Everyone has heard about Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Black Stallion, Lassie and other animal superstars. But there are animal-themed films out there that have crawled, slithered or swam under everyone's pop-culture radar. Here's a list of some of those underrated movies that you may not already have gotten your hands (or hooves or paws) on.
The Cat From Outer Space (1978)
One of the many good-hearted, wacky, live-action Disney films from the 1970s, "The Cat from Outer Space" stars a tawny Abyssinian as the alien Zunar-J-5/9 Doric-4-7, who just happens to look like a cat. Ken Berry and Sandy Duncan adopt the cat (they call him Jake), and hijinks ensue when it turns out Jake needs gold to power his spaceship.
The Doberman Gang (1972)
This low-budget slapstick movie is good for a few laughs as a pack of Dobermans are trained to rob banks. (All the dogs are named after notorious gangsters.) Run-ins with the law and other chase scenes keep the action coming fast and furious. Insanely, this flick spawned two sequels.
Francis (1950)
The comedy features the great Donald O'Connor alongside Francis, a talking mule voiced by Chill Wills, among other actors. In the film, Francis saves O'Connor, who is trapped behind enemy lines in the Pacific theater during World War II. When no one believes that the army mule can talk, a general orders him to. Francis obliges, much to everyone's shock. Several popular "Francis the Talking Mule" features followed this one.
Napoleon and Samantha (1972)
A touching family drama featuring a very young Michael Douglas and an even younger Jodie Foster, this film tells the story of a young boy (Johnny Whitaker) and girl (Foster), who befriend an old circus lion. The lion protects them from a series of dangers including a puma, a bear, and a child abuser. The bear vs. lion fight is a highlight.
Never Cry Wolf (1983)
"Never Cry Wolf" is the intense story of a scientist (Charles Martin Smith) sent to the Arctic to study wolves. The movie has compelling visuals and received an Academy Award for sound. Though his assignment is to gather evidence of destruction caused by the wolves, Smith comes to empathize with their plight against local hunters. Based on an autobiographical book by renowned Canadian conservationist Farley Mowat.
Oh Heavenly Dog (1980)
Here's an odd but interesting murder mystery which involves a detective (Chevy Chase) who is killed but comes back as a dog (Benji). With co-stars Omar Sharif and Jane Seymour, as well as Chase's snarky voiceovers, this is a fun little adventure to check out.
Project X (1987)
Matthew Broderick stars in this movie about chimpanzees destined for space. Broderick is an Air Force soldier involved in the project along with Helen Hunt, an instructor teaching sign language to the apes. The pair have a change of heart and wrestle with the decision of whether or not to help the chimps escape. The films provides an interesting commentary on the use of animals in scientific pursuits.
Turner and Hooch (1989)
This movie has become something of a punchline since Tom Hanks' rise to movie superstardom -- with Hanks himself known to make occasional good-natured fun of the Hoochy Pooch -- but it doesn't take away from the real heart at the center of what's essentially an interspecies buddy-cop movie. Hanks is solid as always, and Hooch makes his mark as the most drool-covered dog in movie history.
White Fang (1991)
Based on Jack London's classic tale of a boy and his dog during the Gold Rush in Alaska, "White Fang" stars a young Ethan Hawke. The breathtaking footage of the Arctic wilderness are a big part of the show, and the performance by an Arctic husky is remarkable.
Willard (1971)
This 1970s horror thriller delivers over-the-top anarchy as one man's obsession with rats spirals out of control. A great early performance by Bruce Davidson as Willard, who fawns over his rat, Socrates. The films also stars the legendary Ernest Borgnine as Willard's angry boss. By the end of the movie, Willard's enemies are faced with rivers of rats.
The Cat From Outer Space (1978)
One of the many good-hearted, wacky, live-action Disney films from the 1970s, "The Cat from Outer Space" stars a tawny Abyssinian as the alien Zunar-J-5/9 Doric-4-7, who just happens to look like a cat. Ken Berry and Sandy Duncan adopt the cat (they call him Jake), and hijinks ensue when it turns out Jake needs gold to power his spaceship.
The Doberman Gang (1972)
This low-budget slapstick movie is good for a few laughs as a pack of Dobermans are trained to rob banks. (All the dogs are named after notorious gangsters.) Run-ins with the law and other chase scenes keep the action coming fast and furious. Insanely, this flick spawned two sequels.
Francis (1950)
The comedy features the great Donald O'Connor alongside Francis, a talking mule voiced by Chill Wills, among other actors. In the film, Francis saves O'Connor, who is trapped behind enemy lines in the Pacific theater during World War II. When no one believes that the army mule can talk, a general orders him to. Francis obliges, much to everyone's shock. Several popular "Francis the Talking Mule" features followed this one.
Napoleon and Samantha (1972)
A touching family drama featuring a very young Michael Douglas and an even younger Jodie Foster, this film tells the story of a young boy (Johnny Whitaker) and girl (Foster), who befriend an old circus lion. The lion protects them from a series of dangers including a puma, a bear, and a child abuser. The bear vs. lion fight is a highlight.
Never Cry Wolf (1983)
"Never Cry Wolf" is the intense story of a scientist (Charles Martin Smith) sent to the Arctic to study wolves. The movie has compelling visuals and received an Academy Award for sound. Though his assignment is to gather evidence of destruction caused by the wolves, Smith comes to empathize with their plight against local hunters. Based on an autobiographical book by renowned Canadian conservationist Farley Mowat.
Oh Heavenly Dog (1980)
Here's an odd but interesting murder mystery which involves a detective (Chevy Chase) who is killed but comes back as a dog (Benji). With co-stars Omar Sharif and Jane Seymour, as well as Chase's snarky voiceovers, this is a fun little adventure to check out.
Project X (1987)
Matthew Broderick stars in this movie about chimpanzees destined for space. Broderick is an Air Force soldier involved in the project along with Helen Hunt, an instructor teaching sign language to the apes. The pair have a change of heart and wrestle with the decision of whether or not to help the chimps escape. The films provides an interesting commentary on the use of animals in scientific pursuits.
Turner and Hooch (1989)
This movie has become something of a punchline since Tom Hanks' rise to movie superstardom -- with Hanks himself known to make occasional good-natured fun of the Hoochy Pooch -- but it doesn't take away from the real heart at the center of what's essentially an interspecies buddy-cop movie. Hanks is solid as always, and Hooch makes his mark as the most drool-covered dog in movie history.
White Fang (1991)
Based on Jack London's classic tale of a boy and his dog during the Gold Rush in Alaska, "White Fang" stars a young Ethan Hawke. The breathtaking footage of the Arctic wilderness are a big part of the show, and the performance by an Arctic husky is remarkable.
Willard (1971)
This 1970s horror thriller delivers over-the-top anarchy as one man's obsession with rats spirals out of control. A great early performance by Bruce Davidson as Willard, who fawns over his rat, Socrates. The films also stars the legendary Ernest Borgnine as Willard's angry boss. By the end of the movie, Willard's enemies are faced with rivers of rats.
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"They were the doggonest gang!" I loved that Doberman Gang movie!
I also loved "That Darn Cat" (the original), "Rhubarb" (both featuring cats) and a horse film called "Snow Fire".
My picks...the original Disney's "The Incredible Journey" and "The Three Lives of Thomasina"
Interesting stuff and I think these movies are most underrated by fans. But many of the other movies have won the Awards too.
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