Fala was the famous Scotch Terrier owned by Franklin Delano Roosevelt during his last two presidential terms,, the cause of a bit of a controversy and a stern lesson to the Republicans that you can attack a man, but best leave his dog alone -- a lesson that Nixon learned well enough to use to advantage in his Checkers Speech.

Just so there's no misunderstanding, let me state I like dogs: big dogs, anything from an Irish wolfhound down to a corgi. I have no patience with small dogs, even though my sister likes terriers and her current dog is a Westy.

In any case, this short subject, giving the 'home front' story from the viewpoint of Fala is an amusing conceit, and it's given the usual MGM polish, even though everyone is a stand in. But the idea does not travel well past World War Two and dog lovers.... so it come out a little too precious for my taste.

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How Franklin D. Roosevelt's Scots Terrier, "Fala" spends his day at the White House. First breakfast with "The Chief," followed by an interlude of squirrel-chasing on the lawn. Newsreels recall historic moments at the White House.

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Fala: The President's Dog

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