Lassie

Lassie is an Emmy Award-winning American television series that follows the adventures of a female rough collie named Lassie and her companions, human and animal. One of the longest running dramatic series on television, Lassie was first broadcast from September 12, 1954, to March 24, 1973. The show saw seventeen seasons on CBS before entering first-run syndication for its final two seasons. Filmed initially in black-and-white, the show transitioned to color during the 1960s.

The show's first ten seasons follow Lassie's adventures in a small farming community with two boys, Jeff Miller (1954-1957) and Timmy Martin (1957-1964). When her exploits on the farm end in the eleventh season, Lassie finds new adventures in the wilderness with Forest Rangers Corey Stuart, Bob Erickson, and Scott Turner. Following a year without human leads (1970), Lassie finally settles at a children's home for her final seasons.

Lassie found critical favor from its inception and won two Emmy awards in its first years. Merchandise produced during its run included books, Halloween costumes, clothing, toys, and other items. Campbell's Soup offered two premiums (a ring and a wallet), and distributed thousands to fans. A multi-part episode was edited into the feature film, Lassie's Great Adventure and released in August 1963. In 1989, The New Lassie brought series' star Jon Provost back to television as Steve McCullough, a man denying his identity as Timmy Martin after learning the Martins did not properly adopt him. Lassie is occasionally seen in reruns and some episodes are available on VHS and DVD.