During the age of silent films, two of the biggest canine stars were the original Rin Tin Tin and Keystone Teddy.
RIN TIN TIN (1918-1932) – Here at Balladeer’s Blog, I’m even fonder of dogs than I am of silent movies, so this post will combine the two topics. Sadly, most silent films have become so little remembered that few people even realize that there actually WAS a real Rin Tin Tin, adopted by American soldiers during World War One.
Amid battles in September of 1918, Corporal Lee Duncan of the 135th Aero Squadron was doing recon work on a bombed-out area near Flirey, France. One of the buildings had been a breeding kennel for German Shepherds trained for Kaiser Wilhelm’s troops. The only animals still alive were a starving mother with five nursing puppies who were so young their eyes had not even opened yet.
Duncan adopted the six German Shepherds and took them back to his unit. His superiors permitted the mother to be given to an officer, one each of the puppies to three enlisted men and the final two – a boy and a girl – were adopted by Lee Duncan himself and named Rin Tin Tin and Nanette. Continue reading
JANUARY 22nd, 1987 – It was on this date that one of the most horrible incidents ever captured during a live news report occurred. Pennsylvania’s 70th Treasurer, R. Budd Dwyer (R) was due to be sentenced on January 23rd after having been found guilty of assorted charges in 1986 following a bribery scandal. 
THE DOBERMAN GANG (1972) – I’m a lifelong dog lover, so let me point out that this was the very first film to carry the American Humane Association’s guarantee that “No animals were harmed in the making of this film.” Despite spawning a franchise, The Doberman Gang flies by the proverbial seat of its pants, and while it’s good to know that no dogs were harmed this flick features a few Doberman attacks on humans that seem too gritty. 
### 1. GRACE COLLEGE LANCERS ### 2. BETHEL (IN) PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots) ### 3. FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY LIONS ### 4. AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY GYRENES ### 5. OKLAHOMA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES ### 
6. ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM ### 7. UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS ### 8. HOPE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ROYALS ### 9. MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS ### 10. OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS ### 
### 1. NORTH AMERICAN UNIVERSITY STALLIONS ### 2. BRYANT & STRATTON COLLEGE (Buffalo) BOBCATS ### 3. NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE SCHOOL BUILDERS (Shipbuilders) ### 4. BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE BEARS ### 5. SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE FALCONS ### 
MERES FRANCAISES (1917) – This silent film was made and set during World War One. It starred the legendary stage actress Sarah Bernhardt, whose career spanned from 1862 to 1923. She was practically royalty when she deigned to appear in a few silent films. 
CHANNING (1963) – Also known as The Young and the Bold this hour-long drama series was a college version of Mr. Novak, against which it went head-to-head. B-Movie titan Jason Evers starred as Professor Joseph Howe, a Korean War veteran now teaching at fictional Channing College. Henry Jones portrayed Fred Baker, his former professor and now Channing Dean. 
AND BY THE WAY, WE ALL KNOW THAT IF OR WHEN 
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