DOG FILM STAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 January 1939, Page 3

DOG FILM STAR

BRED IN WELLINGTON

COAL-BLACK ALSATIAN.

LONG LINE OF CHAMPIONS.

New Zealanders 'who have made good as film stars are few. A Wel-lington-bred Alsatian sheepdog, however, has won fame on the screen as star of a British cinema drama for world release, at. present being screened in Wellington. He is Crumstone Storm, inte’ligent coal-black Alsatian owned by Mrs M. B. Griffin, formerly of Gisborne

His father. Champion Gaspar of Praemar, is at present in Lower Hutt. He is owned by Mr G. Everis, and has won prizes in many Wellington dog shows. His mother. Crumstone Echo, also owned by Mrs Griffin, was also a well-khown dog at New Zealand shows and obedience test* A e

He acted in the making of the film on location on the Cumberland Fells, sheep country where the working of dogs is as highly appreciated as in Hawke's Bay or Canterbury. His mother, Echo, though a pedigree show dog, was used as a working sheep dog on Mrs Griffin's East Coast sheep station, and Storm inherited her ability. Indeed, the Alsatian breed was originally evolved in Germany for sheep work, at which it excels. In the film. "O\vd Bob." Storm takes the role of the villain, Black Wtill. renegade sheep killer and worrier.

.When first his film was screened in London, Storm created a sensation in the theatre by the outspoken interest he displayed tn it. ’Taken into the theatre by Mrs Griffin, he barked noisy acclamation when he saw himself appear on the screen, growled angrily at the entrance of his rival, whom he remembered from the days on location on the windy fells. This dog will be seen at the State Theatre on Tuesday next in "Owd Bob." which is screening in conjunction with George O’Brien in "Renegade Ranger.”