R is for Rin Tin Tin on today’s A-Z Blog Challenge. Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend is out and retelling the story about puppy that a WWI Doughboy rescued from a French battlefield and brought stateside.
*Rin Tin Tin at one time made more money than many human Hollywood stars.
*He had the lead in 26 films and was on more kibble boxes than major league baseball players were on cereal boxes.
*While Lassie is well known, Rin Tin Tin was a real dog.
I found his story amazing, so he had to be the topic of my R day here. Have you read his story?
Better go see what some of the other A-Zers are saying about R.
Actually, the story of Rin-Tin-Tin's birth on a battlefield in September of 1919 very likely is myth. The first story that Duncan told (in October, 1919, to the Los Angeles Times) and that three officers of his squadron told goes like this: Duncan and his mates found an adult German shepherd male on the battlefield, and Rin-Tin-Tin was one of a litter born to him and a female German shepherd. That means he was born around the time of the Armistice. Evidence shows that story to be the true one. In a photograph taken after the 135th Aero Squadron arrived back in the United States in May, 1919, Duncan sits on the ground with Rin-Tin-Tin in his arms; next to him is another man with Nanette, Rin-Tin-Tin's sister. Rin-Tin-Tin's ears are floppy; Nanette's stand straight up. German shepherd puppies' ears start to stand up when they are five or six months old. (That's also the age the puppies appear to be, not the nine months they would have been had they been born in September.)
See my book, Rin-Tin-Tin: The Movie Star, available on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1453866655
Hi Lee .. I remember his stories and would always watch or listen .. but didn't know much about him – except he had an incredible character .. and $ apparently! Cheers Hilary
I remember the character but I never read or watched it. I was more into Benji. 🙂
Thanks for setting us straight about Rin Tin Tin! It's hard to believe that he was more successful than many famous actors at the time! Julie
I thought Rinny was the coolest when I was a kid. I've never read the book, an oversight I must correct.
I vaguely remember him. I didn't know he was real, either. 🙂
Wow, first up: Love your main website! The design is incredible!
I love the story of Rin Tin Tin, the ultimate dog hero, rescued from a battle field, and turned into a movie star! In later shows he was eventually played by other dogs I believe, but the original guy… -loves him-
Really? gosh I did not know he was a real dog…now I'll go read his story! Will it make me cry? I don't like sad animal stories…great 'r' word.
I had no idea Rin Tin Tin was a real dog. I'm so going to read about him now. How cool.
He story is, like, the best dog story out there. And yes, I have read his story. Thanks for sharing.
http://www.modernworld4.blogspot.com
He was an amazing dog! I've heard a lot, but I'll have to read it too 🙂
I haven't read his story, but you bring back memories.
I knew he was a real dog, but I don't know his story.
I didn't know it was real either. Very cool!
Thanks for stopping in Jaycee, Alex, Sheri and Jenny! Yes, I loved reading about this dog and his amazing story.
I'm with Alex, I didn't know it was real. Awesome dog.
Jen from Falling for Fiction.
I did know this. The story is amazing!!
I didn't know his story was real.
No, thanks for educating me. 😀