Four Pets That Beat the Odds and Survived A Horror Movie
Anyone that has ever been loved by an animal can relate to the immediate sense of dread I feel when a pet turns up in a horror movie. Please don’t get me wrong. I am a full-fledged animal guy. My husband and I are the proud parents of four great fur kids by the names of Remington Muttley, Kirby Joyce, Coco LeTigra, and Marvin Hubbard (find me on Twitter @FunWithHorror if keen to be bombarded by pics of charming canine and feline companions). Additionally, we subsist as herbivores for the sake of animal welfare. So, suffice to say, that the dread isn’t induced by a disdain for the animal kingdom.
No, no. It is brought on by the realization that pets tend not to fare well in horror movies. I’ve seen enough gialli to know that when a cat arrives on the scene, it’s best to brace for the absolute worst. And what about the well-worn pet poisoning trope that so commonly finds its way into psycho-obsessive flicks and serial killer films? No, the cinematic landscape is not a good place for good boys and girls of the canine, feline, or otherwise non-human varieties.
Luckily, on occasion, an animal friend beats the odds and makes it through to the end of the film. So, it’s with that in mind that I would like to recount a few memorable instances where instead of becoming senseless casualties of a bleak narrative, pets were able to survive a horror movie!
General from Cat’s Eye
General is the real star of Cat’s Eye. He (along with Drew Barrymore) serves as the carry through between the vignettes. And that’s a big responsibility for such a perfect little prince. When I saw General in the ‘Quitters, Inc.’ segment of Cat’s Eye, I was terrified that quitting counselor Vinnie Donatti was going to fry the poor creature to death. But General is much too smart for that. He escapes his fate at the smoking cessation clinic. Then, he eventually makes his way into the loving arms of young Amanda (Barrymore). Sadly, Amanda’s mother subscribes to some idiotic ideas about cats and tries to ruin everything. But General has the last laugh when he saves the day and wins the heart of Amanda’s previously unsavory mother. Then he’s allowed to do all of the things like a good furry friend should be allowed to. Good boy, General. Good boy.
Inga from Phenomena
Inga the chimp is a very good girl. Just look at her and try to tell me otherwise. As for the simian thespian that plays Inga, it’s rumored that she may have some issues. I can’t track down the original interview but there are plenty of people online clamoring about how actress Jennifer Connelly was (allegedly) bitten by Tanga (who plays Inga) over a misunderstanding. However, that didn’t stop the two from sharing a loving embrace at the very end of the film and that warms my heart.
On a side note, I do believe that Tanga is innocent until proven guilty. So, unless the original interview surfaces, I am going to take the shocking allegations with a grain of salt. After all, look at her sweet face. Is she really capable of such savage behavior? I don’t think so.
Nanook in The Lost Boys
If the title hadn’t already been claimed by Remington Muttley, I might be tempted to say Nanook from The Lost Boys is The Best Boy. But I can’t go around using that honorable distinction willy nilly, now, can I? Certainly not. Why is Nanook a contender for the ‘Best Boy’ classification? Well, just look at him. And if that doesn’t convince you, allow me to remind you that he vehemently defends young Sam from a blood-thirsty older brother who was up to what I can only describe as no good. Also, what about his heroic efforts to save the Frog Brothers from Paul? That kind of selfless bravery is just one of many reasons Nanook makes it through the film unscathed. Good boy, Nanook. Very good boy.
Jonesy from Alien
Jonesy made it through Ridley Scott’s masterpiece Alien unscathed, alongside human companion Ellen Ripley. Moreover, he was even kind enough to make a return appearance in Aliens. Now, that’s a good boy if I have ever seen a good boy.
Behind-the-scenes scuttlebutt suggests that in the sequence where Jonesy is reacting to the arrival of the alien creature, the production team introduced the gentlemanly feline to a German Shephard to illicit a fearful reaction! I suppose the least the crew could do after that harrowing ordeal was let his regal and prince-like character survive the perils that followed, no?
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