Samuel Fuller's 1982 film White Dog is about a young woman, played by Kristy McNichol, trying to cure a dog who was trained to attack black people. It was a controversial film for some reason. I guess corporate stiffs in the '70s felt even contemplating the nature of racism was somehow too sensitive. On the other hand, Michael Eisner pushed for the film's release.
If we only had a few dozen filmmakers with the guts of Samuel Fuller nowadays.
I would say the bolder aspect of the film would be the unaddressed hint that the dog seems intent on sexually dominating McNichol's character. After the dog saves her from a rapist, we see him steal and shred her panties before chasing a rabbit. He also nearly attacks her white boyfriend. McNichol's so tiny in the movie, and the dog so huge, you always feel a little anxiety for her.
I love Paul Winfield and Burl Ives as a couple caretakers of a shelter for dangerous animals.
The editing and composition in that clip are just terrific. I like Ives opening the door, saying, "I am sorry" and, in the same shot, the dog rushing out to attack the man.
After watching White Dog, I watched an episode of Twin Peaks with this intro:
Now that's enough to make a fella downright superstitious.
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