Scruffy

Although this isn't among my favorite animated ABC Weekend Specials, I still found this okay. As usual, I first caught this on Youtube a few months ago. This story follows the hardships of the eponymous, young, girl puppy and how she is forced to go through them. Not only is this a story about this particular dog's life, but that of the other dogs featured here. One of Scruffy's predicaments is she and her mother, Duchess, having to escape a house fire. Others are after she and Duchess leave their temporary new owners home to search for their original masters, Duchess ends up getting slain by a hunter and when a third temporary owner, a homeless street performer named Mr. Tibbles ends up dying following a mugging incident. Although there are some tragedies involved in this, it's not completely bad and sad. It has its funny moments too, like among the fellow dogs Scruffy meets at a junkyard, there's one who is a drunk. There are a couple of Disney references in this, (i.e. Scruffy's mother's homicide being reminiscent of Bambi's mother's murder). Another reviewer who mentioned the end of this when Scruffy is all grown up and has puppies with Butch is reminiscent of Lady and the Tramp. That reviewer also mentioned that it's doggy incest, but how can that be so when Scruffy and Butch aren't even related? Anyway, this is basically a tale that serves as a social commentary to the plight of stray animals.

My grandma got me this movie when she use to work at K-Mart. From the time I was 2 to the time I was about 6 this was the only movie that I had that I would ever watch. Yesterday I found it sitting way in the back of an old entertainment center and I watched like 10 minutes of it and all those childhood memories came back. The animation is pretty bad compared to cartoons now but it was good for a toddler growing up in the 80's (like me).

This movie was originally shown as a three part mini-series as an "ABC Weekend Special" in 1980 and was replayed several times following. If you love dog stories or films about canine situations, you will no doubt enjoy this animated feature. While "Scruffy" was created for Saturday morning TV, it plays very well as a feature length film. The story is centered around a Springer Spaniel puppy, who after being orphaned struggles to survive as a stray in a large city. Along the way she encounters various humans both good and bad, challenging situations, and befriends a tough but lovable male Pit Bull Terrier who serves as a friend and protector. The film sends a strong message concerning the hardships endured by stray dogs, and while "Scruffy" is kid friendly, the producers did not sugar-coat the fact that unwanted or discarded canines are destroyed if they do not find a home. In the end the viewer is left feeling happy about the story's outcome, but at the same time reminded that the unwanted pet population is a problem that will not go away anytime soon and that it is up to the human population of the world to be responsible for a solution. All in all a nice story that will please any fan of dog related movies or admirers of classic Saturday Morning animation.

There were many memorable short films during the run of ABC's "Weekend Special", which started in the 1970's, but this particular offering from Ruby Spears Enterprises in 1980 was(and still is) probably one of the most remembered, primarily for its tragic content that wasn't usually found in many children's cartoons back then, except of course in feature films like "Bambi" or "The Fox and the Hound". "Scruffy" was in fact a more depressing children's story in literary form than the finished product that came onto TV screens and home video. The plot surrounds a stray puppy searching for a home. It's a pretty simple premise granted. The problem in this case, for television anyway, seemed to be about dealing with the horrible situations given in the book and yet make it marketable for a child. Many scenes, joyfully reminiscent of classic Saturday Morning TV material, obviously were put in for a lighter viewing. Even with this, the cartoon is still a dark and actually even upsetting account of the lives of unwanted animals. In truth, you would have to be made of stone not to be touched by this, which some people consider a "guilt trip" of sorts. The actors were mostly TV celebs you have seen or heard of at least one time or another. Hans Conried, remembered mostly for his wonderful roles as "Captain Hook" from Peter Pan and "Snidely Whiplash" from the Bullwinkle show brings in a nice performance as street performer Joseph Tibbles. Nancy McKeon of "The Division" really keeps the drama in motion as orphaned Scruffy. "Rugrats" and "Transformers" favorite Michael Bell was a good choice for the tough but kind hearted Butch. June Foray, of course is wonderful(and if you don't know who she is you have not been watching enough cartoons) as well as cartoon vets Janet Waldo and Frank Welker. Should you watch this? If you are too soft hearted, I would keep my distance. For those who are interested, keep the tissues handy. It is practically the "Beaches" or "Terms of Endearment" of Saturday morning kid specials.

I have loved this movie my whole life wish it would come out on dvd.