My Dog Skip (film) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids My Dog Skip
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Jay Russell
Produced by	Mark Johnson John Lee Hancock< Broderick Johnson Andrew Kosove
Screenplay by	Gail Gilchriest
Story by	Willie Morris
Starring	Frankie Muniz Diane Lane Luke Wilson Kevin Bacon
Music by	William Ross
Cinematography	James L. Carter
Editing by	Micah Strickland
Studio	Alcon Entertainment MDS Productions LLC
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date(s)	January 14, 2000 (2000-01-14) (Limited) March 3, 2000 (2000-03-03) (Wide release)
Running time	95 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$4.5 million
Money made	$35.5 million

My Dog Skip is a heartwarming American family drama film from 2000. It was directed by Jay Russell and stars Frankie Muniz, Diane Lane, Luke Wilson, and Kevin Bacon. The movie is narrated by Harry Connick Jr..

The story is based on a true book by Willie Morris about his own childhood. It tells the tale of 9-year-old Willie and how his new Jack Russell Terrier puppy, Skip, changes his life in many wonderful ways. My Dog Skip was released on March 3, 2000, by Warner Bros. and received many good reviews from critics. The film earned over $35.5 million, which was a lot more than its $4.5 million budget!

Story of Willie and Skip

The movie begins with an adult Willie Morris looking back at his childhood in the early 1940s. He remembers how his beloved dog, a Jack Russell Terrier named Skip, made his life special. Young Willie is a lonely 9-year-old. His father is a brave man, and his mother is kind and talkative. But Willie is an only child and smaller than other kids his age, so he doesn't have many friends.

His best friend is a young man next door, Dink Jenkins, who is a local sports hero. But when Dink is called to join the army, Willie's mother decides to get him a dog. She hopes it will give him company, even though his father isn't sure about it.

A New Best Friend

Willie and Skip quickly become the best of friends. At school, Willie is often picked on by some bullies named Big Boy Wilkinson, Henjie Henick, and Spit McGee. One day, Dink sends Willie a German helmet and belt from the war. The bullies demand Willie play a game to win back his things. Skip jumps in to help Willie, and they manage to get his items back.

Later that day, the three bullies dare Willie to spend the night in a graveyard. They say a witch is buried there. If Willie stays, he can join their group and keep a special ball Dink signed. If he leaves, he has to give them his German helmet. Willie stays for hours. He then hears two men, Millard and Junior, secretly putting boxes into a tomb. Skip jumps on Millard, but Junior threatens Skip with a shovel. Willie uses a slingshot to hit Junior with an acorn. Willie and Skip try to escape but are caught. Junior threatens to hurt Skip if Willie leaves before sunrise. After the men leave, the bullies return and welcome Willie into their group for being so brave.

Skip's Adventures and Challenges

Skip is a very friendly dog and everyone in town knows him. He helps Willie have the best times of his boyhood. Thanks to Skip, Willie now has three friends and even a girlfriend named Rivers. Skip is also there for Willie when Dink comes home from the army. Dink is changed by the war and doesn't enjoy competitions anymore.

One day, Willie has his first baseball game. Skip wants to cheer Willie on and runs onto the field, wagging his tail. Willie is angry and embarrassed because he's playing poorly, causing his team to lose. In his frustration, Willie hits Skip on the nose. Skip then runs away and disappears.

A Scary Moment

Willie doesn't know that Skip has gone back to the tomb where the men were hiding things. Skip accidentally gets locked inside. As Willie searches the graveyard, he hears Skip barking. He runs to save him, but Junior hits Skip with a shovel, knocking him unconscious. Dink arrives and makes the two men leave.

Willie and Dink's families gather sadly at the vet's office. Skip is badly hurt and almost dies in Willie's arms. But then, Skip wakes up, licking Willie's hands and face! Everyone is so relieved and happy.

Growing Up and Saying Goodbye

Willie explains that he was an only child and Skip was like his only sibling. When Willie leaves for Oxford University in 1957, Skip stays with Willie's parents. Skip sleeps in Willie's old room. When Skip is 11 years old, he gets sick and passes away on Willie's bed. Willie's parents bury Skip under the elm tree. Willie's father calls him to tell him the sad news.

Cast

• Enzo as Skip
• Moose as old Skip
• Sweetie as puppy Skip
• Frankie Muniz as Willie Morris
• Diane Lane as Ellen Morris
• Luke Wilson as Dink Jenkins
• Kevin Bacon as Jack Morris
• Bradley Coryell as Big Boy Wilkinson
• Daylan Honeycutt as Henjie Henick
• Cody Linley as Spit McGee
• Caitlin Wachs as Rivers Applewhite
• Harry Connick Jr. as Adult Willie (voice)
• Peter Crombie as Junior Smalls
• Clint Howard as Millard
• Mark Beech as Army Buddy
• Susan Carol Davis as Mrs. Jenkins
• David Pickens as Mr. Jenkins
• Lucile Doan Ewing as Aunt Maggie
• Nathaniel Lee, Jr. as Sammy
• James Thweat as Older Big Boy
• John Stiritz as Grandpa Percy

Awards and Recognition

My Dog Skip won several awards and was nominated for others, showing how much people loved the film.

Angel Awards 2001

Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards 2001

Christopher Awards 2000

Giffoni Film Festival 2000

Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards 2000

YoungStar Awards 2000

Young Artist Awards 2001

Soundtrack

The movie features a wonderful soundtrack with songs from the 1940s and original music.

• Tuxedo Junction - Performed by Gene Krupa and His Orchestra
• Ration Blues - Performed by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five
• Old Yazoo - Performed by The Boswell Sisters
• I'm Beginning to See the Light - Performed by Harry James
• Hot Time in the Town of Berlin - Performed by The Andrews Sisters
• Lullaby of Broadway - Performed by Richard Himber & His Orchestra
• Chasing Shadows - Performed by Louis Prima
• Moonlight Promenade - Performed by William Ross
• Starlight Serenade - Performed by William Ross
• The Round Up Prelude - Performed by William Ross
• Hop-Along - Performed by William Ross
• 200 Bright - Performed by William Ross
• Washington in the New - Performed by William Ross

See also

In Spanish: Mi perro Skip para niños