Challenge to Lassie (1949)

When Lassie's master dies, an old friend tries to convince a judge that the dog's life should be spared.

Director:

Richard Thorpe

Writers:

William Ludwig (screenplay), Eleanor Atkinson (based on the novel About A Skye Terrier, "Greyfriars Bobby")

Stars:

Edmund Gwenn, Donald Crisp, Geraldine Brooks

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Edmund Gwenn	...	John Traill
Donald Crisp	...	'Jock' Gray
Geraldine Brooks	...	Susan Brown
Reginald Owen	...	Sergeant Davie
Alan Webb	...	James Brown
Ross Ford	...	William Traill
Henry Stephenson	...	Sir Charles Loring
Alan Napier	...	Lord Provost
Sara Allgood	...	Mrs. MacFarland
Edmund Breon	...	Magistrate
Arthur Shields	...	Dr. Lee
Lumsden Hare	...	MacFarland
Charles Irwin	...	Sergeant Major
Pal	...	Lassie (as Lassie)

Storyline

In 1860 Ediburgh, sheep herder Jock Gray finds a Collie puppy on the loose. When she is unclaimed, he takes her as his own and calls her Lassie. They are soon inseparable but when Jock dies and is buried in an unmarked grave, Lassie takes to sleeping in the churchyard to be near him. Jock's good friend John Traill is prepared to find a good home for Lassie but no matter how hard he tries, she always manages to get away and despite any obstacles put in her way, manages to get back to Jock's grave. It all comes to a head when a local magistrate orders her destroyed for not having a license leading Traill to take his case to a higher court.

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Plot Keywords:

lassie | dog | dog actor | animal | animal name in title | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 October 1949 (USA)

Also Known As:

Desafio de Lassie

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Loew's, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Opening credits: Edinburgh-1860 And towering over all, Castle Rock, with much of its military history lost in the dimness of time. But now another kind of history was being made as each night its sunset bugle sounded -- history of a dog's loyalty and devotion. This devotion led to troubles which greatly upset the dog -- and upset the city so thoroughly that matters finally reached the High Courts.

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Goofs

When Lassie is crawling out of the river, the POV is from the river and the river is running from left to right. When she comes over the bank, the POV is toward the river, the water is running from left to right.

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Connections

Version of Lassie Come Home (1943)

User Reviews

So easy to love...

I am personally quite surprised at the film's low rating here. I love this film, I find it so easy to love and so endearing, affectionate and touching. The film looks gorgeous, with lush scenery and cinematography, and the music is soothing and fits splendidly. The dialogue amused and moved me, the story was always engaging and poignant and the film pace-wise was never dull, at least not for me. It is beautifully directed as well, and while actors such as Edmund Gwenn and Donald Crisp give very likable performances and fit their characters very well, Lassie steals the show. She is absolutely adorable, and I can't count the number of times I empathised with her here.

All in all, a lovely film. 10/10 Bethany Cox