Here is one of my favorite rarities. "Dogpound Shuffle" represents a special treat for lovers of tough, yet thoughtful 'dog' related stories. Writer, Director, Jeffery Bloom has created a very different kind of warm, dramatic, and touching movie about those who have fallen from life's fortunes.
Mr Bloom was fortunate enough to bring the prolific NYC born producer: Elliot Kastner, combined with UK born Denis Holt (AKF: "Becket" '64) together, enabling him to bring his own story to the screen. Paramount in the USA gave this film it's only known theatrical release in 1975. The rest of the world discovered it's special charms via Television releases. The highly talented British song and dance man Ron Moody is cast as a character known as 'Steps' and amiable young American David Soul (playing the part of Pritt) are about as unlikely a pair imaginable to be brought together for a film such as this. Both work exceptionally well together indeed.
The Dog in question (Spot) an absolute trooper, belongs to 'Steps' (Moody) a down and out ex Broadway star. Moody is perfectly cast as the disgruntled has-been tapper. Steps is out looking for his next meal and lodging for the night, usually gained by busking in bars and on street corners with his talented faithful friend. Along comes equally broke Soul, who happens to play a 'mean' Harmonica and, an unlikely 'partnership' just might be possible.
Award nominated British Cinematographer Gerry Fisher captures the, at times bleak, Canadian locations to the point of making the viewer feel we have joined the intrepid trio on their varied locations. The music score by pop man David 'Dave' White, who started out as a member of the 60's group: Danny and the Juniors...then went on to compose and produce various chart toppers and film scores, adds a nice bounce to this very original story.
The Paramount theatrical film version is rated PG for a particularly nasty fight scene that involves Moody, Soul and a thuggish dog pound attendant. Yet a DVD version I bought from ITV is oddly rated G!. A slightly disappointing aspect of the ITV DVD release is a cut made to the closing scene...where 'Steps' says to Pritt....Quote: "Ya know, Iv'e been thinking' (then stops) Pritt says... "Well, you gonna tell me or not?. Steps continues... "I've been doin' a lot of thinking', Broadway is out, there is no more Broadway, not like it was anyway, Hollywood, hell, place was taken over 10 years ago by the queers, so I been thinking' maybe there is a place, someplace, for us"...
The above scene has been disappointingly expunged from the DVD. Who had this cut from the DVD version, and why, was it for Political Correctness?. Was it instigated by certain pressure groups?. This characters statement was made not as a form of malice but as a matter of fact observation, from someone who had lived through ever changing social conditions during his showbiz working days. Writers can and generally do draw from their experiences within the industry. So if the quote was made from the point of view of the writers own experiences, with regard to certain pressures involved in getting particular projects off the ground, then why should it be removed. No matter what your personal feelings are regarding this edit, it has the unfortunate tendency to weaken part of the overall narrative.
If you're lucky enough to locate it, I see there was an earlier release from Playhouse Video, maybe that has this scene in tact (?) Anyone able to shed more light on this? If not, hang on to those older film prints. That said, I can certainly recommend this film to anyone who loves an offbeat 'dog' story featuring realistic situations and is also smart enough to balance both humour and social drama with excellent results.
KenR
