This program went off the air when I was 5 years old so I only have vague recollections of it, mostly from older brothers talk. I think there was a comic book too. What I do remember is that in the sixties just about everybody had a German Shepherd in their backyard and I suspect this kiddie show was the reason. Now pit bulls are all the rage, and Shepherd puppies sell for between $600-2500!
I just watched the only episode available on YouTube, "Sorrowful Jones" with Sterling Holliday. What a sad, racist depiction of "Indians" -- white guys running around committing mayhem while wearing, for no logical reason, full ceremonial headdresses and buckskins. In the Arizona desert? What a lazy lesson of unhistorical hatred to serve up to kids. I suspect that's why you can't find the series on DVD.
But I was also disappointed by how little the dog actually did. He had a few reaction shots, a couple of dubbed barks and 'saves' the day at the end by jumping on the bad guy. Not very sophisticated tricks. This was an influential show and I wish I could see more episodes to judge it better. From the one I've seen, it's kind of a bad dog.
I just watched the only episode available on YouTube, "Sorrowful Jones" with Sterling Holliday. What a sad, racist depiction of "Indians" -- white guys running around committing mayhem while wearing, for no logical reason, full ceremonial headdresses and buckskins. In the Arizona desert? What a lazy lesson of unhistorical hatred to serve up to kids. I suspect that's why you can't find the series on DVD.
But I was also disappointed by how little the dog actually did. He had a few reaction shots, a couple of dubbed barks and 'saves' the day at the end by jumping on the bad guy. Not very sophisticated tricks. This was an influential show and I wish I could see more episodes to judge it better. From the one I've seen, it's kind of a bad dog.