Asta the Movie Dog
This page is about Asta the famous movie dog of the 1930s and 1940s. Originally born under the name "Skippy," the cut wire-haired terrier shot to fame with the huge success of the "Thin Man" series of movies as the clever sleuthing companion of the perpetually hung-over boozing and occasional crimefighting wealthy couple Nick and Nora Charles (played by Myrna Loy and William Powell respectively.)
The dog was thereafter often referred to as "Asta" both on and offscreen, although to this day there are some fans who feel strongly that the dog should be referred to as "Skippy" rather than "Asta" offscreen since this was the original name of the dog. For the sake of saving words though, I'll go ahead and call him Asta, and hope no one will take too much offense.
Asta appeared in the series of Thin Man movies as well as films such as "The Awful Truth", "Bringing Up Baby" and "Topper Returns" but is by far most famous for the Thin Man films, where he was an active "character" in the films in his own right.
The original Thin Man movie was based on a novel by Dashiell Hammett as were the characters Nick & Nora Charles & their dog Asta.
Movies starring Asta
See Asta in Action in these Great Classic Films
* After the Thin Man (1936) as Himself (dog)
* Topper Takes a Trip (1938) as Mr. Atlas - the Dog (credited as Skippy
* The Awful Truth (1937) (uncredited) as Mr. Smith
* Bringing Up Baby (1938) as George, the Dog
* Another Thin Man (1939) aka Return of the Thin Man as Himself (dog)
* The Thin Man Goes Home (1944) as Himself (dog)
... it should be noted that Asta aka Skippy may well have had roles in additional films and shorts as well, however, these are the ones that we can say for sure he starred in based on the documentation available now.
Asta at a Glance
Asta (born Skippy; birth and death dates unknown) was a Wire-Haired Fox Terrier best known for his acting work in the 1934 detective comedy The Thin Man. He was trained by owners Henry East and Gale Henry East, and Frank Weatherwax. His other notable film performances include The Awful Truth (1937), as Mr. Smith, the subject of a custody dispute between Cary Grant and Irene Dunne; Bringing Up Baby (1938), as George, the bone-hiding pup belonging to Katharine Hepburn's aunt; and Topper Takes a Trip (1938), as Mr. Atlas. Due to the enormous popularity of Asta, interest in pet terriers skyrock...
Great Asta stuff from Amazon
Asta Collectables on Ebay
Every once in a while you can find a good vintage Asta gem on Ebay
Although the Thin Man films and Asta are all but forgotten today, they were quite a sensation when they came out. Competing studios scrambled to create competing films, but none could match the magic and chemistry (or profitability)of the team of Myrna Loy, William Powell and Asta. At the time, Asta merchandise (and look-alike knock-offs) were plentiful, and you can sometimes find Asta dolls, charm bracelets and other goodies on ebay as well as movie stills and posters.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
A final fun (and wierd) fact about Asta
The popularity of the films - and of Asta himself - actually created a temporary shortage of wire-haired terriers!!
