If you buy only one of those overpriced Universal Vault MODs, buy this one! If you buy two, then buy "If I Were King" starring Ronald Colman, but that is another story.I'd like to think that Dick Powell was wealthy enough by 1951 that he could largely pick his projects, because this one is a gem of Dick Powell parodying the Dick Powell PI persona of the noirs. He plays a German Shepherd dog, King, who inherits a large fortune from an eccentric owner and then is murdered by poison. When he arrives in Animal Heaven (Beastatory) he says he knows who his murderer is and wants time back on earth to bring that murderer to justice. It's not just his untimely death that requires his attention, his kindly keeper was next in line for the estate, and down on earth she is suspect number one, so he also wants to clear her name in the process.King is given that chance, but he must return to Animal Heaven by the new moon or forever remain a "Humanimal" - human in form, animal in nature. To become a humanimal and return to earth not knowing that you are one is the punishment of bad animals. King will return knowing his state and his mission with all of the memories of his previous existence. He is given a deceased Kentucky race horse as his companion and helper on his mission.It's just hilarious seeing Dick Powell returned to earth as "Rex Shepherd, PI" sitting in a spartan office talking like Philip Marlowe and nibbling on dog kibble instead of peanuts and cowering in doorways whenever the dog catcher appears, forgetting he is in human form. Goldie, his human-horse companion, has hat styles that are pure palomino. The murderer is no mystery - you learn the identity pretty much up front. The trick is catching the perpetrator. Also, as a humanimal, Rex finds he is having new rather confusing feelings for the beautiful young lady who was his keeper during his life as a dog. How can this all work out and not bust the production code wide open? Watch and find out.Let me also say that the transfer is outstanding on the Universal Vault DVD. All I have seen in the past are poor VHS transfers from past TV airings. This one is worth going back to again and again for the hilarity and the magic of it all. A great family film, a great holiday film, a great film anytime you need cheering up.Forgive me for mentioning specific products in this review, but this one DVD transfer is the only way I know to see a good copy of the film.

This is a most original film. I have an excellent copy taped from French TV a few years back. It is a kind of a reverse "Fluke" but instead of a man coming back as a dog, we have a mutt coming back as a man. Also this film is extremely funny, in no small measure do to the excellent and flippant performance of Dick Powell and his female horse companion. I don't know who on earth could have dreamed this idea up but he/she was onto a winner. I am also curious to learn the title of Rex's Favourite Tune which Powell hears the young lady playing on the piano when he returns on a night visit to find evidence of his murder. Fluke had me weeping, but this film had me laughing most of the way through and I was a little surprised by the ending. The Heaven of Beasts is also well done special effects wise and I always have pleasure in seeing animals "speak" with human voices. I am not saying that animals watching would necessarily have the same opinion as me on this subject but there you have it. This film would do well to be available on DVD and to be publicised as its appeal and charm are absolutely TIMELESS !!

I think this was one of the funniest and heartwarming movies ever. I have seriously looked everywhere for it- to buy--but I can't find it! What a shame-a true classic, that is shelved. I have searched E-Bay, AMC, Turner Movies, Direct TV and even Blockbuster. It's just no where to be found. I read that it is very rare to find a copy-and I believe it-and so can you! If you get a chance, and like a fun, clean family movie grab your chance when you see it. You can bet, I'll be searching until I have a copy for myself and family to enjoy. It doesn't really fall into any one category, but it leaves things to your imagination while being a comedy, parody, mystery spoof. Like I said-grab it when you can, it's definitely worth the hour and a half as far as time.

I saw this film when I was a kid and loved it! What I wouldn't give to have it restored and on DVD! The story is great, the acting snappy and the comedy superb! A rich old man dies and leaves all his money to his pet dog, Rex. The old gent's lovely young secretary is charged with the care of the dog and is happy to do so. But the dog gets poisoned and the secretary is arrested. Meanwhile, Rex arrives at the judgment seat for animals. Good animals go to Animal Heaven. Bad animals must return to Earth to live as a human! (Called `humals'). Rex has a ticket to animal heaven but he wants to go back to Earth to clear the secretary, whom he is sure did not murder him. He is given three days as a humal to solve the crime and given an assistant, a racehorse named Golden Harvest. The duo return to Earth as Rex Shepard, PI and his assistant, Goldie Harvest. It's all the more humorous as Rex munches on dog biscuits and Goldie has a nose bag for a purse, tiny horseshoes on the soles of her shoes and can outrun a bus! They solve the crime, but Rex falls in love with the pretty young secretary and now must decide if he should go to animal heaven or stay on earth as a humal! Goldie helps him decide but pointing out the girl's father is a humal-part Scottish terrier (you can see the resemblance!) A great film!