Dora Bryan is one of Britain's best-loved character actors, with a career spanning sixty years in film, television and theatre. Her performance as Helen in the landmark British film A Taste of Honey earned her a British Academy Award in 1961. Dora's many stage successes include Hello, Dolly!, She Stoops to Conquer (Variety Club of Great Britain's Best Actress of the Year Award), and the National Theatre's production of Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party for which she won an Olivier Award in 1995. She also appeared with Peter O'Toole in a Broadway revival of Pygmalion. Dora currently plays Roz in the BBC's long running comedy series Last of the Summer Wine.
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Leading man of British Cinema and TV, Tony is also the outspoken father of Cherie Blair: QC and wife to the Prime Minister. He became a household name as Mike “the randy Scouse git” son-in-law to Alf Garnett in Till Death Do Us Part. His wiry good looks and natural instinct for comedy made him a regular as Sidney Noggett in the legendary Confessions films of the 1970s. Recently he starred alongside Christopher Eccleston, Eddie Izzard and Derek Jacobi in Alex Cox’s feature film version of Revengers Tragedy. Tony’s charm, screen presence and indomitable spirit will bring a unique quality to the role of the loveable, lecherous old mutt Jack.
For Tony's filmography click here
Jack's canine alter ego was played a much-respected canine performer called Cracker who has worked on numerous films including the remake of Alfie starring Jude Law. In 2005, Cracker appeared the primetime TV links advertising BBC2.
Clover who plays the fluffy beach babe Tina, was originally a rescue dog from Battersea Dogs Home. She's part Pomeranian and part something else, an exotic mix that male dogs find irresistible.
Basset Hounds are not known for their cinematic skills or performing tricks but it took only two days to train Ed to hold a pipe in his mouth. Despite his short legs, Ed managed to hold his own during the film's climactic chase sequence.
Rocky is a Titan of a dog with a string of championship titles that Sylvester Stallone would be proud of. He likes to take care of his looks and during filming his entourage would spend hours fluffing his rough and platting his locks.
It's rare to see a trained Staffordshire Bull Terrier on a movie set. Staffy's are not best suited to hanging out with other dogs but Effie's easy going demeanour was a calming presence to cast and crew alike.
Jackson is an Old School mongrel whose respect for the cinema arts brought great integrity to Gone to the Dogs. He sailed through the difficult dog dialogue scenes, giving a few lessons to the human actors on the way.
Cassie who plays the Suicidal Mutt in Gone to the Dogs also appeared for nine months in the West End show Annie, including a Royal Variety Performance where she met Prince Charles.
Bobby the West Highland White Terrier was one of three dogs that played the lead in the film Greyfriars Bobby. Bobby also starred in the BBC comedy The Worst Week of My Life and the British film Sex Lives of the Potato Men.
Tina's German toyboy was played by Jeffrey the Hungarian Vizsla, a solid dog with a smooth pelt and manners to match. Despite the obvious difficulties filming love-making scenes on a public beach, Jeffrey remained serious and professional throughout.