The gripping and poignant film, Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, has its US television debut Sunday on the Hallmark Channel (9/8c). For those of you who haven’t seen it on DVD, it’s well worth watching. But I wonder why it hasn’t appeared on the big screen in the US? According to the New York Times, the film sold $45 million in tickets in Asia, Europe and South America since it was released in those markets last year. Touching movies about dogs do very well in the US, and touching movies 1) about dogs and 2) starring Richard Gere would probably do extremely well.

If you don’t get the Hallmark Channel, Hachi is available on DVD. Tip: Keep a box of Kleenex handy.