Skippy: Asta from The Thin Man
In the 1930s, Skippy (Asta) was a huge dog star. He lifted the hearts of people during the Depression, and everyone loved him. But Skippy had a head start. He […]
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Show Business Dogs
Trainer Willy Necker and His Dogs
Willy Necker came to this country from Germany in 1929, finding work at a kennel. From there he went on to train war dogs and become one of the most
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The Story of Toto/Terry
The 1939 film of The Wizard of Oz is memorable for many reasons. Toto, Dorothy’s adorable dog, is certainly near the top of the list. How the dog came to
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Dog Training for the Early Movies
Dog trainer Carl Spitz (1894 –1976) was a German immigrant who made his way to Los Angeles where he founded the Hollywood Dog Training School in 1927 and became famous
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The Hollywood Dog Training School
If there is hallowed ground for Hollywood canines, it is not the plaza outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard where The Artist star, Uggie, recently left his pawprint. The hallowed spot for four-legged movie stars would be on the grounds of the Hollywood Dog Training School, a spot that was a hotel of sorts for the better-known of the “furry lovelies” during the 1930s-60s.
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Benji, Shelter Dog Turned Movie Star
The lovable mixed-breed dog that was to become Benji was discovered in 1960 by veteran Hollywood animal trainer Frank Inn (1916-2002). Inn always looked first at shelters for the animals he needed for various show requests, and the Burbank Animal Shelter was where he met and fell in love with the shaggy brown dog, known as Higgins, that was to be his biggest star.
Who Was Frank Inn?
Inn was born to a Quaker family in Camby, Indiana, and his original name was Elias Franklin Freeman. He left home at age 17, intent on making a name for himself in Hollywood. Two years later he was seriously injured in a car accident and was convalescing at a friend’s house at a time when the family dog had just had a litter of pups. Frank discovered he had a knack for working with animals. His ability soon landed him a job with Rudd Weatherwax, who trained Lassie and Rin Tin Tin.
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