Ace Ventura Inspired Dog Names

From 1918 to 1932, the world was enamored with a new kind of superstar, one that had rarely been previously seen in such a capacity: an acting dog. Rinty, better known as Rin Tin Tin to the masses, was a German Shepherd rescued from a WWI battlefield and went on to star in 27 films. Throughout his acting tenure, he was beloved worldwide and while he may not have been the first (Strongheart, another German Shepherd, started acting in 1917), he was certainly the most popular at the time, set a precedent for many future dog actors, and significantly increased the interest in the breed as a family dog. 

But Rin Tin Tin wasn’t the only dog to have such a universal impact from under the limelight. In 1938, a new star hit the silver screen that helped to reinforce the basis that Rinty had already established: Ace the Wonder Dog. Unsurprisingly, the “Wonder Dog” aspect of his title was not uncommon for the time, as even Rin Tin Tin was labeled “Rin Tin Tin, the Wonder Dog” in his 1930 radio billing, alongside others such as Pal and Rex (not the DC Comics Rex), who were both also labeled as “Wonder Dogs”. It is widely believed that the development of Ace as an actor was largely due to the claim that RKO Pictures, one of Hollywood’s Golden Age’s “Big Five” production and distribution companies, was looking to cash in on the success Rin Tin Tin had achieved in previous decades and therefore needed their own captivating canine. 

After discovering Ace, RKO had him star in his first feature film Blind Alibi, in 1938. Ace went on to be featured in several RKO projects, but shortly after bounced around several different film production companies, coalescing into a prominent role as The Phantom’s sidekick “Devil” in the 1943 superhero serial. But unlike Rin Tin Tin, who seemed to have a significant following throughout his career, Ace found highs and lows in popularity that forced him to quickly transition between studios and work. Fortunately, some of his most famous work came in his late career, including his role as “Rusty” in The Adventures of Rusty in 1945 (although he was not featured in any of the high subsequent titles), as well as the well-received Danny Boy. 

In all, Ace’s career lasted nine years, a significant feat considering the average dog’s lifespan. Moreover, his place on-screen did a great many things for dogs as family pets, especially German Shepherds, and gave comfort, hope, and trust to many while America was still within the grips of a brutal wartime era.