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The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin

Rin-Tin-Tin, a German Shepherd, was the friend of a boy named Rusty who survived a wagon train Indian raid in the Old West. The boy and his dog were taken in by the soldiers of the 101st Cavalry, where Rusty was made a corporal and Rin-Tin-Tin was made a private. So went the story of television's The Adventures of Rin-Tin-Tin.  
 
The real-life Rin-Tin-Tin was an actual veteran of World War I. As a pup, Rin-Tin-Tin and sister Nenette were rescued by American Air Corps pilot Lee Duncan, who brought them back to the States. The two dogs' names were based on the legend of two lovers who survived a bombing raid in an underground train station.  
 
Unfortunately, Nanette died of pneumonia three days after reaching the U.S. Rin-Tin-Tin survived and became a star of Vaudeville and several silent movies during the 1920's. He also had a radio show in 1930 and then again in 1955. It was actually Rin-Tin-Tin’s great-grandson who starred in the television series.  
 
In 1988, Rin-Tin-Tin was brought back to TV as a police dog in Rin-Tin-Tin, K-9 Cop.

 

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