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AbstractHistoryArchive Description
When George, a disaster-prone zoo attendant, accidentally discovers a substance that accelerates motion, he tests it on a prize-winning greyhound. The dog is subsequently able to run even faster. A gang of villains kidnap the dog and attempt to substitute it in a big race. Not only do George and his friends eventually foil their plan, but their own dog also wins the race. The Brisbane Courier's film critic records that 'Gone To The Dogs is a farce and it is funny...it is probably the most laughable film that Australian studios have produced. The film makes no pretensions to sophistication or depth. It is clowning plus clowning plus clowning, but it is good clowning'. (21 August 1939, p. 4)
Notes
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The fifth of George Wallace's films, Gone To The Dogs, followed fairly closely the formula of his previous release, Let George Do It (1938). As with that film, Ken G. Hall included a romantic sub-plot, along with several song and dance sequences and self-contained comedy routines. Two of the songs incorporated into the narrative for Gone To The Dogs were the Wallace composition 'We'll Build A Little Home,' and 'Gone to the Dogs' (music by Henry Kripps with lyrics by Harry Allen). The Brisbane Courier says of these attempts at musical comedy, one "scene is good enough in itself, but it goes astray because it is introduced abruptly and unreasonably" (21 August 1939, p.4).
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Gone to the Dogs was considerably shortened for its release in England in 1940.
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Further reference:
- Andrew Pike and Ross Cooper. Australian Film 1900-1977, A Guide to Feature Film Production (1980), p.242.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
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Australian Farce Rich in Laughs
1939
single work
review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 21 August 1939; (p. 4)
— Review of Gone to the Dogs 1939 single work film/TV
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Australian Farce Rich in Laughs
1939
single work
review
— Appears in: The Courier-Mail , 21 August 1939; (p. 4)
— Review of Gone to the Dogs 1939 single work film/TV
Last amended 3 Feb 2014 13:29:28
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