DONDI (1962, U.S.)

Dondi

(1962, U.S.) 80 minutes
Albert Zugsmith Productions / Photoplay Associates /
Allied Artists Pictures Corporation
Story: Gus Edson, Irwin Hasen (from their comic strip)
Screenplay: Gus Edson, Irwin Hasen
Music: Mort Garson, Earl Shuman
Cinematography: Carl Guthrie
Produced by Albert Zugsmith
Directed by Albert Zugsmith

With: David Kory (Dondi), David Janssen (Dealey), Arnold Stang (Pee Wee), Mickey Shaughnessey (Sargeant), Patti Page (Liz), Walter Winchell (Himself)

***

In 1962, Allied Artists produced and released a movie version of Gus Edson and Irwin Hasen's popular comic strip "Dondi". The film opens on Christmas Eve overseas, as a group of soldiers are celebrating the holidays.

The troup of merrymakers are enjoying their leisure, and their respite from their obnoxious CO (played by character actor Mickey Shaughnessey), whose "by the book" attitude is not shared by the men.

Coming into their ramshackled barracks is a little war orphan (David Korey). The little kid, who has never had fun or anyone care for him, enjoys the company of these bedraggled recruits (Arnold Stang, Robert Strauss and David Janssen) so much that he refuses to leave.

This creates problems for the platoon, as they try to keep the Sargent (Shaunessey) from discovering the kid and putting the group on report.

The men manage to hide the kid from their CO, and they soon get good news: the troop has received their discharge papers and they can go home.

Unfortunately, they can't take the little boy with them, so they leave him some gifts and bestow on the little fellow the name of "Dondi". But "Dondi" doesn't remain behind. He follows the soldiers and stows away on their ship.

When "Dondi" arrives in the U.S., he is spotted by the authorities, and they chase him all over Manhattan.

"Dondi" tries to find the soldiers, especially Dealey (Jansen), who might help him remain in the states. But the little kid has trouble finding his pals, and he is soon on the run again.

In order to escape the cops, "Dondi" hides with a group of kids who are on an outing at a large department store with two rather put-upon adults.

It isn't long before our little hero creates havoc in the store, and soon he is on the run again. While hiding out, "Dondi" finds another sad lost soul: a little Jack Russell terrier.

Not knowing the dog's name, he simply calls him "Mr. Dog".

After having some more run-ins with other strangers (including a phony blind man), "Dondi" is finally caught by the cops and is turned over to the Immigration Department, where he is temporarily detained while the authorities decide his fate.

Finding out that "Dondi" is in trouble, Dealey calls upon his girlfriend Liz (played by singer Patti Page) and newspaper gossip columnist Walter Winchell (this was Winchell's last public appearance).

A major campaign is created to get the American people to make "Dondi" an American citizen and allow him to remain in the U.S.

Eventually, the U.S. Government grants the little fellow his citizenship and "Dealer" and his girlfriend arrive at the U.S. Immigration Department to take "Dondi" home as their adopted son. They also adopt "Mr. Dog".

I spoke with Arnold Stang about his work in DONDI; he enjoyed working on the film. In fact, he was surprised that I remembered his performance:

"You Remember DONDI?"

"Yes, I do, Mr. Stang. I enjoyed your role of the bumbling GI in that film, along with Mr. Strauss and Mr. Jansen."

"It was a wonderful film, and I really enjoyed working with David, Robert and that little kid who played Dondi. What was his name again?"

- Kevin S. Butler

"Oh, yeah! That was his name!"

-- Kevin S. Butler

Video/DVD availability: VHS/DVD (unavailable)

David Kory as Dondi.