Beethoven's 2nd is a 1993 family film, and the first sequel to the 1992 film, Beethoven. It starred Charles Grodin and Bonnie Hunt, and Beethoven's four puppies, Tchaikovsky, Chubby, Dolly, and Mo. This is the second of six installments in the Beethoven film series. Initially, no theatrical sequel to Beethoven was planned, but Beethoven's 2nd was produced after the box office and home video success of the original film was greater than expected.
Plot
Beethoven's 2nd begins in the home of the Newton family, where Beethoven (the dog), George and Alice (the parents), and three children are all well adjusted to living together. Early on, Beethoven meets Missy, a female St. Bernard whose owners are attempting to settle a divorce. Regina, who is seeking $50,000 in the settlement, has retained full custody of Missy, planning to transfer her to Brillo, her ex-husband, once the divorce is finalized. With Beethoven's help, Missy escapes from Regina's condo and the St. Bernards fall in love. Missy has four puppies who are discovered at the same time by Regina and two of the Newton children. Regina reclaims Missy and, angry about the puppies, plans to get rid of them even if it means killing them. The janitor who first found Missy and the puppies suggested that Regina might be able to sell the puppies and make a lot of money. Thinking Regina plans to drown the puppies, Ted and Emily carry them home in a box and hide them from George, who they do not think wants four puppies to deal with. Angered by the puppies' disappearance, Regina plans revenge. The three children, Ted, Emily, and Ryce, take it upon themselves to feed and care for the puppies, even getting up in the middle of the night and sneaking out of school to do so.
Eventually, Alice and George discover the puppies; George, angry at first, reluctantly agrees to keep the puppies until they are mature. At this point, the puppies are presumably 8–10 weeks old, the children give them names, and George re-experiences the ordeals of dealing with growing dogs. Facing significant financial difficulty, the family is offered a free stay in a lakefront house owned by one of George's business associates. Beethoven and the puppies, somewhat calmed down, go along on the family vacation. Ryce attends a party with friends where she is exposed to vices of teen culture such as binge drinking and locked in her former boyfriend's bedroom against her will. Beethoven tears the house apart, removing Ryce from potential danger.
It is revealed that Regina and her new boyfriend, Floyd, are staying in a location unknown to Brillo, coincidentally near the Newtons' vacation residence. The Newtons go to a county fair with their dogs and the children persuade George to enter a burger-eating contest with Beethoven. George and Beethoven win, much to the disappointment of the crowd. By happenstance, Regina and Floyd were at the fair and had left Missy behind in their car. Missy escapes from the car with Beethoven's help while Regina sneaks up behind the children and snatches the four puppies from them. Missy and Beethoven run into the wilderness, followed by Regina and Floyd. The Newtons follow, eventually catching up with Regina, Floyd, Beethoven, Missy, and the puppies. Floyd threatens to drop the puppies in the river below and, in an argument that George says does not have to get ugly, pokes George in the crotch with a stick. Beethoven charges into the stick, pushing Floyd over the cliff and into the river. Regina grabs Floyd's hand and is pulled into the river with him.
Five months later, Brillo visits the Newtons with Missy, revealing that the judge in the divorce had granted him full custody of Missy and awarded nothing to Regina after throwing her claim out. The puppies, almost fully-grown by then, run downstairs to see Missy as the credits roll.
Cast
Debi Mazar, who plays wicked Regina, a modern-day Cruella de Vil, is a known dog lover, unlike her character.
Christopher Masterson had a small role in the film. However, his older brother, Danny Masterson, had a leading role in the film. The two were not playing brothers in the movie so neither one mentioned to anyone that they were related. When producers went to view the film, they noticed the resemblance and reshot all of Chris's scenes with another actor.
Production
All park scenes were filmed in Montana at Glacier National Park, though only California was specified as location in the film.
The movie's theme song, "The Day I Fall in Love", performed by Dolly Parton and James Ingram, was nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Grammy Award for Best Song from a Motion Picture.
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