Rough Waters: Rin Tin Tin Still Steals the Show, Decades Later

This one, "Rough Waters," is a definite watch if you’ve got a soft spot for old films, especially ones with animal stars. If you’re a Rin Tin Tin superfan, you already know. 🐶 For anyone else, it’s a charming, if simple, adventure that mostly delivers on its promise of a dog-led chase. If you're hoping for a deep character study or a story that twists and turns like a pretzel, you might find yourself a little bored. This is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin.

So, the plot, right? Two guys try to rob a payroll. Classic stuff. And then, our hero, a police dog – obviously Rin Tin Tin – gets involved. He’s not just sniffing around, either. He’s really in the thick of it. There’s a scene where he seems to just know where the bad guys went, like he’s got a map in his head. It’s kinda impressive, honestly.

The human actors, bless their hearts, are mostly there to react to Rin Tin Tin or be chased by him. Edmund Breese and Walter Miller play the robbers, and they do a good job of looking suitably shifty. But honestly, you’re not really watching them. Your eyes are on the dog. Always on the dog.

One moment really stuck with me. There’s this shot of Rin Tin Tin, standing by the water, just looking out. It's a short beat, probably just a few seconds, but it gives you a sense of his focus. Not just a dog acting, but a dog thinking. Or at least, the film makes you feel that way. It's subtle, for a film of this age.

The chases are, well, they’re 1920s chases. Lots of running, some exaggerated falls. The camera sometimes struggles to keep up, which adds a certain frantic charm. You can almost feel the cameraman huffing and puffing trying to keep Rin Tin Tin in frame. It's not smooth, modern action, but it has a real energy to it. You get the sense they just went for it.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Rough Waters (1930) through its definitive frames.

And speaking of going for it, the way Rin Tin Tin just launches himself at things. He’s not dainty. He’s a force. In one particular sequence, he leaps onto a moving vehicle. It looks genuinely dangerous. You gotta wonder how many takes that took. Or if they just had one brave dog and one very careful trainer.

The whole thing feels very much like a relic, but a good relic. It’s got that raw, immediate feel that a lot of older movies have before things got too polished. No fancy tricks, just a good boy doing what good boys do: catching criminals. 🐕‍🦺

It’s not perfect. Some parts drag a little, especially when the humans are trying to figure things out without the dog’s help. You find yourself just waiting for Rin Tin Tin to show up and solve everything. Which, to be fair, he usually does.

This movie isn't trying to be deep. It's a showcase for an animal star, and in that, it absolutely shines. It reminds you that sometimes, the simplest stories are the most effective. Just a dog, two bad guys, and some... rough waters. 😉

Didja notice?

• The bad guys' disguises are barely disguises at all. Like, a hat? Really?
• Rin Tin Tin’s ears are so expressive. A whole performance in those ears.
• There’s a bit where a robber trips over a very obvious rock. You can practically hear the director yelling "FALL!"
• The water scenes look genuinely chilly. Brrr.
• The way the dog barks on cue. Pretty impressive for back then.
• The ending shot is just so satisfying.