Challenge to Lassie

Was there ever an animal actor as compelling and affecting as Lassie? Regardless of the sex confusion (the first Lassie was actually a male, not the female the dog portrayed), Lassie was competent in his roles, this film being no exception.

The story is simple and heartfelt, based upon a true event - a terrier who so loved his master that, when he died, would faithfully guard and sleep on his dead master's grave. Hence "Greyfriar's Bobby" and his story was born. Take the time to look it up online, it's a wonderful story of love, devotion and how a town got involved in the life of one, poor dog.

The cast is delightful, filled with my favorite character actors from the 1940s - Donald Crisp, Edmund Gwenn, Reginald Owen, Alan Napier - wonderful actors no matter what the role.

According to IMDb, some of the filming was done at the actual location of Greyfriar's Churchyard. If true, it brings a beautiful touch of authenticity, even if Lassie is a collie and not a terrier.

This film is especially good for children to watch, as it teaches a lesson about devotion and loyalty and the heavy price one might have to pay for both. But the denouement is uplifting and joyous, and very special to watch.

I've loved this movie since I was a child, and now almost a half-century later, it still holds up,.

Treat your children and yourselves to a sweet, uplifting experience. The "Challenge To Lassie" is worth your time.

The Scottish tale about a terrier has been altered to suit a famous MGM collie by the name of LASSIE--nothing wrong with that and no reason for another commentator to call this movie "evil". Isn't that carrying the notion of "politically incorrect" a bit too far??? The novel, of course, was "Greyfriar's Bobby", the story about a dog's faithful devotion to a departed master who insisted on sleeping on the man's grave.

MGM's roster of British talent play the Scots with varying degrees of success, including EDMUND GWENN, DONALD CRISP, HENRY STEPHENSON and REGINALD OWEN, with young GERALDINE BROOKS in the only important female role.

It passes the time pleasantly with the usual competent production values, but can't be ranked among the best of the Lassie films.

Edmund Gwenn and Donald Crisp join Lassie the Collie once more after having been teamed in the otherwise-unrelated "The Hills Of Home" from 1948. This heart-tugging, family-oriented saga, based on the book "Greyfriars Bobby" by Eleanor Atkinson, involves stray, untagged Lassie with a crusty old coot who can't figure out why the dog has a confounding need to get into the Greyfriars Churchyard, where animals are forbidden. Geraldine Brooks is the proverbial pretty girl/Elizabeth Taylor substitute, Kathryn Beaumont has an uncredited bit as a neighborhood child, Gwenn is his usual spunky self, yet the whole show belongs to Lassie. Whether crossing a wide river, digging her way out of a barn, climbing out a window, or outwitting the hysterical humans, the dog is shown to a star's advantage. Story remade by Disney in 1960 (under the original title and with a Skye terrier in the lead). ** from ****

Six years after the original Lassie movie, the story still endures. In Challenge to Lassie, glorious Technicolor takes the audience to Scotland and tells a new tale of the adorable, loyal Collie. When Donald Crisp finds Lassie as a puppy, he's charmed by her and takes her home. He's always wanted a dog, and he takes great delight in his new companion. However, the start of the movie implies something ominous in the plot: Edmund Gwenn (who, in a rare highlight, gets top billing) is arguing in court for Lassie not to get put down. Who would want to put down the dog, and why? As he narrates the story, we learn the reason.

As usual in the Lassie flicks, there's a bit of sadness and Lassie has to rise above and find her way home or into the hearts of stubborn humans. Audiences tend to cry during these movies, but this time, I felt the movie went too far. These are supposed to be family friendly, and yet, death and heartache are tough to explain to children. If you look up this movie online, you'll find out what happens in the one-sentence synopsis: Donald Crisp dies and Lassie is left all alone. How is this an enjoyable family flick? I wouldn't watch this with my kids, but it's up to you. If you like seeing Crisp and Gwenn, stock actors in the series, playing new roles and stick frolicking around with Lassie, you can give it a shot.

Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to sadness involving animals, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.

A wonderful movie starring the original Lassie. A sad tale of an owner who dies and his loyal dog who prefers to sleep on his grave only to find it is against the law. The movie is a Lassie movie of old, that's for sure and a treat to view and watch. A real family film, entertaining for all ages. The setting is Scotland and of course, we see it is a Hollywood set, but so what? It is a wonderful film and you will become enraptured with this beautiful collie dog who acts and performs like a human being. I highly recommend the film. Very lovely, endearing and a real treat. As is any Lassie movie. Don't miss it. It comes on TV a lot or rent or buy it. It is a keeper.