The Baxters find a dog, and their son, Harold, names him Smiley and the two become close. But along come the rightful owners, a little girl and her father, and it is obvious that they love "Smiley" just as much as the Baxters do. They give him up to the rightful owner when Harold is not there so as to make the parting as easy as possible. But then, in the middle of the night, the dog returns to the Baxters on his own. Of course the little girl and her father return, again to claim Smiley, saying that they'll take better care to see that he does not run away so as to spare Harold further tearful partings.
But before the man and daughter can leave, Hazel turns up with Pierre - a full size poodle who can do amusing tricks. The dog was going to be homeless soon, and her idea was that Smiley's owners could keep Pierre and then Harold could have Smiley. I had to scoff at this at first. Anybody who has had a beloved pet knows that a prettier more amusing one is not going to take the place of the original. They are part of the family. And yet somehow this all works out. Watch and find out how.
When this show went for human warmth, it always hit the bullseye. I'd give this one a try if you can ever find it.
But before the man and daughter can leave, Hazel turns up with Pierre - a full size poodle who can do amusing tricks. The dog was going to be homeless soon, and her idea was that Smiley's owners could keep Pierre and then Harold could have Smiley. I had to scoff at this at first. Anybody who has had a beloved pet knows that a prettier more amusing one is not going to take the place of the original. They are part of the family. And yet somehow this all works out. Watch and find out how.
When this show went for human warmth, it always hit the bullseye. I'd give this one a try if you can ever find it.
