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«Wishbone» — was a PBS series that told stories from classic literature using Jack Russell Terriers to appeal to young viewers. The series ran from 1995 to 1997.
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In the program What's the Story, Wishbone? The actors, writers and creators talk about the history of this ambitious project.
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The plot centered on a Jack Russell Terrier named Soccer, whose training under Jackie Kaptan made him a valuable asset to the production.
At the heart of the story Wishbone There was a dog named Soccer lying there.
In a new documentary about the beloved PBS series,« What's the story, Wishbone?» The cast and crew recall working with the Jack Russell Terrier who played the lead character.
Series creator Rick Duffield said he auditioned for several dogs of different sizes but "didn't feel anything" until he came across Soccer.
«He was so amazing and adorable when he did his little somersault, and everyone was like, „Oh my god, that dog did that somersault,“ and I was like, „That’s so cool,“» Duffield recalled. “And then his face… there was something special about that dog. When he looked at you, it was like he was thinking about you. There was some intelligence in that dog’s face. And that’s when it all clicked for me. And now I needed someone to speak for the dog, to be his voice.”.
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Larry Brantley, who has been cast as the voice of Wishbone, has been told he is auditioning for a pilot for a children's television show starring a dog.
«"Since I've had dogs for a long time, I've always watched them and imagined what they were thinking. Honestly," Brantley shared. "What's going on in their heads? And I've even mentally recited some dialogue for the dog, just to enjoy the interaction with the animal in a playful way. I think I had a hunch it was supposed to be playful, but I wasn't sure.".
For Duffield, casting a young actor in the lead role seemed more natural than inviting some of the experienced voice actors they'd auditioned earlier. But everything really fell into place when Brantley, then in his early 20s, met Soccer, watched his performance, and got a feel for his character.
«"Jackie [Kaptan] said, 'Guys, football needs a break.' I thought he needed to go outside, but it turns out she pulled a rubber soccer ball out of her hip bag, threw it to him, and he just lost it," Brantley recalled. "I've never seen anything like it.".
«"He was jumping around the office, as if he were playing catch with himself. And without thinking, I just started voicing what I thought was going through the dog's mind at that moment.".
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The chemistry between Brantley and Soccer secured the role for both of them. Soon after, the other actors came to love and respect Soccer for his dedication, with one actor noting that the dog "could easily hit a target three times.".
Duffield also praised football coach Kaptan for being "an exceptional coach - open, yet clear in his views.".
Actor Matthew Tompkins shared, "He wasn't just a trained dog. I mean, he was a trained actor. He had an amazing range of emotion in all of his expressions, and physically, he could do anything—whether it was closing his eyes, flying from place to place, or tilting his head and looking at him as if to say, 'Did you just say the right line?'"«
«"He was Charlie Chaplin in the body of a little brown and white dog. And I have to say, on many occasions, no matter what character I played over the course of those seasons, you became so immersed in the role that I was actually reading, real or imagined, Soccer's facial expressions," Tompkins continued.
Jeanne Simpson, another actress who starred in the series, added: «I really enjoyed it in «Wishbone» "The thing is, all the actors treated the dog as if it were Laurence Olivier. And Larry did such a fantastic job voicing the dog that it felt like the dog was talking to you and was present in that moment.".
While the actors performed the football scenes, the costume designers created charming, tailored costumes to suit the situation. However, the "challenge" was "making the clothes fit human sizes and making them actually fit.".
Brian Turin, another on-set coach, noted, "Early on, when he was playing football, it was hard to stop him from bobbing his head in the middle of a scene. He'd bob his head, and the caps would fall off, or we'd constantly be trying to figure out the best way to secure them so they wouldn't be visible. So it was challenging.".
A dog named Soccer lived with Captain on the ranch in Princeton, Texas, where the series was filmed. «Wishbone» . The beloved dog died at age 13 in 2001 and was buried on the ranch.
The film "What's the Story, Wishbone?"« , presented by Novel Tails in association with Loud Pictures, debuted on public television from May 27 to June 9, 2026. Beginning June 10, 2026, immediately following its theatrical run, the film will be available on TVOD/Digital platforms wherever the film can be rented or purchased in North America.
Find the film in your market or on your preferred platform at www.whatsthestorywishbone.com and follow the film on Instagram: @thewishbonedocumentary. .
Read the original article on People.