''Beethoven'' (franchise)
The Beethoven film series is a series of eight American films, in which the plot revolves around a family attempting to control the antics of their pet, a Saint Bernard. The first two films were theatrical releases and all after have been direct to video. The original Beethoven hit theaters in April 1992. Its opening grossed $7,587,565. It was the year's 26th largest grossing film in the U.S. at $57,114,049.[1]
Films
Beethoven (1992)
In Beethoven, the Newton family finds and adopts a Saint Bernard. The family, with the exception of the father, George (Charles Grodin), becomes attached to the dog. Meanwhile, a sadistic veterinarian, Dr. Herman Varnick (Dean Jones) involved with animal experimentation is planning to kill Beethoven for his latest experiment, and George, after discovering his fondness for the dog, springs into action to rescue his pet. Beethoven was released on April 3, 1992.
Beethoven's 2nd (1993)
In Beethoven's 2nd, Beethoven sires a litter of puppies, and the Newton family tries to save them from the dame's owner, who alternatively wishes to kill or sell the puppies. Beethoven's 2nd was released on December 17, 1993.
Beethoven's 3rd (2000)
In Beethoven's 3rd, the dog is sent across the country in an RV to attend a family reunion. Beethoven's 3rd was released on October 31, 2000.
Beethoven's 4th (2001)
Beethoven accidentally switches places with Michelangelo, a well-behaved look alike. Beethoven's 4th was released on December 4, 2001.
Beethoven's 5th (2003)
Sara takes Beethoven to visit her crazy uncle. The last installment of the original storyline. Beethoven's 5th was released on December 2, 2003.
Beethoven's Big Break (2008)
The first installment of a new storyline. A stray St. Bernard becomes a movie star. Beethoven's Big Break was released on December 30, 2008.
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011)
Beethoven is now a movie star and he comes to a city and meets a boy named Mason for a commercial. While Mason is taking pictures of Beethoven and complete strangers, Beethoven sees Santa's sleigh with a stable elf named Henry inside it. Henry lies to Mason and says that he is a toy making elf. Eventually, Mason finds out that Henry is a stable elf, but they are still friends. Beethoven's Christmas Adventure was released on November 8, 2011.
Beethoven's Treasure Tail (2014)
After getting fired from a film, Beethoven begins the long journey home with his trainer, Eddie. They become stranded in a small coastal town where the beloved canine befriends a young boy who is searching for buried treasure. Beethoven's Treasure Tail was released on October 28, 2014.
Television series
Beethoven: The Animated Series
Video game
In 1994, a side-scrolling video game titled simply Beethoven, but based on Beethoven's 2nd, was developed for the Sega Genesis.[2] Though completed, it was cancelled before release.
Crew
| Film | Director | Producer | Writer | Composer | Cinematographer | Editor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beethoven | Brian Levant | Joe Medjuck Michael C. Gross Ivan Reitman |
Edmond Dantés Amy Holden Jones |
Randy Edelman | Victor J. Kemper | William D. Gordean Sheldon Kahn |
| Beethoven's 2nd | Rod Daniel | Joe Medjuck Michael C. Gross |
Len Blum | Bill Butler | ||
| Beethoven's 3rd | David Mickey Evans | David Bixler Kelli Konop |
Jeff Schechter | Philip Giffin | John Aronson | Harry Keramidas |
| Beethoven's 4th | Kelli Konop | John Loy | C. Timothy O'Meara | |||
| Beethoven's 5th | Mark Griffiths | Mike Elliott | Cliff Ruby & Elana Lesser | Adam Berry | Christopher Baffa | John Gilbert |
| Beethoven's Big Break | Mike Elliott | Mike Elliott | Robert Folk Paul DiFranco |
Stephen F. Campbell | Roderick Davis | |
| Beethoven's Christmas Adventure | John Putch | Jeff Freilich | Daniel Altiere & Steven Altiere | Chris Bacon | Ross Berryman | John Gilbert |
| Beethoven's Treasure Tail | Ron Oliver | Albert T. Dickerson III | Ron Oliver | Chris Hajian | C. Kim Miles | Heath Ryan |
Merchandise
A line of toys was produced in conjunction with the first two films, and some toys are available on an ongoing basis.
DVD releases
All films are available on DVD, both individually and as part of packs and collections of two or more films.
See also
References
- ↑ "1992 Yearly Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
- ↑ "ProReview: Beethoven". GamePro (64). IDG. November 1994. p. 104.