Presented by Universal, “A Popular Variety View: 1-A Dogs” (1943) is a short highlighting the role of military dogs during World War II. Narrated by Tom Shirley and produced by Joseph O’Brien and Thomas Mead, the film opens with footage of various dog breeds trained by Hollywood dog trainer Carl Spitz. Spitz is most famous for owning and training the female Cairn Terrier Terry who portrayed Toto in The Wizard of Oz. He is also renowned for developing the method of using silent hand signals to direct an animal. The film also features footage of military dogs training with U.S. Paratroopers as they jump from a Douglas C-47. The United States Military first recruited dogs in 1942 and around 20,000 dogs ultimately served the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps.
German Shepherd stares at camera, title text, credits overlaid (0:07). Woman in 1940s-style skirt suit struggles to keep pace with Dalmatian as they walk along sidewalk of suburban neighborhood (0:21). Another woman approaches the pair while walking a small lap dog (0:32). Great Dane sits with chain collar on retro 1940s kitchen floor (0:39). (0:43). Perhaps mature female Border Collie plays with puppies in penned area of garden (0:43). Perhaps Bernese puppies sit together in grass along picket fence (2:09). Airedale Terrier puppies play in mud pen, push ball around (1:12). Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies eat kibble out of large communal bowl (1:29). Young girl hugs American Cocker Spaniel puppy to her chest, girl and younger brother play with puppies on grass lawn (1:40). Hollywood dog trainer Carl Spitz runs in backyard with Great Dane, close-up of Spitz’s hand on collar demonstrating choke lead (1:58). Spitz guides Great Dane through training course, Great Dane jumps over various sized hurdles (2:56). Scottish Terrier wriggles open fence gate, sits and stands for trainer (3:25). Perhaps Bernese Mountain Dog stands with Spitz, close-up of Spitz’s hands as he exemplifies commands (3:46). Perhaps Bernese Mountain Dog picks up wicker basket with mouth, feeds fawns from basket (4:50). Doberman and Beauceron stand side by side wearing chain collars, Doberman speeds through obstacle course and runs across field (5:24). Doberman scales tall wall, uses teeth to open doorknob of a tree house (5:56). German Shepherd lays on grass while trainer holds leash in hand, dog pants with tongue out of mouth while eyes track people around it (6:17). Two men help each other into special suits, arm padding for stunts and training (6:20). Close-up of stunt man loading bullets into barrel of perhaps Colt Official Revolver, shoots Spitz, German Shepherd lunges at stuntman and bites into his arm (6:36). Stuntman performs another stunt from upper level of a fake house, aims revolver once again at Spitz and shoots, dog scales facade of building before biting stuntman’s arm once again (6:50). Perhaps U.S. Coast Guard or Navy men in black coats stand at attention holding dogs and their leashes in choke lead along outer wall of a wood-paneled barn house, two men in long black coats walk down path and inspect the men and their dogs (7:12). Cadet performs Bugle Call on trumpet over WWII-era U.S. Army Pup Tent with small puppies napping in U.S. Army combat helmets (7:30). U.S. Military Paratroopers squat on tarmac and attach parachutes to back of puppies, Douglas C-47 in background (7:45). Paratroopers place puppies into pocket of uniform before getting into Douglas C-47 (7:56). Underside of paratrooper as after deploying T-10 parachute (8:10). Two Long-Haired Labradors wear 1940’s US Navy White Dixie Cup, US Marine Corps wool Hartman Hat (8:26). Aerial view of perhaps Diamond T 4-ton 6×6 truck driving into defense post, close-up of perhaps American Pit Bull Terrier, German Shepherds (8:30). Dogs training in battle practice maneuver through barbed wire fence barrier (8:52). U.S. Navy men in U.S. 1940s enlisted service dress white uniform walk with dogs on a leash at base camp (9:01).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
