Lassie (radio program) facts for kids
Pal as Lassie (1942)
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| Genre | Juvenile adventure |
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| Running time | 15 minutes |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| Syndicates | ABC NBC |
| Starring | Pal |
| Announcer | Charlie Lyon |
| Written by | Harry Stewart |
| Directed by | Hobart Donovan |
| Produced by | Frank Ferrin |
| Narrated by | Rudd Weatherwax |
| Original release | June 8, 1947 – May 27, 1950 |
Lassie was a famous American old-time radio show. It was an adventure program made for young people. The show was broadcast on ABC from June 8, 1947, to May 30, 1948. Later, it moved to NBC and aired from June 5, 1948, until May 27, 1950.
About the Lassie Radio Show
Even though the show was called Lassie, the dog's name changed in each episode. This was because Lassie traveled around, helping different people and animals. The people she met would give her various names. The stories on the radio show captured the spirit of Eric Knight's popular book, Lassie Come-Home. The show was sponsored by Red Heart Dog Food.
Who Was Behind the Show?
The main dog character, Lassie, was played by a real dog named Pal. Pal was a male dog who also played Lassie in the early movies. His trainer, Rudd Weatherwax, helped him make the right sounds. He would cue Pal to whine, bark, and pant at just the right moments. Other dog sounds were made by Earl Keen, who was an animal imitator.
Rudd Weatherwax also narrated the radio program. Charlie Lyon was the announcer, introducing the show and its segments. John Duffy played the organ music for the show. Frank Ferrin was the producer, Hobart Donovan was the director, and Harry Stewart was the writer. They all worked together to create the exciting adventures of Lassie.
