Young Jackie Cooper With Rin Tin Tin

Rin Tin Tin was a famous German Shepherd that became one of the earliest canine stars in American cinema, symbolizing the enduring bond between humans and dogs. His journey from war orphan to movie star began during World War I when an American soldier, Lee Duncan, discovered him in a bombed-out dog kennel in Lorraine, France, in September 1918. Duncan named the puppy Rin Tin Tin after a French puppet that soldiers carried as a good luck charm. He brought Rin Tin Tin back to the United States at the war’s end, where the dog’s remarkable intelligence and agility soon became apparent.

Duncan trained Rin Tin Tin and showed off his skills in dog shows, which eventually led to a break in silent films. Rin Tin Tin’s first major film break came in 1922 with “The Man from Hell’s River.” His ability to leap great heights and his emotive expressions made him a natural star. Rin Tin Tin went on to appear in 27 Hollywood films, gaining immense popularity and reportedly saving Warner Bros from bankruptcy with his box office appeal. His films included titles like “Where the North Begins” (1923) and “Clash of the Wolves” (1925), which were significant hits and cemented his place as a Hollywood legend.


“Rinny” Was A Star Even In Death, Rating And Warranting An Obituary.

The original Rin Tin Tin died in 1932, but his legacy continued through his descendants and other German Shepherds who were branded with his name in subsequent movies and television shows. The most famous of these was probably “The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin,” a television series that aired from 1954 to 1959, featuring Rin Tin Tin IV. This show helped to popularize the breed in America and established the character of Rin Tin Tin as a heroic and loyal companion.

Rin Tin Tin has been credited not only with saving Warner Bros but also with increasing the popularity of German Shepherd dogs as family pets and working dogs. His story is one of rags to riches, filled with adventure and heart, echoing the American dream. Rin Tin Tin remains a symbol of devotion, showing how a dog could rise to stardom and win the hearts of millions. His impact on popular culture is enduring, with his legacy preserved in film history and the lineage of dogs that continue to bear his name.

Rin Tin Tin led a long and noteworthy portraying the best heroics in Alsatians and German Shepherds.

Lenny Lensworth Frieling

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Leonard Frieling
  • Senior Counsel Emeritus to the Boulder Law firm Dolan + Zimmerman LLP : (720)-610-0951
  • Former Judge
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  • First Chair and Originator of the Colorado Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee, a National first.
  • Previous Chair, Boulder Criminal Defense Bar (8 years)
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  • Chair, Colorado NORML, 7 years including during the successful effort to legalize recreational pot in Colorado
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