BIG RED

BIG RED (1962). Director: Norman Tokar.

In Quebec dog breeder James Haggin (Walter Pidgeon) allows a young French orphan boy Rene (Gilles Payant) come to work for him, where the boy bonds with the beautiful Irish Setter, Red. After the show dog is injured, Haggin wants him put down, but Rene runs off with the animal and nurses him back to health. There are more misunderstandings and arguments and eventually Rene sets off to find Red and Molly, a female setter, who have run off -- and Haggin sets out to find the boy. The dogs are cute and beautiful, although the story is at times contrived, with Haggin made out to be more insensitive than he would be to drive the plot along. Still, this is a worthwhile family film for dog lovers of all ages. Supposedly Big Red made the Irish Setter breed so popular that they were widely inbred, turning them into the neurotic -- if lovably crazy -- species they are today. Pidgeon is okay but Payant is better; this was apparently his only film. Janette Bertrand adds some warmth and humor as Haggin's wise, motherly housekeeper. Very nice scenery and location photography.

Verdict: Appealing Walt Disney film in spite of its flaws. **1/2.