That Dog In "Street Scene"
A nondescript dog appears in the movie, "Street Scene." It is probably as ridiculous a mongrel as can be found in the world. To call him a mutt would be raising his classification beyond all expectations. His real name is Nondie, but in the film he is called Queenie. And this humble creature actually earns $100 a day.
An organ grinder who loved dogs saved Nondie from death. Tony Campanero started his business career in the United States by travelling about with a monkey and an organ. However, he found he could make more money by letting his monkey out to the movies than in travelling from city to city looking for music lovers.
For a time Napoleon, the monkey, earned a living for Tony. Then the demand for monkeys fell off and Tony had to think fast if he was able to keep body and soul together. "I'll buy a nice dog," said Tony.
When he went over his small savings, he realized he couldn't get together enough for a really pedigreed dog. So Tony hied himself to the Los Angeles pound, hoping to find a dog that would look as if some film director would take a fancy to him. There was no such animal to be found.
Before he reached the gate, however, something rubbed up against his leg. He looked down and saw the funniest canine he had ever imagined. The homely little waif nuzzled his leg in a friendly fashion. Tony laughed, but kept on his way. The dog wagged his tail and stayed at his heels.
Of course, this couldn't go on, and Tony knew it, for he was won as soon as he laid eyes on the mutt. Tony had just $3.57 in his pockets, and times were hard. And he knew that it would cost him $3 to take the dog from the pound. But a minute later, Tony's capital was 57 cents and the dog was under his arm.
Now he had three mouths to feed, so he decided that he just had to drum up a lot of work for Napoleon, the monkey. He journeyed from studio to studio with the monkey on his shoulder and the dog at his heels. The last call was at the United Artists studios, but it was the same there. "Nothing today, Tony."
Tony started away, crestfallen. But at that moment an official of the Samuel Goldwyn offices passed and got a look at the dog. He stopped in his tracks. "Tony," he said, "I'll give you $100 a day for that mutt. I want him for 'Street Scene'."
And now Nondie is in very great demand in Hollywood, so Tony, Napoleon and Nondie are living on the fat of the land.