Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this Jim Henson production -- originally a made-for-TV special that aired in 1989 -- is a crime caper modeled after 1930s "film noirs," so there's a lot of fedora-wearing, handgun-wielding dogs that spout anachronisms like "Why I oughtta." There's a good bit of violence (guns shot, dogs taken hostage and hit with rolled-up newspapers), but all of it is cartoonish and exaggerated. Two female dogs are the girlfriends of two male dogs (one is a crime boss' "moll" that makes the male dogs drool), and the couples embrace and nose-kiss. The female dogs are as brave as the male dogs, and there's a good message about nonviolence and standing up to bullies.
Sexual
Content
Rowlf introduces Belle by saying all the dogs drool over the mere mention of her name. Colleen and Ace flirt with each other, nose kiss, and eventually get married. Colleen sings a torch song in which she flirts with the audience and sits on different dogs' laps.
Violence
There's a lot of gun violence for a kiddie flick. At one point, every dog at Bubba's bar pulls a gun on Ace, and later Bugsy and his thugs (and girlfriend) pull guns on Ace and Colleen. Shots are fired but no one is killed, although one henchdog is injured several times (comically) and Bugsy is shown falling into the river. Colleen is taken hostage and tied up. Ace is hit in the face several times with a rolled-up newspaper.
Language
Mostly mild insults like: "stupid," "dumb," "drool-face," "mangy mutt," "loser," "snobby," and more.
Social
Behavior
There are positive messages about non-violence, refusing to negotiate with criminals, and standing up to do what's right, even if it's the more difficult choice. The female dogs are just as brave as the male dogs.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Most of the action takes place in a doggie bar, where dogs have bones/drinks in front of them, and the crime lord Bugsy often smokes a cigar.
