Rin Tin Tin

Following the movie heroics of Strongheart was the more famous Rin Tin Tin, a German Shepherd who continued to establish the breed as a perennially popular dog in the United States to the present time.

As World War I was drawing to a close, an American soldier, Corporal Lee Duncan could never have dreamed what his future life would be when he discovered a German war dog station while on a scouting mission. Inside he found a mother German Shepherd and her five puppies.

Not wanting to leave them helpless, Duncan and his group brought them back to their base where they took care of them. When he returned home, Duncan brought Rin Tin Tin with him. Rin Tin Tin was named after small dolls French soldiers carried for good luck.

Duncan returned to his home of Los Angeles where he became interested in the movies that were being made there. Knowing his dog was special, he made the rounds of the studios, but no one was interested in a dog movie star.

Finally he got his big break when he came upon a crew shooting a scene with a wolf. Rin Tin Tin was able to perform a feat in one take that had frustrated the crew trying to work the scene with a wolf.

In 1922, Rin Tin Tin, or "Rinty" as he came to be called, made his debut in a low budget western called "The Man from Hell's River." Like Strongheart he did all his own on screen stunts.

Rinty’s good looks, fearless ability and on screen talent attracted the attention of a struggling Warner Brothers studio. Together they made 24 films that helped establish the new studio and made Rin Tin Tin a household name of the time.

During these years Rinty earned a salary of $1000 a week, had his own production unit, a chauffeur driven limousine, a personal chef and a diamond studded collar.

In 1930 in what seems like an ungrateful gesture, Warner Brothers released Rinty who continued working on low budget serials. After 40 movies, he retired in 1931.He died at the age of 14 while playing with his owner.

One of his sons, Rin Tin Tin Junior went on to appear in movies following the death of his father. Rin Tin Tin is one of three dogs to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame along with Strongheart and Lassie.

Comments

[Khyra]

Mom is trying to figure how many takes it would have rekhwired if a Siberian had been used ;-)

[Marion]

I loved Rin Tin Tin, having a German Shepherd of my own at the time. We would pretend I was a lady in distress, and she would have to rescue me. After a bit of practice, she got really good at staying behind while I hid, and then bounding to my aid when I gave a whistle and then quickly hid again. I never caught on to the fact she would have found me anyway...her nose was much keener than any whistle I might use. Not till I was older, anyway, heh!

It was a game which kept us amused for a long time. I had a picture painted from a photo of hers...its one of my favourite possessions. Thanks for the post, Jan, I loved that dog and it's so good to think of her!

[BunGirl]

Almost everywhere I take Vali (our GSD) I'm told he looks just like Rin Tin Tin. Just wish he'd follow commands like "Rinty" did!

[Sling]

"Yo Rinty!"..Damn..I'm old.

[jansfunnyfarm]

This is interesting. Didn't know the background of Rin Tin Tin.

[Lindsay]

Awww. I never knew the story of how Rin Tin Tin got started. My mom loved that show when she was little! The German shepherd just might be my favorite dog breed.

[jackie]

didn't they have a tv show with rin tin tin too?...I'm old I forget.

[Jay Gordon]

In a way it was hard to tell if the beginning story of the soldier finding Rin Tin Tin was a movie or not! Had to read it twice!

Also interesting that he got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

[free movie downloads]

I am also very much curious about this TV show..My Grand maa loved this show..

[cube]

I love me those GSD's like Rinty. What a good dog. Wish my Elke was as obidient.

[Col]

Rin Tin Tin .. a blast from my past. :-) Loved that dog!

[Ann Elwood]

Actually, Rin-Tin-Tin may not have been found on a battlefield and Duncan may not have been an unknown when Warner Bros. put him under contract. See my book Rin-Tin-Tin: The Movie Star. You can buy it in paperback on Amazon: Amazon.com: Rin-Tin-Tin: The Movie Star (9781453866658): Ann Elwood: Books. It will be available on Kindle within a couple of days.