OK, I admit it. I really have gotten confused and cannot remember if this is our School Assembly Dog of the Month for February, March, or even January. In the whirling blur of the last week and all the work we have done to prepare for a new season of super cool school assemblies, I have completely lost track of our poor Dog of the Month. Of course, there is some really awesome news... amazing new school shows! New science assemblies! New Reading Assemblies! Possibly some new school shows featuring something Mobile Ed has not used in over a decade – Music! More of this in the days to come, but, take it from me, the future is so bright we all need shades!.

But, whatever month this is for, here is Mobile Ed Productions newest School Assembly Dog of the Month, a blast from the past – Rin Tin Tin!Now many of you will likely not have a clue about Rin Tin Tin, being just too young to remember. If you are closer to the advanced (my wife says senile) years celebrated by your humble (somewhat) author, you may remember Rin Tin Tin as the star of a great old television series, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, which ran on ABC from 1954 to 1959. Yes, I grew up watching good old “Rinty” as the dog was nicknamed, saving the day while clueless humans waited for rescue! I loved that show! But at the time I had no idea at all that this was not the real Rin Tin Tin. The wonder dog I enjoyed in those days was actually the great grand-dog of the original Rinty, and the story of the original is the one I want to share. Back in 1918, in September, near the end of the “War to End All Wars”, in Lorraine, France, an American soldier, Corporal Lee Duncan, over running a German area, came across an abandoned kennel. Inside he discovered a starving mother dog and pups, all of which the young American rescued.

Of the five puppies, three remained in Europe, but Duncan brought two back to the US. They were named after good luck dolls given by the French to their soldiers... Nenette, and Rintintin. Sadly, Nanette died , but Rin Tin Tin did not, and he proved so readily adaptable to training that he was soon launched into a career in the world of early movie making. The fine German Shepherd was extremely successful, appearing in many films, often in starring roles between 1923 and 1930. He has his own star on the Hollywood sidewalk. He was especially loved by studio head Jack Warner who loved the fact that his star dog "didn't ask for a raise, a new press agent, or an air-conditioned dressing room, or more close-ups." Rinty was also beloved by human stars. It is said that when he died at the age of 13, he passed away with his head in the lap of Jean Harlow.So all those years ago, as an impressionable young kid, the heroic dog of the same name I thrilled to on the small screen was actually the fourth generation, aptly named Rin Tin Tin IV. And today, the blood line of the famous original war dog survives in Texas, where I am told Rin Tin Tin XII is currently available for personal appearances.

Now, if you are looking for school assembly ideas, arranging an appearance from the current Rin Tin Tin may be impossible for most schools, but arranging for a great Natural Science animal program might be even better, so have a look at Animals and The Environment. We still have a few dates open in some areas for this year, and next year's schedule will open for bookings in about a week.

That's it then! From the great group of awesome entertainers and school show presenters here at Mobile Ed Productions, here is a shout out to one of the greatest canine lines in entertainment history! Here is to Mobile Ed Productions School Assembly Dog of the Month (whatever month I still don't know) – Rin Tin Tin! Go get 'em Rinty!

Geoff Beauchamp is the Regional Manager of Mobile Ed Productions where "Education Through Entertainment" has been the guiding principal since 1979. Mobile Ed Productions produces and markets quality educational school assembly programs in the fields of science, history, writing, astronomy, natural science, mathematics, character issues and a variety of other curriculum based areas. In addition, Mr. Beauchamp is a professional actor with 30 years of experience in film, television and on stage. He created and still performs occasionally in Mobile Ed's THE LIVING LINCOLN.