Volume III: Biographies

SHEP (The Thanhouser Collie) *

Dog (1914-1915)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: Shep, a collie dog, appeared in Thanhouser films in 1914 and 1915.

Biographical Notes: Shep, The Thanhouser Collie, also known as The Thanhouser Dog, appeared in several Thanhouser films in late 1914 and early 1915. His owner was John ("Jack") Harvey, a Thanhouser director. In 1913, when John Harvey was with Vitagraph, Shep was with Vitagraph also, although he received very little publicity there, especially in comparison to Jean, The Vitagraph Dog, who was even featured on a postcard! The Motion Picture Magazine, September 1914, stated that while Shep was with Vitagraph his owner was Arthur Ashley.

A notice in the November 28, 1914 issue of Reel Life told of Shep's activities in a film: "In The Barrier of Flames, a forthcoming Thanhouser release, Shep, the beautiful collie, who daily reports for work at the New Rochelle studio, performed another daring rescue, distinguishing himself by a feat of human heroism and sagacity by climbing a ladder and rescuing Helen Badgley from the top story of a burning house."

The New York Star, November 18, 1914, carried this sad article: "SHEP HAS PLAYED HIS LAST PART. The idol of the children who go to see the moving pictures, the admiration of the grown ups and the wonder of the screen actors, has played his last part. There was much sorrow expressed last week at the death of Shep, the Thanhouser dog, who had created a unique part for himself in moving picture work. For Shep was a dramatic actor and could register sorrow or joy with the ease of a great artist. He was known to thousands for his work upon the screen, and though he had many imitators few were even in his class.

"Jack Harvey, his owner, is a director at the New Rochelle studio, and in many of his plays Shep played the lead. Last week, for the first time in several months, Mr. Harvey was unaccompanied. Shep was 'under the weather,' and the veterinarian decided that a short rest was what was needed. The rest was longer than anyone anticipated. There was genuine sorrow expressed, not only in New Rochelle but all over the country. A huge wreath from the Vitagraph players testified to their remembrance and affection; the Thanhousers sent another, and other companies sent messages and flowers. Shep recently played in a picture that made instantaneous success and is one of the big European sellers. It was A Dog's Love in which Shep played leads with little Helen Badgley. Two other well-known plays in which he 'starred' are: Shep's Race With Death, A Dog's Good Deed, and a number made in other studios. Among the latter, The Violin of M'sieur was shown as a feature at the Vitagraph Theatre not long ago."

Sketches: The Chicago News, December 23, 1914, carried this article: "Shep is the name of a dog whose principal claim to fame is that he graces the screen in the capacity of a star, frequently appearing in the title roles of startling and melodramatic 'thrillers.' Shep is a Thanhouser collie, a valuable acquisition to that studio, and, according to the directors, goes about his work with a determination and precision which would do credit to many of his human friends in the profession. Like any ordinary star or stock performer, Shep must rehearse his parts until he attains a perfect understanding of his role. When a scene is ready to be enacted for the camera the canine takes his place among the players, watches them closely as they go through their respective parts and when his cue comes enters the scene without any delay, performing his duties intelligently, rarely spoiling the picture, thereby causing a take-over.

"In his own way he appeals to both pathos and humor; he performs surprising feats of daring and responds to the voice of Director John Harvey, his owner, as if he possessed human intelligence, without a grumble or a growl. When the action of a scene is completed and Director Harvey announces as part of a regular routine at the studio, 'Still picture, Shep!' the collie assumes the pose similar to the one just finished and the camera snaps the picture for advertising purposes. During the enacting of a scene or when preparations or rehearsals are in progress Shep appears studiously to absorb the situation staged. He has little friendly regard for those who shower him with caresses or who pet him at such a time, discouraging them if possible from their manifestations of affection, and if he is unable in a friendly way to induce them to cease their attentions he becomes greatly irritated and indicates his displeasure by a warning growl.

"While this 'movie' star is energetic and zealous in his duties, like his human rivals, he has the artistic temperament and, like most celebrated performers, when he displays a temperamental disposition he must be humored. Recently Shep arrived at the studio and instead of his accustomed sprightliness he appeared dispirited and lazy. The change was instantly noticed and the collie was examined for a possible ailment, but he was found to be perfectly sound. Then Harvey diagnosed the case. 'It's just temperament, sure as you're born,' he said, and the dog was taken home in an automobile like a 'regular' actor.

"And Shep will not ride in a baggage car unless accompanied by his master. He is not permitted in the passenger train, because the railroad company insists that a dog is a dog and has no respect for the position a canine has in the human or animal world, however prominent. So Shep must ride in the baggage car. But unless he is closely guarded by the train conductor or baggage man or he is accompanied by Director Harvey, he will manage to escape from the train. On a trip from New York to New Rochelle a short while ago Shep rebelled at being left alone in the baggage car and leaped from the train while it was in motion. When the train was stopped Shep was put aboard again by Director Harvey, who was obliged to complete the trip with his temperamental star in the baggage car.

"Nor will this artistic performer of the silent drama accept graciously any choice of the director to play 'leads' opposite him. Shep has his preferences among the players and accordingly appears more frequently in pictures with little Helen Badgley, although he shows some partiality to the Fairbanks twins. Shep's remarkable intelligence and ingenuity was demonstrated in a rescue scene at a fire in The Barrier of Flames. Helen Badgley was imprisoned in the burning house by the flames and when the firemen arrived Shep, who stood barking frantically, made the firemen understand the danger that his little mistress was in, and when they raised the ladder the dog lost no time, but scurried up, followed by the rescuers. Shep entered the burning building and dragged the body of Helen to the window, where she was seized by the firemen and carried to safety. But Shep was forgotten in the excitement. Ultimately he leaped into a net held by the firemen from a second story window and thus escaped from perishing in the flames. Shep will laugh, cry, imitate a dog with a broken leg and do many other wonderful stunts. He is especially fond of children, frequently romping around the lawn near the studio with them."

In The New Rochelle Pioneer, March 27, 1915, the following article by John William Kellette appeared: "If Jack Harvey didn't do anything else to grab the laurel wreath, he would secure it because of his wonderful ability to train dogs to become almost human.... [I will tell] a little about the best dog that ever lived - Shep. When one talks of Shep in Mr. Harvey's hearing, his blue eyes cloud and the smile dies from his face, because he loved Shep as the 'best pal' he ever had. Shep was in many Thanhouser pictures. His understanding was almost human. He was directed entirely by voice. Mr. Harvey used to talk to Shep in man talk. 'It's strange,' said Mr. Harvey, 'that Shep, after all the risks he took, jumping from two-story windows, running through fire and smoke that he should die of a broken heart!' He bit his upper lip as if to shut back his grief.

"'You see, for four years Shep had a mate to whom he was very much devoted. Not long ago she was taken sick. I had several veterinaries examine her. While she was ill Shep's distress was pitiful. It was all I could do to get him to work, and when he did work the wistfulness of his eye almost made me cry. He would look at me and I'd know he was thinking. I'd read his thoughts beyond the depths of his eyes. 'You pretend to love me, and yet when the one I love most of all in the world is sick and needs me with her, you make me leave her.' 'Shep,' I say, at those times, 'you're a man and a man must do his work in the world. If you could help Bess by being there with her I wouldn't take you away from the world, but here's nothing you can do, so it's better for you to be occupied. All ready, now, and back to work Shep would have to go.

"'When Bessie died, I buried her. With her, too, I buried Shep's heart. I believe animals have souls - I've worked with them so long. Shep was a person with me. A dear, understanding pal; a friend I could always rely on - whose loyalty would belong to me no matter where I would go or how low I might fall. At night, if I had my work to think about; some particular bit of emotion and how best to present it, I could always rely upon Shep to come along, stick his nose under my hand and look up as if he was trying to say: 'Can I help you?' And then would come complete understanding between Harvey and Shep. Shep's intelligence was wonderful. He understood everything that was said to him when it was said. And he remembered. Harvey would say in directing a little business for Shep: 'Shep, you're to go to that wall, turn around and look at me over your shoulder, jump up against it and try to climb it. When you find you can't, run over there and get that ladder and try to set it against the wall. Then bark for help.' And Shep would do it - just as he was told to do, while Harvey was instructing others in what to do. It seems exaggeration, but it's absolute truth. This will be confirmed by anybody who ever worked with Shep..."

The New Rochelle Pioneer, June 19, 1915, told of the next generation: "Peggy and Shep, pups of Shep, the famous screen dog that John Harvey worked in so many pictures, were taken out for the first time this week, and although they showed considerable nervousness, they soon settled down and enjoyed their rambles at Dunwoodie. Both have kept the Harvey kennel awake on their return recounting the wonders of the great outside world which they were privileged to visit."

Note: A dog named Shep, described as "the handsome and well-known acting dog," appeared in the May 20, 1913 Majestic release of Shep, the Hero. As the Majestic and Thanhouser studios were closely related at the time, it may have been the case that Shep performed with both companies.

Thanhouser Filmography:

1914: A Dog's Good Deed (8-23-1914), A Dog's Love (10-4-1914), Shep's Race With Death (11-1-1914), The Barrier of Flames (12-15-1914)

1914-1915 Serial: The Million Dollar Mystery

1915: Shep, the Sentinel (1-1-1915)

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