Rin Tin Tin – The Silent Era Collection packages together four of the earliest films starring the canine that saved Warner Bros. Pictures in the 1920s.

Darryl F. Zanuck, who would later move over to then-20th Century Studios and become a co-founder of 20th Century Fox, was involved in many of the early Rin Tin Tin stories. His success with the dog led to a promotion at Warner Bros. to film producer. Without Zanuck’s involvement with the Rin Tin Tin films, who knows what Zanuck’s history would have looked like.

A fun fact about The Lighthouse by the Sea is that Anne Frank watched the film for her 13th birthday in 1942. She wrote as much in the second entry of her diary.

Alpha Video Classics released the collection of films last year.

Where the North Begins

A German Shepherd pup (Rin Tin Tin) raised by wolves in the Canadian wilderness befriends fur trapper Gabriel Dupre (Walter McGrail). When Dupre’s corrupt rival tries to sabotage him and steal his love interest, the loyal dog—wrongly accused of attacking a baby—runs away. Eventually, his name is cleared, and he returns just in time to protect his friend. In the end, the heroic dog kills the villain and secures peace for Dupre and his sweetheart. One of Rin Tin Tin’s earliest and most famous roles, the film launched him as a silent-era sensation and saved Warner Bros. from going into bankruptcy.

DIRECTOR: Chester M. Franklin
SCREENWRITERS: Fred Myton and Chester M. Franklin
CAST: Rin Tin Tin, Claire Adams, Fred Huntley, Walter McGrail, Pat Hardigan, Myrtle Owen, Charles Stevens

The Lighthouse by the Sea

After a shipwreck, young Belgian Albert Dorn and his dog Rin Tin Tin wash ashore in Maine, rescued by Flora Gale, who secretly tends a lighthouse since her father has gone blind. Bootleggers try to disable the light to smuggle liquor, kidnapping Albert and trapping Rin Tin Tin. Escaping their bonds, the duo fights back. Rinty relights the lamp using burning waste, and Albert and the dog rescue Flora aboard the smugglers’ ship. A revenue cutter intercepts the boat, capturing the villains. Albert and Flora find love, thanks to Rin Tin Tin’s courage and loyalty.

DIRECTOR: Malcolm St. Clair
SCREENWRITER: Darryl F. Zanuck
CAST: Rin Tin Tin, William Collier Jr.

The Clash of the Wolves

Lobo, a wolfdog with a bounty on his head, is injured but rescued by prospector Dave Weston. Grateful, Lobo becomes his faithful companion. When crooked rival Borax Horton attacks Dave and leaves him for dead, Lobo races to town for help. A posse pursues Lobo, unaware he’s leading them to the wounded prospector. Dave is saved, and the men realize Lobo is not a menace but a hero. The film reinforces Rin Tin Tin’s image as a brave, intelligent ally to good-hearted men in the wild.

DIRECTOR: Noel Mason Smith
SCREENWRITER: Charles Logue
CAST: Rin Tin Tin, Charles Farrell, June Marlowe

The Night Cry

Ranch dog “Rinty” is blamed for killing lambs when his collar is found at the scene, prompting a deadly manhunt. His owner, John Martin, hides him while suspicion grows. When a giant condor is discovered to be the true threat, ranchers rush to stop Miguel Hernandez from shooting Rinty. In a thrilling climax, Rinty fights off Hernandez and rescues the Martin baby, whom the condor had carried to its mountain nest. The dog’s innocence and bravery are proven, saving both the baby and his own life.

DIRECTOR: Herman C. Raymaker
SCREENWRITER: Ewart Adamson
CAST: Rin Tin Tin, June Marlowe, John Harron

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