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Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

A Disappointing Continuation

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

I just learned that Kevin Corcoran ("Moochie") died in 2015 in his middle 60's. He was a Disney child actor that played in several notable Disney Movies including "Pollyanna", "Swiss Family Robinson", this film and many others. He was also a regular on the (original) Mickey Mouse Club, "Spin and Marty" and (surprisingly) many non-Disney productions as well. He quit acting at age 15 and became a respected film and TV director for many decades. Yes, he even directed "Murder She Wrote" episodes. Not standing on nostalgia, both this film and "The Absent-Minded Professor" were well-colorized and are more enjoyable because of it. Readily available from Amazon and "the usual" mail-order companies, bundled with the "Shaggy D.A." sequel. Annette steals the show. She was "dressed down" to make her look younger and less grown-up. It didn't work. I had a "crush" on her, too. The well-known plot involves awkward foreign intrigue and teenage romance as Annette completes with new girl on the block who even doesn't look remotely French and has a beautiful shaggy sheep dog. A magical "Borgia Ring" is involved along with a "real" sheepdog that disappears every time the "trans muto" dog transformation occurs. A silly sub-plot involves foreign spies. The best scene involves Moochies' brother (Tommy Kirk) in shaggy sheepdog fur, leading the police on a wild-goose car chase. (yeah, the dog is driving.) Note: "The Shaggy D.A." with Dean Jones is quite good, also. (I don't care for the 2006 Tim Allen remake at all.) A priceless classic Walt Disney Production.

"The Shaggy Dog" is a fun film for the whole family. It's a clever plot with some nice little twists. This was the start of Fred MacMurray doing family films for kids and adults. Here he is a retired mail carrier, Wilson Daniels, who over the years has developed an intense dislike of dogs. Hmmm! I wonder why? So, naturally, a big dog is going to come into his life. The cast all are very good. Jean Hagen plays Mrs. Daniels (Freeda). Tommy Kirk is the male lead, playing Wilby Daniels. Kevin Corcoran is very good as his brother, Moochie. His best friend – who happens to be a big mooch, is Buzz Miller (played by Tim Considine). The girls in the movie are Annette Funicello as Allison and Roberta Shore as Franceska. Cecil Kellaway plays Professor Plumcutt; and a host of supporting actors play other parts. Most notable is James Westerfield as Officer Hanson. Oh, yes. The real star of this movie is Shaggy, an Old English Sheepdog. Some characteristics of this type of large dog (males, 70- 100 pounds) are playful, intelligent loving, sociable and adaptable. Those about describe Shaggy in this film. This has to be the best trained, or one of the best trained dogs ever in the movies. This Disney film from 1959 shows some of the youth culture of the period. Crewcuts, hot rods, school dances, dress of the time. Even Wilby's (Tommy Kirk) interest in missiles and other science projects is reminiscent of the time. That was a time of fascination with rockets and space flight among a number of teens. I was one of those. "The Shaggy Dog" is a nice, clean family film that has plenty of comedy mixed in with a little intrigue and fantasy. The latter is the source of most of the comedy. If anyone wonders about how films like this might go over with kids of today, I've had a little experience as a grandpa. And, it depends. In just a couple of different family situations, my grandkids from five to 12 (boys and girls) in one family said they very much enjoyed "The Shaggy Dog." They are being raised with very limited use of electronic gadgets, games and social media. Another family in the same age range with two girls who have extensive social media, had little interest in this or similar movies. I realize that's not science, but it's been a guide for me when entertaining grandkids.

I remember being taken to this movie when I was 8 or 9 years old. I was accompanied by my mother and my aunt. I remember being appalled at their reaction. They were nearly rolling in the aisles. I was unimpressed knowing that a child could not be turned into a dog and found the whole thing silly. I have not seen the movie since then. But I guess I might enjoy it these days for it's silliness. My mother and I did not see a movie again until I took her to see "2001" in 1968. She was impressed and correctly predicted, beforehand, there would be Howard Johnson's at the space station. Sorry for the unrelated memories that have nothing to do with this movie. But I cannot help but relate that 7 years later I took her to see "Blazing Saddles", fearful that she might be offended by some of the off color jokes. She laughed wholeheartedly at all the dirty jokes.

Tommy Kirk is a typical teenager (Wilby) who gets an ancient ring caught in his trouser cuff. The magical jewel turns him into an on-again/off-again shaggy dog. Mr. Kirk's father Fred MacMurray (Mr. Wilson) hates dogs; little brother Kevin Corcoran (Moochie) loves them.This is a Walt Disney movie for kids; and, it's one to try to enjoy without asking a lot of questions about a very weak plot. The idea is fun, and the "special effect" might have looked very good to young 1959 eyes. Today, it's a movie to watch for the young performances. Kirk is very good as Wilby, effectively giving "The Shaggy Dog" a voice; he is charming. Tim Considine and Kevin Corcoran are likewise charmers as Kirk's pal and kid brother. Mr. Considine (as Buzz) has a terrific scene to watch for - look for his performance as he tries to put "the make" on fetching neighbor Roberta Shore, on her couch, with rival Wilby watching in dog form! Also, watch for the always charming Annette Funicello, delightfully bracketing the film as Buzz' sometimes steady. ***** The Shaggy Dog (3/19/59) Charles Barton ~ Fred MacMurray, Tommy Kirk, Tim Considine, Kevin Corcoran