Friday, February 23, 2018

Dear Abby - Favorite Movie Dogs: Lassie

Dear Friends,

I hope you are having a good week!

We talked about Lassie before as a TV dog (you can read that blog post here:  Famous TV Dogs:  Lassie), but before Lassie was on television, she was in the movies.

Lassie Come Home was a 1943 MGM movie starring Roddy McDowell and collie Pal.  When Lassie is sold to a wealthy man, she finds a way to return home to the boy who loves her.
Son of Lassie (1945) continues the story with the same boy, now grown up.  It is about Lassie's son who becomes a "war dog" during World War II.   This movie stars Peter Lawford and June Lockhart - who later appeared in the Lassie TV series.

Courage of Lassie (1946) is about a collie named Bill who loves a young girl (played by a young Elizabeth Taylor).   He is separated from her and becomes a war dog.  However, he finds his way back to the home he loves.  This movie costars Frank Morgan, the wizard from The Wizard of Oz.
Hills of Home (1948) is about a Scottish doctor who has a dog named Lassie.  Lassie is afraid of water, but fights this fear to rescue the doctor.  The doctor in this movie is played by Edmund Gwenn, who played Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street.

The Sun Comes Up (1949) tells the story of a former opera singer (Jeanette MacDonald) who lives with her dog Lassie and bonds with a young orphan in the Brushy Gap area of the Smoky Mountains near Asheville.

Challenge to Lassie (1949) is about a collie so devoted to her deceased person that she does not want to leave his grave.

The Painted Hills (Lassie's Adventures in the Goldrush) is a 1951 movie about a collie who wants to find revenge when her person is murdered.

In all seven original Lassie movies, the role was played by Pal.  Pal was a male Rough Collie who lived 18 years (1940 - 1958).  

There are also later Lassie movies after this series of 7 collie films:  Lassie's Great Adventures (1963, made for TV), The Magic of Lassie (1978), and remakes of Lassie in 1994 and 2005.

Have you seen any of the Lassie movies, or the Lassie TV series?   I would love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

14 comments:

Heather D said...

I never really got into Lassie. I think it was a touch before my time. The reruns used to be on all the time.

Jerry Marquardt said...

I would love to see all of the movies, but I have only seen Lassie, Come Home and in the 70's once I had seen The Magic of Lassie in color. It has been a while since I saw Lassie, Come Home, but what a great movie!

Neely said...

I was pretty obsessed with Lassie as a kid! Such a great classic for everyone!

Chelsea said...

Aw I used to love Lassie!!

Unknown said...

I love Lassie! My children get too sad though with most dog movies where dogs aren't treated well or any mean characters.

Scott said...

I've seen one Lassie movie, but it hasn't been for over 40 years! I need to get all caught up!

Brandy Ellen said...

I had forgotten about Lassie, I have said that name before and realized I have never shown my kids that movie, ever! I used to watch the show all of the time as a young child.

Rachel @ The Confused Millennial said...

I had no idea there were so many lassies!! I think i've seen bits of the tv show here and there as a kid but definitely barely remember it!

Annemarie LeBlanc said...

I vaguely remember watching the TV series, maybe because I was still too young then. I would love to see all these Lassie movies though. Wondering where I can get copies?

Unknown said...

I remember watching Lassie during my childhood. I think I will choose one from this list and watch it with my kiddo.

Abby said...

Thanks, friends! It made me so happy to read your comments about Lassie. Have a wonderful day!

Love,
Abby xoxoxo

Unknown said...

I had no idea there were so many movies and TV shows about Lassie. I have just seen one.

barbarakwrites said...

I always loved Lassie when I was young. As a result, I said I would have a Collie one day. Ha ha. That was until we got our first dachshund. Don't think a Collie is in our future, but I have fond memories of the movies and TV show.

Abby said...

Thanks, friends! I loved hearing from you. Barbara, that is neat that you grew up with fond memories of Lassie.

Love,
Abby