robert-temple-1 'Woof woof!', that's what I say. This is a film (variously called YOU NEVER CAN TELL and YOU NEVER KNOW) in which a deceased dog, a German shepherd, is given permission to return to earth for a limited time as a human detective to solve his own murder and to clear the nice woman, his former mistress, blamed for the crime. Dick Powell, in his most congenial mode, plays the returned dog, posing as a private investigator named Rex Shepherd who sits around munching on dog biscuits when he is not looking for clues. Yes, it all sounds ridiculous, but it is done with such a light touch and such good humour that it is a most enjoyable film. And it is of special appeal to those of us who believe that dogs are in many ways superior to humans anyway. The reason why everyone is so excited about the murder of the dog is that his original owner died and left his six million dollar fortune to the dog, and as usual there are some wicked humans scheming for that stuff, which is useless to dogs, called money. This was the only feature film directed by Lou Breslow (1900-1987), who was better known as a film writer. Not only did he write this film, but he wrote 78 others, including in this very same year, both BEDTIME FOR BONZO, starring Ronald Reagan, and MY FAVORITE SPY starring Bob Hope and Hedy Lamarr. Breslow must have felt very strongly about dogs to push himself forward as director for this film. There are some very amusing scenes in Animal Heaven (doubtless located at the Dog Star, though this secret is not revealed), and the whole film is not only most enjoyable but often hilarious. However, humourless people need not apply. If you don't know how to laugh (and it is amazing how many people don't, especially these days when dour humourlessness is on the rise), then go watch a war movie or something instead of enjoying this light-hearted romp. But the rest of us can sit back and have a good time watching Dog Justice being done and Dog Ethics triumphing over human greed. (If only we could set the dogs on today's psychopathic bankers, now wouldn't that be a good idea!) The actress Peggy Dow, who only appeared in films between 1949 and 1951, unexpectedly retiring 'for domestic reasons' just as she was really getting going, is charming as Ellen, whom 'Rex Shepherd' wishes to clear of his murder. What a loss to the screen that she dropped out like that. So sit back, munch your dog biscuits, and enjoy seeing how dogs can handle things when human affairs need straightening out.

Maliejandra Kay This very enjoyable and somewhat bizarre movie is one of the best kept secrets of the 1950s. The movie begins with Ellen Hathaway (Peggy Dow) and the German Shepherd named King. King has inherited his owners fortune and the estate is to be looked after by his secretary, Miss Hathaway. King is a happy dog, but someone his unhappy about his inheritance and poisons him. Off he goes to Beastatory where he awaits judgment. Although he has been a good dog, he requests to return to Earth so he can reveal his killer. He returns as a private eye named Rex Shepherd (Dick Powell) under the watchful eye of a reincarnated horse Goldie (Joyce Holden) and stirs up all kinds of trouble.A great movie for kids and adults alike, You Never Can Tell combines just the right amount of fantasy and reality to create a believable and fun film. It is not cheesy, but there are plenty of silly jokes like Rex munching on dog kibble and Goldie outrunning buses.Hopefully this title will be formally released, but until then we will have to settle for ebay prints and TV broadcasts.

CynicLgrrl I love this movie!--it's incredibly sweet. I remember seeing it a long time ago with my mom and made an extra effort to keep an eye out for the eventual showing of this movie on AMC or one of the other 'classic movies' stations. Finally, I was lucky enough to record it from one of 'said stations' years ago and I still have a copy it. I haven't seen it in a long time now, but I think I'm about due for another view. Filled with satire and fun visual fantasy, this movie is not only great for family viewing, but should bring a chuckle to the most hardcore among us. If you ever get a chance to see this delightful,classic Dick Powell movie, do yourself a huge favor and check out this gem. ~ CynicLgrrl xxx

silverscreen888 Imaginative fantasies for-the-sake-of-an-idea are rare in Hollywood. It is much easier to impute massive powers to a watch or show a watch that can stop time, without regard for the meaning, ethics or development of such ideas. "You Never Can Tell" is beyond any doubt one of the most delightful and unexpected fantasy films ever. It begins with a visit to Beastatory, where good animals go, a heaven for non-humans courtesy of David S. Hursely and the optical department; the animals are shown on a negative image with glowing eyes, speaking English. The film was directed by Louis Breslow and written along with David Chandler. It tells the story of an Army canine who is murdered. He comes back to protect his mistress, daughter of a wealthy man played by Albert Sharpe, in the person of beautiful Peggy Dow. he is in human form, calling himself "Rex Shepherd", and his partner for the mission of mystery-detection and help to her is Golden Harvest, a palomino filly now in human form as Goldie, his assistant. The villain of the piece is ably played by Charles Drake, who is romancing Dow. While Rex munches kibble and Goldie outruns buses and visits her psychologically troubled horse friends at the track, they somehow manage to save Dow's life and expose the reason behind Rex's killing and the threat to her. Of course, Rex falls in love with Dow, she with him, and he remains on Earth and watches as Goldie gallops off toward Beastatory's alternate heaven, turning into a palomino again as she disappears into the skies. Please don't miss this delightful film; it is one of Powell's best, and a genuine comedy-fantasy rarity.