The Shaggy Dog

G

Released Mar 19, 1959

1h 44m

Kids & Family

Comedy

List

70%

20 Reviews

Tomatometer

48%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

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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Russell H

Silly but just enough comedy with the goofy father.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

09/12/23

Full Review

Jeffrey M

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/14/23

Full Review

J J

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!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/14/23

Full Review

Josh G

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/22/23

Full Review

Stephen C

F**k this sh*t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

04/17/24

Full Review

david l

The Shaggy Dog was a huge movie back when it was released, but nowadays its impact has been significantly blunted. It's a live-action Disney family flick that is overly silly, but fun in its story. The pacing is all over the place and some plot elements worked less than others, but the humor was admittedly solid here, and Fred MacMurray was very memorable in the first of his many gigs for the studio that he did in his career's final stage. This is an odd, but pleasantly endearing and goofy children's flick.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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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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TIME Magazine

Unhappily, Producer Walt Disney tells his shaggy-dog story so doggedly that he soon runs it into the pound.

Mar 9, 2009

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

There are a good many laughs on this simple premise and the script's exploitation of them.

May 12, 2008

Full Review

Howard Thompson

New York Times

Brisk but unrewarding.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 25, 2006

Full Review

Moira Walsh

The Catholic World

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.

Nov 28, 2023

Full Review

Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Although played very broadly for what the industry calls bellylaffs, it adds up to an enjoyable family show.

Dec 5, 2019

Full Review

Polly M. Robertus

Common Sense Media

A lovable mutt of a classic comedy.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 2, 2011

Full Review

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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
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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