Wonder Dogs! Canine Stars of the Silent Era (1898-1928)

This special two-disc collection, presented in cooperation with the Library of Congress, celebrates cinema’s lesser-known dog stars with their most memorable features, shorts, and newsreel appearances (1898-1928). Films dated as early as 1898 offer satisfying simple glimpses of dogs at play, anticipating the adorable animal videos that would become social media phenomena more than a century later.

Directed by Leo McCarey, Francis Ford, Wonder Dogs! Canine Stars of the Silent Era (1898-1928) leans on a strong ensemble — Strongheart, Fearless the Dog, Peter the Great — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about western titles of 2025.