Courage of Lassie
Encyclopedia
Courage of Lassie is a 1946 MGM feature film
starring Elizabeth Taylor
, Frank Morgan
, and dog actor Pal
in a story about a collie
named Bill and his young companion, Kathie Merrick. When Bill is separated from Kathie following a vehicular accident, he is trained as a war dog, performs heroically, and, after many tribulations, is eventually reunited with his beloved Kathie. Though the film is called Courage of Lassie, Eric Knight
's fictional canine character Lassie does not appear in the film.
Courage of Lassie is the third of seven MGM films featuring a canine star called Lassie
, who, in actuality, was a male collie named Pal
. Using the stage name Lassie, Pal appeared as the titular character in the first film, Lassie Come Home
and as Laddie in its sequel, Son of Lassie
. Courage of Lassie has been released to VHS and DVD.
) and carried to her home. With the help of a kindly shepherd, Mr. MacBain (Frank Morgan
), she tends him back to health, names him Bill, and teaches him to herd sheep.
One day, unknown to Kathie, Bill is hit by a truck and taken to an animal hospital. Kathie risks her life futilely searching for him on the island where they first met. Bill remains unclaimed in the hospital for two months and is sent to a War Dog Training Center. After training, he is shipped out with the troops. Duke performs heroically on the battlefield, but the stress and a wound cause him to become aggressive. Sent back to the War Dog Training Center to recover, he escapes, attacking livestock and threatening people as he finds his way to back to Kathie.
Merrick neighbors insist he be put down because of his attacks and Bill is impounded. A hearing is held and Mr. MacBain acts as Bill's lawyer. He discovers an Army tattoo in Bill's ear; a quick investigation reveals Bill is a war hero. All then realize that the dog who served on the battlefield was not himself after his war experiences and he will need time to adjust to civilian life. Bill is freed and joyfully reunited with Kathie.
near Holden
.
Courage of Lassie was fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Taylor's second "Lassie" film as she had appeared in Lassie Come Home in the minor role of the Duke of Rudling's granddaughter, Priscilla. Taylor received the first top billing of her career with Courage of Lassie. George Cleveland
, the "Old Man" in the opening scenes of Courage of Lassie would become the star of the 1954 television series Lassie
.
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
starring Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, DBE was a British-American actress. From her early years as a child star with MGM, she became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age...
, Frank Morgan
Frank Morgan
Frank Morgan was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of the title character in the film The Wizard of Oz.-Early life:...
, and dog actor Pal
Pal (dog actor)
Pal was a Rough Collie actor and the first in a line of such dogs to portray the fictional female collie Lassie in film and television. Pal was born in California in 1940 and eventually brought to the notice of Rudd Weatherwax, a Hollywood animal trainer. In 1943, the dog was chosen to play Lassie...
in a story about a collie
Collie
The collie is a distinctive type of herding dog, including many related landraces and formal breeds. It originates in Scotland and Northern England. It is a medium-sized, fairly lightly built dog with a pointed snout, and many types have a distinctive white pattern over the shoulders. Collies...
named Bill and his young companion, Kathie Merrick. When Bill is separated from Kathie following a vehicular accident, he is trained as a war dog, performs heroically, and, after many tribulations, is eventually reunited with his beloved Kathie. Though the film is called Courage of Lassie, Eric Knight
Eric Knight
Eric Knight was an author who is mainly notable for creating the fictional collie Lassie.Born on 10 April 1897, in Menston in Yorkshire, England, Eric Mowbray Knight was the third of four sons born to Frederic Harrison and Marion Hilda Knight, both Quakers...
's fictional canine character Lassie does not appear in the film.
Courage of Lassie is the third of seven MGM films featuring a canine star called Lassie
Lassie
Lassie is a fictional collie dog character created by Eric Knight in a short story expanded to novel length called Lassie Come-Home. Published in 1940, the novel was filmed by MGM in 1943 as Lassie Come Home with a dog named Pal playing Lassie. Pal then appeared with the stage name "Lassie" in six...
, who, in actuality, was a male collie named Pal
Pal (dog actor)
Pal was a Rough Collie actor and the first in a line of such dogs to portray the fictional female collie Lassie in film and television. Pal was born in California in 1940 and eventually brought to the notice of Rudd Weatherwax, a Hollywood animal trainer. In 1943, the dog was chosen to play Lassie...
. Using the stage name Lassie, Pal appeared as the titular character in the first film, Lassie Come Home
Lassie Come Home
Lassie Come Home is a 1943 MGM film starring Roddy McDowall and canine actor, Pal, in a story about the profound bond between Yorkshire boy Joe Carraclough and his rough collie, Lassie. The film was directed by Fred M. Wilcox from a screenplay by Hugo Butler based upon the 1940 novel Lassie...
and as Laddie in its sequel, Son of Lassie
Son of Lassie
Son of Lassie is a 1945 feature film produced by MGM based on characters created by Eric Knight, and starring Peter Lawford, Donald Crisp, June Lockhart and Lassie...
. Courage of Lassie has been released to VHS and DVD.
Plot
A collie pup is separated from his mother and grows to young adulthood in the forest. After being swept away in a torrent and then shot by a young hunter, he is found by Kathie Merrick (Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, DBE was a British-American actress. From her early years as a child star with MGM, she became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age...
) and carried to her home. With the help of a kindly shepherd, Mr. MacBain (Frank Morgan
Frank Morgan
Frank Morgan was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of the title character in the film The Wizard of Oz.-Early life:...
), she tends him back to health, names him Bill, and teaches him to herd sheep.
One day, unknown to Kathie, Bill is hit by a truck and taken to an animal hospital. Kathie risks her life futilely searching for him on the island where they first met. Bill remains unclaimed in the hospital for two months and is sent to a War Dog Training Center. After training, he is shipped out with the troops. Duke performs heroically on the battlefield, but the stress and a wound cause him to become aggressive. Sent back to the War Dog Training Center to recover, he escapes, attacking livestock and threatening people as he finds his way to back to Kathie.
Merrick neighbors insist he be put down because of his attacks and Bill is impounded. A hearing is held and Mr. MacBain acts as Bill's lawyer. He discovers an Army tattoo in Bill's ear; a quick investigation reveals Bill is a war hero. All then realize that the dog who served on the battlefield was not himself after his war experiences and he will need time to adjust to civilian life. Bill is freed and joyfully reunited with Kathie.
Production
The film was shot on location in Railroad Creek by Lake ChelanLake Chelan
Lake Chelan is a narrow, 55-mile-long lake in Chelan County, northern Washington state, U.S. It is the largest natural lake in Washington state...
near Holden
Holden Village, Washington
Holden Village is a year-round Lutheran Christian center in the North Cascade mountains of the U.S. state of Washington. Formerly the site of one of the largest copper mines in the United States, the Holden mine, Holden is accessible only by the Lake Chelan passenger ferry, the Lady of the Lake, or...
.
Courage of Lassie was fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Taylor's second "Lassie" film as she had appeared in Lassie Come Home in the minor role of the Duke of Rudling's granddaughter, Priscilla. Taylor received the first top billing of her career with Courage of Lassie. George Cleveland
George Cleveland
George Alan Cleveland was a Canadian film actor. He appeared in over 180 films between 1933 and 1954.-Career:...
, the "Old Man" in the opening scenes of Courage of Lassie would become the star of the 1954 television series Lassie
Lassie (1954 TV series)
Lassie is an American television series that follows the adventures of a female Rough Collie named Lassie and her companions, human and animal. The show was the creation of producer Robert Maxwell and animal trainer Rudd Weatherwax and was televised from September 12, 1954, to March 24, 1973...
.
Cast
- Pal, (credited as Lassie)Pal (dog actor)Pal was a Rough Collie actor and the first in a line of such dogs to portray the fictional female collie Lassie in film and television. Pal was born in California in 1940 and eventually brought to the notice of Rudd Weatherwax, a Hollywood animal trainer. In 1943, the dog was chosen to play Lassie...
as Bill, a rough collie and Kathie Merrick's companion animal - Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth TaylorDame Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, DBE was a British-American actress. From her early years as a child star with MGM, she became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age...
as Kathie Merrick, a young girl living on a sheep ranch - Selena RoyleSelena RoyleSelena Royle was an American stage, television and film actress.-Early life and career:Born in New York City, Royle's parents were playwright Edwin Milton Royle and actress Selena Fetter . She had an older sister Josephine Fetter Royle . She turned to acting despite the objections of her parents...
as Mrs. Merrick, her mother - Catherine McLeodCatherine McLeodCatherine McLeod was an American actress who made over sixty television and movie appearances between 1944 and 1976...
as Alice Merrick, her sister - David HoltDavid Jack HoltDavid Jack Holt was an American actor initially groomed at the age of seven to be the male Shirley Temple...
as Pete Merrick, her brother - Frank MorganFrank MorganFrank Morgan was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of the title character in the film The Wizard of Oz.-Early life:...
as Harry MacBain, a shepherd - Tom DrakeTom DrakeTom Drake , born Alfred Sinclair Alderdice in Brooklyn, New York, was an American actor. Drake made films starting in 1940 and continuing until the mid-1970s, and also made TV acting appearances....
as Sergeant Smitty, Bills' trainer in the Army - Bill Wallace as Sergeant Mac, Smitty's friend
- Harry Davenport as Judge Payson
- George ClevelandGeorge ClevelandGeorge Alan Cleveland was a Canadian film actor. He appeared in over 180 films between 1933 and 1954.-Career:...
as Old Man, Bill's original owner - Morris AnkrumMorris AnkrumMorris Ankrum was an American radio, television and film character actor.-Early life:Born Morris Nussbaum in Danville, Illinois, Ankrum originally began a career in academics. After graduating from USC with a law degree, he went on to an associate professorship in economics at the University of...
as Farmer Crews, a Merrick neighbor - Mitchell LewisMitchell LewisMitchell Lewis was an American film actor. He appeared in 200 films between 1914 and 1956. His best known role is Captain of the Winkie Guards in The Wizard of Oz, but he was uncredited. His lines were "She's dead...
as Gil Elson, a Merrick neighbor - Jane GreenJane GreenJane Green may refer to:* Jane Green * Jane Green , United States singer popular in the 1920s* Jane Green , U.S.-based British author...
as Mrs. Elson, Gil Elson's wife - Minor WatsonMinor WatsonMinor Watson was a prominent character actor. He appeared in 111 movies made between 1913 and 1956. His credits included, Boys Town , Yankee Doodle Dandy , Kings Row , Guadalcanal Diary , Bewitched , The Virginian , and The Jackie Robinson Story .He is buried in Alton Cemetery...
as Sheriff Ed Grayson - Donald Curtis as Charlie, a truck driver
- Clancy CooperClancy CooperClancy Cooper was an American actor. He appeared in over 100 films between 1938 and 1962.He was born in Boise, Idaho and died in Hollywood, California.-Selected filmography:* The Secret Code...
as Casey, a truck driver - Carl SwitzerCarl SwitzerCarl Dean "Alfalfa" Switzer was an American child actor, professional dog breeder and hunting guide, most notable for appearing in the Our Gang short subjects series as Alfalfa, one of the series' most popular and best-remembered characters.-Early life and family:Switzer was born in Paris,...
as First Youth, a hunter - Conrad Binyon as Second Youth, a hunter