Loving The Classics Celebrates Canine Cinema Throughout History
Online, June 24, 2012 (Newswire.com) - This year, the Oscar-winning "silent" film, The Artist introduced a new star named Uggie, to the glamour of Hollywood. While this actor is a hairy companion on four legs, he delivered a powerful bark in the film that celebrated the history of silent cinema. Responding to the history of dogs in cinema, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced a retrospective on the subject that will premiere at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater this Wednesday. A recent article from the Los Angeles Times provides a sneak peek into the event and highlights some of the key players in the history of dog cinema. Loving the Classics , a classic film retailer, is excited about this focus on these animal superstars, as they are figures that many audiences have enjoyed since the dawn of film.
The article details what spectators can expect at the upcoming event, stating that it will be more than just photos and film clips. The Academy will offer a rare screening of Rin Tin Tin's classic Clash of the Wolves, as well as invite speakers who have worked with the animals and penned books on the subject. Robert Haberkamp, academy programmer, explains the intentions of the event, "I think there is a mythology around dogs that the movies have tapped into...I think that was definitely enhanced by the storytelling that started by 'Rescued by Rover' - this whole idea humans have this canine savior, a kind of early superhero."
While the event will focus on key canines that filled the roles of Lassie, Benji and Rin Tin Tin, Loving the Classics states that these aren't the only dogs that have graced film history with their presence. For those looking for a more in-depth look at dogs of the silent era and beyond theycan check out titles such as For the Love of Rusty, The Law's Lash and The Vengeance of Rannah. All these films offer a rare look into the history of using dogs as live-action characters and demonstrate that the concept existed well before some of the most celebrated four-legged stars.
The article pays particular attention to dogs who acted in silent era films, beginning with the pet of British director, Cecil Hepworth. In 1905, Hepworth released a film called Rescued by Rover that starred his dog named Blair; little did Hepworth know, he would be starting a trend that still continues today. Haberkamp comments on the importance of dogs in the silent era, "I think the silent nature of the film and a dog as a performer doing these very visual things were just part of the magic."
Loving the Classics provides one of the widest selections of hard to find silent films that offer such aesthetically-driven performances, from both humans and their pets. The company encourages all film lovers to look back on the history of film, and cherish the contributions early films made to today's cinematic climate.
ABOUT:
Loving the Classics is a vintage film retailer that specializes in providing classic movies on DVD, that are difficult to find elsewhere. The company offers a wide array of films that touch on every genre and span from the 1910s to the 1970s.
To view the company's available titles, visit www.lovingtheclassics.com.