Barnaby Jones (TV Series) Beware the Dog (1975) User Reviews

At first the plot seems stupid....but keep watching...it does make sense by the end.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 19 July 2021]

When the show begins, a man is feeding the family dog when suddenly the dog lunges at him and tries to tear him to pieces*. It all seems to be instigated by some unknown person in the bushes who is blowing a dog whistle. But how can a smart and friendly dog turn into a murder machine like that? And, if there is some other explanation for the killing, Barnaby needs to work fast, as Buck the doggy is scheduled to die for his apparent misdeeds!

This is an episode that I thought was really stupid and senseless. However, I am glad I kept watching, as it all did make sense by the end! In fact, the show was completely unique and interesting....although, admittedly, rather improbable.

*The dog attack was handled poorly as not even one drop of blood can be seen in this 'vicious attack'! Now I did not want to see buckets of blood, but how could a dog kill a person without any bloodshed? Could the dog be a master at poison??

Is Buck a Good Dog or a Bad Dog?

[FloridaFred · 10/10 · 26 June 2021]

This is a top-notch detective story that will have you guessing, "Who done it?" Just when you think that you have solved the case, another clue or another suspect appears (or disappears), and you start wondering all over again.

Good acting on all parts, including the two boys... but especially the dog. Buck's trainers know their stuff!

I rate "Beware the Dog" 10 stars.

Similar to Agatha Christie mysteries

[patmobile · 10/10 · 21 January 2023]

As with stories written by Agatha Christie, this episode has many red herrings and multiple possible suspects .

Most Barnaby Jones episodes usually begin by showing the crime occurring with the actual criminal committing it. Next the viewer gets to see how the clever old man unravels the threads and unmasks the guilty party. The episode ends with cops hauling off the offender. There is no closure, such as a follow up meeting with the victims where Jones dispenses some folksy observations and wisdom and is showered with praise and thanks.

This episode is different- we see the crime but not the perpetrator. After many false leads and dead ends, Jones unmasks the guilty party. We finally have a happy ending with victims thanking Jones.

It was worth the price of admission to see old Jones performing acrobatics with the dog.

THE DOG IS WATCHING YOU!

[tcchelsey · 10/10 · 5 January 2024]

I agree with the last reviewer, this has the feel of an Agatha Christie mystery, albeit on the violent side.

Series director Walter Grauman did an excellent job, especially with a dog as the central character, as you will see.

Buck, the dog in question, is held reponsible for killing a boy's stepdad, though the catch here is the belief the dog was trained to kill. Homicide 101.

The campy aspect of the actual killer blowing a dog whistle in the bushes is one to see, and still frightening after all these years. An example of top storytelling.

One dynamic cast at play, lead by series regular Claudette Nevins (as Claudia), popular film actress Ina Balin (the GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD) as Laura and Roger Perry as Dan. Roger was everywhere on tv at the time, and must have had a marvelous agent!

Can you guess whodunit by midway?

This may have been inspired by an early season episode of CANNON, the one about an embittered war veteran who employed a killer Doberman. The writers of COLUMBO also picked up on this idea for one of their episodes (How to Dial a Murder), which was one of the most violent for that series and is not always rerun for that reason.

The very best from SEASON 4 EPISODE 10 remastered CBS dvd box set.