Every now and then, a movie comes along that pushes the boundaries of comedy, leaving audiences both shocked and in stitches. There’s Something About Mary, a staple of late ’90s American comedies, is one such film. But not all of the great characters from the movie were human.
Among the highlight performances came from Puffy, the Border Terrier, whose antics contributed significantly to the film’s comedic appeal. He was a bit of a physical comedienne, you might say.
Cameron Diaz may have been the star human of the film, but the scene-stealing Puffy got much of the attention. This didn’t happen by accident. The filmmakers knew who would be a favorite of moviegoers, so they promoted its the dog’s by sending 800 stuffed Puffys to journalists to create some hype.
Puffy’s Role in The Film
Puffy’s real-life name was Slammer. And while he’s a “he” in the movie, in real life he was actually a she. So to avoid any further confusion, we’ll simply refer to the star pooch as it.
Anyway, where were we? Oh yeah, it (the dog, that is) played an integral part in There’s Something About Mary. And while it appeared to get roughed up a bunch, drugged, electrified, and thrown out of a second story window, through the magic of filmmaking, our fellow dog lovers can rest assured that no harm was done.
According to the film’s producer, Charles Wessler, the production included three prop dogs to be used in Slammer’s action scenes. However, Slammer did do the famous body cast scene… for just 10 seconds. The dog was custom-fitted in a three-piece suit that connected in areas not caught by the camera.
The Storyline
The plot follows Ted (played by Ben Stiller), who gets a chance to reunite with his high school crush, Mary (Cameron Diaz), years after a humiliating prom incident left them apart. In his quest to reconnect, Ted hires a sleazy private investigator, Healy (Matt Dillon), to track her down.
Unbeknownst to Ted, Healy falls for Mary’s charm and attempts to woo her himself, leading to a series of comedic and unexpected events. The plot thickens with a cast of quirky characters, each adding their own flavor of humor and complications to Ted’s life and his pursuit of true love.
Iconic Puffy Scenes
Who could forget the moment Puffy takes on Ben Stiller’s character in a display of canine ferocity that’s as terrifying as it is hilarious? Or the scene where Puffy, now a fluffy projectile, is sent flying through the air? These scenes not only tested the limits of comedy but also showcased the filmmakers’ ability to blend physical humor with character-driven jokes.
Cast and Crew’s Interaction with Puffy
Working with an animal on set always adds a layer of unpredictability, and for the cast and crew of There’s Something About Mary, Puffy was no exception. The actors’ anecdotes about their time with Puffy reveal a genuine affection for their four-legged co-star, highlighting the dog’s professionalism and the joy it brought to the set.
Take the affectionate scene between Mary’s mom and Puffy:
“That scene was the first scene of the day,” said actress Lin Shaye who played the well-tanned mom. “It was 7:30 in the morning, which means I had to get into makeup four hours earlier. We started the scene and Pete came out and says, ‘Come on guys, let’s get this cooking.’ To elevate the energy, I picked up Slammer and held him up in the air above me. And the dog just started kissing me. My job was to stay in the scene so I stuck with it. When Pete yelled cut, he called it a fantastic moment. Slammer did love me; he would come look at me, look at his trainer, and then crawl over into my lap.”
The Filmmakers Behind the Comedy
The masterminds behind There’s Something About Mary are the Farrelly brothers, Peter and Bobby Farrelly. Known for their unique blend of slapstick humor and heartfelt storytelling, the Farrellys have carved a niche for themselves in the comedy genre. Before There’s Something About Mary, they made a splash with Dumb and Dumber, and Kingpin, showcasing their talent for creating laugh-out-loud moments intertwined with genuine human connections.
Their approach to comedy often involves pushing the boundaries of conventional humor, a trait that has earned them both critical and commercial success.
There’s Something About Mary is a quintessential romantic comedy with a twist of outrageous humor that influenced the trend of popular R rated comedies that would soon follow, including 40 Year Old Virgin, American Pie, Superbad, and more.
Puffy’s Role in the Movie’s Success
Puffy’s contributions to There’s Something About Mary went far beyond comic relief. The dog’s scenes were pivotal in shaping the film’s tone, providing moments of levity that balanced the more outrageous humor. This balance helped the movie achieve its unique blend of heart and hilarity, making it a standout in the genre and contributing significantly to its box office success.
Over the years, Puffy has earned a place in the pantheon of memorable movie animals, embodying the film’s spirit of pushing boundaries while maintaining a core of warmth and relatability.
