| A Dog of Flanders | |
| Director: | James B. Clark |
| Producer: | Robert B. Radnitz |
| Screenplay: | Ted Sherdeman |
| Starring: | David Ladd Donald Crisp Theodore Bikel |
| Music: | Paul Sawtelle Bert Shefter Santa Cecilia Academy Orchestra and Chorus of Rome |
| Cinematography: | Otto Heller, B.S.C. |
| Editing: | Benjamin Laird |
| Studio: | Associated Producers Inc |
| Distributor: | 20th Century Fox |
| Runtime: | 96 minutes |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Budget: | $600,000[1] |
| Gross: | $3 million[2] |
A Dog of Flanders is a 1960 American drama film directed by James B. Clark, with stars David Ladd, Donald Crisp and Theodore Bikel. It is based on the 1872 novel of the same name by Ouida. It was released on March 17, 1960, by 20th Century Fox in CinemaScope and Color by De Luxe.[3]
Unlike the novel, which has a tragic end, the film has a happy ending for the boy and his dog.
"Patrasche" is played by Spike the Mastador, best known for playing the title character in the 1957 Disney film Old Yeller.[4]
The emotional story of a boy, his grandfather, and his dog. The boy's dream of becoming a great classical painter appears shattered when his loving grandfather dies.
Robert L. Lippert enjoyed success with a children's film starring David Ladd called The Sad Horse.[5]
The film was announced in March 1959.[6] [7] Robert L. Lippert says the film was originally shot in black and white "but everything was so beautiful so we changed it to color."[2]
Filming started June 22, 1959.[8] The film was shot in Holland and Belgium.[9]
It included a 12-minute scene where Theodore Bikel gives a painting lesson. "Everybody thought they were crazy when he did that", said producer Radnitz. "But the kids loved it."
The film was one of Lippert's most successful films, commercially making over $3 million.[2] Hedda Hopper called it "the sleeper of the year."[10]
Lippert bought a story, Gallus to make as a follow-up for Clark and Ladd.[11] However the film was not made. They ended up making Misty.
Writer Ted Sherdeman and director Clark later formed their own company, Gemtaur.[12]
The film was first in the children's film category at the Venice Film Festival.[13]