Beethoven (franchise)

Beethoven is a series of eight American films, created by John Hughes (credited as Edmond Dantès) and Amy Holden Jones, in which the plot revolves around a family attempting to control the antics of their pet Saint Bernard (named Beethoven). The first two films were theatrical releases and all subsequent releases have been direct to video. The original Beethoven was released in theaters in April 1992. Its opening grossed $7,587,565 and was the year's 26th largest grossing film in the U.S. at $57,114,049.[1]

Beethoven
Created byJohn Hughes
Amy Holden Jones
Original workBeethoven (1992)
OwnerUniversal Pictures
Years1992–2014
Films and television
Film(s)List of films
Animated seriesBeethoven (1994)
Games
TraditionalList of games
Video game(s)List of games
Audio
Soundtrack(s)List of soundtracks
Original musicList of soundtracks
Miscellaneous
Toy(s)List of merchandise
Official website
Official website

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 greedy owner Regina (Debi Mazar), who alternately 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. While George and his family are in Europe, Beethoven is riding with the relatives of the Newtons led by George's brother Richard (Judge Reinhold) as the family avoids criminals that are after a DVD copy of The Shakiest Gun in the West that has a computer code hidden in it. Beethoven's 3rd was released on July 25, 2000.

Beethoven's 4th (2001)

In Beethoven's 4th, Beethoven accidentally switches with another St. Bernard named Michelangelo who comes from Sedgewick family, and is pampered and well-behaved. Beethoven tries to find a way to get home, while a butler who works for Sedgewick family wants to kidnap Michelangelo for ransom. Beethoven's 4th was released on December 4, 2001.

Beethoven's 5th (2003)

Sara takes Beethoven to visit her oddball uncle in the old mining town Quicksilver, where they discover the hidden treasure while also facing two bank robbers who want it too. 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. In the film, Beethoven becomes a movie star. Beethoven's Big Break was released on December 30, 2008.

Beethoven's Christmas Adventure (2011)

In Beethoven's Christmas Adventure, Beethoven teams up with the elf from the North Pole named Henry (Kyle Massey) and a young boy Mason Cooper (Munro Chambers) to find a missing Santa's toy bag that fell in the small town Wood Haven, Minnesota, while also facing two men from a toy store, Sylvester Smirch (Robert Picardo) and his assistant Kenny (Curtis Armstrong), who grab Santa's bag and use it for financial gains.

Unlike other films in the franchise, Beethoven has a speaking voice, which was provided by Tom Arnold. The film features narration by John Cleese[2] and 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.[2] Beethoven's Treasure Tail was released on October 28, 2014.

Television

Beethoven (1994)

Cast and crew

Principal cast

Characters Original series Reboot series Animated series
Beethoven Beethoven's 2nd Beethoven's 3rd Beethoven's 4th Beethoven's 5th Beethoven's Big Break Beethoven's Christmas Adventure Beethoven's Treasure Tail Beethoven
1992 1993 2000 2001 2003 2008 2011 2014 1994
Beethoven Chris Cujo J.S. Barque Cujo Tom Arnold (voice) Cujo Joel Murray (voice)
Dee Bradley Baker (voice)
George Newton Charles Grodin Grant Elliott Dean Jones
Alice Newton Bonnie Hunt Kath Soucie
Ryce Newton Nicholle Tom Nicholle Tom
Ted Newton Christopher Castile J.D. Daniels
Emily Newton Sarah Rose Karr Francesca Marie Smith
Sara Newton Michaela Gallo Daveigh Chase
Richard Newton Judge Reinhold
Beth Newton Julia Sweeney
Brennan Newton Joe Pichler
Eddie Thornton "Lizard Guy" Jonathan Silverman Jonathan Silverman
Dr. Herman Varnick Dean Jones
Harvey Oliver Platt
Vernon Stanley Tucci
Brad Wilson David Duchovny
Brie Wilson Patricia Heaton
Devonia Peet Laurel Cronin
Miss Grundel Nancy Fish
Student #1 Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Ammo Gun Salesman Richard Portnow
Regina Debi Mazar
Floyd Chris Penn
Taylor Devereaux Ashley Hamilton
Seth Danny Masterson
Janie Catherine Reitman
Cliff Klamath Maury Chaykin
Michelle Heather McComb
Banker Scott Waara
Scott Waara Jeff Corey
Linda Anderson Virginia Capers
Jordan Bond Himself
Arthur Lewis Pat Jankiewicz
Brillo Kevin Dunn
Tommy Mike Ciccolini
"Bill" William Jamie Marsh
Penny Danielle Weiner
Morrie Newton Frank Gorshin
Kennel Employee Holly Mitchell
Madison Sedgewick Kaleigh Krish
Reginald Sedgewick Matt McCoy
Martha Sedgewick Veanne Cox
Bill Jeff Coopwood
Marlowe Dorien Wilson
Jonathan "Johnnie" Simmons Mark Lindsay Chapman
Nigel Bigalow Nick Meaney
Hayley Natalie Elizabeth Marston
Sergeant Rutledge Art LaFleur
Mrs. Florence Rutledge June Lu
Freddy Kablinski Dave Thomas
Sheriff Julie Dempsey Faith Ford
John Giles (né Selig) Tom Poston
Cora Wilkens Katherine Helmond
Garret Sammy Kahn
Vaughn Carter Richard Riehle
Owen Tuttle Clint Howard
Evie Kling Kathy Griffin
Mayor Harold Herman John Larroquette
Moe Selig Rodman Flender
Rita Selig Tina Illman
Jim Tom Musgrave
Phil Dobsonn Joel Hurt Jones
Mrs. Dobsonn Elizabeth Warner
Lisa Waters Jennifer Finnigan
Billy Thornton Moises Arias
Stanley Mitchell Eddie Griffin
Patricia Benji Rhea Perlman
Sal DeMarco
Ned Ryerson
Stephen Tobolowsky
Tick Oscar Nunez
Bones Joey Fatone
Katie Stefanie Scott
Cesar Millan Himself
Studio Executive John Augello
Lewis Zach Kosnitzky
Craft Service Person Ali Eagle
Marco Adam Vernier
Mason Munro Chambers
Christine Kim Rhodes
Smirch Robert Picardo
Kenny Curtis Armstrong
Henry Kyle Massey
Mr. Rexford John O'Hurley
Catty Elf Ryan Miller
Catty Elf's Friend Shannon Jacques
Mom Tamra Ugto
Dad Alan Castanaga
Little Kid Solmund MacPherson
Field Producer Kristen Sawatzky
Keilbasa Vendor Rick Skene
Stray Dog (voice) John Kassir (voice)
Anne Parker Kristy Swanson
Sam Parker Bretton Manley
Howard Belch
The Fake Fritz Bruchschnauser
Jeffrey Combs
Simon Alec Mapa
Grace O'Malley Jayne Eastwood
Phil David DeLuise
Trentino Brian George
The Real Fritz Bruchschnauser Udo Kier
Dr. Kelp Colin Mochrie
Duncan Richard Dumont
Charlene Morgan Fairchild
Justin Patrick Kwok-Choon
Film Crew Member Ian Tench
Assistant Director Nikki Barnett
Norman the Magician Brian Downey
Captain Patrick O'Malley Tom Scott
Burly Crew Man Jacob Sampson
Sandra Onika Drabble
Callie Katherine Shore
Caesar the Great Dane Bill Fagerbakke
Mr. Huggs Brian George
Ginger the Collie Tress MacNeille
Sparky the Jack Russel Terrier Joe Pantoliano
Killer the Poodle Hank Azaria
Mailman Gregg Berger
Blind Shep Dan Castellaneta
David Doyle
Rosebud Christine Cavanaugh
Peanut E.G. Daily
Singing Donut Jess Harnell
Timmy Dana Hill
Watson Tony Jay
Roger Justin Shenkarow
  • Note: A dark gray cell indicates the character does not appear in the film.

Additional crew

Film Director(s) Producer(s) Screenwriter(s) Composer(s) Cinematographer Editor(s)
Beethoven Brian Levant Joe Medjuck
Michael C. Gross
Edmond Dantés
Amy Holden Jones
Randy Edelman Victor J. Kemper William D. Gordean
Sheldon Kahn
Beethoven's 2nd Rod Daniel 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

Reception

Critical and public response

Film Rotten Tomatoes CinemaScore[3]
Beethoven 31% (26 reviews)[4] A
Beethoven's 2nd 25% (12 reviews)[5] A
Beethoven's 3rd 0% (7 reviews)[6]
Beethoven's 4th 0% (8 reviews)[7]
Beethoven's 5th [8]
Beethoven's Big Break [9]
Beethoven's Christmas Adventure [10]
Beethoven's Treasure Tail [11]

Home media

All films are available on DVD, both individually and as part of packs and collections of two or more films.

Other media

Toys

A line of toys was produced in conjunction with the first two films, and some toys are available on an ongoing basis.

Video games

In 1993, a side-scrolling video game was released called Beethoven: The Ultimate Canine Caper based on Beethoven's 2nd for Super NES, Game Boy and DOS.

In 1994, a version of Beethoven: The Ultimate Canine Caper, was developed for the Sega Genesis and Game Gear.[12] Though completed, it was cancelled before release.

See also

References

  1. "1992 Yearly Box Office Results". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 8 September 2011.
  2. Vishnevetsky, Ignatiy (October 6, 2014). "Inventory: A sequel to a prequel to a spin-off of Air Bud: 10 unlikely, convoluted direct-to-video franchises". AV Club Film.
  3. "CinemaScore". CinemaScore. Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  4. "Beethoven (1992)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  5. "Beethoven's 2nd (1994)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  6. "Beethoven's 3rd". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  7. "Beethoven's 4th". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  8. "Beethoven's 5th". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  9. "Beethoven's Big Break". Rotten Tomatoes.
  10. "Beethoven's Christmas Adventure". Rotten Tomatoes.
  11. "Beethoven's Treasure Tail". Rotten Tomatoes.
  12. "ProReview: Beethoven". GamePro. No. 64. IDG. November 1994. p. 104.
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