Lassie (1954 TV series)

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Lassie
Title screen of Lassie (seasons 1–4)
Also known as	Jeff’s Collie (episodes 1–116)Timmy & Lassie (episodes 116–352)
Genre	Family Adventure/Drama
Created by	Robert Maxwell
Starring	Tommy Rettig Jan Clayton George Cleveland Jon Provost Cloris Leachman Jon Shepodd June Lockhart Hugh Reilly George Chandler Robert Bray Jack De Mave Jed Allan Ron Hayes Larry Wilcox Pamelyn Ferdin Lassie (various dogs)
Theme music composer	Les Baxter
Opening theme	Whistle
Composer(s)	Raoul Kraushaar
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	19
No. of episodes	591 (list of episodes)
Production
Producer(s)	Robert Maxwell Robert Golden Dusty Bruce Leon Fromkess
Production location(s)	California
Running time	26 minutes
Production company(s)	Lassie Television Robert Maxwell Associates Jack Wrather Productions
Distributor	Independent Television Corporation (1958-1959) Wrather Corporation (1971-1973) NBCUniversal Television Distribution (on behalf of DreamWorks Classics)
Release
Original network	CBS (1954–1971) Syndication (1971–1973)
Picture format	Black-and-white film (seasons 1–10) Color film (seasons 11–19)
Audio format	Monaural
Original release	September 12, 1954 – March 24, 1973
Chronology
Related shows	The New Lassie

Lassie is an American television series that follows the adventures of a female Rough Collie dog named Lassie and her companions, both 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 25, 1973. The fifth longest-running U.S. primetime television series after The Simpsons, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Gunsmoke and Law & Order, the show ran for 17 seasons on CBS before entering first-run syndication for its final two seasons. Initially filmed in black and white, the show transitioned to color in 1965.

The show’s first 10 seasons follow Lassie’s adventures in a fictional small farming community. Eleven-year-old Jeff Miller, his mother Ellen, and his grandfather are Lassie’s first human companions until seven-year-old Timmy Martin and his adoptive parents take over in the fourth season. When Lassie’s exploits on the farm end in the eleventh season, she finds new adventures in the wilderness alongside United States Forest Service Rangers. After traveling on her own for a year, Lassie finally settles at a children’s home for her final two syndicated seasons.

Lassie received critical favor at its debut and won two Emmy Awards in its first years. Stars Jan Clayton and June Lockhart were nominated for Emmys. Merchandise produced during the show’s run included books, a Halloween costume, clothing, toys, and other items. Campbell’s Soup, the show’s lifelong sponsor, offered two premiums (a ring and a wallet), and distributed thousands to fans. A multi-part episode was edited into the feature film Lassie’s Great Adventure and released in August 1963. Selected episodes have been released to DVD.

Contents

• 1Production
  • 1.1Concept and development
  • 1.2Casting
    • 1.2.1Narration
  • 1.3Writers
  • 1.4Filming
  • 1.5Theme music
  • 1.6Sponsor
• 2Plot and themes
• 3Characters and cast
  • 3.1Human leads
    • 3.1.11954–1957: Miller Family (Jeff’s Collie)
    • 3.1.21957–1964: Martin Family (Timmy & Lassie)
    • 3.1.31964–1970: U.S. Forest Service
    • 3.1.41970–1971: Traveling on her own
    • 3.1.51971–1973: Holden Ranch
  • 3.2Dog actors as Lassie
• 4Media information
  • 4.1Broadcast history
  • 4.2Current airings
  • 4.3Later series
  • 4.4Feature film
  • 4.5DVD releases
• 5Comics
• 6Reception
  • 6.1Ratings
  • 6.2Awards and honors
  • 6.3Cultural impact
• 7References
• 8External links

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