La Gang Dei Doberman Italiano
Vinnie Breidenthal
La Gang Dei Doberman Italiano: The History and Culture of Italy's Legendary Dog Gang
If you are a fan of dogs, movies, or both, you might have heard of the La Gang Dei Doberman Italiano, or the Doberman Gang in English. This is the name of a group of six trained Doberman Pinschers that starred in a series of films in the 1970s and 1980s, where they pulled off daring bank heists and outsmarted their human counterparts. But how did this gang come to be? And what is the legacy of these canine actors?
The Origin of the Doberman Gang
The idea of using Dobermans as robbers came from Louis Garfinkle and Frank Ray Perilli, two American screenwriters who were inspired by a news report about a man who trained his dog to steal from vending machines. They wrote a script called The Doberman Gang, which was bought by producer Byron Chudnow, who also directed the film. The film was released in 1972 and starred Byron Mabe as Eddie Newton, a small-time crook who hires Barney Greer (Hal Reed), a former military dog trainer, to teach six Dobermans how to rob banks. The dogs are named after famous bank robbers: Dillinger, Bonnie, Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, and Ma Barker.
The film was a low-budget production, but it became a cult hit thanks to its original premise, its action scenes, and its humor. The dogs were trained by Karl Lewis Miller, who later worked on films such as Beethoven and Babe. Miller used positive reinforcement and treats to teach the dogs how to perform various tasks, such as opening doors, carrying bags of money, and escaping from cars. The dogs also wore special collars that emitted different sounds to signal them what to do.
The Sequels and Spin-offs
The success of The Doberman Gang spawned two sequels: The Daring Dobermans (1973) and The Amazing Dobermans (1976). In the first sequel, Eddie Newton returns with a new gang of humans and dogs to rob more banks, but he is pursued by an FBI agent (James Franciscus) who wants to use the dogs for his own purposes. In the second sequel, Eddie Newton is replaced by Daniel Hugh Kelly as Kenny Page, a magician who teams up with the dogs to stop a counterfeiting ring led by Fred Astaire.
The Doberman Gang also inspired other films that featured dogs as criminals or heroes, such as The Pack (1977), Cujo (1983), K-9 (1989), Turner & Hooch (1989), and Top Dog (1995). Some of these films borrowed elements from the original series, such as the use of sound collars or the names of the dogs.
The Legacy of the Doberman Gang
The Doberman Gang has left a lasting impression on pop culture and dog lovers alike. The films have been shown on television and released on DVD and Blu-ray in various countries. They have also been parodied or referenced in shows such as The Simpsons, Family Guy, Robot Chicken, and Mystery Science Theater 3000. The films have also influenced some real-life criminals who have used dogs to commit robberies or burglaries.
The films have also raised awareness and appreciation for the Doberman breed, which is known for its intelligence, loyalty, courage, and athleticism. The Doberman Pinscher was originally developed in Germany in the late 19th century by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a tax collector who wanted a dog that could protect him from bandits. The breed was later refined by other breeders who added traits from other dogs such as the Rottweiler, the German Pinscher, the Greyhound, and the Weimaraner. The result was a sleek and powerful dog that excelled in police work, military service, search and rescue, therapy, and companionship.
The Doberman Pinscher is also one of the most popular dog breeds in Italy, where it is known as the Dobermann or the Cane di Polizia (Police Dog). The Italian Kennel Club recognizes two varieties of the breed: the black-and-tan and the brown-and-tan. The breed standard requires that the dogs have their ears cropped and their tails docked, although these practices are illegal in some countries. The breed is also subject to some health issues, such as hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, von Willebrand's disease, and cervical vertebral instability.
The Future of the Doberman Gang
Although the original Doberman Gang films are over 40 years old, they still have a loyal fan base and a potential for revival. In 2010, it was reported that Warner Bros. was planning to remake The Doberman Gang with a modern twist, but the project never materialized. However, in 2019, a new film called The Dobermans was announced, which is described as a "reimagining" of the original series. The film is directed by Michael Winnick and stars Antonio Banderas as Barney Greer, who trains a new generation of Dobermans to stop a terrorist plot. The film is expected to be released in 2022.
Meanwhile, the original Doberman Gang dogs have left a legacy of their own. Some of them went on to star in other films or shows, such as Whiskey and Brandy, who appeared in CHiPs and Magnum P.I. respectively. Some of them also had offspring that continued their bloodline and their fame, such as Dillinger Jr., who starred in The Amazing Dobermans. Some of them also became pets or therapy dogs after their acting careers ended.
The Doberman Gang is more than just a series of films. It is a tribute to the bond between humans and dogs, and to the amazing abilities and personalities of the Doberman Pinscher breed. Whether you watch them for the action, the comedy, or the dogs, you will surely enjoy these classic movies that have entertained generations of viewers.
The Doberman Gang is more than just a series of films. It is a tribute to the bond between humans and dogs, and to the amazing abilities and personalities of the Doberman Pinscher breed. Whether you watch them for the action, the comedy, or the dogs, you will surely enjoy these classic movies that have entertained generations of viewers.
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