On September 25, 1966, the premiere of the series took place, directed by Konrad Nałęcki, the script of which was based on the novel by Janusz Przymanowski of the same title. For the next four years, viewers flocked to their TV sets during broadcast hours to follow the fate of the crew of the “Rudy 102” tank and their Szarik. The production is available on the website.
He wasn’t cut out to be a police dog, but he was a dream actor. This is how Trymer found his way onto the set
Without a doubt, it was Szarik who played the first fiddle in the production and attracted a huge audience to the screens. The German Shepherd’s real name was Trymer and he belonged to the police station in Żoliborz in Warsaw. It was there that he caught the attention of the trainer, Colonel Franciszek Szydełko. For a large dog, it was 62 cm high at the withers and weighed 36 kilograms, and had a gentle disposition. – We immediately fell in love with each other – . The policemen taking care of him put him into production because the dog was removed from service. He failed his tracking exams.
However, the beginnings on the set were not kind to him. Over time, he got used to the new surroundings and people. He was particularly fond of Czereśniak, the TV series’ character, who fed him various delicacies and played games while taking breaks from filming. – Trimer wasn’t suitable as a service dog, but as a movie dog he was great, you can’t find a better one. When I arrived on the set, he immediately jumped on the tank and waited for acting tasks. The director sometimes had to temper his enthusiasm: “Trymer, you’re not playing now, come here later.” Working with this dog was pure pleasure, said Szydełko.
The series’ Szarik almost lost his life during filming. He died nine years after finishing work on the set
Contrary to rumors, there were not three dogs on the set, but only two quadrupeds, of which Trymer played in most of the scenes. The exception was the one in which he had to jump from a burning building. Then, for the first and last time, he had a stunt double named Atak. The decision to replace him was made after a dramatic situation from which the shepherd miraculously escaped alive. As it sailed across the Vistula River, pyrotechnicians set off explosives to create the illusion of a bombing on the screen. At some point, the animal disappeared from everyone’s sight. Panic broke out and the team was terrified. It turned out that it was caught on the branches of fallen trees. – The trimmer was breathing heavily, director Nałęcki stopped filming until the afternoon to let the dog recover – recalled the colonel.
The last flop on the set of the series took place in 1970. Then Franciszek Szydełko set himself the goal of finding a home where Trymer could live to a peaceful old age. He met people with whom he quickly found understanding. He was cared for and lacked nothing. However, towards the end of his life he lost his sight, later also his hearing, and finally suffered paralysis of his hind limbs. The owners bravely took care of him until the last moments, although veterinarians suggested that they could shorten his suffering. Trimer died a natural death at the end of 1979. He was 16 years old at the time.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
