10/04/2026
George Sidney (October 4, 1916–May 5, 2002) was an American film director and producer best known for his work at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. His films included "Bye Bye Birdie" (1963) and "Viva Las Vegas" (1964), as well as some of postwar Hollywood’s biggest musicals, including "Annie Get Your Gun" (1950), "Show Boat" (1951), and "Kiss Me Kate" (1953).
In this 1957 news article, Sidney is shown conducting a Hollywood casting call in search of “a dog that will eat kosher food before the cameras.” His desk was reportedly covered with telegrams touting dogs that ate lox, bagels and cheese blintzes. Among the hopefuls was young Judy Paul of Long Beach, pictured with her Doberman, Duke, who she hoped might get his big break in show business.
The article doesn’t name the movie, but the casting call appears to have been for Sidney’s "Pal Joey," released later that year and starring Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Kim Novak. Alas, Duke apparently didn’t get the part. The role went instead to a Cairn Terrier, who can be spotted in the finished film sharing a charming bit with Sinatra — helping him dunk a bagel into his coffee.
Duke may not have made it to the silver screen, but for one day, at least, a Doberman was in the running for a role opposite Frank Sinatra.
Source:
"Call Off the Dogs," High Point Enterprise, Feb. 20, 1957.
