I remember seeing this short film when it first aired on Amazing Stories in 1987 and I thought that it was the funniest thing I had ever seen. Every character (including the dog who is silent) was extremely funny. I have never forgotten it and was looking for it all over the place (thank heaven for the internet). I watched it, and although the animation is not on par with anything that is out today, it is still probably one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my life. I cannot get it out of my mind (I think the same thing as the robber at the end, every morning when I have to walk my dogs). If you can, find it...If you can't, find it anyway, it will surely crack you up, dog lover or not.
11 Reviews
It seems to have NOTHING to do with "Amazing Stories" but it's very good.
planktonrules23 June 2015
This episode of "Amazing Stories" is nothing like any other and it really doesn't seem to fit the show's format in the least. I assume the network didn't know where to air this pilot and just stuck the "Amazing Stories" label on it as an afterthought. How is it so different? It's a cartoon!
"Family Dog" is the life of a dog from its point of view. So, as the family yells at it and behave towards the dog, the dog's motivations are explored in this cute cartoon. It's made up of three interrelated stories and apparently the network folks liked it enough that they okayed a series--one that took a very long time to debut and which ultimately failed--probably because the idea was good but not enough to sustain a series. Still, in its original form it's cute, well animated and clever. And, by the way, the third segment involving burglars is by far the best--and it's very funny.
"Family Dog" is the life of a dog from its point of view. So, as the family yells at it and behave towards the dog, the dog's motivations are explored in this cute cartoon. It's made up of three interrelated stories and apparently the network folks liked it enough that they okayed a series--one that took a very long time to debut and which ultimately failed--probably because the idea was good but not enough to sustain a series. Still, in its original form it's cute, well animated and clever. And, by the way, the third segment involving burglars is by far the best--and it's very funny.
It's a dog's life...
sonnyschlaegel10 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
... for the Binfords' dog in this (the only) animated episode of 'Amazing Stories'. Part 1: The children play with the dog, but it's more like torture for him. And he doesn't like the cheap food that Ma Binford gives him. Will he find a way to get out?
Part 2: Two burglars rob the Binfords' home, and the dog is not able to stop them. Mr Binford brings him to Miss Lestrange's dog training camp, where he is trained to be more aggressive. But it seems they don't teach him how to tell right from wrong: first he attacks the burglars, but then he also attacks a policeman. He even starts a criminal career with the burglars. Will he get on the right path again or not?
(Perhaps there are actually three parts. After part 1, they watch a Christmas home movie; that passage may be a separate part.)
I liked the second part better than the first. I think it's funnier. But part 1 is still o.k., and it's much shorter than part 2. I liked the passage after the dog has returned from the training camp best; the way he catches one of the burglars, and his subsequent criminal career. And I liked the animation; it looks really good.
All in all, a good episode in my opinion, but I like the episodes better that have more horror, mystery, or sci-fi. (This is almost pure comedy. There are some good jokes, but I think there could have been more.)
Footnote: There was a spin-off series that was also called 'Family Dog' (1993), but I haven't seen it, so I don't know if it's good.
Part 2: Two burglars rob the Binfords' home, and the dog is not able to stop them. Mr Binford brings him to Miss Lestrange's dog training camp, where he is trained to be more aggressive. But it seems they don't teach him how to tell right from wrong: first he attacks the burglars, but then he also attacks a policeman. He even starts a criminal career with the burglars. Will he get on the right path again or not?
(Perhaps there are actually three parts. After part 1, they watch a Christmas home movie; that passage may be a separate part.)
I liked the second part better than the first. I think it's funnier. But part 1 is still o.k., and it's much shorter than part 2. I liked the passage after the dog has returned from the training camp best; the way he catches one of the burglars, and his subsequent criminal career. And I liked the animation; it looks really good.
All in all, a good episode in my opinion, but I like the episodes better that have more horror, mystery, or sci-fi. (This is almost pure comedy. There are some good jokes, but I think there could have been more.)
Footnote: There was a spin-off series that was also called 'Family Dog' (1993), but I haven't seen it, so I don't know if it's good.
The Family Dog!
mustang_jag18 May 2006
This hysterical animated short is a classic that can be enjoyed by anyone who has ever had a dog or a family or even if not, anyone who enjoys a good laugh! The animation isn't that of a top blockbuster Disney, but it's cute and the family is just odd enough to make most people feel at home.
The main story is a small dog dealing with two kids, the kids' parents, and their overall household. When the dog is left at home after indulging in too much of Mom's new recipe while the family takes in a movie, the story gets interesting. It's a small cast of characters, but each is memorable in their own right.
My only concern is that it's not long enough! It leaves me wanting another adventure of this interesting and somewhat misfortuned canine.
The main story is a small dog dealing with two kids, the kids' parents, and their overall household. When the dog is left at home after indulging in too much of Mom's new recipe while the family takes in a movie, the story gets interesting. It's a small cast of characters, but each is memorable in their own right.
My only concern is that it's not long enough! It leaves me wanting another adventure of this interesting and somewhat misfortuned canine.
Perhaps the tightest half hour of TV animation ever
kelkirk-114 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
In the Family Dog, Brad Bird was already demonstrating the brilliance that would propel him to greater fame with The Incredibles. The writing, timing, voice casting, and music are all spot on. I recorded this episode off the air in the late 80s, and my wife and I watched it repeatedly. Recently my kids (15 and 9) were wondering what this show is that we quote from all the time. Just last weekend I dug out the tape to show them. Now there's a new generation of Family Dog lovers in our house. Enjoy watching the inter-related stories of the dog suffering humiliation from every family member before engineering an escape to the outdoors, a short family holiday film, and the longer adventure of the dog failing to protect the home from thieves, being sent to attack dog training school, and... well you'll have to see.
Animated tale from the minds of 'Edward Scissorhands' and 'The Incredibles'
uruseiranma28 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The 'Amazing Stories' series was supposed to be the 'Twilight Zone' of the 1980's. No two shows were ever alike, and they always found someway to explore the human psyche. However, unlike 'Twilight Zone,' Amazing Stories' delved into a fully-animated episode, based on a story written by Oscar Winner Brad Bird, and character designs from then up-and-coming director Tim Burton (this was released almost a year before 'Beetlejuice' would be released).
The Bickfords are a typical suburban family: Dad likes to lay about watching the ball game. Mom is stuck as a typical suburban housewife, unable to possibly find fulfillment. Their son is a future homicidal maniac (anything that can be used as a weapon he loves to get his hands on), and daughter is the precocious little girl who can't shut up no matter what.
And then there's-'The Family Dog.' The bane of the Bickfords. He seems to do nothing except whatever he wants. The family is unsure what to do about him, but when it seems that he can't even prevent their house from being burglarized, the little guy is sent away for obedience training. 2 weeks later, the little guy turns into a snarling, doggy terror at the snap of your fingers (snapping them again reverts him back into a tail-wagging little scamp).
The traits of a Burton drawing are all here. The Dog's eyes exude the familiar saucer-eyed traits of man of Burton's characters, such as Vincent and Victor Van Dort.
'Family Dog' could almost be early practice for Brad Bird. Tackling dysfunctional family is one thing, but almost 15 years later to tackle one with superpowers is something completely different. The Bickfords truly act like a typical family of suburbia. no perfect white picket fences and polite conversation-they have their squabbles, chit chats, and whatnot that is so common in the 'real world.'
Of fun note is also the role of Bird as the obedience school trainer, with subtle shades of future fashion maven Edna Mode leaking through her toothy grin.
The Bickfords are a typical suburban family: Dad likes to lay about watching the ball game. Mom is stuck as a typical suburban housewife, unable to possibly find fulfillment. Their son is a future homicidal maniac (anything that can be used as a weapon he loves to get his hands on), and daughter is the precocious little girl who can't shut up no matter what.
And then there's-'The Family Dog.' The bane of the Bickfords. He seems to do nothing except whatever he wants. The family is unsure what to do about him, but when it seems that he can't even prevent their house from being burglarized, the little guy is sent away for obedience training. 2 weeks later, the little guy turns into a snarling, doggy terror at the snap of your fingers (snapping them again reverts him back into a tail-wagging little scamp).
The traits of a Burton drawing are all here. The Dog's eyes exude the familiar saucer-eyed traits of man of Burton's characters, such as Vincent and Victor Van Dort.
'Family Dog' could almost be early practice for Brad Bird. Tackling dysfunctional family is one thing, but almost 15 years later to tackle one with superpowers is something completely different. The Bickfords truly act like a typical family of suburbia. no perfect white picket fences and polite conversation-they have their squabbles, chit chats, and whatnot that is so common in the 'real world.'
Of fun note is also the role of Bird as the obedience school trainer, with subtle shades of future fashion maven Edna Mode leaking through her toothy grin.
Full Feature please
becki62611 May 2020
One of the funniest films I've ever seen.
michaelkeane-121 September 2006
This episode of "Family Dog" remains about the funniest film I have ever seen. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy it, but so did my whole family. It's now nearly 20 years since it was made, but my two daughters can still recite the entire dialog, and we still "crack-up" when we think about it!!! The expressions on the faces, the antics, the characters, the situations, are truly inspired. I was not aware, although not surprised, that there was a whole series of episodes "spinning-off" from this original, and I wouldn't mind seeing those. Sometimes, however, the follow-ons can be a little disappointing when compared with the original, especially when the original is so brilliant.
We All Have a Job to Do
Hitchcoc30 May 2014
The dog in this animated feature finds himself stuck in a typical dysfunctional family. There is a gap toothed, sociopathic son, who tortures the dog. There is a little girl who dresses him up and tortures him in other ways. The parents are a doofus dad and a whiny blaming mother. The dog weathers storm after storm. They feed him the food they don't like and when a couple burglars enter their house, he is stuck in place. This actually happens twice so he is sent to a sort of Marine camp for dogs, to become a vicious attack dog. It is successful but his new being proves to be a heavy burden where he actually goes over to the dark side. It was a cute idea to use animation and the story is quite good in the first half. For me it dragged in the post-attack dog part. He became less of a character and more of a prop. Still, it worked quite well.
Fun different one, dog becomes a hero and man of the house!
blanbrn26 December 2020
This "Amazing Stories" episode from season 2 called "Family Dog" was the only animated one of the series and it was fun and entertaining! A family husband and wife with two kids a boy and girl neglect the family dog, and he gets even more in the doghouse when upon family nights out of the house the place is robbed by two burglars! Only this dog is trained to become on guard and just downright to take a bite out of crime. Justice is served in the end K-9 type style and guess what this dog takes the place and becomes the man of the house as Lacoste wearing shirt husband and dad takes a seat on the bench outside. The animation was done by the super great Tim Burton overall fun and entertaining episode with a good story that entertained!
Oddly irrelevant animated story
Leofwine_draca10 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Kudos to the guys at AMAZING STORIES for trying something a little different with FAMILY DOG, which turns out to be an entirely animated episode of the TV show. The main character is a put-upon dog who suffers bullying from various dysfunctional family members and then internment in a kind of prison camp. The story is animated in a cheap and old fashioned kind of way, with various recognisable voice actors supplying various roles.
The problem with it is that I'm not entirely sure what the point was. I didn't feel empathy for any of the characters including the lead. There's nothing really funny or dramatic or fantastic or horrifying here. It just feels like your usual American TV product and indeed it was actually turned into a TV series in the 1990s. The director is Brad Bird, who nowadays is a Hollywood big shot.
The problem with it is that I'm not entirely sure what the point was. I didn't feel empathy for any of the characters including the lead. There's nothing really funny or dramatic or fantastic or horrifying here. It just feels like your usual American TV product and indeed it was actually turned into a TV series in the 1990s. The director is Brad Bird, who nowadays is a Hollywood big shot.
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