Born: in 1918
Died: August 8, 1932
Aged: 14 years-Natural Causes
Marriages: None that I know:)
Affairs: Oh this doggie stud found plenty of bitches
I am not kidding about this one-this is the first Doggie superstar that literally saved Warner Bros. from bankruptcy! He was found in a German dugout in Lorraine, France with his mom and 5 siblings. The poor mom was half starved and the pups were only 5 days old. Lieutenant Lee Duncan saved them, nursed them back to health and decided to take 2 of the pups back home to the U.S. He named them Nanette and Rin Tin Tin after French Puppets that the French kids would entertain the soldiers with. Poor Nannette caught distemper and died en route but Rin Tin Tin survived the trip. Duncan loved the dog and started training him from the beginning, and noticed this dog was highly intelligent plus very athletic. He started showing the dog in shows and was noticed by someone who worked at Warner Bros. The doggie was hired! The newly formed Warner Bros( 1923) were impressed that Rin Tin Tin could get the job done in one take and that he was a new dog breed to the average American since they were not really aware of German Shepherds at this point. His salary jumped from $1,000 a week to $6,000, he had his own chef prepare hamburger and steaks plus musicians played music while the dog ate to ease his digestion. Rin Tin Tin's films were big money makers and started the career of Darryl F Zanuck since he wrote many of the films. Even though the plots were very similar and everyone knew Rin Tin Tin would save the day, he received over $1,000 fan letters a week! Duncan took so good care of him that, at one point Duncan's wife wanted a divorce and named the poor dog as a co-respondent. Rin Tin Tin even had his own radio show which started in 1930-he barked his way to the top. In 1932, he passed away peacefully and many accounts say that it was in Jean Harlow's arms but I also read that he just passed away with Duncan very nearby which sounds more plausible. Due to careful breeding, there are still descendants of Rin Tin Tin today. Lee Duncan made $5 million and died in 1960 a happy man.
Oscar Nominations: Apparently, it was found in old records that Rin Tin Tin won the first Oscar but the newly formed Academy thought they would lose respect if the first Oscar went to a dog so they gave it to the runner up-Emil Jannings!
Films: (many are lost)- "Tracked By The Police", "Clash of the Wolves", "hills of Kentucky", "A Dog of the Regiment", "The Night Cry"
Quote: "Woof, Woof, Woof woof woof, Woof."
I didn't realize Americans weren't familiar with German Shepherds until Rin Tin Tin!
ReplyDeleteI know! I think they must have been around but did not become popular until Rin Tin Tin
DeleteHi, BB! This is an excellent choice for R. Thank you for the interesting article about the original Rin Tin Tin. Like Stephanie, I didn't realize that the German Shepherd breed was not widely known in America in the early 1920s. A child of the 50s, my memories of Rin Rin Tin revolve around the ABC television series The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin. All these years later I can still hear Corporal Rusty hollering "Yo, Rinny!" to call his canine companion. Although Rin Tin Tin's popularity was eclipsed by Lassie's, I faithfully watched the series through its entire 5 season run.
ReplyDeleteBB, I want to thank you for choosing to follow me at Shady Dell Music & Memories and I look forward to growing a great friendship with you. The comment you left for Margaret Schneider warmed her heart and her daughter Kathleen wrote a reply for you. I hope you got a chance to read it. Thank you again for your interest in what I'm doing, dear Birgit!
That Rin Tin Tin was one of his descendants:) You are very welcome! I did read it but have been so busy with the A to Z that i wanted to reply-very gracious of you:)
DeleteWhat a handsome boy! And the most profound quote yet.
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Don't you love the quote! He looked good and was athletic
DeleteAww, he should have won that Oscar.
ReplyDeleteYou made me laugh about all his affairs!
well he was prolific:)
DeleteBEST. POST. EVER. I love that he was a doggy stud :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com/
Thank you!!
DeleteGreat story about this dog. He was a real dog, unlike Lassie who had so many clones and was a Hollywood creation. Loved that you posted about this guy today.
ReplyDeleteOh I thought he was great to talk about and he did do everything except for a couple of stand ins
DeleteOkay, I got to admit, this was the best one so far for the A/Z challenge! So loved to read about Rin Tin Tin! I didn't know half about this and him; glad he lived a long life and was rescued by that Lieutenant; definitely a great dog rescue story!
ReplyDeletebetty
Isn't it great:) To be found and to reach the heights of success. His owner loved him for that I am sure
DeleteI probably know more about Rin Tin Tin than about all of the other subjects of your posts combined! There's a wonderful book "Rin Tin Tin : the life and the legend" by Susan Orlean... from the New York Times Review "But by the end of this expertly told tale, she may persuade even the most hardened skeptic that Rin Tin Tin belongs on Mount Rushmore with George Washington and Teddy Roosevelt, or at least somewhere nearby with John Wayne and Seabiscuit. "
ReplyDeleteOh I would love to read that book!! He should be as popular as Lassie or even more for what he all did
DeleteNever knew Americans had no idea until Rin tin tin came along. That cat name drops him a bit in rhyme too. He sure had a good life, great owner and all the humping he could want lol
ReplyDeleteOh yes-he had a charmed life:)
DeleteOMG. First the surprise that you chose Rin Tin Tin. Never would have thought of him. Knew absolutely nothing about his history. I was attacked by a German Shepherd as a child so not my favorite breed, but his career is fascinating. A stud who wasn't also an alcoholic. Wow!
ReplyDeleteOooh that is not good that you were attacked. Rin Tin Tin was known to nip at his co-star occasionally. He is one of the few who is not an alcoholic for sure:)
DeleteI wonder what happened to the rest of the litter. Interesting history, never knew how it all came about.
ReplyDeleteI have read 2 version-the mom and other pups went to other soldiers and I read that the others all died. I would like to think the former is accurate
DeleteERMAHGERD! Are you serious about the Oscar thing? Like, that's an amazing piece of info if you're serious.
ReplyDeleteYes I am serious-I have read that in one of my books I own plus I read that in 2 spots on the internet. Amazing eh?
DeleteBIRGIT ~
ReplyDeleteWow! You not only came up with a surprising "star" for "R" but it was really quite interesting, too. Good job!
~ D-FensDogG
'Loyal American Underground'
I am to please:) I read your T reply which will be up on Thursday:) I made a boo boo posting too early
DeleteYeah, I saw that, and when I realized what had happened (knowing you would remove it) I copied my comments word-for-word and saved them. So, I WILL re-post them again in the comment section on Thursday.
Delete~ D-FensDogG
Had had and lost the Oscar - so unfair.
ReplyDeleteThat was a lot of money back in the day.
he did but I think he took it well. All the money and steak he wanted
DeleteThat's so funny! He sounds a bit of lad so I expect he was happy enough even without his Oscar!
ReplyDeleteI don't think he went all diva on them when he didn't get his Oscar
DeleteThat's so funny! He sounds a bit of lad so I expect he was happy enough even without his Oscar!
ReplyDeleteThat's so interesting. I never knew much about that handsome dog star.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I know but I love it. They made a comic film about him called "Won, Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood"-pretty much the truth
DeleteI've heard of that movie but have never seen it.
DeleteI had no idea he was French. Well, sort of. But many stars started from humble beginnings.
ReplyDeleteYup they do-he was actually German since he was in a dugout but born in France and he was a lover:)
DeleteThats one smart dog. It just goes to show even animals can be more successful than humans!
ReplyDeleteYes!! Very true! He was smart, athletic and good looking-triple threat
DeletePoor Rin-Tin-Tin, says the Husband when I told him that Rin-TIn-Tin won the first Oscar. I was laughing throughout the post, Birgit. I just love the humorous way you deliver your facts and details.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the read:)
DeleteAw! Rin Tin Tin! This was a pleasant surprise. :) Ha! And I love the comment you made under the affairs category. He sure was a great dog.
ReplyDeleteThey took away his Oscar? Not nice. ;)
No it wasn't nice but they may have been right not to give the Oscar to a dog...but he probably acted better than many stars. I know he does now for today's stars:)
DeleteAw! Rin Tin Tin! This was a pleasant surprise. :) Ha! And I love the comment you made under the affairs category. He sure was a great dog.
ReplyDeleteThey took away his Oscar? Not nice. ;)
I remember Rin Tin Tin! And its always wonderful when there's a humanitarian out there rescuing an animal.
ReplyDeleteHe loved animals and he came through for them
DeleteGreat post. I also didn't know that Rin Tin Tin introduced America to the sheperd.
ReplyDeleteI think the Shepherd must have been here but probably not well known so this doggie made the Shepherd a house hold name
Delete$6,000 per week? No wonder the bitches were panting over him.
ReplyDeleteI know!-He was a stud
DeleteI love this story. It has been my favorite on your blog this month. Also, might I add that Rin Tin Tin had it made.
ReplyDeleteI love this story. It has been my favorite on your blog this month. Also, might I add that Rin Tin Tin had it made.
ReplyDeleteOh he did in so many ways:)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteYou come up with the most amazing facts! What a life Rin Tin Tin had, living to such a ripe old age. The music with his dinner made me laugh. Maybe I should try that for my digestion.
ReplyDeleteIt might help! Hahaaaa-Maybe that is why we have music with special dinners. Those stars had it made and this canine was a special guy
DeleteWhat an amazing story! I love how Rin Tin Tin was able to film every scene in one shot. I also got a kick out of the fact that he ate with live music to "ease his digestion." Four Arf pluses for this one, Birgit.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Arf Arf:) I would love live music to eat to also:)
DeleteI eagerly hopped to your blog trying to guess whom you would feature for R .
ReplyDeleteRin Tin tin did take me by surprise.
I like his quote : Woof .. woof .. woof.
and his affairs :):):)
I eagerly hopped to your blog trying to guess whom you would feature for R .
ReplyDeleteRin Tin tin did take me by surprise.
I like his quote : Woof .. woof .. woof.
and his affairs :):):)
Very cool post. Watched the show some, but not with any regularity. Interesting background though to know.
ReplyDeleteSandy at Bridge and Beyond
Good for Rin tin tin! We all loved him. So sweet he died in Jean Harlow's arms.
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My Mum-in-Law often comments on our labrador doing impressions of Rin Tin Tin, hehe. I've never seen any of his films but I do love that story of how he kind of won an Oscar.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that his legacy continues today!
Cait @ Click's Clan
I used to watch the Rin Tin Tin television show all the time when I was a kid. Obviously not the original dog, but I guess it might have been a descendant. Maybe they had more than one for the show too. I don't think I ever saw any of the films.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out