Release Date:  February 20, 2004 (limited release)

Rating:  G

Genre:  Children’s

Director:  Robert Ramirez

Actors:  John Ritter, Wayne Brady, Grey Delisle, Jenna Elfman, John Goodman, Jess Harnell, Kel Mitchell, Judge Reinhold, Kath Soucie, Cree Summer and Wilmer Valderrama

Review:  Clifford (voice of John Ritter), Cleo (Cree Summer) and T-Bone (Kel Mitchell), three dogs from Birdwell Island, are a happy trio who enjoy spending time together. One night, they troop off to the carnival, where they enjoy the antics of “Larry’s Amazing Animals.” The act isn’t amazing, but the animals try hard, so Clifford, Cleo and T-Bone stop “backstage” to compliment the performers.

Shackelford, the high-flying ferret (Wayne Brady) and lead animal in the act, tells his visitors about an upcoming contest that could save the act from cancellation. When Clifford hears that the prize is a lifetime supply of his favorite dog food, he’s tempted, but quickly realizes that his owners would miss him too much. However, the next day, he overhears a neighbor commenting on how much food Clifford eats – because he is so big. Clifford’s owners agree, but before they have a chance to tell the neighbor that Clifford is well worth it, the big red dog decides that he just has to try his luck in the contest.

Never one to let their friend down, Cleo and T-Bone agree to join the act along with Clifford. But to do so, they have to lie, because Larry only takes in strays. So they rip off their dog tags and tell Shackelford that they don’t have owners, that the tags are from “three owners ago” and “just a way to fool the dogcatchers.” Shackelford believes the lie and introduces the trio to Larry, who immediately begins rehearsals.