. There's been enough stories out there about trigger happy cops to know that's the case. But not in the Magic Kingdom.
It's an innocuous Disney comedy that other than that scene holds up well as family entertainment.
But while at the veterinarian's, Charlie Ruggles after delivering Suzanne's three dachshund pups persuades Jones to take in a Great Dane pup because the mother rejected it from her litter. Jones not too reluctantly agreed as he's always wanted a big man size dog.
Of course when Suzanne finds out she reluctantly agrees, but not for long as the puppy grows up big and bumptious. The bulk of the film is taken up with the big bumptious Great Dane making a wreck of their lives. Poor dog whose named Brutus gets blamed for everything even when it isn't his fault. But he proves himself a winner at the end, literally.
Jones and Pleshette are a nice couple and the chemistry is good. One thing I took exception to is the sequence where the big dog actually trees a police officer. I mean really, we all know that cop Kelly Thordsen in real life would have just shot the dog. There's been enough stories out there about trigger happy cops to know that's the case. But not in the Magic Kingdom.
It's an innocuous Disney comedy that other than that scene holds up well as family entertainment.
One of the classics
caninekiss24 April 2020
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