Mi amigo el lobo

Caught this back in the 1970s. A local TV station showed it uncut and with NO commercial interruptions (which never happened back then). I saw it and loved it! Never forgot it.

It's about a little girl whose parents have no time for her and has a cruel nanny. Near the house is a training center for dogs to use in the war. One escapes, meets the little girl and they immediately become friends. She never wants him to go...but he is needed by the military and they track him down. What will happen? Don't worry--it has happy endings all around:) Sure it's predictable and highly illogical but it works! The acting is good, the dog is cute and the ending will have everybody going "awwwwwwww" with a smile:) Cute little movie. PERFECT for kids.

Like the films of Rin Tin Tin or Lassie, My Pal, Wolf plays on viewer's affections for dogs and their relationships with humans, with emphasis on the loyalty of dogs, and anthropomorphizing their behaviors. Wolf is a German shepherd found by a young girl. The two become fast friends and each has an opportunity to "save" the other. Some of the human characters are nicely acted, though caricatures. Anyone who is a sucker for dog films will probably love this one. There are a couple of scenes which qualify as tearjerkers.

Since this film was made mid-World War II, it also carries the expected patriotic message. It seems "Wolf" is actually owned by the U.S. military. During war times, citizens are always called upon to sacrifice for the war effort. Sacrifice is practically the definition of patriotism during wartime. War time movies also usually have what we might call a propaganda message. In this case, it has to do with the duties of military dogs. This film emphasizes the humanitarian services that these dogs provide, such as transport of medicines.

Were these dogs really used much for transporting medicines on the battlefield? If you refer to Wikipedia's article about "Dogs in Warfare", you will find a description of the wartime uses of dogs, including WWII.

The wartime aspect of the story is the minor part, however. The focus is one the love of a girl for her dog and the dog for the girl. The young actress acquits herself well, though the story is a little trite.