Series synopsis
Lassie is an American action & adventure drama family comedy television series that premiered on CBS on September 12, 1954. It ended on March 24, 1973. It was created by Robert Maxwell. It stars June Lockhart, Jon Provost, Hugh Reilly and George Cleveland.
Lassie is the pet of Jeff Miller, an 11-year-old farm boy. The two become best friends and enjoy family adventures in the American countryside, teaching each other about love, nature and commitment.
Premise
Lassie is the pet of Jeff Miller, an 11-year-old farm boy. The two become best friends and enjoy family adventures in the American countryside, teaching each other about love, nature and commitment.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- June Lockhart as Ruth Martin
- Jon Provost as Timmy Martin
- Hugh Reilly as Paul Martin
- George Cleveland as George 'Gramps' Miller
- Josh Albee as Mike Bishop
- Tommy Rettig as Jeff Miller
- Robert Bray as Corey Stuart
- Larry Pennell as Keith Holden
Guest cast
- Jan Clayton as Ellen Miller
- Larry Wilcox as Dale Mitchell
- Dabbs Greer
- Walter Baldwin
- Vic Perrin
- Thurston Hall
- Chris Drake
- Stephen Talbot
- Flip Mark
- Dennis Moore
- Charles Herbert
- Benny Rubin
Episodes
This series spans 20 seasons with 597 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 6 | February 13, 1963 | February 13, 1963 |
| Season 1 | 26 | September 11, 1954 | March 6, 1955 |
| Season 2 | 39 | September 10, 1955 | June 3, 1956 |
| Season 3 | 38 | September 8, 1956 | May 26, 1957 |
| Season 4 | 40 | September 7, 1957 | June 8, 1958 |
| Season 5 | 39 | September 6, 1958 | May 31, 1959 |
| Season 6 | 37 | September 5, 1959 | May 22, 1960 |
| Season 7 | 36 | September 10, 1960 | May 28, 1961 |
| Season 8 | 36 | September 9, 1961 | May 27, 1962 |
| Season 9 | 32 | September 29, 1962 | May 19, 1963 |
| Season 10 | 29 | September 28, 1963 | May 3, 1964 |
| Season 11 | 33 | September 5, 1964 | May 16, 1965 |
| Season 12 | 32 | September 12, 1965 | May 1, 1966 |
| Season 13 | 30 | September 10, 1966 | April 30, 1967 |
| Season 14 | 28 | September 9, 1967 | March 24, 1968 |
| Season 15 | 28 | September 28, 1968 | April 13, 1969 |
| Season 16 | 22 | September 27, 1969 | March 8, 1970 |
| Season 17 | 22 | September 19, 1970 | March 21, 1971 |
| Season 18 | 20 | October 7, 1971 | March 10, 1972 |
| Season 19 | 24 | September 15, 1972 | March 24, 1973 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
34th Annual Emmy® Awards Emmy Award for Lassie! |
September 12, 1954 |
| 2 |
Dinah's Place Interview with Lassie! |
September 12, 1954 |
| 3 |
The Donna Reed Show Clip from "The Donna Reed Show!" |
September 12, 1954 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Inheritance Premiere episode. Jeff inherits Lassie from the late Homer Carey, but the young collie seems strangely reluctant to leave the Carey home. |
September 12, 1954 |
| 2 |
Arithmetic Jeff is failing arithmetic due to his problems with fractions, so Ellen tells him he may not go to the circus if he doesn't pass his next test. |
September 19, 1954 |
| 3 |
The Colt To make up for ignoring Jeff, Gramps brings him home a colt Jeff names ""Domino."" Jeff then starts ignoring Lassie in his enthusiasm over having a horse. |
September 26, 1954 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Runt All of Lassie's pups have been given away except for Laddie, the runt, and she hides him in an abandoned mineshaft to keep him with her. |
September 11, 1955 |
| 2 |
The Pit When Jeff and Porky see pit bull terriers, Gramps suspects illegal dogfights are being held in the area. |
September 18, 1955 |
| 3 |
The Kittens Jeff and Lassie find a litter of abandoned kittens and are horrified when Gramps says to leave them alone; that they can't be saved and will probably starve. |
September 25, 1955 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Bee Hive Jeff and Porky try to raise bees for an upcoming 4H show but a wild raccoon threatens to ruin their work. |
September 9, 1956 |
| 2 |
Friendship Cranky old Daniel Mueller fences in a pasture that's a shortcut the kids use going and coming to school and the boys want revenge, but Lassie is privy to his gentle side. Then one night the collie discovers Mueller seriously ill. |
September 16, 1956 |
| 3 |
Quarantine Pokey is temporarily quarantined at the Miller farm due to a disease threat. However, when the dog runs away, one of the Miller's neighbors threatens to shoot Pokey on sight to protect his livestock. |
September 23, 1956 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Runaway Lassie discovers a small, waiflike boy hiding in the barn, but the child won't talk. The Millers soon find out he's Timmy, an orphan living in Olive Branch with his elderly relatives, Uncle Jed and Aunt Abby Clausen. (Some type of accident killed Timmy's parents.) |
September 8, 1957 |
| 2 |
The Suit Timmy is so excited about his new suit that Ellen allows him to wear it until Jeff gets home, but when he tears it, afraid they will send him back to his aunt and uncle, Timmy lies and lays the blame on Lassie. To make him confess, Ellen makes him decide Lassie's punishment. |
September 15, 1957 |
| 3 |
Graduation Jeff is thrilled to accept a summer job at Doc Weaver's office, but when he neglects his duty for a few minutes, a potentially rabid dog is let loose |
September 22, 1957 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Storm Timmy and Boomer try to teach Boomer's new dog Mike, a distant little terrier, farm ways, but he seems unable to learn. |
September 7, 1958 |
| 2 |
Wishing Uncle Petrie allows Timmy to ride a pony at a pony-ride concession, and Timmy falls in love with the animal--so Lassie sneaks out in the night and brings ""Star"" home. |
September 14, 1958 |
| 3 |
The Teacher Timmy and his classmates adore their teacher Miss Hazlit, and when they find out she may have to leave because of budget constraints, they try to earn the money to keep her on. But the money is lost on their way to speak to the school board. |
September 21, 1958 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The New Refrigerator Ruth loves her new refrigerator, but Lassie prefers meals from the old icebox instead--precipitating a battle of wills. |
September 6, 1959 |
| 2 |
Old Henry Timmy buys an old plowhorse for a dollar, but Paul says they cannot keep the animal since he can't do any work. In trying earn money to keep the horse, Timmy becomes trapped in a mine. |
September 13, 1959 |
| 3 |
The Contest Timmy enters a ""why I love my pet"" contest and entrusts Lassie to get the entry to the mailman on time, but she spends so much time aiding neighbors in trouble that the letter is not delivered. |
September 20, 1959 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Blacktail Jerry, the lame boy who adopted Lassie's son Blacktail, and his dog visit the farm, when the Martins find out Jerry can walk without his brace, but is afraid to try. |
September 11, 1960 |
| 2 |
The Wallaby Something's raided the family strawberry patch, but the large mysterious tracks puzzle everyone until Timmy catches a glimpse of the animal, describing it as a ""giant rabbit."" In reality it's a wallaby named Pancho--who poses a danger to Lassie! |
September 18, 1960 |
| 3 |
Cully's New Pet Cully tells Timmy no animal is all bad, so Timmy befriends a skunk, but no one, not even Lassie, will come near his new friend. |
September 25, 1960 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lassie at the Grand Canyon Ruth and Timmy, visiting the Grand Canyon, befriend a blind pianist with a unique outlook on life who helps Timmy after he is angered by Lassie's behavior when she follows him on a mule ride and he's forced to turn back. |
September 10, 1961 |
| 2 |
The Bloodhound Timmy and Lassie discover the sad truth about Relentless, Cully's new--and much bragged about--dog: he's lost his sense of smell. The truth might have remained secret had not the money earned in a church fundraising drive gone missing. |
September 17, 1961 |
| 3 |
The Mysterious Intruder The Gardners, the Martins' new neighbors, accuse Lassie of killing their cat and attacking their sheep, but Lassie knows there's a strange collie in the area. |
September 24, 1961 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Fine Feathered Friend Lassie is concerned over the fate of a magician's disappearing pigeon. |
September 30, 1962 |
| 2 |
Quick Brown Fox Timmy and Lassie care for a pair of orphaned fox cubs. |
October 7, 1962 |
| 3 |
Desperate Search Timmy promises his friend Andy that he'll care for his pregnant dog, but while taking her home, she is struck by a car and runs away. |
October 14, 1962 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lassie and the Birdwatch | September 29, 1963 |
| 2 | The Agreement | October 6, 1963 |
| 3 | Lassie to the Rescue | October 13, 1963 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Wayfarers (1) | September 6, 1964 |
| 2 | The Wayfarers (2) | September 13, 1964 |
| 3 | The Wayfarers (3) | September 20, 1964 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lassie Meets a Challenge | September 12, 1965 |
| 2 | Sudden Fury | September 19, 1965 |
| 3 |
Lassie and the Dynamite In an area being developed for swimming and fishing, two youngsters playing hooky wander into the blasting zone. Lassie is able to bring help and rescue the boys. |
September 26, 1965 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lassie and the Buffalo Corey shows an old friend why a buffalo hunt will improve the quality of life in a herd while Lassie helps a perpetually straying calf get back to its mother, who is sleighted to be killed. |
September 11, 1966 |
| 2 |
Danger Mountain While inspecting a ski area with the careless proprietor, Corey and Lassie find major infractions, but trouble is only starting when they are trapped at the top of a stalled ski lift with the now injured man. |
September 18, 1966 |
| 3 |
Fly Away Home In the Franklin National Forest, a wetlands sanctuary, Lassie saves a Canada goose who was trapped in a fishing line and then attacked by bobcat, injuring her wing. |
September 25, 1966 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Perils of the Prairie After a recent earthquake, Ranger Corey Stuart and Lassie survey the prairie for damage. Lassie comes to the rescue of a colony of frightened prairie dogs threatened by a tarantula and badger and caught in a flood caused by the quake. |
September 10, 1967 |
| 2 |
Inferno When an oil well explodes in flames, a pet terrier is injured in the blast. Lassie rescues the dog and follows her to the hospital to donate the blood needed to save her life. |
September 17, 1967 |
| 3 |
Cry of the Wild Corey and his partner Bert enlist a widowed sailplane pilot in a Forest Service project to learn about wind-shears; meanwhile, Lassie helps hunt a marauder that savaged a ranch's chickens. |
September 24, 1967 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lassie's Race for Life As Corey, Lassie, and a young woman consulting with the Forest Service on landslide prevention aid a poisoned goose, its mate waits faithfully by. |
September 29, 1968 |
| 2 |
Burst of Freedom Lassie races for help after an earthquake traps Corey under a tree in the path of an incipient rockslide, but the motorist who picks her up nets and drugs her, selling her to a vet conducting animal experiments. |
October 6, 1968 |
| 3 |
The Holocaust (1) A fire rages on a Western mountain range and, despite the efforts of helicopter crews, firefighters, and Lassie, Ranger Corey Stuart is trapped in the inferno. When a rescue team finally reaches Corey, he is seriously injured. |
October 13, 1968 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Last Chance On a surveying mission of the forest, Scott and Bob are delighted to find wolves restablishing themselves in the area. Then the male is shot while hunting for his pregnant mate and the rangers must save him--and change the hunter's mind about wolves. |
September 28, 1969 |
| 2 |
Success Story Scott and Lassie help a Job Corps volunteer who just isn't making the grade. |
October 5, 1969 |
| 3 |
Patsy During a surveying trip at a former bombsite sleighted to become a national grassland, Scott carefully disarms the unexploded bomb next to a trapped man while Lassie shuttles supplies to him. |
October 12, 1969 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lassie's Interlude Lassie, on her own now (no explanation is given), meets a young man traveling the countryside and his male collie, Duke. They later find haven, and the young man a job, at a ranch where the owner's young son has not spoken for years. |
September 20, 1970 |
| 2 |
The Birth While Duke and his master move on, Lassie remains at the ranch, but her new puppies are endangered by the owner, who thinks the pups were sired by a killer dog. |
September 27, 1970 |
| 3 |
The Survival Lassie and her three puppies escape from the ranch and head for the desert, where Kerry discovers them and helps them survive. |
October 4, 1970 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Fury Falls A hawk Lassie rescues from entanglement in kite string returns the favor when the coyote pup Lassie has befriended is threatened by a snake. But it's Lassie herself who then must be rescued by Ron Holden and Dale Mitchell, two young men on a hiking trip, after she must save the hapless pup from nearby rapids. |
October 7, 1971 |
| 2 |
Search for Yesterday Now accompanied by Lassie, Ron and Dale have the gold they have been placer mining assayed--and just for the heck of it, buy an old treasure map and go in search of a gold mine. Once they find the place, however, their search is endangered by fire heading for some old dynamite left in a shed. |
October 14, 1971 |
| 3 |
Trouble Tracks Lassie befriends a trouble-prone mutt who is mascot of an old railroad spur line. |
October 21, 1971 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lightning Garth's brother Keith is met with resentment when he takes over running the ranch, but he proves his mettle when a storm strikes the ranch and starts a fire that traps Lassie in the woods. |
September 16, 1972 |
| 2 |
The Doves of Santa Inez Garth's brother Keith is met with resentment when he takes over running the ranch, but he proves his mettle when a storm strikes the ranch and starts a fire that traps Lassie in the woods. |
September 23, 1972 |
| 3 |
For Those Who Follow Karl Burkholz and the ""scout"" for a migrating flock of doves become friends when Karl nurses the injured bird. |
September 30, 1972 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | CBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 12, 1954 |
| Last aired | March 24, 1973 |
| Runtime | 24 minutes |
| Status | Ended |
| Schedule | Sunday at 19:00:00 |