One of the aspects of researching somewhat arcane aspects of film history that I like most is coming across flicks and clips I have somehow never watched, or know nothing about that blow my mind. This scene is one of those. "Living in a Big Way" is a rarely screened comedy from 1947 that according to legend includes some of Gene Kelly's favorite dance sequences. In this three minute clip (with captioned option), Kelly sings laments spending time with a sweetheart he barely knows -- he was drafted right after they were married -- and dances a delightful 'paw de deux' with faithful canine companion Fido (played by Chris), who was already a veteran actor by the time he collaborated with Kelly on this, his first dance number. He'd spent 5 out of his 6 years in Hollywood when Kelly saw his work in "Spars and Tars" (1946) and got the idea for the routine. According to the "Living In A Big Way" press book: "The two met, talked things over, and collaborated on the dance number Fido and Me." But his career didn't start there. Just like any other actor, Chris had to work his way up. From what I've been able to find out so far, it appears he started his career as an understudy to Daisy in the "Blondie" series, had his first screen kiss with Shirley Temple in "Kiss and Tell" (1945) and was bodyguard for Margaret O'Brien in "Bad Bascomb" (1946). A July 28, 1947 review of "Living" in the EVENING INDEPENDENT described him as "a moppet dog that was the best actor in the cast." I don't disagree. Like Mr. Kelly, he always hit his mark.

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