Call of the Wilderness is a 1932 American adventure film directed by Arthur Rosson and starring Caesar the Dog, Francis McDonald, and Heinie Conklin. The movie is set in the Canadian wilderness and tells the story of Caesar, a courageous and loyal husky dog who becomes separated from his owner and must find his way through the dangerous and unpredictable landscape.
The movie begins with Caesar and his owner, John (played by Francis McDonald), traveling through the snowy wilderness on a sled. John is a trapper who depends on Caesar to help him locate and capture animals for their fur. However, their journey takes a tragic turn when they encounter a group of outlaw trappers who try to steal their furs and kill John in the process. Caesar manages to escape but becomes lost and must fend for himself in the wild.
The rest of the movie follows Caesar as he encounters various dangers and obstacles, including a pack of wolves, a raging river, and harsh weather conditions. All the while, he remains determined to find his way back to John and fulfill his duty as a loyal canine companion.
One of the most impressive aspects of Call of the Wilderness is the performance of Caesar the Dog. The film was produced in the early days of Hollywood, before computer-generated imagery and sophisticated special effects were available. As a result, the filmmakers relied entirely on Caesar's real-life skills and abilities to bring the story to life. Caesar is truly the star of the movie, and he steals the show with his remarkable athleticism and agility.
Despite being over 80 years old, Call of the Wilderness remains a thrilling and engaging movie. The story is simple but effective, and the stunning Canadian wilderness provides a breathtaking backdrop for the action. The movie is also notable for its use of on-location filming, which was a relatively new technique in Hollywood at the time. The filmmakers went to great lengths to capture the beauty and danger of the wilderness, resulting in a movie that feels authentic and immersive.
In addition to Caesar, the movie features a talented cast of human actors. Francis McDonald portrays John with a rugged charm, and Heinie Conklin offers comic relief as a bumbling amateur trapper. The supporting cast also includes a variety of animals, including horses, wolves, and even a bear.
Overall, Call of the Wilderness is a classic adventure movie that still holds up today. It offers a thrilling journey through the Canadian wilderness with a courageous and lovable protagonist in Caesar the Dog. Whether you're a fan of animal movies, old Hollywood classics, or adventure films in general, Call of the Wilderness is definitely worth checking out.
Call Of The Wilderness is a 1932 western with a runtime of 56 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.7.