Wonder Dogs! Canine Stars of the Silent Era (Kino Lorber) – Blu-ray Review (1 Viewer)

[Patrick McCart]

Kino Lorber, in collaboration with Library of Congress, present Wonder Dogs! Canine Stars of the Silent Era, an eight-hour compilation of dog-themed silent cinema ranging from 1898 to 1928, from new digital preservations and with newly recorded musical scores.



Disc Information



Studio: Other
Distributed By: Kino Lorber
Video Resolution: 1080P/AVC



Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: Other



Subtitles: Other
Rating: Not Rated



Run Time: 7 Hr. 57 Min.
Package Includes: Blu-ray



Case Type: Elite



Disc Type: BD50 (dual layer)
Region: ABC



Release Date: 05/20/2025
MSRP: $39.95



The Production: 4/5
Kino Lorber has been releasing these fantastic silent-era collections ranging from large multi-disc sets like Pioneers: Early Women...

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[Patrick McCart]

Here's a bunch of screenshots from the films, for those who want some silent-era dog goodness and also to show the varied image quality.

 

[Mike Frezon]

Hey Patrick! Thanks for the review...AND all those images from the release.

Pete and Sophie are really looking forward to their viewing party when this disc arrives at our house tomorrow!

We don't suppose you saw any Golden Retrievers in any of the films when you were giving it a look for your review.......?!?

 

[Bert Greene]

I was especially thrilled at being able to see one of Fox's super-rare Tom Mix films, "Teeth" (1924). It delivered nicely, even if Mix had to share the action with his canine partner. Also fun to see a pre-stardom George Bancroft in the role of the villain. The other feature I'd never seen before, "The Sign of the Claw" (1926-Gotham), starring the dog star Peter the Great, also turned out to be a pretty good low-budget B-action yarn. A lot of zip to it, despite having perpetual low-t Edward Hearn as the nominal 'human' lead.

The other features I'd seen before, but the prints look so much better here. Especially "The Law's Lash" (1928-Pathe), which really allows you to enjoy the scenic backdrop. Which is good, because the film itself is pretty pokey and cliched, and not really all that good. But I did get a kick out of the early villainy from shifty-eyed LeRoy Mason, soon to be such a fixture in b-westerns. "His Master's Voice" (1926-Gotham) has a lot more merit, with particularly good acting for a poverty-row item, as well as some really nice atmosphere. Having the dog star, Thunder, 'narrate' the story is a real cute touch, and Thunder is really good in it. I'm still not crazy about the whole 'coward finds his courage' narrative, which I tend to find more frustrating than entertaining. As for "The Sky Rider" (1927-Chesterfield), I used to expect something in the vein of Universal's Al Wilson aviation films, but it's not. In fact, the film is totally idiotic hokum. The scene of Champion the dog in the biplane, high up in the sky, suddenly doing some 'wing walking' and then jumping onto the wing of the villain's plane and then attacking him, is too ridiculous for words. Like something you'd expect to read in a 'G-8 and his Battle Aces' pulp mag. The whole film is a bit dingbat.

As for the short films, I really liked those with Jean, the Vitagraph dog (circa 1910). Antique stuff, for sure, but great fun. Also gave a nice spotlight to Florence Turner, and I can see why she gained popularity, becoming one of the very first movie stars (if not the very first, depending on how one defines stardom). I'd never seen a Buster Brown comedy, and this one here, "Buster's Bust-Up" (1925), and its brand of humor, wasn't particularly my cup of tea. But anything is better than that Dippy-Doo-Dad one-reeler here, "The Watchdog" (1925-Roach). Yipe! That one was truly painful. Thank goodness we got a very, very funny Charley Chase short, "Dog Shy" (1926-Roach) to cleanse the palate. That was a nice little gem. All in all, an enjoyable collection. Hope Kino Classics can come up with some more interestingly-themed sets like this.