Okay, so the basic story here is predictable as heck, but who on Earth cares? 'Society Dog Show' is a beautiful Disney short which takes the familiar underdog formula and structures it into one of the most joyous and heart-warming products this studio has ever put together. It's one of the select Disney shorts which I saw way back, and which has really stayed with me over the years. And, every so often, I'll feel compelled to go hunt out my old videotape with it on just to relive those precious moments. What can I say - I've been a fan of these classic Walt Disney shorts since as long as I can remember watching TV, and I love the Pluto ones in particular to death; he's one seriously endearing cartoon dog, and 'Society Dog Show' contains what may well have been his finest hour (or at least 6 minutes at that).
Mickey Mouse, ever the eternal optimist (in the days when he still had those creepy, all-black eyes), has summoned the confidence to enter Pluto in a high class dog show. Naturally the poor funny-looking orange mutt doesn't stand a chance against all those highly-pampered, heavily-groomed pedigrees but he instantly wins the heart of Fifi, a female King Charles spaniel entering in the 'trick dogs' competition, which leads to
well, I would hate to reveal any more than I have to. Like I said, the basic story is formulaic, but it's just plain pleasurable to watch this chain of events unfolding, right up to the very last few moments, which have my impressionable heart fluttering every time.
This cartoon also provides one of the most quirky contrasts between Disney's line of 'regular dogs' and separate line of 'humanoid dogs' which really tends to throw so many of their viewers (a la the "Pluto's a dog, so what the hell is Goofy?" discussion in 'Stand by Me'). Other than Mickey, every character in this short is a canine of sorts - entries, owners and judges alike! It's that kind of offbeat little in-joke that always lures me to the Disney province. There are also some great sight gags, in particular when Pluto is undergoing his examination with the disgruntled judge. Not to mention that the classic animation style is just gorgeous, and that Fifi is a real cutie.
It's a winner, no doubt about it. I've been in love with this one all my life.
Grade: A+
