Challenge to Lassie

Challenge to Lassie
  • Release date: 31 Oct 1949
  • Release year: 1949
  • Runtime: 76 minutes
  • Country: United States
  • Keywords: animal character name in title, lassie character, year 1860, edinburgh scotland, puppy, collie, sheep, scotsman, pipe smoking, tea
Plot:
Based on the real-life account of Greyfriars Bobby, who remained by his master's grave for fourteen years until his own death. In this takeoff, Lassie as a pup is dumped and then adopted by sheepherder John Grey, who trains her as a working dog. Murdered in the streets of Edinburgh by muggers, Grey is buried in the city churchyard and Lassie won't leave. City law forbids dogs in cemeteries; also, due to legal convolutions of the times, Lassie technically never had a legal owner and must be put to death if none appears. The foolish laws are challenged by church fathers and others sympathetic to the dog's plight. Lovely scenery of the Scottish hill country.
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