Rin Tin Tin

A classic that saved Warner Bros -- Rin Tin Tin (often billed as Rin-Tin-Tin in the 1920s and 1930s) was the name given to a dog adopted from a WWI battlefield that went on to star in twenty-three Hollywood films. The name was subsequently given to several related German Shepherd dogs featured in fictional stories on film, radio and television. The dog's big break came when he stepped in for a recalcitrant wolf in "The Man From Hell's River (1922)". Rin Tin Tin would be cast as a wolf or wolf-hybrid many times in his career, though he did not look like one.

His first starring role was in "Where The North Begins (1923)", playing alongside silent screen actress Claire Adams. This film was a huge success and has often been credited with saving "Warner Brothers" from bankruptcy. It was followed by "Shadows of the North (1923)", "Clash of the Wolves (1925)", "A Dog of the Regiment (1927)" and "Tiger Rose (1929)".

The rumor alleging Rin Tin Tin won the most Best Actor votes at the first Academy Award competition in 1929 is nothing more than urban legend, since it is well documented that Emil Jannings actually won the Best Actor award for "The Way of All Flesh (film)" and "The Last Command (1928)". Although primarily a star of silent films, Rin Tin Tin did appear in four sound features, including the 12-part Mascot Studios chapter-play "The Lightning Warrior (1931)", co-starring with Frankie Darro.

Warner Bros. got thousands of requests for pictures of Rinty, which were signed with a paw print and a line written by Duncan: "Most faithfully, Rin Tin Tin.

Between 1930 and 1955, "Rin Tin Tin" was heard in three different radio series, beginning April 5, 1930 with The Wonder Dog, in which the original Rin Tin Tin did his own sound effects until his death in 1932, when Rin Tin Tin, Jr. took over. This 15-minute program was broadcast Saturdays on the Blue Network at 8:15pm until March 1931 when it moved to 8:15pm on Thursdays. In September 1930, the title changed from The Wonder Dog to Rin Tin Tin. Don Ameche and Junior McLain starred in the series, which ended June 8, 1933. With Ken-L Ration as a sponsor, the series continued on CBS from October 5, 1933 until May 20, 1934, airing Sundays at 7:45pm.

The final radio series was broadcast on Mutual from January 2, 1955 to December 25, 1955 a 30-minute program heard Sundays at 5pm. Sponsored by National Biscuit for Shredded Wheat and Milk-Bone, the series featured Rin Tin Tin's adventures with the 101st Cavalry. The show starred Lee Aaker (born 1943) as Rusty, James Brown (1920–1992) as Lieutenant Ripley "Rip" Masters and Joe Sawyer (1906–1982) as Sergeant Biff O'Hara