Top Five Dean Jones’ Film Recommendations

Springtime means it’s time to compile a list of fun upbeat films, and Dean Jones is one of my favorite actors who starred in various fun family classics. Get ready for laughs as you make your way through my top five Dean Jones’ film recommendations.

5. Blackbeard’s Ghost (1968)

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Steve Walker (Dean Jones) never could have imagined the obstacles he would face when he accepted the Godolphin College track coach position. Arriving in Godolphin, Steve decides to stay at Blackbeard’s Inn, a local hotel run by the Daughters of the Buccaneers—who are all decedents of Blackbeard’s crew. The night this unsuspecting coach arrives, the Daughters are having an auction to raise funds to save the inn from the local mobsters who happen to hold the mortgage on the hotel property. Steve bids on an antique bed warmer, but he gets more than he bided for when he finds a book of charms hidden within the warmer.

Thinking it’s kid stuff, he recites one of the spells. The only problem is it brings back Blackbeard. Adding to Steve’s dilemma, only Steve can see this ghost. Can a track coach help Blackbeard break an old curse, and can this unlikely duo save the inn before the local mobsters kick the elderly ladies out of their home? Also, can Steve convince Godolphin College that he’s not insane, but that he really is being haunted by Blackbeard?

4. That Darn Cat (1965)

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The local bank has been robbed, and the bank teller has been kidnapped. Naturally, the FBI needs a clue. However, the clue might come from an unlikely citizen: a Siamese cat named DC. DC roams the town at night, but always returns home to his loveable owner, Patti Randall (Hayley Mills).

One night, Patti notices DC’s collar has been replaced by a gold wristwatch with a cryptic message on the back. Deciding it’s her duty to bring in the FBI, Patti seeks the help of agent Zeke Kelso (Dean Jones)—who happens to be allergic to cats. The two embark on a hilarious escapade to find the kidnapped bank teller. The question is can the FBI tail a cat, and can DC take the FBI to the kidnappers’ hideout before it’s too late?

3. The Shaggy D.A. (1976)

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Talk about the past coming back to bite you. This is especially the case if you have a past of turning into a dog.

Wilby Daniels (Dean Jones) is a loving husband and father with a successful law career. However, his life turns upside down after his house is burglarized twice in the same day. Deciding to expose the corruption in the local town of Medfield, Wilby runs for District Attorney. After all, the whole town suspects current District Attorney John Slade (Keenan Wynn) of involvement with the underworld. So, a new political candidate would be welcome, right?

However, this political race is unlike any Medfield has ever seen because one of the candidates keeps turning into a dog. Of course, Wilby doesn’t want the public to know about this problem. (Not to mention, he’s a little tired of not knowing just when he might turn into a four-legged pet.) Wilby must recruit the help of the ice cream man to get evidence to put Slade out of office. In addition, can Wilby find the ring that makes him turn into a dog before he’s sent to the dog pound?

2. The Love Bug (1968)

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Perhaps this is one of Dean Jones’ most memorable film roles. In this film, Dean plays Jim Douglas, a handsome race car driver who is down on his luck. That is until one day when he stops by the British dealership and comes face to face with a Volkswagen Beetle. This car is not like any other car. This car seems to have a mind of its own, and it chooses Jim to be the next owner.

Jim isn’t quite sure what is going on, but his friend Tennessee Steinmetz (Buddy Hackett) believes the car has a spirit of its own. Thus, Tennessee names the car Herbie. Jim and Herbie hit the race track, but trouble soon follows. British dealership owner, Peter Thorndyke, wants Herbie back. In order to decide who the best man (or car) is, Jim and Thorndyke will have to settle their disputes on the racetrack.

1. The Ugly Dachshund (1966)

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Mark (Dean Jones) and Fran (Suzanne Pleshette) are happily married and living the suburban dream. Mark has his art, and Fran has her dogs. When Fran’s beloved dachshund Danke has puppies, Mark wants to do his best to help Fran. The dachshunds are fine, but Mark wishes for a more manly dog. So, when the vet puts a Great Dane in Mark’s arms, his wishes seem within reach. The Great Dane puppy is the runt of the litter, and his mom has cast him aside. Danke on the other hand has plenty of milk, so it wouldn’t be a problem for her to take care of the extra puppy. There’s only one problem. Mark and Fran have never discussed getting a bigger dog.

Not sure quite how to broach the subject, Mark decides to say nothing, and Fran assumes Danke had a male puppy at a little later time. While Fran’s surprised the vet didn’t call them, she goes along with the charade. That is until the puppies start to grow. Laughs follow as the Great Dane puppy tries to fit in with his dachshund family members. However, when the big dog thinks he’s a little dog, the house may not be big enough for this growing family.