The Shaggy D.A. parents guide

The Shaggy D.A. Parent Guide

There are some things you never out-grow.

Overall B

In this sequel to The Shaggy Dog, a now grown Wilby (played by Dean Jones) has almost forgotten all about the misfortunate mishap of his youth when he morphed into a mutt. But when he decides to run for the office of District Attorney, his past begins to hound him again.

Release date December 16, 1976

Violence B-
Sexual Content A-
Profanity A-
Substance Use B-

Why is The Shaggy D.A. rated G? The MPAA rated The Shaggy D.A. G

Parent Movie Review

Any person with a skeleton in their closet should carefully consider the prudence of pursuing a career in politics. But not Wilby Daniels (Dean Jones). Completely inflamed after being the victim of a two robberies in less than twenty-four hours, the local lawyer throws caution to the wind and announces his intention to run for the office of District Attorney.

The disgruntled Daniels is convinced his community’s ever-increasing crime rate is directly related to the tolerant attitudes of the present D.A, Honest John Slade (Keenan Wynn). With his wife (Suzanne Pleshette) and son (Shane Sinutko) by his side, the enthusiastic amateur climbs on his soapbox and makes a campaign promise to clean up the town, starting with investigating the incumbent’s connections with known felons.

Anxious to put a muzzle on his up-start opponent, the cigar-smoking Slade determines to dig up any dirt he can find on Daniels. What he gets his paws on is better than anything he could have hoped for.

In his youth, Wilby Daniels had the misfortune of falling under an evil enchantment. Anytime the inscription on an ancient ring was read, he turned into a sheepdog. (This adventure is explained in the prequel, The Shaggy Dog.) Thanks to a theft from the museum, the powerful piece of jewelry is at large, and the old curse is hounding him again.

Once aware of this dark little secret, Slade knows whoever gets the golden ring will win the election. As both parties franticly search, flying pies, gunshots, car chases, and tussles with other canines are just some of the madcap antics to ensue.

The slapstick comedy is enhanced by the addition of Tim Conway. Playing the part of a gullible ice-cream vendor who confuses the transformed Daniels with his pet dog Elwood, Conway’s character unwittingly runs interference, and provides much of the movie’s humor. He also compensates for cheesy talking mutts and obvious costumes used to create the scenes where a dog drives a car or dons roller-skates.

Although its no surprise the mysteries of the universe are not unraveled here, The Shaggy D.A. does offer some silly fun, a positive family example, the opportunity for good to triumph over evil, and an underdog worth rooting for.

Starring Dean Jones, Suzanne Pleshette, Tim Conway, Shane Sinutko. Theatrical release December 16, 1976. Updated

The Shaggy D.A. Parents' Guide

Parents may enjoy pointing out how times have changed since this movie was made. Check out the size of the radio headphones Brian wears and how much an ice-cream cone costs.

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Shaggy D.A. movie is March 9, 2006. Here are some details…

Have you ever wondered how Wilby Daniels (Dean Jones) was transformed from a man into a mutt? You’ll learn all the tricks from a Hollywood make-up artist in the bonus featurette Putting on the Dog. Other bonus tidbits on this DVD are an interview with The Good, the Bad and the Funny (a.k.a. Jo Anne Worley, Dick Van Patten and Tim Conway) and an audio commentary by these same stars. While prattling about their experiences on the set of The Shaggy D.A., Worley is reminiscent and often mentions her involvement with animal-rights charities, Van Patten takes a somewhat serious and analytical approach, and Conway shares his sarcastic humor. (The comedian’s comments will likely crack-up parents, but young viewers may miss the jokes because of his deadpan delivery.) One thing’s for sure though, after getting a whiff behind the scenes of the film’s famous pie fight (which required wearing whipped cream and cherries for four very hot and sticky summer days) there are some aspects of an acting career that really stink.

Related home video titles:

Make this a Double Bill Family Movie Night—start with The Shaggy Dog, then watch The Shaggy D.A.

Disney studios liked to cast the same stars in many of their films. Look for Dean Jones in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, Tim Conway in The Apple Dumpling Gang, and Keenan Wynn in The Absent-minded Professor.

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