Ranger the Dog Movies

Canine star Rin-Tin-Tin had dozens of movie competitors and imitators. One of the best of these was FBO Studios' Ranger the Dog,, the "hero" of 1928's Dog Law. Ranger races to the rescue when human protagonist Robert Sweeney is framed on a murder charge. The actual killer is Jules Cowles (previously a prominent blackface comedian), whom the faithful Fido chases to the edge of a cliff. Cowles falls to his death, but not before Sweeney has been proven innocent by heroine Mary Mabery. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

One of Rin Tin Tin's many canine imitators, Ranger, starred in this silent Western melodrama as a sheep dog falsely accused of "sheepicide." Outraged local sheep ranchers attempt to drown the dog, but he is saved by his owner, Jed Springer (Sam Nelson), and hidden away in a cave in the hills. Evidence later proves the dog to be innocent. Nelson was Ranger's owner and trainer. Tracked was photographed by one of the best in the business, Robert De Grasse. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi

The Outlaw Dog stars Ranger, one of the better Rin-Tin-Tin rivals, in the title role. When his master is attacked and left speechless, Ranger is held responsible. On the lam from the Law, the canine hero links up with telegrapher Bill Brady (Rex Lease) and Bill's girlfriend Helen Meadows (Helen Foster). He gets a chance to clear his name by helping Bill trap a pair of outlaws who plan to blow up a mail train and abscond with the loot. Finally, Ranger's former master regains his voice, exonerates the dog, and everything in the garden is lovely. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rin Tin Tin wannabe Ranger is the canine hero of When a Dog Loves. The story gets underway when both Ranger and a valuable necklace turn up missing. The dog is rescued by a small boy who adopts him as a pet, never realizing that Ranger's owners have offered a huge reward for his return. Meanwhile, hero Harold Goodwin finds the necklace around the neck of his sweetheart Helen Foster. Both Goodwin and Foster subsequently run afoul of jewel thieves, but Ranger comes racing to the rescue. Director J. P. Gowan performs yeoman duty trying to make sense of the herky-jerky plotline. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Brave miner Dan Emory (Robert Ramsey) befriends a mistreated dog (Ranger) in this action-melodrama produced by Robertson-Cole for assembly-line studio FBO. Dan is later injured in a mining accident and sends the faithful pooch for help. But Ranger is in danger from a group of settlers who accuse the dog of mistreating a child (Mary Dow). Ranger, of course, is innocent, and with the assistance of pretty Bessie Lang (Australian starlet Lotus Thompson), manages to save the wounded Dan. But Dan does not have one of his best days and is soon close to being lynched for killing Bessie's father (Clark Comstock). The real culprit, however, is Ranger's former owner, the nasty "Red" Saunders (Eddie Chandler). Everything is cleared up in the final reel when Ranger and Dan save Bessie from the evil Saunders. One of Rin Tin Tin's many competitors, Ranger never achieved the kind of recognition awarded the famous German shepherd. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi