Strongheart "attack" scene (1927)

just a couple minutes of the silent movie film "The Return of Boston Blackie"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8rEpXcAG0E


"When the War was over, people turned from the recently passed frenzy and despair and sought entertainment in the nostalgic, simple themes of life. Rin Tin Tin & Etzel von Oeringen (Strongheart) Flashed across the silver screens of America's theaters. The boy and his dog, a combination guaranteed to pluck heartstrings."

Source: page 15 of This is the German Shepherd Dog by Captain William Golbecker & Ernest H. Hart

In Milo G. Denlinger's Book, (1952) The Complete German Shepherd, on page 41, it says Etzel von Oeringen 285737 (Who goes on to become Strongheart) was imported to the USA from Germany by Bruno Hoffman of the Protection Kennels in New York.

I've been able to get a copy of the movie "The Return of Boston Blackie" - thought to be the only surviving Strongheart film. I put the big "fight" scene (quite melodramatic) on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8rEpXcAG0E

I've also pulled some pictures from the movie:

http://s118.photobucket.com/albums/o86/draggardevir/Strongheart/

It's amazing to watch him move, you rarely see dogs that look even close to him now.

All of my German Shepherds trace directly back to Etzel Von Oringen (STRONGHEART).My Deniro dog goes back to him 2 times .All of my dog's also trace directly back to many of his littermates.They can be seen on my web site WWW.MCKNIGHTGERMANSHEPHERDS.COM .Strongheart is one of only a few dog's that has a star on the Hollywood walk of fame.Before becoming an actor he was a German military police dog during World War 1.

I would still say, he was the 1st true "star". Indeed, if Jean was just incidental, that is not much of a star. Strongheart was the 1st dog really idolized by fans.

Actually, Strongheart was not the first canine movie star but was owned by the person who pioneered this.

Laurence Trimble had Jean a.k.a. the Vitagraph Dog, who was the first canine movie star. After she died Laurence searched for another dog and found Etzel von Origen (later re-named Strongheart).

While Jean was the first dog star, her roles were more of a companion role opposite Florence Turner (the Vitagraph girl), Stronheart was the first "dog hero" star (paving the way for Rin Tin Tin, Lad, and Lassie).

May I state it such: this is THE Strongheart, the 1st canine film STAR.

Etzel played Strongheart in early movies.