Friday, September 22, 2017

Dear Abby - Famous TV Dogs: Rin Tin Tin

Dear Friends,

When I asked my Facebook friends for favorite TV dogs, several people answered Rin Tin Tin.  My Momma and I have heard of this dog, and knew he was a handsome German Shepherd, but neither of us have seen the old TV show.  So it was fun to learn more!
Rin Tin Tin was a German Shepherd dog.  Much like Lassie, Rin Tin Tin originally starred in a series of movies (1922 - 1947).  And, also like Lassie, Rin Tin Tin was played by a series of different dogs.

The TV series The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin was a children's series on ABC, and it aired from 1954 - 1959.  It was the story of a little boy named Rusty who lived on a U.S. Calvary post called Fort Apache.  (The series was filmed on the set of the John Ford movie Fort Apache.)  Rusty had a special friend named Rin Tin Tin.  He was initially played by a dog named Rin Tin Tin IV (a descendent of the movie star dog), and later by a German Shepherd named Flame, Jr.

Rin Tin Tin was later mentioned in the novel Sunnyside by Glen David Gold and Rin Tin Tin: The Life and Legend by Susan Orlean.

Anne Frank wrote in her diary that she wished she had a dog like Rin Tin Tin (June 14, 1942).

Like Lassie, Rin Tin Tin was popular in toys and books for children.  A few examples include this comic book:


This Marx toys Fort Apache playset (note little Rin Tin Tin figure):


... and even a toy gun:

Here is a short video with the opening and closing credits for The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin:



Thank you for visiting today!  I hope you enjoyed reading about Rin Tin Tin.  Have you seen this TV show before?

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

14 comments:

The Peculiar Treasure said...

Ohhhhhh! You know, I had heard of Rin Tin Tin, but had no idea what/who it was. Thanks for sharing "Abby" ;)

Kraus House Mom said...

When I was little there were reruns of Rin Tin Tin on before or after my shows (Sesame Street and The Electric Company). I would watch after preschool.

Jerry Marquardt said...

Go, Rinty!!! I am glad to say it is back on at 5 in the morning Saturdays on Antenna-TV so I set the recorder. Lt. Rip Masters, Sgt. O'Hara and Cpl. Rusty, together. What a team, the only thing missing was the Lone Ranger, who did make it on Lassie. My favorite episode is where they go on a Northern trip and Rinty ends up having to join a wolf pack after killing the master wolf. I almost thought it was the final episode, but in this two-parter, he came back after a long time, and the look on Rusty's face couldn't be topped!

Raising Your Pets Naturally with Tonya Wilhelm said...

So much fun! I have to admit, I never really caught any episodes of Rin Tin Tin. Looks like I missed out.

Parenting Patch said...

I must admit that I have never seen an episode of Rin Tin Tin. I totally know who the famous dog is though!

aclassyfashionista said...

Oh this is too fun! I have never watched Rin Tin Tin, but I think that I may have heard of it before. Loved learning a little Rin Tin Tin history!

Neely said...

I've never seen rin tin tin but It sounds super cute! I love learning more about tv dogs!

Brandy Ellen said...

It's so cool that there are so many famous animals, I never did see this show but Have heard about it before.

valmg @ Mom Knows It All said...

I do remember seeing Rin Tin Tin a couple of times. I didn't watch it regularly but my husband did and he liked it.

Sherry Clitheroe (writing as Abigail Leigh Reed) said...

It's so fun to see old time TV shows. Rin Tin Tin was long before my time, but I think I remember seeing some reruns when I was a kid.

Anonymous said...

Rin Tin Tin was long before my time but I have seen it! I love going back and watching old movies it is so much fun!

Mary Huckaby said...

Hi Abby! Thank you for the great memory refresher on Rin Tin Tin! I could never forget the beautiful German Shepherd who played the role, but I had forgotten the rest of the cast. This was one of my childhood favorites. After reading the rest of your viewer's comments, I feel kind of old though. LOL!

GingerMommy said...

This so neat to see. I love watching old TV shows.

Abby said...

Dear Friends,

Thanks for stopping by! I enjoyed reading your memories of Rin Tin Tin. Hope you have a great day!

Love,
Abby xoxoxo