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The Shaggy Dog

Play trailer Poster for The Shaggy Dog G 1959 1h 44m Kids & Family Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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68% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 48% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
The son of dog-hating former mailman Wilson Daniels (Fred MacMurray), young Wilby (Tommy Kirk) accidentally becomes a canine himself when he stumbles upon an ancient curse. Inadvertently invoking a magical spell engraved on a centuries-old ring, Wilby begins turning into a sheepdog at unpredictable times, only to later return to human form. As if this wasn't enough for Wilby, he overhears a plot to steal secret government information while in dog form, leading to unexpected adventure.
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The Shaggy Dog

Critics Reviews

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TIME Magazine 03/09/2009
Unhappily, Producer Walt Disney tells his shaggy-dog story so doggedly that he soon runs it into the pound. Go to Full Review Variety Staff Variety 05/12/2008
There are a good many laughs on this simple premise and the script's exploitation of them. Go to Full Review Howard Thompson New York Times 03/25/2006
2/5
Brisk but unrewarding. Go to Full Review Moira Walsh The Catholic World 11/28/2023
It is a real shaggy dog story in the sense of having neither explanation nor point. It is intelligently made however and surprisingly likeable especially for youngsters. Also its lunatic premise gives rise to some pricelessly funny bits. Go to Full Review Clyde Gilmour Maclean's Magazine 12/05/2019
Although played very broadly for what the industry calls bellylaffs, it adds up to an enjoyable family show. Go to Full Review Polly M. Robertus Common Sense Media 01/02/2011
4/5
A lovable mutt of a classic comedy. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Joel H Aug 15 I find it fascinating that The Shaggy Dog was the second-highest grossing film of 1959. Yes, this live-action Disney comedy is fun to watch, but putting it just under the big-budget, epic drama Ben-Hur just seems odd. It also outperformed such cinematic classics as Some Like It Hot, Rio Bravo, and North by Northwest at the box office. I also found it interesting how many of the visual effects still hold up. Not all of them, of course, some of the movie looks pretty hokey now, but Disney did a great job for 1959. I enjoyed watching The Shaggy Dog as a kid and my kids seemed to enjoy it, as well. See more Russell H 09/12/2023 Silly but just enough comedy with the goofy father. See more Jeffrey M 06/14/2023 The Shaggy Dog is a boring movie. I watched it kind of a long time ago, but I remember it was super boring. I watched it, and it couldn't figure out what was even happening. I know this movie is really old, but the movie makers could have done better. What a bad movie. See more J J 05/14/2023 I absolutely love this movie!! It is so cute and adorable and Chiffon the dog is adorable! It's just a good wholesome movie with a lot of underlying meaning behind it! The special effects are really cool for being 1959 as well! Why the low reviews is beyond me, you can't judge movies from today's perspectives- people are absolutely clueless…This is a Walt Disney classic!! A definitely must-see!!! See more Josh G 03/22/2023 A charming and middle of the road live action Disney movie. The films begins in the odd and moves to a boy turning into a dog because a magic ring and he blew up his house making a rocket. Then they have stop government secrets from leaving the country. The jokes are few and far between but the dog is cute. The finally is fun but leaves alot to be desired. See more 03/21/2022 Movie fun for 10 year old boys when came out. See more Read all reviews
The Shaggy Dog

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Cast & Crew

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Charles Barton

Director

Fred MacMurray

Wilson Daniels

Jean Hagen

Freeda Daniels

Tommy Kirk

Wilby Daniels

Annette Funicello

Allison D'Allessio

Tim Considine

Buzz Miller

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The Shaggy Dog

The Shaggy Dog (1959) The Shaggy Dog (1959) The Shaggy Dog (1959) The Shaggy Dog (1959) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis The son of dog-hating former mailman Wilson Daniels (Fred MacMurray), young Wilby (Tommy Kirk) accidentally becomes a canine himself when he stumbles upon an ancient curse. Inadvertently invoking a magical spell engraved on a centuries-old ring, Wilby begins turning into a sheepdog at unpredictable times, only to later return to human form. As if this wasn't enough for Wilby, he overhears a plot to steal secret government information while in dog form, leading to unexpected adventure.
Director
Charles Barton
Producer
Walt Disney
Screenwriter
Bill Walsh, Lillie Hayward
Distributor
Buena Vista Distribution Co. Inc.
Rating
G
Genre
Kids & Family, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Mar 19, 1959, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jul 1, 2015
Runtime
1h 44m
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