DOG FILM STAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 278, 24 November 1938, Page 5

DOG FILM STAR.

BRED IN WELLINGTON. COAL-BLACK ALSATIAN. \ LONG LINE OP CHAMPIONS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. New Zealanders who have made good as film stars are few. A Wellingtonbred Alsatian sheepdog, however, has won fame 011 the screen as star of a British cinema.drama for world release, at present being screened in Wellington. He is Crumstone Storm, intelligent coalblack Alsatian owned by Mrs. M. B. Griffin, formerly of Gisborne. His father. Champion Gaspar of Braemar. is at present in Lower Hutt. He is owned by Mr. fi. Everis, and has won prizes in many Wellington dog shows. His mother, Crumstone Echo,

also owned by Mrs. Griffin, was also a well-known dog at Xew Zealand shows and obedience tests, says the Dominion. Another of his relatives, his grandmother, Grand Champion Pinkerton Rhoda, also achieved world fame for her intelligent and obedient behaviour. She won many prizes for tests throughout England, and demonstrated her abilities in Sydney and other parts of the world. Born at Sea. Crumstone Storm was pupped 011 board ship three years ago. when liis mistress was on her way home to England. He has since won high honours in English shows. He is jet black, an unusual colour for an Alsatian, but of more or less regular occurrence in his fa mily. He acted 'in the making of the film 011 location 011 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 slieep 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, Storm takes the role of the villain, Black Wull, 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 in it. Taken into the theatre by Mrs. Griffin, he barked noisy acclamation when he saw himself appear on the screen, prowled angrily at the entrance of his rival, whom he remembered from the days on location 011 the windy fells. At a reception after the show, he was mobl*ed by admirers, but received their adulation with indifference. He stood aloof, with a far-away look in his eyes —they were fixed upon a plate of sandwiches at the far side of the room. More material : homage than fame or acclaim is acceptible to a canine film star.