Rudy, star of The Thin Man movies, was a wire-haired terrier named Skippy. After appearing in the first movie, he adopted the name of his character and was thereafter known as Asta. That first movie, based on the detective comedy novel by Dashiel Hammett, was released in 1934 and starred William Powell and Myrna Loy. Powell and Loy were not allowed to befriend Asta, as his trainer believed this would interrupt his concentration. Perhaps as a result, Asta bit Myrna Loy during filming! A bright and inquisitive character, Asta's demeanor prompted one critic to wonder, why characters Nick and Nora Charles needed a child when they had "such a pleasant dog."
