User Reviews

This piece of Pete Smith fluff, an early directorial effort for Fred Zinneman, is certainly engaging, with a fine pantomime performance by John Ince and the usual engaging narration by Pete, without his usual mordant snarkery.

The dog who plays "Sparky" is a handsome animal with a good number of engaging tricks, but despite the speculation of the other reviewer, the German Shepherd is not a trained guide dog. Such dogs are trained to always be on duty in public and would not go frisking in a Congressional subcommittee hearing unless permitted. It makes a cute story, though.

Remember that when dealing with someone with a guide dog: don't pet the animal without permission. It distracts them from their very real work.

Friend Indeed (1937)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

A good-hearted country doctor goes blind after trying to save some children in a fire. Soon afterwards he's given a German shepherd dog named Sparky who helps him around town and eventually helps get a law passed about guide dogs. This Pete Smith short from MGM doesn't really give us a history lesson on this doctor or the law that he helped get passed but instead it focuses on the dog and it's certainly a charming film. As usual, Smith's narration is right on the mark as he talks about the great work this doctor was doing before his accident and then we get to the importance of guide dogs. The dog actor here did a very good job and I'm going to guess that he was a real guide dog. I thought it was rather cute and really delivered the goods as far as four legged actors. Fans of shorts will really want to check this one out as director Fred Zinnemann perfectly mixes the humor and sentimental value.