Everyone loves a good dog movie, it seems. From Lassie to Old Yeller to Benji, a canine seems to be an assured ticket to success. But none of these pups had as big a heart as super-sized Beethoven, which charmed audiences in 1992. And if one big pup could win their hearts, imagine what five of them could do!

In the sequel, we find Beethoven still residing with the Newtons. Time has even allowed grouchy George to lighten up on the pup a little. But for all the love and affection showered upon him, something is missing in Beethoven’s life – a female canine companion. That is, until he encounters the enchanting Missy. Soon, he and his pink-bowed lady friend are painting the town, paw in paw, even attending a drive-in movie together.

All is going splendidly for Beethoven until Missy’s owner, the dastardly Regina decides to hold the dog for ransom in an ugly divorce. Meanwhile, it turns out that Beethoven and Missy have been a little more amorous than anyone realized and managed to turn out a litter of pups named Moe, Dolly, Chubby and, in keeping with naming traditions, Tchaikovsky. Knowing that George will not be very happy to discover the furry fab four, the kids opt to keep the puppies a secret, while they set out to rescue Missy from her evil owner. And along the way, as one might expect, the kids are taught a few lessons in self-respect and love from their canine companions. And like the first film (never mess with something that works,) the film ends in a slapstick-laden finale.

With the success of Beethoven, a puppy encore was a certainty and Beethoven’s Second proved to be a worthy follow-up. The combined success of both films led to a 1994 animated series, to continue the adventures of everyone’s favorite St. Bernard. Meanwhile, somewhere in heaven, a German composer must be thinking “Gee, if I only had floppy ears and a cold nose, I could have been immortalized in film.” Sorry, Ludwig, but films about famous composers just don’t win people’s hearts like a good old fashioned dog flick. Even Amadeus couldn’t manage to muster up interest in a sequel.