Puppies for Sale is a 1998 American short film starring two-time Academy Award winner Jack Lemmon (one of Lemmon's last films) and seven year old Jesse James in his first role. The film's score was composed by Elmer Bernstein. The film's message is that disabilities are no match against the power of love and compassion.
Plot
The short is about a young boy (James), while walking down the street sees a pet shop sign that says “Puppies For Sale”. The boy enters the pet shop owned by Lemmon, to see the puppies. There are five puppies to pick from, one with a congenital hip problem. "That's the puppy I want to buy" exclaims the young boy. Lemmon tries to dissuade the boy from taking the imperfect pup, but the boy insists and gets down on the floor to play with his new pet. The owner gets a surprise - and a lesson.[1][2]
Puppies for Sale was the first film written, produced, and directed by Ronald Krauss. His goal was to help get people of all ages to take a second look at the needs and feelings of persons with disabilities.[1]