My Dog Skip (2000)

A shy boy grows up in 1940s Mississippi with the help of his beloved dog, Skip.

Director:

Jay Russell

Writers:

Willie Morris (book), Gail Gilchriest (screenplay)

Stars:

Frankie Muniz, Kevin Bacon, Diane Lane

7 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Luke Wilson	...	Dink
Frankie Muniz	...	Willie Morris
Kevin Bacon	...	Jack Morris
Diane Lane	...	Ellen Morris
Mark Beech	...	Army Buddy
Susan Carol Davis	...	Mrs. Jenkins
David Pickens	...	Mr. Jenkins
Bradley Coryell	...	Big Boy Wilkinson
Daylan Honeycutt	...	Henjie Henick
Cody Linley	...	Spit McGee
Lucile Doan Ewing	...	Aunt Maggie
Polly Craig	...	Grandmother Mamie
John Stiritz	...	Grandfather Percy
Enzo	...	Skip
Moose	...	Skip

Storyline

A shy boy is unable to make friends in Yazoo City, Mississippi in 1942, until his parents give him a terrier puppy for his ninth birthday. The dog, which he names Skip, becomes well known and loved throughout the community and enriches the life of the boy, Willie, as he grows into manhood. Based on the best-selling Mississippi memoir by the late Willie Morris.

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Plot Keywords:

mississippi | dog | 1940s | war veteran | crypt | 

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Taglines:

Every family needs an optimist.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some violent content and mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros.

Country:

USA

Language:

English German

Release Date:

3 March 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mi perro Skip

Filming Locations:

Canton, Mississippi, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$56,941, 16 January 2000, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$34,099,640, 4 July 2000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alcon Entertainment, MDS Productions LLC

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Moose, the dog who plays Skip, is best known for playing Eddie on Frasier (1993). He died of natural causes in June 2006.

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Goofs

When Willie and Skip first go to the movies, there is a girl and two boys sitting on the front row. After the camera cuts to a different shot and then back, the two boys have been replaced by 2 more girls.

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Quotes

Spit McGee: One night, a boy about our age, looked through her window and what he saw, chilled him right to the bone. He saw her murder two men with her bare hands. The boy ran and told the cops, and they got up a posse and chased that witch right into Miller's swamp. Before they could catch her, she got stuck in quicksand.
[spits]
Spit McGee: And slowly as she sank in the quicksand, she swore two thing: First, one day she'd rise up from her grave and burn down the whole town! And the other thing she swore was, she'd ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Kids Movies That Will Make You Cry (2018)

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Soundtracks

Tuxedo Junction
Performed by Gene Krupa and His Orchestra (as Gene Krupa & His Orchestra)
Written by Erskine Hawkins, William Johnson, Julian Dash & Buddy Feyne
Published by Music Sales Corp. (ASCAP) and Lewis Music (ASCAP)
Administered by Music Sales and Rytvoc, Inc. Music (ASCAP)
Courtesy of Columbia Records
By Arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

User Reviews

the power of friendship

There have been many movies about a person's relationship with an animal, but "My Dog Skip" is one of the best that I have ever seen. I discovered this movie on video and it will definitely become a part of my collection.

In the 1940's, during World War II, things are rough in the USA. Willie Morris is not your average boy. He would rather read than play football with the other guys. When Willie's parents let him have a dog, it changes his whole outlook on life. He and his dog Skip have a unique friendship that becomes unmatched by anything else.

While this movie's target audience are kids half my age, it is perfect for everyone. Its story is very true to life, probably because it's based on Willie Morris' own childhood and his memoir of the same name. I had a dog that was just like Skip -- a true friend. There's nothing like a constant companion that will stick by you even when it seems that the world is against you. Even if you're not a dog fan, you shouldn't look past this movie.

The cast is excellent, especially Frankie Muniz, who's now known as Malcolm from Fox's "Malcolm in the Middle." He exudes boyhood innocence and bonds with his pet better than he does with humans. His parents, Diane Lane and Kevin Bacon, do a fine job as well. Rounding out the major cast is Luke Wilson, as Willie's changed-by-war neighbor Dink.

"My Dog Skip" is funny and heartwarming. You'll laugh and chances are you could shed some tears as well, but it's all worth it in the long run. This a movie that should not be missed by anyone, especially if you have had a special animal friend in your life.