Hepworth's RESCUED BY ROVER was a smash hit. This short film of a dog that rescued the kidnapped baby was so successful that the camera negative wore out and had to be reshot twice. In addition, Hepworth made this sequel, rendering Rover the first true dog star, preceding Jean the Vitagraph Dog, Rin-Tin-Tin, Lassie, and all the other animal stars.
In this one, Rover not only follows the kidnapper, running as fast as the auto the toddler is in, but when the villain stops and leaves the child in the car, Rover climbs in and drives the car back home! The movie goes on a bit long, both in the chase sequence and the part in which Rover drives the girl back home, but it is still startling to see how well they have done the job and I'm sure in 1908 the audience continued to chuckle throughout
In this one, Rover not only follows the kidnapper, running as fast as the auto the toddler is in, but when the villain stops and leaves the child in the car, Rover climbs in and drives the car back home! The movie goes on a bit long, both in the chase sequence and the part in which Rover drives the girl back home, but it is still startling to see how well they have done the job and I'm sure in 1908 the audience continued to chuckle throughout
