13 Fun Facts About Salem the Cat, Marcel the Monkey, and Other TV and Movie Animals

Beethoven from the original 1992 film was played by a St. Bernard named Chris. Although he was allowed to do many of his own stunts and tricks (like drinking out of a fish bowl with fish swimming in it, stealing snacks, and dressing up as a horse for Halloween), there was also a full mechanical dog on site and a mechanical dog head to create unique facial expressions and reactions, like those funny bulging eyes.