Spike
Acting
Biography
Spike (1952–1962) was a lop-eared yellow Mastador (Mastiff/Labrador Retriever crossbreed) and a dog actor best known for his performance as the title character in the 1957 film Old Yeller, in which he co-starred with Tommy Kirk, Beverly Washburn, Dorothy McGuire, Fess Parker, and Kevin Corcoran. Spike was rescued as a pup from a shelter in Van Nuys, California, and became the pet and pupil of animal trainer Frank Weatherwax. Spike also appeared as Patrasche in 20th Century Fox's A Dog of Flanders with Donald Crisp and David Ladd in 1959 and as King in the 1956 film The She-Creature. In 1961, Spike was the star of The Silent Call, playing as Pete with Roger Mobley, David McLean and Gail Russell; the entire film focused on his efforts to reunite with his human family who had been forced to leave him behind while traveling from Nevada to California. Various television episodes of the period in which Spike appeared included The Mickey Mouse Club and Lassie, and he appeared in every episode of The Westerner with Brian Keith.
Known For
Young Travis Coates is left to take care of the family ranch with his mother and younger brother while his father goes off on a cattle drive in the 1860s. When a yellow mongrel comes for an uninvited stay with the family, Travis reluctantly adopts the dog.
Old Yeller
A mysterious hypnotist reverts his beautiful assistant back into the form of a prehistoric sea monster that she was in a past life.
The She-Creature
The emotional story of a boy, his grandfather, and his dog. The boy's dream of becoming a great classical painter appears shattered when his loving grandfather dies.
A Dog of Flanders
Young Guy Brancato and parents have to move from Elko, Nevada to Los Angeles, California, they are unable to take Guy's dog Pete. Guy is angry at his parents and even more distressed when he learns that Pete has run away from the neighbor who was tending him. But Pete has plans to travel to Los Angeles on his own.
The Silent Call
This installment looks at the dogs who have starred in Disney films, past and present. The program ends with a preview of the upcoming theatrical film The Shaggy D.A., in which host Dean Jones just happens to star. The program also features a song called "Hollywood Hound", written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn. The program reaired in 1981, updated to promote The Fox and the Hound. Another version was released on home video overseas in the 1980s.