STORY OF LASSIE, THE (TV)

Summary

A documentary about the history of the character of Lassie in film and television. In 1938, Eric Knight writes his short story “Lassie Come Home” for the Saturday Evening Post, the first appearance of the character in any media. The story proves to be popular and in 1940 Knight converts it into a novel. In 1943, the story is turned into a film of the same name, starring Roddy McDowell alongside the eponymous canine, played by a collie named Pal. The actors and directors who worked alongside Pal speak highly of him and his performance, bringing out great feelings of affectation from those who knew him. “Lassie Come Home” largely revolves around Lassie’s long journey to return home to England from Scotland, and is noted for its success due to its “simplicity” in storytelling. MGM capitalizes on its success by making sequels to the original film, such as 1945’s “Son of Lassie,” wherein Pal portrayed Lassie’s son, Laddie, and marking June Lockhart’s entry into the Lassie franchise. The film involves Laddie searching for his owner in the middle of war-torn Norway. Much of Pal’s affecting performances can be traced to her trainer Rudd Weatherwax, who kept Pal in his house and treated him like a member of the family. 1946’s “Courage of Lassie” sees the burgeoning of Elizabeth Taylor, then a child actor, in a major part; she had previously played a bit role in “Lassie Come Home.” In it, Pal portrays Bill, a collie caught in a car accident and found without identification, leading to his recruitment into the army as a war dog. Bill then participates in the Aleutian Islands Campaign and is traumatized by the experienced before being reunited with his owner. Next is the film “Hills of Home” in 1948, Lassie stars alongside a doctor played by Edmund Gwenn, who helps Lassie overcome her fear of water, and she in turn attempts to rescue him when he collapses from hypothermia. MGM continues putting out Lassie films with “Challenge to Lassie” in 1949, which garners much of the same success as its forebears, reuniting Gwenn with Donald Crisp from the previous film and featuring a plot involving Lassie’s loyalty to her owner, a shepherd, even after his death. Weatherwax trained his dogs to respond to mood and tone rather than being prompted directly by their trainer, eschewing the “tricks” performed by other film dogs in favor of something more natural. 1949 also saw “The Sun Comes Up,” featuring Claude Jarman Jr. alongside three dogs portraying the part of Lassie, each used for different types of stunt work, such as a scene wherein Lassie rescues a child from a burning building. In 1951 MGM tells Weatherwax that they are no longer making Lassie films. Instead of money, Weatherwax asks for the rights to the name “Lassie.” By then, Lassie had starred in seven films for MGM. In September 1954, the “Lassie” television series begins on CBS, with the dog starring alongside child actor Tommy Rettig, who recounts how he grew as close to the dog in real life as his character did on the show. Pal played the part of Lassie for the pilot, but retired immediately thereafter. Pal served as the progenitor of the subsequent line of Lassies, owing to the distinctive facial markings he passed down to his offspring; in fifty years there have been a total of eight Lassies, each with similar appearances but different personalities. Rettig leaves the show in 1957 for fear of typecasting, and to give himself a break from show business. He is replaced by Jon Provost, who in preparation for the show resides with the Weatherwax family in order to gain Lassie’s approval. Also in 1957 the Lassie name is bought by Jack Wrather, and a new family is brought in to star alongside Lassie. Soon the roles of Provost’s parents are given to June Lockhart and Hugh Reilly; together they become instantly relatable and recognizable to the viewing audience. The themes of idealism and unconditional love are prevalent throughout the television show’s run. The dog portraying Lassie was replaced at several points during the show’s run, and a “stunt dog” was called upon to do fight scenes. A 1974 documentary, “To Lassie With Love,” reveals the process by which Lassie is guided through the many stunt scenes featured on the show, such as one involving rescuing a kitten from a rowboat. Lassie made many personal appearances over the years, and Weatherwax had it in his contract that Lassie would visit hospital patients, particularly children. In 1964, the producers of “Lassie” attempt to change up the formula by transplanting Lassie into the care of a U.S. Forest Ranger played by Robert Bray. This gives the show the opportunity to explore a wide variety of locales around the United States, although the basic characteristics of the show remain despite these vast changes. “Lassie” lasts for nineteen years before ending in 1973, garnering high ratings for its entire run. Robert Weatherwax carries on his father’s work, training Howard, the latest collie to portray Lassie in an eponymous 1994 film directed by Daniel Petrie. Lassie television and film media continue to be shown worldwide, and they continue to resonate with audiences.

Details

• NETWORK: PBS
• DATE: August 14, 1994 11:30 AM
• RUNNING TIME: 1:01:01
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:74876
• GENRE: Public affairs/documentaries
• SUBJECT HEADING: Public affairs/documentaries
• SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 1994
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Stephen Janson … Executive Producer
• Gene Feldman … Producer, Director, Writer
• Suzette Winter … Producer, Writer
• Michael Bacon … Music by
• June Lockhart … Host
• Roddy McDowall … Interviewee
• Robert Weatherwax … Interviewee
• Margaret O'Brien … Interviewee
• Janet Leigh … Interviewee
• Claude Jarman Jr. … Interviewee
• Jack B. Hively … Interviewee
• Tom Rettig … Interviewee
• Jon Provost … Interviewee
• Robert Golden … Interviewee
• Linda Wrather Finocchiaro … Interviewee
• Daniel Petrie … Interviewee
• Robert Schaeffer … Interviewee
• Lorne Michaels … Interviewee
• Robert Bray
• Jan Clayton
• Donald Crisp
• Edmund Gwenn
• Eric Knight
• Peter Lawford
• Hugh Reilly
• Elizabeth Taylor
• Rudd Weatherwax