Dennis The Menace (1970)
Animal Action
For the opening scene a variety of animals were filmed separately and the footage was edited into the entire scene. Numerous pigeons were released from boxes so that they could fly through camera frame. Other birds were similarly released. A squirrel scampers up a tree. The squirrel had been trained to respond to a buzzer and ran to a food reward. Two cats run through the scene from opposite directions and bump into each other. This scene was achieved partly by accident. The cats were supposed to run past each other running A to B from opposite directions. The cats were each placed in position, then released as they were called to other trainers by means of a clicker and a food reward. This scene was filmed several times and, in one of the takes, the cats accidently collided. Neither cat was harmed and they did several more takes without bumping. Dennis’ dog Ruff is present in many scenes throughout the film. All of Ruffs’ actions were simple and were achieved by way of verbal cues from his trainer and food rewards. After Mr. Wilson mistakes Ruff for Mrs. Wilson, Ruff makes a hasty exit from the Wilson house. The speed of the exit was exaggerated through camera technique. There are other dogs seen briefly, primarily as atmosphere in very simple action. Additional animals seen briefly as atmosphere are an owl in a tree, a small snake, and grasshoppers in a jar.