The Shaggy Dog

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The Shaggy Dog

G

1959

1h 44m

Kids & Family

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

68%

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19 Reviews

48%

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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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TIME Magazine

Mar 9, 2009

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

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Variety Staff

Variety

May 12, 2008

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

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Howard Thompson

New York Times

Mar 25, 2006

2/5

Brisk but unrewarding.

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Moira Walsh

The Catholic World

Nov 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.

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

Dec 5, 2019

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

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Polly M. Robertus

Common Sense Media

Jan 2, 2011

4/5

A lovable mutt of a classic comedy.

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rylee K

@germiez Sep 11, 2026

One if the cutest movies I have watched! Sort of has 3 different plots going on all at once.

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José M

@Jmortel743 Jan 6, 2026

1959's precursor of James Cameron's Avatar trilogy(2009-2025)

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Joel H

@786Joel Aug 15, 2025

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.

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Russell H

@RT85733992 Sep 12, 2023

Silly but just enough comedy with the goofy father.

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Jeffrey M

@RT01695930 Jun 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.

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Blobbo X

@Blobbo Mar 21, 2022

Movie fun for 10 year old boys when came out.

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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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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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