Directed by Rick Duffield Music by Tim Cissell | Produced by Betty A. Buckley Cinematography Bert Guthrie | |
Written by Susan B. ChickRick Duffield Starring Larry BrantleyChristie AbbottMary Chris WallJordan WallSoccer the Dog | ||
Wishbone's Dog Days of the West is a feature-length telefilm that aired on PBS on March 13, 1998. It was shot in Galisteo and Santa Fe, New Mexico. A tornado touched down one mile from the film crew as they were shooting the western scenes. This rotating windstorm dissipated as it headed toward the set. Apache Mexican American actor Adan Sanchez appeared as the mailman, Dan Bloodgood. His earlier role on that series was Lee Natonabah in its episode Dances with Dogs, a parody title of Dances with Wolves. He died three months later in Albuquerque. The film was released to video on June 9, 1998.
Contents
Plot
Long Bill Longley and his best friend, Tom Merwin (Brent Anderson), team up to stop a bad guy named Calliope Catesby. Meanwhile, a sneaky TV reporter tries to make Wanda Gilmore (Angee Hughes) seem as if she's the town tyrant. It is up to Wishbone and his friends to come to Wanda's rescue. It starts out with Joe and Wishbone going to a fair. Kids are singing on stage; the stage falls, but not before Wanda saves the children. The reporter "congratulates" her.
Reception
The movie won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design in 1998. It was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Costume Design/Styling, Outstanding Directing in a Children's Special, and Outstanding Main Title Design in 1998. A Common Sense Media review says, "The pleasing visuals and fast-moving, double-trouble plots make Dog Days of the West one of the best in the Wishbone series. The value of friendship is emphasized in this episode; the show exposes children to O. Henry's short stories and infuses the traditional western with an updated perspective. As unlikely as it seems, Wishbone's wild west fable blends nicely with the contemporary story of a TV reporter running roughshod over one of Oakdale's finest citizens. With two fast moving plots, finely drawn characters and exciting historical visuals, Dog Days of the West will keep kids, and many adults, glued to the screen".