Pictures starring dogs, especially German Shepherds, were quite popular in the early 1920s -- in addition to Strongheart and Rin-Tin-Tin, there was Thunder, who was reportedly decorated for his valor at Verdun during the World War. Like any canine actor, Thunder was bound to draw attention away from the human performers, but even he couldn't eclipse charismatic Clara Bow, who was his co-star. The excellent notices received by Bow and Thunder proved they were both too good for this trite story. When Frank Larned (J.P. Hogan) is killed in the war, his sister Martha (Bow) and little brother Dick (Joe Butterworth) are left to fend for themselves. Larned's pal Roy Chambers (Harold Austin) is gassed in France, and once he is back in the States, his doctor orders him to rest in the mountains. He stays with Martha, along with a dog (Thunder) who saved his life during a battle. Martha has been terrorized by Jim Howard (James Mason) and his half-wit brother Ez (Eddie Phillips), and Chambers protects her from them. When Dick is hurt, Chambers goes off in search of a doctor. While he is away, Ez kills Jim and then tries to attack Martha. Thunder comes to the rescue in his master's absence, and when Chambers returns, he and Martha wed.
by Janiss Garza
synopsis
- Rescue
- Friend
- Dog
