Lassie, a dog for the ages

Lassie has been one of the world’s most beloved dogs for almost 70 years. (That’s 490 in dog years.)

Star of movies, radio and television, Variety named Lassie one of the “100 Icons of all time,” the only animal on the list.

Through the years Lassie has been played by various male dogs because they are larger and their fuller coats looked better on the screen. The dogs are taught different stunts and feats. Filming is on a tight schedule and using multiple dogs saves time and money.

But I will still refer to “them” as “her” to preserve the illusion.

The original Lassie named Pal was trained by animal breeder Rudd Weatherwax. He got the dog from a friend to repay a debt. In all there have been nine Lassies, all descended from Pal.

Her first movie was the classic, Lassie Come Home in 1943, based on a novel by Eric Knight. Lassie belongs to a family in Yorkshire where she is devoted to young Joe, played by Roddy McDowell. She knows the exact time he gets out of school and greets him there each day.

When the family falls on hard times, the father sadly sells her to the Duke of Rudling and his young granddaughter played by Elizabeth Taylor in her first movie role. Lassie escapes from her kennel twice (digs under, jumps over) to rejoin Joe, but his father returns her to the duke.

Finally the duke takes her to Scotland where she again escapes. Through the rest of the movie she makes her way back home to Yorkshire.

The movie, an audience and critical favorite, has held up through the years. I watched it recently and fell in love with Lassie all over again. The film is well written and directed with beautiful scenery. It’s easy to see why Elizabeth Taylor and Roddy McDowell didn’t fade into oblivion like so many other child stars.

Lassie Come Home is available on DVD to win another generation of fans. (See sidebar) It was followed by seven more MGM Lassie films.

She had her own radio show until moving to television in 1954. The show ran until 1973, winning two Emmy awards and producing many jokes about Timmy falling into the well.

Other Lassie TV shows were produced in the 80’s and 90’s, including a series on Animal Planet. There was a remake of Lassie Come Home filmed in England in 2005.

She continues to make personal appearances, including marketing her own brand of dog food.

Lassie is one of three dogs to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame along with silent movie stars, Strongheart and Rin Tin Tin.

Comments

[Khyra]

Mom grew up on Lassie -

She so LOVED that show!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
aka so NOT a Lassie type

[jackie]

is that the one where the bad guy is after lassie and backs him up to the cliff? I think i did a post about it ..scarriest movie i ever saw..ha

[Dennis the Vizsla]

hello jan its dennis the vizsla dog hay grate artikul abowt the faymus lassie!!! altho wen we went to her for help deprogramming tucker she seemd to be awfully fiksayted on luking for him down the well for sum reezon!!! ok bye

[YesBiscuit!]

My Mom always likes to tell how I watched Lassie every morning as a kid and would cry at the end when she would be waving her paw "goodbye". Every day I would say "Lassie's going away!" and my Mom would reassure me that Lassie would be back tomorrow.

[Susan]

I loved Lassie when I was a kid and still do as an adult. One of my favorite photos is of my then four-year-old daughter petting Lassie VIII in 1994, when she appeared at a bookstore with Bob Weatherwax and author Ace Collins in conjunction with Collins's Lassie bio.

[Jennifer]

I loved Lassie when I was a kid.

[Tammy]

I grew up without a TV. I don't think I've actually ever seen a Lassie show or movie! I know of her (him), of course though! It was fun to read about her! :)

[threecollie]

Yay, Lassie! I can remember gathering at my grandparent's house every Sunday night for Lassie and Walt Disney. We didn't have a TV, nor did some of the aunts and uncles, so we all packed into their living room, us kids sprawling on the floor, and had a fine time for a little while.

[rosemary]

my kids loved Lassie.....me....now....too much hair!

[cube]

I grew up on Lassie. Comon... who better to call when Timmy fell into the well?

[Gordy and Georgie]

Our staff gets all sentimental when she sees a collie. She keeps hoping if we watch Lassie movies we will learn how to behave like Lassie and be perfect dogs and learn tricks.

[Ann Myers]

Lassie was such a beautiful dog. She was the real hero of that show. I watched the show all the time when I was a kid.

[Susan Labuschagne]

I am desperately looking for any Lassie DVD`s to buy for my grandchildren. Can someone please help.

Susan

[ecig]

I grew up without a TV. I don't think I've actually ever seen a Lassie show or movie!