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(September 1918, Lorraine, France -
10 August 1932, Los Angeles, California)
 Rin
Tin Tin was a shell-shocked pup found by American serviceman Lee
Duncan in a bombed-out dog kennel in Lorraine, France, less than two
months before the end of World War I. He was named for a puppet
called Rintintin that French children gave to the American soldiers
for good luck. The dog returned at war's end with Duncan to his home
in Los Angeles, California.
Nicknamed Rinty by his owner, the dog learned tricks and could leap
11 feet 9 inches. He was seen performing at a dog show by film
producer Charles Jones, who paid Duncan to film Rinty. Duncan became
convinced Rin Tin Tin could become the next Strongheart.
The dog's big break came when he stepped in for a recalcitrant wolf
in The Man From Hell's River (1922). Rin Tin Tin would be cast as a
wolf or wolf-hybrid many times in his career, though not looking
like one.
His first starring role, 1923's Where The North Begins, playing
alongside silent screen actress Claire Adams, was a huge success
often credited with saving Warner Brothers from bankruptcy. It was
followed by Shadows of the North (1923), Clash of the Wolves (1925),
A Dog of the Regiment (1927), Tiger Rose (1929) and The Lightning
Warrior (1931). His financial success for Warner Brothers inspired
several imitations from other studios looking to cash in on Rin Tin
Tin's popularity. |
