Son of Lassie

I was surprised I enjoyed this film as much as I did. Originally I only had it on in the background on TCM while I was getting ready for work. Before I knew it I was peeking at the TV instead of looking for a shirt to wear. I was getting absorbed in the story and losing track of the time. Sure I was was going to be late for work...but I had to know, would Laddy turn out to be as brave trusty as Lassie? Would he continue to follow his master even through war torn Norway and seemingly endless obstacles including heartless German soldiers and miles of snow ? These were all questions I had to find out before I headed to my job ! Lucky for me I found a blank video tape to record the ending so I still made it.

I loved this film. It had wonderful acting by all involved, including the dog. Visually it contained beautiful scenery, even great shots of the WWII planes I like so much . The production was top notch. Lots of action, and best of all a good old fashioned happy ending. What more can you ask for? These days gems like this are considered way to sugary by our cynical 21st century society to be produced. To bad cause once in awhile it's very refreshing to see the good guys and the dog all live happily ever after.

If you love animals and haven't seen this one yet, get a box of hankies and some popcorn cause you are in for a real treat. Now excuse me while I go hug my beagle.

Laddie is the son of Lassie. He is recruited to be a war dog during WWII. His human Joe Carraclough (Peter Lawford) is training to be part of the bomber crew. He sneaks onto the plane on a mission to Norway. They are hit by enemy fire and crashes in occupied territory. Laddie has to use his smarts but he mistakes Nazi soldiers for help. He is wounded and found by local kids.

It's the second Lassie movie and the franchise is pitching in on the war effort. The Nazis have no shame. They go after a dog and little kids. The main problem is that Laddie keeps inadvertently helping the Nazis. Yet they cannot do anything but be defeated by a dog. That's the power of this family friendly fight against the Nazis.

Sequel to the first Lassie film. Joe Carraclough (Roddy McDowell in the first film, Peter Lawford here) is home briefly from the war. He loves a dog named Laddie (who may be the son of Lassie--it's never made clear). He still loves Priscilla (Elizabeth Taylor in the first, June Lockhart here). He takes Laddie with him to the Army (!!!) and soon he and Laddie are trapped in occupied Norway.

This is strictly for the kids. The dialogue is on the level of a bad Archie comic book, there's zero characterization and one sequence with four children has some of the worst acting I've ever seen in a movie. Also they're constantly pushing Laddie in your face so you can go "awwwwwwwww". Still this is shot in gorgeous Technicolor, has stunning scenery and Laddie is a good actor (so to speak). More for kids though--as an adult I was getting pretty bored. It was kind of fun to see Lockhart here considering she was in the Lassie TV show about a decade later. Parents should know a man is shot dead (no blood), Laddie is shot also and is constantly being put in danger. That might bother some kids. I give it a 7.

The first of many sequels to the classic 1943 Lassie movie finds original dog owner Joe Carraclough suffering from accelerated growth; in two years, he has grown about ten years - from boy Roddy McDowall to man Peter Lawford! Little Pricilla has experiences a similar growth spurt - from girl Elizabeth Taylor to woman June Lockhart (who would re-encounter Lassie a decade later, as young Timmy's mother). Donald Crisp as father Sam has holds up well, considering. Meanwhile, in dog years, Lassie has a son, Laddie. Presumably, "Pal" plays Mama "Lassie" and Son "Laddie" - but, it's possible an actual "Son of Lassie" is used in the film.

"Son of Lassie" is, understandably, not as good as the first Lassie film. The photography is absolutely beautiful, though; and, Pal/Lassie's performance is excellent - in fact, one could argue that the dog creates two separate characterizations (the Son a little less wise). Lawford in endearing as Joe. The World War II storyline is flawed, but inevitable, considering the time of release. The multiplication of Lassies was unnecessary, since it had been less than two years since the first Lassie. Still, it's a very well-photographed Lassie, with a rousing conclusion.

****** Son of Lassie (4/20/45) S. Sylvan Simon ~ Peter Lawford, Donald Crisp, June Lockhart

Breathtakingly beautiful location photography (Banff National Park, Canada) provides a colorful background for a war story involving Lassie, Peter Lawford, June Lockhart, Donald Crisp, Leon Ames, William Severn and an early performance by Terry Moore when she was a child actress.

Dealing with the warm relationship between Joe (Peter Lawford) and his war-trained pup, it has moments of high suspense, humor and classic Lassie challenges as the dog attempts to become reunited with his master. Not as overtly sentimental as "Lassie Come Home", it scores on its own as one of the best in the string of Lassie films MGM made following the success of the first one.

The war scenes are well handled with much of the action having a realistic look, as does the German village, with everyone contributing their own well acted moments to an intriguing film. Little William Severn is appealing as the boy who discovers the wounded dog and must protect it from the German soldiers. June Lockhart is refreshingly natural as Lawford's sweetheart and there are the usual pleasant performances from Donald Crisp and Nigel Bruce. Lawford and Lassie have some strenuous stunts to perform in the rapids as they escape.

Definitely a Lassie film worth watching.