The film's dedicated to author Eric Knight, a Yorkshireman who relocated to the US, who was killed in the war in 1940. Great cast: Roddy McDowell, Donald Crisp, Elsa Lanchester, Nigel Bruce, Elizabeth Taylor (looking oddly grown up already), Dame May Whitty and her husband Ben Webster.
Oscar nominated photography from (The Yearling) Leonard Smith, music Danile Amfitheatrof with its 'four o'clock' cue. Adapted by Hugo Butler for MGM, with California and Washington standing in for Scotland and England. MGM dog trainer Rudd Weatherwax's dog Pal was Lassie.
Not sure I was that impressed by it on 9 April 1975: in fact, we watch it more like children now. Worst moment: Lassie jumping from first floor window. Best moment: Bruce and Taylor pretending they don't know the dog.
Review from 4/6/94 is funny though:
'Shameless weepabilia from Bosey and Pepper owners despite obvious off-screen handling of wrongly sexed dog. Taylor, debuting at 10/11, looks weirdly like a child with an adult's face stuck on'.
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