All Dogs go to Heaven

Synopsis

Set in 1939 New Orleans, the story centers the tale of a con"dog" German Shepherd, Charlie, who co-owns a large canine casino with his partner, Carface, a car-loving, cigar-chomping Pit Bull. Carface murders Charlie so that they will no longer have to share profits, or compete for business as well. In heaven, Charlie finds a watch- it represents his life on earth, and it has stopped. He winds it back up, returning to Earth eager for revenge. Teaming up with his best friend, Itchy, a loyal Dachshund, Charlie "rescues" a young girl named Anne-Marie from Carface, who can speak to all varieties of animals and is ideal for cheating at gambling. Charlie builds himself up his own casino, but problems become many. Little Anne-Marie longs for a real family and Carface, aware that Charlie has returned, is out to get him once again. Through all the tribulations, Charlie learns regret, loyalty, and what true love is all about.

Personal Review

I remember that "All Dogs go to Heaven" was released in theaters the same time that "The Little Mermaid" was in 1989. I wanted to see "ADGTH" more, but my parents dragged me kicking and screaming to "Mermaid" instead. It was several weeks before they finally gave in and took me to "ADGTH". Looking at this film now as an adult, I am much more sympathetic and aware of the serious tones and themes of the film: chicanery, deceit, violence, loyalty, faith, and of course, true love. I find the growth of the character Charlie very touching and moving. He moves away from a gambling conman who is simply using a girl for his own personal gain to actually loving and caring for her and ultimately, making the final decision between his life and her own. This film in itself is wonderful- it's classic Don Bluth. However, some continuity problems and unnecessary scenes ( like the vibrant, King Gator musical sequence ) slowed it down and made it unappealing to some audiences. I believe it is still truely a hallmark film in animation. I enjoy it, and will continue to as long as I have eyes to watch the tv with.

Cast

Burt Reynolds as Charlie B. Barkin

Dom DeLuise as Itchy

Judith Barsi as Anne-Marie

Vic Tayback as Carface

Charles Nelson Reilly as Killer

Loni Anderson as Flo

Ken Page as King Gator

Characters

Charlie, the rougish German Shepherd, is the premiere character in this film. His main loyalties lie mostly in his business and his money. Shortly after his best friend, Itchy, breaks him out of jail, Charlie is murdered by his double-crossing business partner. However, Charlie falls back from heaven looking for revenge and a second chance at life, for he is bitter that he was struck down "in the prime of his life". His venture finds him in care of a small orphan girl and a pawful of problems.

Itchy is the cap-wearing dachshund who is Charlie's best friend. Itchy, named for his habit of becoming "itchy" when in stressful situations, is somewhat of a mechanic and engineer. He builds Charlie's casino himself and helps to maintain it. When it comes to Anne-Marie, Itchy's obvious jealously shows through at Charlie's newest obsession, but being the good friend that he is, Itchy stays by Charlie's side even when his own life is in danger for it.

Anne Marie is the sweet little orphan girl that Carface kidnapped as his "servant" for the astounding ability she has to communicate with all species of animals. Charlie "rescues" her for his own convenience, and the poor child is too blind to see that she is being used. Anne Marie continues to keep alive her hopes of finding a mother and a father, and is Charlie's main conscience.
Carface is the double-crossing, greedy pit bull terrier that was once Charlie's partner. Letting his greed for money get the best of him, he murders Charlie, and proceeds to keep an orphan girl prisoner to exploit her talents and help him to cheat his own casino customers.

Killer, the very odd-looking dog who is the right-hand-man to Carface. He doesn't seem to be particularly malicious, but he still aids Carface in his plots to murder Charlie time and time again.

Flo is the lovely collie dog that is the caretaker of a dozen or so homeless puppies in an old, abandoned church. She is apparently an old friend and even flame of Charlie's, and she doesn't hesitate to enjoy his company. She is a very kind and nurturing character, who is eager to help save Anne Marie's life when the moment calls for it.

King Gator- who once aimed to make Charlie his lunch. I suppose every animated film needs their sappy, unnecessary character, and King Gator certainly fills that role. A giant sewer gator who is overly fond of music, he ends up aiding Charlie in thwarting Carface's evil plans.

Screen Grabs

Place Cursor over Images for Image Description; Click Images for Higher Resolution Image

Fan Contributions

Related Links

Sannabelle's ADGTH Website

Annabelle's ADGTH Website

Brooke's ADGTH Website

Film Credits

Directed by Don Bluth

Screenplay by David N. Weiss

Music by Ralph Burns

Distributed by Sullivan, Bluth, Ireland Ltd.

	Charlie, the rougish German Shepherd, is the premiere character in this film. His main loyalties lie mostly in his business and his money. Shortly after his best friend, Itchy, breaks him out of jail, Charlie is murdered by his double-crossing business partner. However, Charlie falls back from heaven looking for revenge and a second chance at life, for he is bitter that he was struck down "in the prime of his life". His venture finds him in care of a small orphan girl and a pawful of problems.
	Itchy is the cap-wearing dachshund who is Charlie's best friend. Itchy, named for his habit of becoming "itchy" when in stressful situations, is somewhat of a mechanic and engineer. He builds Charlie's casino himself and helps to maintain it. When it comes to Anne-Marie, Itchy's obvious jealously shows through at Charlie's newest obsession, but being the good friend that he is, Itchy stays by Charlie's side even when his own life is in danger for it.
	Anne Marie is the sweet little orphan girl that Carface kidnapped as his "servant" for the astounding ability she has to communicate with all species of animals. Charlie "rescues" her for his own convenience, and the poor child is too blind to see that she is being used. Anne Marie continues to keep alive her hopes of finding a mother and a father, and is Charlie's main conscience.
	Carface is the double-crossing, greedy pit bull terrier that was once Charlie's partner. Letting his greed for money get the best of him, he murders Charlie, and proceeds to keep an orphan girl prisoner to exploit her talents and help him to cheat his own casino customers.
	Killer, the very odd-looking dog who is the right-hand-man to Carface. He doesn't seem to be particularly malicious, but he still aids Carface in his plots to murder Charlie time and time again.
	Flo is the lovely collie dog that is the caretaker of a dozen or so homeless puppies in an old, abandoned church. She is apparently an old friend and even flame of Charlie's, and she doesn't hesitate to enjoy his company. She is a very kind and nurturing character, who is eager to help save Anne Marie's life when the moment calls for it.
	King Gator- who once aimed to make Charlie his lunch. I suppose every animated film needs their sappy, unnecessary character, and King Gator certainly fills that role. A giant sewer gator who is overly fond of music, he ends up aiding Charlie in thwarting Carface's evil plans.