PATSY Award

The Patsy Award was originated by the Hollywood office of the American Humane Association in 1939. They decided to honor animal performers after a horse was killed in an on-set accident during the filming of the Tyrone Power film Jesse James. The letters are an acronym, and stand for Picture Animal Top Star of the Year.

The very first recipient of a Patsy was Francis the Talking Mule in 1951. The award now covers both film and television and is separated into four categories: canine, equine, wild and special. The special category encompasses everything from goats to cats to pigs - Arnold Ziffel of TV's Green Acres was a two-time winner. Arnold's trainer, Frank Inn, was the proud owner of over 40 Patsy awards, thanks to his work with Orangey, the cat from Rhubarb (1951) and Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961); Higgins, the dog (who played the lead in the Benji movies and "Dog" on Petticoat Junction); Cleo the Basset Hound; and Lassie, to name a few.

Bob Barker served as host for the Patsy Awards but eventually resigned in protest of the cruel methods some trainers use when training animals for films.^[1]

The awards ended in 1986 due to lack of funding.

The American Humane Association is the organization responsible for the disclaimer at the end of many films and television programs that "No Animals Were Harmed" in the production.

PATSY Award Winners

1951

Motion Pictures

1. Francis the mule (Francis the Talking Mule)
2. California the horse (The Palamino)
3. Pierre the chimp (My Friend Irma Goes West)

Award of Excellence

• Flame the dog (My Pal)
• Lassie the dog (Challenge to Lassie)
• Black Diamond the horse (Black Midnight)
• Jackie the Lion (Samson and Delilah)

Craven Award

• Jerry Brown the horse - trained by Ace Hudkins

1952

Motion Pictures

1. Rhubarb the cat (Rhubarb)
2. Francis the mule (Francis Goes to the Races)

Award of Excellence

• Chinook the dog (Yukon Manhunt)
• Diamond the horse (Flame of Araby)
• Corky the dog (Behave Yourself)

Craven Award

• Smoky the horse - owned / trained by Fat Jones

1953

Motion Pictures

1. Jackie the lion (Fearless Fagen)
2. Bonzo the Chimp (Bonzo Goes to College)
3. Trigger the horse (Son of Paleface)

Award of Excellence

• Francis the mule (Francis Goes to West Point)
• Tramp Jr. the dog (Room for One More)
• Cheetah the chimp (Tarzan's Savage Fury)
• Chinook the dog (Yukon Gold)

Craven Award

• Bracket the horse - owned by Hudkins Stables

1954

Motion Pictures

1. Sam the dog (Hondo)
2. Francis the mule (Francis Covers the Big Town)
3. Jackie the lion (Androcles and the Lion)

Award of Excellence

• Baron the dog (Back to God's Country)
• Peggy the chimp (Valley of the Headhunters)
• Jackie the lion (White Witch Doctor)

Craven Award

• Cocaine the horse - owned / trained by Chuck Roberson

1955

Motion Pictures

1. Beauty the horse (Gypsy Colt)
2. Francis the mule (Francis Joins the WACS)
3. Esmerelda the seal (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea)

Award of Excellence

• Shep the dog (A Bullet is Waiting)
• Satin the tiger (Demetrius and the Gladiators)
• Beauty the horse (Outlaw Stallion)

Craven Award

• Flash the horse - owned / trained by Henry Willis

1956

Motion Pictures

1. Wildfire the dog (It's a Dog's Life)
2. Francis the mule (Francis Joins the Navy)
3. Faro the dog (The Kentuckian)

Award of Excellence

• N/A

Craven Award

• Flame the dog - owned /trained by Frank Barnes

1957

Motion Pictures

1. Samantha the goose (Friendly Persuasion)
2. Beauty the Horse (Giant)
3. Francis the mule (Francis in the Haunted House)

Award of Excellence

• Silver the horse (The Lone Ranger)
• Lady the dog (Goodbye, My Lady)
• Bascom the dog (Hollywood or Bust)

Craven Award

• King Cotton the horse - owned / trained by Ralph McCutcheon

1958

(Starting 1958 PATSY awards were also awarded to television animals)

Motion Pictures

1. Spike the dog (Old Yeller)
2. Beauty the horse (Wild Is the Wind)
3. Kelly the dog (Kelly and Me)

Television# Lassie the dog (Lassie)

1. Cleo the dog (The People's Choice)
2. Rin Tin Tin the dog (The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin)

Award of Excellence

• Toby the horse (Hoofs and Goofs / Movies)
• Flicka the horse (My Friend Flicka / TV)

Craven Award

• Trigger the horse - owned by Roy Rogers / trained by Glenn Randall

1959

Motion Pictures

1. Pyewacket the cat (Bell, Book, and Candle)
2. Tonka the horse (Tonka)
3. Henry the rabbit (The Geisha Boy)

Television# Lassie the dog (Lassie)

1. Asta the dog (The Thin Man)
2. Rin Tin Tin the dog (The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin)

Award of Excellence

• King the dog (The Proud Rebel / Movies)
• Jasper the dog (Bachelor Father / TV)

Craven Award

• Baldy the horse - owned by Fat Jones Stables / trained by William "Buster" Trow

References

1. ^ The Price is Right: About the Show: Bob Barker. Accessed 16 November 2007.

External links

• American Humane Association
• Stunt Horses
• Advertising Awards: The PATSY Award