Lassie Come Home

Young Joe Carraclough and his loyal collie dog Lassie share a special bond which is put to the test when the pair are separated.

Early Hollywood cinema featured many dogs who were genuine stars. German shepherds Strongheart and Rin Tin Tin made dozens of films between them in the silent era. But perhaps the canine character best known today is Lassie, a collie dog. Lassie Come Home, based on the novel by Eric Knight, was the first of seven ‘Lassie’ films made by MGM in the 1940s.

The simple but beautifully told story of the struggle faced by a dog making an heroic journey to be reunited with her owner is told with utter sincerity and a real feeling for the connection between children and animals. The absence of any jokey nods to the adults which characterise certain contemporary kids’ films may strike some as old-fashioned, but the clarity of the storytelling and the depth of emotion portrayed make this a truly moving adventure for all ages.

Set in depression era Yorkshire and Scotland (although filmed in California) and shot in glorious Technicolor, the film also features early performances by child actors Roddy McDowell and Elizabeth Taylor. Lassie is played by a dog called Pal, whose descendants continued to embody the role in sequels, and the popular TV series of the 1950s.

– Fiona Trigg, Senior Curator