Disney Channel The Flashback
We dig deep into Disney Channel's Original movie archive with a movie from 1998 called "You Lucky Dog" . It is the 2nd "Official" original movie or 3rd if you count "
Northern Lights" . This is the first Disney Channel original to have a dog in it so, yay!
Our film stars television star, Kirk Cameron. Yeah, really so, that's something. Let's take a look at this movie.
It starts with Kirk Cameron's character in this movie called Jack Morgan, who is a dog therapist. Who also can apparently read his dog's mind not other dogs but, still runs his therapy thing without telling people that he can't really read other dogs minds. Anyway, one man named Mr. Mooney is not pleased and thinks that Jack is scamming him, he's also a friend of mayor. A rich man named, Clyde Windsor brings his dog Lucky. (Get it?) Time to mention more faces and stars in this movie: they have the talented voice actress, Christine Cavanaugh, playing has Jack Morgan's secretary. (The Voice of Chuckie from the Rugrats for example) and James Avery , whom you will know as 'Uncle Phil' from the Fresh Prince. In this movie he's the personal driver of our rich guy.
You didn't tell me that this wasn't an episode of Growing Pains/ Copyright Disney
Now back to the movie. Jack finds out that can actually could read Lucky's mind. (Lucky break) Jack tells Clyde that the dog told him that Lucky is worried about Clyde and is bothered by three individuals in the home. Two weeks later, the mayor gets Jack's business shut down. (This movie is unrealistic) Then Clyde's driver ,Calvin Bridges, comes to visit Jack and tells him Clyde had passed and wants Jack to come to the estate.
You look like you starred in "Growing Pains"/Copyright Disney
Meanwhile, the will is being read. Clyde's nephew, Reuben (played by Taylor Negron) doesn't get anything from the will but an easy chair. His niece , Margret gets his mirror because she's so vain. His other nephew, Lyle, gets nothing. (ha ha) His money, $64 Million , doesn't go to any of them. They also get kicked out of the house. Do you want to guess who gets the money? Play with us! Is it a) the Dog b) the Dog c) Santa Claus d) DOG , it's the dog , obliviously it's the dog.
The attorney, Allison Kent, is played by Chelsea Noble a fellow "Growing Pains" star. She tells Jack that he left his money to his dog. If you picked C, you were wrong. Also Jack has been made the Trustee and he'll be working for the dog. (What am I watching?) Let's see Allison gives us some words that might work for part of our plot, where she says "unless the heirs can prove he's not competent". Will this be used for anything plot wise? Find out later maybe!
Pictured: Doggo / Copyright Disney
Also the movie seems to be hinting that his physic connection to the dog might also mean he can taste somethings the dog is tasting (ewww) and other dog habits. The heirs aren't happy and they are talking to their lawyer and he helps them with that one thing about the mental competency thing. He also wants 30% of the money. Jack figures out he can read Lucky's thought. So, he starts talking to Lucky and tells him don't ever get too excited. (Gee, I wonder what will happen later in the movie?) Seems if Lucky gets to excited the physic link gets stronger and makes Jack process things like Lucky. Well I saw Kirk Cameron destroy a couch and scare the maids away so that's a thing.
There's a morning after. Cavlin seems to be somewhat more understanding of this weirdness. Jack explains what happens when Lucky gets excited and tries to tell Calvin but, this is harder to believe. Lucky doesn't seem to be willing to eat and Jack wonders what's wrong. The movie goes all flashback on us to when the old man died. The old man died while taking Lucky on a walk. (Well I'm sad) Jack starts acting like a dog again because of course maybe Calvin will understand now. Half this movie was there to make Kirk Cameron look silly isn't it?
Yes/ Copyright Disney
Meanwhile the three heirs follow Jack to get evidence of non sanity. Good thing there was no tape. Mall time. Allison is back and they meet up at the pet store and she has more papers from to sign. (Also, I think she's the love interest of the movie) Lucky goes a little off again and that means Jack does too. The niece decides she wants to talk to Jack. Some of the renovations they are doing gets her distraught. It happens again, I get the point movie. Now we got a scene where Kirk Cameron (his character to be clear) bites her skirt and rips part of it off. (what is this movie?)
That's the man, officer / Copyright Disney
The three relatives seem to go their plan to snuff out the dog. They break into the house and go on with this plan to do such a thing. Since they are stupid. the end up shooting things that aren't the dog. with the stuff that will knock out the dog, not bullets to be clear. This movie is trying to get all Home Alone 3 on us isn't it? They chase them out but it's hard to prove they were there. Meanwhile, the 3 of them hire that attorney . They call Jack mentally unable to trustee.
You know what this movie needed? A trial. Yep now there's a trial. This doesn't look good for Jack. So his idea is to show his "special ability".It works. Also there's a twist ! yes a twist!
The Nephew Lyle poisoned the old man. We got a murder in a Disney Channel movie! And Lyle has gun to hold up the court, but Lucky takes him out . They get arrested, Jack wins the case. Lucky gets a lady dog friend and a happy ending.
It's an alright movie, most of it seems to be "how can we get Kirk Cameron to look really goofy?" but that silliness has it's charm. It's not taking it's premise too seriously but, having fun with it. I enjoyed this movie it was fun to watch. I get this sense from many of the early DCOMs that Disney Channel movies weren't going with a brand as much as just being TV movies for the family (mostly kids) to enjoy and be their own things. This being the 3rd movie really shows that. It's also interesting that this Disney Channel does have a child or teenage lead, it's not even a 20 or 30 something playing a Teenager (Dawson style) Cameron himself, was 28 in real life when this movie came out. That's an interesting decision to me not a bad one just interesting in the framing of things for a Disney Channel movie. That's our look , tune in next time when we find a lady who left all her money to her cat and we get to take care of it! Meow!
