Old Shep

Old Shep (1936)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Decades before MARLEY AND ME we had this MGM short about a farmer (Charles 'Chic' Sale) who is told by his vet that there's nothing that can be done for his elderly dog Shep. The farmer is forced to pick up his rifle and walk the dog into the woods where he's going to shoot him but on the walk the two discuss their years together. This short runs just under 8-minutes and there's really not much story but I think most dog owners will at least connect with the Sale character. Who would really want to shoot their beloved pet? I think for the most part this is just a chance for the studio to show the acting legs of Sale who pretty much just walks, sits and then tells a story about the dog. I thought Sale handled the role quite well and he certainly managed to give that Southern twang and good spirited performance. I guess it goes without saying that we get an obvious twist and while this isn't anything ground breaking it's at least a pleasant way to kill a few minutes.

I was up late at night (or morning?) about 4 years ago watching the classic movies channel, and they showed this little short. If you didn't know, this short is about an old man who has to take his dog Shep into the woods and put him down (because Shep is so old). It has been a while since I've seen it, but as far as I can remember most of the movie was scenes of the man walking with his dog far into the woods, talking to him, remembering how faithful and helpful he had been to his master over the years. He shoots his gun, but comes home with the dog still alive. He is asked why the dog is still alive. "I missed!" he says happily.

Although he looked much older, Chic Sale was only 51 when this film debuted. Sale made a career out of playing cantankerous old men--something he did convincingly well even in his 40s.

"Old Shep" is a highly sentimental short film--perhaps too sentimental. However, it does have some lovely cinematography and at least looked nice. It begins with the vet telling the farmer (Sale) that his dog, Old Shep, is too old and sick and should be put to sleep. However, the farmer just can't bring himself to kill his dog. And, believe it or not, that IS the entire film!! If you are looking for a complete story, this is NOT a film to watch. Old Shep is old and sickly and dying--and when the film ends, none of this has been resolved. However, the acting is good and Warner Brothers did a nice job in creating a nice sentimental sort of picture.