Kino Canines

Programmed by Yasmina Tawil and Rosa Martinez

In 1909, Jean, a tri-colored Scotch Collie, made her on-screen debut in a silent film produced by Vitagraph Studios right here in Brooklyn. She is often credited as the very first canine actor, and became a star in her own right, known fondly as “Jean, the Vitagraph Dog.” While most of her work has since been lost, the prognostic pup paved the way for over a century of movie dogs, now appearing on BAM screens in her honor.

A proper ode to kino canines naturally includes The Wizard of Oz (with Terry the Terrier as Dorothy’s iconic sidekick Toto), Lassie (starring Howard the Collie as the titular companion), and The Thin Man (with Skippy the Wire Fox Terrier as Asta). Modern iterations of four-legged friends on screen include contemporary art house films like Kelly Reichardt’s Wendy and Lucy (starring Lucy as herself), Aki Kaurismäki’s Fallen Leaves (with Alma the dog as Chaplin in a small but heart melting role), and, fresh from Egypt, Khaled Mansour’s debut Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo (featuring the incredibly cute and talented Mr. Rambo as himself).