6 Facts about Rin Tin Tin
By Stacy Conradt
1. The first Rin Tin Tin was just a poor little mutt who was found in a destroyed French dog kennel just before the end of WWI. The soldier who found the pooch took him home to L.A., where a producer saw him leap 12 feet, and offered to make him a star.
2. The dog became pretty spoiled soon after his rise to stardom. At the height of his popularity, a private chef prepared tenderloin steak for Rinty's lunch every day.
3. Also, a group of musicians played classical music to help his digestion.
4. But maybe he deserved the star treatment. He received about 10,000 fan letters a week, and commanded a $6000 a week salary. (To put that in perspective, Greta Garbo was making $7,000 a week for her films.)
5. The first Rin Tin Tin died in the arms of Jean Harlow in 1932. She lived across the street and allegedly came running when she heard that her favorite neighborhood dog was ill.
6. Rinty has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Strongheart and Lassie are the only other canines to share the honor. Somewhere, Toto is mad.
