The living legend film director responsible for timeless pieces such as Taxi Driver, The Last Waltz and Goodfellas among many others has taken the dog by the collar in what he perceives as a grievous award snub.
In an op-ed piece for the Los Angeles Times Martin Scorsese lays down his argument as to why the canine star of his film Hugo, Blackie the Doberman, should have been nominated for the Golden Collar Awards for Best Dog in a Theatrical Film. It’s actually pretty freaking funny as Martin sets his sights squarely on that “other” dog stealing all the limelight this awards season. You know Uggie – that Jack Russell from The Artist.
Scorsese partly wrote:
I listened in vain for Blackie’s name to be called, and then to all the hullabaloo over a certain Jack Russell terrier named Uggie. Actually, Uggie is so adorable that he received two nominations for two separate pictures. Well done.
OK, let’s lay all our cards on the table. Jack Russell terriers are small and cute. Dobermans are enormous and — handsome. More tellingly, Uggie plays a nice little mascot who does tricks and saves his master’s life in one of the films, while Blackie gives an uncompromising performance as a ferocious guard dog who terrorizes children. I’m sure you can see what I’m driving at.
We all have fond memories of Rin Tin Tin and Lassie, the big stars, the heroes, but what about the antiheroes? We have learned to accept the human antihero, but when it comes to dogs, I guess we still have a long way to go.
Well played from Mr. Martin and his push to have Blackie’s name as a write-in candidate I’m sure will gather steam. All of this brings about a fun question. Which is your favorite dog (real not animated) in film (not TV) history? I thought on this one for a while and have to go with Toto from Wizard of Oz. Toto, real name Terry, a female Black Cairn, really commands the screen and is the subject of arguably the most famous quote in cinema history, “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
Just found out, Dog News Daily has accepted the challenge and has vowed to add Blackie if enough write-in votes are received via their Facebook page here.
