Staying Fit
Kevin Corcoran and Dorothy McGuire in "Old Yeller" and the puppy from "Marley & Me."
Fox 2000 Pictures/Everett Collection; Everett Collection
Sometimes you just need your best friend nearby, tail wagging. Whether you’ve got a dog in your life right now or wish you did, we’ve rounded up 10 beautiful movies that feature those furry four-legged friends. We defy you not to reach for the Kleenex (and give a few well-deserved hugs to that pal on the sofa) while streaming one (or all) of these wonderful dog movies, from Lassie to Marley.
Lassie Come Home (1943)
The breed: Collie
Lassie first appeared in a short story in the Saturday Evening Post in 1938, quickly followed by a novel in 1940. MGM smelled money in the tale and optioned it for $10,000 (a solid investment since Lassie would birth a litter of sequels and a long-running TV show). This one, however, is the place to start thanks to the presence of Elizabeth Taylor and Roddy McDowall, who melt hearts almost as much as the collie hero. This is pure three-hankie stuff. Set in Depression-era England, a family is forced to sell their beloved Lassie to a rich duke in order to move to a slightly less dreary life in Scotland. Their son (McDowall) is heartbroken. But, of course, the ever-loyal Lassie finds a way back to them on an arduous, long-distance journey.
Watch it: Lassie Come Home, on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube
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Umberto D. (1952)
The breed: Terrier
Italian director Vittorio De Sica loved the faces of real Italians and would often use them as the stars of his neorealist films. Dog or no dog, this stands as the most emotionally affecting film of his great career. Carlo Battisti, a college professor who had never performed on film before, stars as an elderly pensioner who lives alone with his dog, Flike. He scrapes to get by while struggling to hold on to his pride and dignity. There is plenty in this miraculous black-and-white import to shatter your heart, but at every turn when it seems like Umberto is about to give up, he is saved by Flike, whose figure-eights around his master's worn shoes put a smile on his face and give him a reason to keep forging ahead.
Watch it: Umberto D., on Amazon Prime, iTunes
Old Yeller (1957)
The breed: Mastiff/Labrador retriever mix
Speaking of tear-duct workouts, it's hard to top the emotional seesaw of this canine classic. Based on the timeless Fred Gipson children's novel (which used to be required reading in many schools), this live-action Disney film is what most folks automatically think of when they think of a-boy-and-his-dog movies. It's withstood the test of time for a reason. Although, like Bambi and his mom, it also brings up some hard truths about pet ownership, if you catch my drift. Set in the 1860s, the story chronicles the friendship between a young boy named Tommy Coates (Travis Kirk) and the stray he adopts while his father is away on a cattle drive. As they both grow up, Old Yeller not only becomes a member of the family but also has a profound impact on Tommy's life — and the lives of everyone he meets.
Watch it: Old Yeller, on Amazon Prime, Disney+, Google Play, iTunes, YouTube
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