By Gary Bennett
The dog days of summer are upon us (or perhaps slightly behind us) and what better way to escape the heat and boredom of these last few summer days than to curl up in glorious air conditioning and watch a good dog-themed movie.
But before we consider what to watch, did you ever stop to wonder where the term “dog days” comes from?
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, it turns out that dog days has nothing to do with our four-legged friends but everything to do with astrology! Dog days refers to the hottest time of year between July 3 and Aug. 11, with Aug. 11 just happening to coincide with the rising of the Dog Star, Sirius. For ancient Egyptians, Sirius appeared just before the annual flooding of the Nile in mid-August, so it became the “watch dog” for that event.
Today “dog days” are associated with hot, muggy days when you just can’t do anything but lie around like a dog. Dog days have come to be more associated with August than July. That is because by August, we have just about had it with summer. I know I have.
The term has even made its way into popular culture. Baseball has dog days when teams, most notably those out of contention, struggle to grind out game after game. Popular music has the 2010 top 10 song “Dog Days are Over,” by Florence and the Machine.
There’s also been more than a few movies with “dog days” in the title, including one great one, 1975’s “Dog Day Afternoon” starring Al Pacino and directed by Sidney Lumet. That one told the tale of a long, sweaty, daylong siege suffered by inept bank robber Pacino, his partner and nine frightened hostages. It was based on a true story. Unfortunately, there were no actual dogs in the movie.
But thankfully for us, there are lots of great movies about dogs — so many, in fact, it’s nearly impossible to settle on a list of the top 10. But settle, I did.
I’m partial to movies where dogs don’t die and are the heroes, but I did consider the alternative. One caveat: I didn’t include animated movies in my top 10, which took some admittedly great ones out of the mix like “101 Dalmatians” and “Lady and the Tramp.” But, I’m an adult now and I just can’t settle in with an animated movie unless I’m with my grandsons.
10. “The Shaggy Dog,” 1959
Young lad Wilby stumbles upon an ancient curse and begins turning into a sheepdog, little by little. As a dog, he helps to foil a plot to steal secret government information he overhears.
9. “Turner & Hootch,” 1989
Tom Hanks stars as a by-the-book police officer who inherits his friend’s unruly dog who has a knack for helping to solve cases. In an odd-couple pairing, Hanks reluctantly embraces the sloppy, destructive, but effective dog.
8. “Best in Show,” 2000
The talented Second City cast prepares to take part in the great Mayflower Dog Show in this quirky, dry comedy that features scores of hilarious canines.
7. “A Dog’s Way Home,” 2019
When big-hearted Bella becomes separated from her owner, she embarks on a 400-mile journey to reunite with him. Along the way she finds adventure and helps a host of strangers.
6. “Call of the Wild,” 2020
Harrison Ford stars in this Alaskan adventure as the new owner of Buck, a good-natured dog that was just added to his mail-delivery dog sled team. Buck enjoys the work and the adventurous lifestyle.
5. “Sounder,” 1972
A family of poor Black sharecroppers in the Depression-era South can’t find enough to eat, despite help from their hunting dog, Sounder. The dog eventually runs away, but the family never gives up hope of finding it. I won’t spoil the ending.
4. “A Dog’s Purpose,” 2017
Reincarnated many times over 50-plus years, a devoted dog learns about itself as it helps its owners to laugh and love — one of the best ideas for a dog movie ever.
3. “Benji,” 1974
When the two children that Benji loves are kidnapped, he springs into action to save them and captures the crooks. He even falls in love with a Maltese along the way.
2. “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey,” 1993
Before the family leaves on vacation, they drop off their pets, including Chance, a wet-behind-the-ears American bulldog, at a friend’s ranch. Afraid they’ve been left forever, they start off on a harrowing journey to find their family. This movie features great voice work by Micheal J. Fox.
1. “Old Yeller,” 1957
A family in Texas tries to run off a runaway dog they call Old Yeller because he caused damage in their fields. Eventually they warm to him when he protects the family from a bear attack. As the dog and family grow closer, an outbreak of rabies threatens the bond.
Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.