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LASSIE COME HOME -- From Scotland to Hollywood
When the novel LASSIE COME HOME first appeared, few could guess that the collie from Yorkshire, England would become one of the worl'd most popular dogs -- or that she would travel so far to go home!
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In 1940, Eric Knight's LASSIE COME HOME appeared.
It was a realistic animal story in the Jack London, Sir Charles G D Roberts tradition.
Set in pre-war Yorkshire, the novel told of the collie Lassie. When a mining family, the Carracloughs, must sell their beloved pet collie, she's purchased by the Duke of Rudling, who takes her to his estate in Scotland. "But Lassie won't be kept from the family she loves." She sets out on a long 400-mile journey south, to find the home where she belongs.
In October 1943, LASSIE COME HOME was released as a movie, starring Lassie, Elizabeth Tayor and Roddy McDowell. More movies would come, such as THE COURAGE OF LASSIE, then radio and television. Lassie traveled across the Atlantic to find a home in America. The latest Hollywood production is a remake of the original novel, starring Peter O'Toole as the Duke.
Interestingly, all of the dogs to portray Lassie over the years have been male. The original collie to portray Lassie was actually named Lad and was the star of the memorable original television series as well as several movies, most memorably the original version of LASSIE COME HOME.
Lassie, of course, wasn't the first Hollywood dog star.
It all started with Rin-Tin-Tin!
Audiences first discovered the bright German Shepherd in September of 1924 in the silent movie THE MAN FROM HELL’S RIVER, a Western. The Warner Brother’s film introduced to the world a truly intelligent, courageous and handsome dog, whose actions brought out cheers and standing ovations from enchanted audiences.
Rin-Tin-Tin had been found in a muddy World War One German trench by U. S. Army Lieutenant Lee Duncan. Duncan took “Rinty” to Los Angeles, where he trained the Shepherd for a movie career. During the 1920’s, Rin-Tin-Tin appeared in a number of smash hits, including WHERE THE NORTH BEGINS, FIND YOUR MAN, CLASH OF THE WOLVES, THE LONE DEFENDER, TRACKED IN SNOW COUNTRY and THE LAND OF THE SILVER FOX.
With some of the best directors and writers (such as a young Darryl F Zanuck) working on his movies, and insightful training from his master, Lee Duncan, Rinty’s pictures did fantastic box office. In fact, for several years Rin-Tin-Tin was Warner Brother’s top grossing star. He was more popular and more beloved than any human actor. Insiders referred to him as “The dog who saved Hollywood.” Certainly, he saved Warner Brothers.
Many of Rinty’s actions, of course, were just good training and directing. When he tracked bad guys and lost children through the wilderness, out-fought savage wolves, carried blankets and rope to stranded people, led the hero to the endangered heroine -- he was just acting. But it was energized acting. As one reviewer put it: “Rinty plays his big dramatic scenes as if his life depends on it.”
But there were numerous scenes that revealed a genuine intelligence and loving heart. With the years, he learned to show his emotions in a glance.
In THE NIGHT CRY, Rin-Tin-Tin, who was falsely accused of killing sheep, enters his master’s cabin. He lays his great head on the table between his master and mistress, giving both of them long glances -- his expression changing from expectant hope -- to forlorn sadness -- to one of sudden happiness when he discovers one true friend in the cabin: the couple’s baby. The scene brought the house down.
Other dogs would follow Rinty’s lead, appearing from the Silent Era into the new “Talkies.” Among them were Sandow (CODE OF THE NORTHWEST, 1926), Strongheart, Rin-Tin-Tin Jr., Captain, Buck, Chinook, Ranger, Dynamite and others...
To see more on the famous dogs of Literature, the Silver Screen and Television, go to PUPPY DOGS INFO: www.puppy-dogs.info
Presented by PUPPY DOGS INFO
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