The Living Skeleton (Kyûketsu dokuro-sen). Hiroshi Matsuno, 1968.
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Edition screened: Included in Criterion Eclipse Series 37: When Horror Came to Shochiku 4-DVD set, released 2012. Japanese language with English subtitles. Runtime approximately 84 minutes.
Summary: Murder of a dog.
Details: A collie is bludgeoned with a candelabra, she tries to stand, falls back down, and the murder weapon is tossed down on her head. This all happens 58:35-58:43.
I usually am not distracted to distinguish between simulated and genuine acts of animal abuse in film, as the low-brow pandering, unflattering decision by the director, and other sociological factors remain unchanged in either case. But this surprising moment in an otherwise enjoyably campy film begs deliberation of the act as real or staged. On the side of real, we actually see the blow and the dog falling. The collie’s inability to stand back up is notable and is not the kind of trick one thinks of teaching a dog, nor is this moment’s perfect timing the likely effect of a sedative. And while Japan has played catch-up to the U.S. in many ways since World War II, America still has not matched the Asian model for cruelty to animals despite our focused determination.
On the side of staged, the actual blow by the killer and the impact of the candelabra on the dog look intentionally soft like a stage punch. And when the candelabra is tossed down on the dog’s head the prop doesn’t seem to react on impact like a heavy piece of cast brass.
The choice of a rough collie among dog breeds never is a coincidence. The Living Skeleton was made 15 years or so after the beginning of the Lassie craze, and it is impossible for any director, actor, or audience not to think of Lassie being murdered, just as all baby deer will forever be Bambi. But this only restates the question: Since Japanese directors in the 1960s kill absolutely any animals they want in any quantities, did Matsuno think, “If our evil villain is going to kill a dog, have him kill Lassie!” or would the cross-cultural heartstring tug that made him choose Lassie, also prohibit him from actually hurting the loyal TV companion loved by millions?
