This movie was originally shown as a three part mini-series as an "ABC Weekend Special" in 1980 and was replayed several times following. If you love dog stories or films about canine situations, you will no doubt enjoy this animated feature. While "Scruffy" was created for Saturday morning TV, it plays very well as a feature length film. The story is centered around a Springer Spaniel puppy, who after being orphaned struggles to survive as a stray in a large city. Along the way she encounters various humans both good and bad, challenging situations, and befriends a tough but lovable male Pit Bull Terrier who serves as a friend and protector. The film sends a strong message concerning the hardships endured by stray dogs, and while "Scruffy" is kid friendly, the producers did not sugar-coat the fact that unwanted or discarded canines are destroyed if they do not find a home. In the end the viewer is left feeling happy about the story's outcome, but at the same time reminded that the unwanted pet population is a problem that will not go away anytime soon and that it is up to the human population of the world to be responsible for a solution. All in all a nice story that will please any fan of dog related movies or admirers of classic Saturday Morning animation.
10 Reviews
Ruby Spears pulls at the heart and watches the tears fall.....
jay-dobrow4 October 2006
There were many memorable short films during the run of ABC's "Weekend Special", which started in the 1970's, but this particular offering from Ruby Spears Enterprises in 1980 was(and still is) probably one of the most remembered, primarily for its tragic content that wasn't usually found in many children's cartoons back then, except of course in feature films like "Bambi" or "The Fox and the Hound". "Scruffy" was in fact a more depressing children's story in literary form than the finished product that came onto TV screens and home video. The plot surrounds a stray puppy searching for a home. It's a pretty simple premise granted. The problem in this case, for television anyway, seemed to be about dealing with the horrible situations given in the book and yet make it marketable for a child. Many scenes, joyfully reminiscent of classic Saturday Morning TV material, obviously were put in for a lighter viewing. Even with this, the cartoon is still a dark and actually even upsetting account of the lives of unwanted animals. In truth, you would have to be made of stone not to be touched by this, which some people consider a "guilt trip" of sorts. The actors were mostly TV celebs you have seen or heard of at least one time or another. Hans Conried, remembered mostly for his wonderful roles as "Captain Hook" from Peter Pan and "Snidely Whiplash" from the Bullwinkle show brings in a nice performance as street performer Joseph Tibbles. Nancy McKeon of "The Division" really keeps the drama in motion as orphaned Scruffy. "Rugrats" and "Transformers" favorite Michael Bell was a good choice for the tough but kind hearted Butch. June Foray, of course is wonderful(and if you don't know who she is you have not been watching enough cartoons) as well as cartoon vets Janet Waldo and Frank Welker. Should you watch this? If you are too soft hearted, I would keep my distance. For those who are interested, keep the tissues handy. It is practically the "Beaches" or "Terms of Endearment" of Saturday morning kid specials.
The Dogs' Lives.
Dawalk-11 August 2015
Although this isn't among my favorite animated ABC Weekend Specials, I still found this okay. As usual, I first caught this on Youtube a few months ago. This story follows the hardships of the eponymous, young, girl puppy and how she is forced to go through them. Not only is this a story about this particular dog's life, but that of the other dogs featured here. One of Scruffy's predicaments is she and her mother, Duchess, having to escape a house fire. Others are after she and Duchess leave their temporary new owners home to search for their original masters, Duchess ends up getting slain by a hunter and when a third temporary owner, a homeless street performer named Mr. Tibbles ends up dying following a mugging incident. Although there are some tragedies involved in this, it's not completely bad and sad. It has its funny moments too, like among the fellow dogs Scruffy meets at a junkyard, there's one who is a drunk. There are a couple of Disney references in this, (i.e. Scruffy's mother's homicide being reminiscent of Bambi's mother's murder). Another reviewer who mentioned the end of this when Scruffy is all grown up and has puppies with Butch is reminiscent of Lady and the Tramp. That reviewer also mentioned that it's doggy incest, but how can that be so when Scruffy and Butch aren't even related? Anyway, this is basically a tale that serves as a social commentary to the plight of stray animals.
Dedicated to my wife
bigwig_thalyi29 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This is the most poignant,heart wrenching cartoon that I have ever seen.My wife has been telling me for years how moving this cartoon is but it was only when I saw it that I realised what she meant. From the moment Scruffy's mother was abandoned by her owners ,at the start of the film,you realise that you are about to see a very special movie but you are unprepared for how special this cartoon really is. Throughout the first quarter of an hour of "Scruffy" you should be trying to hold back the tears but when Scruffy loses her mother ,if you have any heart,then the floodgates should open.From this point in the movie i was moved to tears and don't think i have ever been so moved by a cartoon. Scruffy finds many friends along the way, including an old hobo,and from adventure to adventure she certainly finds a friend in the viewer. You know this cartoon probably has a happy ending but until the poignant finally you are not quite sure. In conclusion;The animation may be simple,the story may be easy to follow but this little nugget of rare gold teaches about empathy towards others,friendship and how to treat our fellow travellers on the journey of life. A classic cartoon with the perfect score 10/10
Irresistable. You'll need tissues.
Cylex7 August 2001
One of the cutest films ever. An adorable stray puppy finds friends & foes on the streets. The animation is simple, yet charming. There are several scenes that leave me in tears but these are well mixed in with humour, loyalty, friendship, bravery & trust. Everyone should see it. My rating 8/10
Good movie with an important message, but rough on reality
laurel423 October 2001
Wonderful movie from my childhood. Kinda rough considering it talks about poor deserted animals and kill shelters. However, my 4 year old loved it and he named our dog, which we got from a shelter, after the title character. It also did teach my son about the importance of shelters and adopting a pet from one.
Love this movie
lovealot12108 August 2021
One of few that has stuck with me since childhood
tbisca16 December 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This is absolutely my favorite cartoon ever made. It pains me,however, that not many people know about it. It is a heartfelt story of a stray puppy and the trials and tribulations that Scruffy must face. It is a combination of Bambi and Lady and the Tramp. It is unique in it's own right because of the interesting story line and good writing. I have loved it since I was old enough to remember and I am now 22. It is one that should be considered a classic in the cartoon world but is not. I recommend it to anyone who loves cartoons and especially the ones about animals. I just wish that they would put it on DVD because my VHS copy is so worn down!
The scariest movie ever CONTAINS SPOILERS
savantelle7 September 2004
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this movie about fifteen years ago, and I was shocked at how horrible it was then. Looking back, I wonder why such a frightening movie was released to kids. A summary is as follows: [WARNING, total spoilers] Scruffy is a single birth to a mother dog. Their owners have to move from their house because it's condemned and they can't take the dogs, so they leave them in the yard for a neighbor to pick up. The mother dog is confused and hides in the house, which the demolition team soon sets ablaze.
She climbs the chimney to safety, pup in tow. They are adopted by a firefighter, but soon Scruffy's mom gets wanderlust and the two set off again. In a scene reminiscent of Bambi, Scruffy's mother gets gunned down. Now the poor lost dog is orphaned, lost, and did I mention that it's winter?
While hiding in a park, she meets a hobo who takes her in, and the two live blissfully under a bridge. He teaches Scruffy how to perform tricks, and they manage to make a living off the change people throw at the dog walking on her hind legs. (But how much money does a homeless guy need?) One night, the hobo gets mugged, and is so distraught by the attack that he spills the tonic that he needs to calm himself down. He collapses, an ambulance comes and he dies. Meanwhile, Scruffy manages to fall into the river, and is rescued by a junkyard dog right before she drowns. She lives with them then, one is a drunken Great Dane and one is a Collie who thinks an old boot is her dead puppy. They get into tangles and fights with other junkyard dogs and then eventually wind up in the pound. Just before Scruffy and this other dog are about to be euthanized they are adopted by this family, and I think Scruffy wins a beauty pageant and she also has a big pile of puppies. While it does end OK (I guess, even though it's sort of doggie incest), I personally was disgusted by the unhappy nature of this movie. I will never share it with my children.
She climbs the chimney to safety, pup in tow. They are adopted by a firefighter, but soon Scruffy's mom gets wanderlust and the two set off again. In a scene reminiscent of Bambi, Scruffy's mother gets gunned down. Now the poor lost dog is orphaned, lost, and did I mention that it's winter?
While hiding in a park, she meets a hobo who takes her in, and the two live blissfully under a bridge. He teaches Scruffy how to perform tricks, and they manage to make a living off the change people throw at the dog walking on her hind legs. (But how much money does a homeless guy need?) One night, the hobo gets mugged, and is so distraught by the attack that he spills the tonic that he needs to calm himself down. He collapses, an ambulance comes and he dies. Meanwhile, Scruffy manages to fall into the river, and is rescued by a junkyard dog right before she drowns. She lives with them then, one is a drunken Great Dane and one is a Collie who thinks an old boot is her dead puppy. They get into tangles and fights with other junkyard dogs and then eventually wind up in the pound. Just before Scruffy and this other dog are about to be euthanized they are adopted by this family, and I think Scruffy wins a beauty pageant and she also has a big pile of puppies. While it does end OK (I guess, even though it's sort of doggie incest), I personally was disgusted by the unhappy nature of this movie. I will never share it with my children.
Movie from my childhood
Kenny-2410 November 1999
My grandma got me this movie when she use to work at K-Mart. From the time I was 2 to the time I was about 6 this was the only movie that I had that I would ever watch. Yesterday I found it sitting way in the back of an old entertainment center and I watched like 10 minutes of it and all those childhood memories came back. The animation is pretty bad compared to cartoons now but it was good for a toddler growing up in the 80's (like me).
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