Dogs have been a part of Hollywood history since the silent era. Here is some trivia on four of the most popular canine stars.

> Rin Tin Tin was a pup from a litter of German Shepherds found by American serviceman Lee Duncan in Lorraine, France shortly before the end of World War I. His first starring role was playing a wolf in The Man from Hell's River (1922). Rin Tin Tin has been credited as single-handedly saving Warner Brothers studio from bankruptcy. Rinty, as his owner called him, starred in 27 films during his ten year career. Rin Tin Tin fathered 48 puppies and while some stayed in entertainment, others went to live with famous stars like Greta Garbo and Jean Harlow.

> In the opening credits, Lassie is listed in two separate cast lists, seventh in the first list, and fourteenth in the second. Lassie, whose real name was Pal, made his screen debut in the picture and was selected for the role after M-G-M launched a nationwide talent hunt. (One Hollywood Reporter news item claimed that the studio was searching "back alleys" for a dog that used to sit in front of Dave Chasen's or the Brown Derby and beg for pennies.) According to modern sources, after the mass casting call failed to produce a viable dog star, M-G-M called in noted dog trainer Rudd Weatherwax. Although Weatherwax showed off many mature, purebred collies, one-year-old Pal, who lacked pedigree papers, easily won the role.

> Asta, real name Skippy, was a wire-haired fox terrier best known for belonging to fictional couple Nick and Nora Charles in The Thin Man series. Skippy actually only made the first two Thin Man films, but also made big impressions in The Awful Truth (1937) and Bringing Up Baby (1938). The Thin Man films were Skippy's big break and his owner officially changed his name to Asta. In roughly 12 years Asta starred in 11 films.

> Toto from The Wizard of Oz (1939) was a female Cairn terrier named Terry. She was born in 1933 and lived to film 14 films during her eight year career. There were several issues on set with Terry during the filming of The Wizard of Oz. First, Terry was afraid of the big fans used to create wind on-set. Terry was also briefly replaced with another Cairn terrier when during a scene a Winkie stepped on and broke one of her feet.