When Sam was picked for the part of Crabb in the film Shakespeare in Love I was pleased but a little nervous as it required him to do quite a bit of unusual action which he had not done before, especially in a costume drama.
The most important scene was one where he had to jump up and hold onto a turban hat worn by the actor playing his master and generally behave in a very naughty fashion!
The props (the turban) and other items were sent to me prior to shooting so that I could practice with them. This we did for quite some considerable time. I felt confident that Sam would do what he was required to do.
The first scene to be shot was at Shepperton Studios and required him to run up onto the set of the Rose Theatre and run around during a hectic sword fight. I thought well either he will turn tail or join in! Fortunately he was well up for it and on action dashed up the steps and ran around barking his head off and generally joining in the sequence. Phew!
Later he did a similar scene where feathers were flying all over from split pillows and he came out covered in them!
The most important scenes were to be done on location in the Inner Temple in London where the set had been made to look like the Curtain Theatre as it was in Shakespeare's day. The costumes were magnificent, most of the cast were there and the scene was the one where Queen Elizabeth played by Judi Dench is watching a performance by the players and where Sam had to misbehave to make everyone laugh especially the Queen.
We had to wait all day for our turn. Finally in early evening Sam got his chance. By this time he had gone off the boil and was just a little bored with it all. I did not realise it at the time but he had plans to show his displeasure!
The Director wanted the action to take place in long shot so I could not be very near to Sam as if often the case with animals. The atmosphere in the Hall was quite hot and noisy and they all said "arrh" when Sam appeared on stage.
The actor started his routine and Sam started his. Not what we rehearsed however, he just stood and barked and barked and barked. No amount of persuasion would get him to stop. He had decided that was what he had to do!
SHOCK, HORROR, EMBARRASSMENT FROM ME!!!!! He had never let me down before, what a time to choose!
I was called to the Director and asked why this had happened and under what circumstances he would do the required action as it was an important scene.
I explained that I thought the atmosphere and waiting around all day had taken its toll and that under different circumstances I felt sure he could get it right!
You do need a lot of patience when working with animals and more time would be needed to allow Sam to get it right!
The Director, John Madden, was very understanding and we were both given a second chance to come up with the goods! Another day's shooting would be arranged this time at Shepperton Studios where they would reconstruct the stage of the Curtain Theatre and concentrate purely on the action of the actor and the dog.
The day dawned and we set off early. The set had been constructed and it was amazing! Exactly as it was on location.
Sam had rehearsed for other types of action and we did all of those first. A routine with slippers and various interaction with the actor. Sam was his usual efficient self and we had no problems.
Finally we came to the scene with the turban. When it was unwound it came out to over eight feet long and this was what Sam had to hang on to! As dog owners will know if you want your dog to hand on to something you have to keep pulling so that the material is taunt.
I must say that the actor playing the part, Patrick Barlow, was very good and whilst concentrating on his part had also to bear in mind what he had to do with Sam.
Then came the moment. I held my breath and crossed everything I could cross!
As I said previously this was in long shot so on the command action I told Sam to get the turban and hold and then I hastily retired to a distance.
This time Sam was in no doubt what he had to do! He held on to that turban, he shook it, he pulled - no way was he going to let go! Patrick Barlow carried out his routine and all the while Sam was hanging on for grim death. The turban gets wound around the actor's legs and he falls over. Even then Sam held on!
I must admit I looked on with tears in my eyes! Sam had produced the goods. This scene looks so easy and natural when you see it in the actual film but it took time and effort on the part of lots of different people to achieve it.
It was a pleasure to work with so many talented people. I am very proud that my little stray played a part in an Oscar winning film!
Sam, Ozzie and myself were fortunate enough to get work on the film production of Tom Jones made for television. It meant quite a few days down at a Manor House in Dorset during the summer months. No hardship then!
The Squire, a wonderful performance by Brian Blessed, was required to have six dogs usually accompanying him. They were to be two Irish Wolfhounds, Two Lurchers and Sam and Ozzie bringing up the rear.
They did not have much action to do, more as set dressing but in one scene they were required to be present at a banquet.
The Squire and all his cronies sat down to a feast, got very drunk and passed out asleep at the table. Then three of the dogs had to eat what was left. The Irish Wolfhound put his head next to Squire's head laying on the table and had to eat from his plate! He really enjoyed that!
They picked Ozzie and Sam to actually be on the table eating all the leftovers.
Sam chose a game pie with cherries and ate quite daintily although with great relish!
Ozzie (as all Jack Russell owners will appreciate) is a dustbin. He started devouring the nearest thing to hand, namely an Amaretto Trifle, liberally laced with Amaretto as all the feast was very authentic!
After a couple of takes most of the food was eaten.
When the scene was finished I looked at Ozzie. He had a sort of silly expression on his face, and was he walking a little sideways! No, I must have imagined it!
I put him back into the car, turned my back and when I looked around he had curled up fast asleep and was snoring!
It was only then I realised he was tipsy! (for the benefit of our American readers this means he was a little drunk) I did not hear a peep out of him.
With Sam I wondered what the effect might be of all that game pie. He took it in his stride although I was in for a very 'windy' evening if you know what I mean!
Ah well, they had a great time and no harm was done. Dogs from previous centuries must have had a very interesting diet!
Last year Ozzie and I was picked to do a mini-series about an Irish family. The location was a farm in deepest Sussex doubling for old Ireland!
We did our scenes successfully and then came to the one where an old barn was blown up and they wanted chickens to be pecking on the ruins and Ozzie sniffing around the base doing his own thing!
The scene took quite a while to set and then destroy and then it was our turn. The 'acting' chickens were brought onto the set and placed on the rubble. Corn was thrown on the ground for them to peck at and then Ozzie was put into position, held by me. Then came the command ACTION!
The chickens dutifully started to peck at the corn and Ozzie dutifully grabbed the nearest chicken around the throat in a flurry of feathers!
For a second I was transfixed to the spot but then came around and shouted LEAVE IT at the top of my voice. Ozzie did just that pausing only to grab the next available chicken!
The second Assistant had the presence of mind to do a flying ruby tackle bringing Ozzie and the chicken to the ground when Ozzie let go once more, this time he thought better of any further mayhem!
Wishing that the ground would open up and swallow me I heard the Director yell CUT. The crew were in hysterics. The chickens were unhurt thankfully with only the loss of their dignity and a few feathers which were in Ozzie's mouth!
It was decided to cut Ozzie out of this scene as the chickens had demanded stunt doubles if the scenario was going to be repeated!
Mercifully no harm was done but a lesson was learnt.
