 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
4alfalfa.com
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| Alfalfaddendum |
|
Courage
of Lassie "Courage of Lassie" and images © MGM/UA Home Video 
Although this film is entitled "Courage of Lassie", the hero dog's name in this one is really "Bill". It is a beautifully-photographed motion picture, the type that many visitors to this site may have warm childhood memories of watching on a Saturday or Sunday evening with their families. There is no way any sane-thinking person could ever find fault with this film, despite its tug-on-your-heartstrings tactics. "Courage of Lassie" is crammed with delightful images of puppies, frogs, fish, benign grizzly bears, does, and other forest animals happily frolicking in their native environment. And as an added bonus, we get a radiantly youthful Elizabeth Taylor, and (most importantly, of course) Alfalfa. 
Opening credits. Alfalfa billed as "First Youth". 
Alfalfa's scene comes early on. He is hunting in the woods with a buddy. In another part of the same woods, Liz has let her dog run off on his own. Bad idea. Alfalfa sees some movement, takes aim with his rifle, and shoots. Boy [Alfalfa's friend]: We got somethin', alright! Alfalfa: A cat [?] maybe! Boy: Maybe, it ain't no [unintelligible]. As they approach their victim, they realize it is a small dog. They stoop down to get a closer look. 
Boy: Why heck, it's a pup! Alfalfa [sadly]: Yeah...too bad. Boy: You think he'll die? Alfalfa: Yeah...I think so. Alfalfa and his friend stand up again, just after we see a quick cutaway shot of a frantic Liz racing through the woods to where she heard the shot. Alfalfa: There's no use lettin' him suffer. Alfalfa loads his rifle and is all ready to put Bill out of his misery when Liz appears and points Alfalfa's gun skyward just as it goes off. She then kneels down to tend to her stricken pooch. 
Alfalfa [angrily]: Hey, whaddya' think you're doin'?! Boy: Come on Kathy, get up outta there! Liz: You shot him! Alfalfa: How did we know he was in there? Boy: You think we did it on purpose? Liz: You know this range is closed for hunting! Boy: Aw, come on, go home now! Alfalfa [raising his rifle again]: You won't like this, so you better get out of here... Liz: You can't do this—you mustn't! I won't let you! Alfalfa: You wanna pack him all the way home? Boy: Why, he'll die before you get him across the lake. Liz [quietly]: No he won't...I'd do anything to make him well...he's a wonderful dog. She then extolls Bill's virtues to Alfalfa and his friend. Liz sees they aren't buying. 
Alfalfa and his pal tell Liz to go home. Click to enlarge. Liz: But you wouldn't understand. This is all my fault because he was running away— I was chasing him— you have to let me take him! Alfalfa: Gosh...if you think that much of him, go ahead and take him. Boy: Sure, go ahead! 
Liz runs off with Bill in her arms. Eventually, Liz does manage to nurse Bill back to health, although he gets loose again and winds up serving in the army as a reconnaissance dog, performs heroically, and then is reunited with Liz at the end. Frank Morgan ("The Wizard of Oz") also appears in the latter stages of the film as an attorney. 
What's the matter, girl, is Alfalfa in trouble? Back to "Alfalfaddendum" main page |
|
"Courage of Lassie" and images © MGM/UA Home Video Commentary © 4alfalfa.com |
|
Home • Episode
Commentary • An
Alfalfa Appreciation
|
