♪ betty! lassie! ♪ lassie! open your eyes. please! what happened? lassie pushed a little girl out of the way of that truck. your dog saved my baby's life. i... it was my fault. i just wasn't watching. i'm sorry. lassie may be badly hurt; better get her to doc weaver right away. thank heaven he's close by. i'll get the car. don't worry, lassie. you'll be alright. ♪

to be x-rayed. excuse me, ma'am. you must be the mom who's the owner of the dog that saved the little girl? yes, we are. well i'm al bronson, reporter for the capital city spectator. oh, how do you do? how do you do? i brought you something young fella. this. i got most of the story from mrs. bailey. what's your dog's name, son? lassie. and this is her present. lassie. that's a good name for a good dog. what does the vet say about her condition? i'm... sure she'll be alright. of course she will. well, mrs. martin, if you don't mind, i think i'll just stick around for a while. you go sit down. say, timmy... you ever hear a story of a dog named balto?

there's a big statue of him in central park in new york city. a statue of a dog? see, he was a dog hero, too. now the children in nome -- that's a city in alaska -- were terribly sick, and the only medicine was 650 miles away. well, this was snow country. the only way to get that medicine to nome was by dog sled. so they got teams of dogs and they arranged for relays. balto was to carry the next to the last. then, a blinding storm came up, and he never met the team who was to relieve him. but half frozen and weary, balto carried that precious diphtheria syrum to nome. and he saved all those children's lives. i bet lassie would have done that, too. ♪ ♪

is she alright? i can't tell you, timmy. we'll have to ait until the x-rays are developed. as soon as i see the plates, i'll call you. she's moving! you're gonna be alright. well now, it looks like lassie's ready to speak for herself. let me take her home, please. that's where she belongs. might as well. she'll be a lot happier there. will you call as soon as you ha - the first thing. i'll wheel her down the hall while you drive the car around, paul. ♪ ♪ we enjoyed your story, mr. bronson. you must come out to the farm and see us sometime. thanks. i'll do that. thank you. bye bye. oh, timmy - you take good care of that dog and remember to read the spectator.

your name is going to be in it tomorrow. gosh. and lassie's, too? uh huh. in big headlines, just like balto. gee, thanks. thanks for finding this, too. bye. bye. merry christmas. lassie will be happy, too, because she'll be close to us all. ♪ ♪

how's lassie? doc weaver said she's gonna be fine. mike wasn't going to give lassie a present until christmas, but we thought it might cheer her up. ♪ gosh, she doesn't act so good. will she be able to go caroling with us tomorrow night? of course she will. - boy, will we have a time. first we'll stop at mrs. woodruff's. she makes that swell mince pie, remember? i sure do. - then we'll go to willy bruster's; they always have hot crullers. - i had two of them last year. then we'll visit the sinnots, and fill up on gingerbread santa clauses. i hope mrs. brown has those candied apples. boy i can hardly wait. we'll be by about sundown.

you and lassie be ready. - we will. bye. - bye, boomer. come on, mike. - bye, boomer. bye, mrs. martin. christmas is the very best part of the whole year. don't you think so, mom? yes, dear. christmas is a wonderful time of the year. i want lassie to enjoy it, too. - she will, dear. ♪ @@p get started before there's nothing left but stumps. yeah, and i got a beauty spot over by the huckleberry patch. what do you say, boy? fresh air will do you a lot of good. you go ahead, dear. i'll keep an eye on lassie for you. alright, then i'll go. i'll get my coat. that'll keep his mind off lassie, at least for a while.

bye, lassie. remember? last year you said that i'd be big enough this year to carry the ax. we sure did, and you sure can! bye, mom! - come on, boy. bye! ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ get well, lassie. please get well. timmy needs you. so do we. ♪ ♪ ♪

oh, hello frank. ruth. how is she? there doesn't seem to be any change. ♪ ♪ have you... seen the x-rays? brought them with me. what do they show? there's definite pressure there. ♪ see this slight area here? that's a bad spot.

doc weaver's here! timmy! maybe you better take the ax in the barn before you come in. ok. ♪ this other one here - same thing, different angle. paul. - doc. what's the word? - it's not good. how bad? - she's got to have an operation. what does that mean? that means i've got to fix lassie up. make her well again. i've got a copy of the capital city spectator here, timmy. your name is in it. uncle petrie, why don't you take timmy in the other room and read him all about it. huh? oh, sure. i'd sure like to read that story myself. timmy! what do you say you and me go in the parlor here and read what it says, huh? now here it is, "courageous dog saves..."

there is one thing you should know about this operation. it's almost never performed on dogs. why is that? - yes, frank. why? because in the case of brain injuries to animals, 99 times out of 100 it's a lot more merciful if you just... well... that doesn't apply to lassie. we want everything done for her. paul, i've never performed an operation like this. as a matter of fact, there's only one man who has, as far as i can find out. who is he? what's his name? dr. watkins. he's a research veterinarian co - can't we get him on the phone? that was my first thought, but i couldn't reach him. he's on his way to lafayette, spend the christmas holidays with his family. what do we do? wait until tomorrow and see if her condition improves. if it doesn't, you'll have to perform the operation yourself. you both know... i'll do my best.

but you should also know that that might not be good enough. ♪

hi. something smells awfully christmassy. yeah, and we ought to be thinking about getting that tree decorated. how about it, boy? you ready to start on the tree? i would like to wait until lassie can watch. just as you say, but you gotta have some place to put the presents.

timmy... maybe you could give me a hand stringing the popcorn and cranberries. ♪ i have the string already. put a piece of white popcorn, and then a red cranberry. i used to love doing this when i was a little girl. say, it's almost time for the weather report. i'll get the radio and bring it in here. let's listen. it will be generally fair in capital city, with a possibility of snow flurries in the late afternoon. here's a news item for you good people of calverton.

lassie, the heroic collie who saved the three-year-old daughter of mr. and mrs. john bailey from being struck by a truck, and was herself hit by the vehicle, is reported to be resting comfortably at the martin farm outside of calverton. every parent and every dog lover should say a little prayer for the recovery of this brave animal who was willing to give up her life to save a child. greater love has no animal. here's a devout, heartfelt "get well and merry christmas, lassie," from all of us. the weather through the rest of the country is.... i guess just about everybody in the whole world heard that, didn't they, mom? yes, i guess they did. just about everybody in the whole world. of course... the radio!

what are you doing? oh, jenny, could you please get me the radio station in capital city right away? it's station kfqz. ♪ ♪ ♪ timmy. i couldn't sleep. neither could i. can't i stay in here, just a little while? we'll both stay. i'll get a blanket for us. ♪ ♪ dear god,

would you please get in touch with santa claus, and tell him the only present i want is for lassie to get well? ♪ thank you. amen. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ oh, frank. come on in. hello, ruth. paul. - hi, frank. timmy. any word from dr. watkins? - no. none. ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ i don't think we dare wait any - how can we help? we'll have to use this an an operating room. kitchen table will be alright. i'll get some sheets and some t - fine. you're going to be alright, lassie. cause doc weaver loves you, and we all love you. because i said a very special prayer last night. this the martin place? yes, sir. are you mr. doctor watkins? i sure am. i've driven all night to get here. mom! dad! dr. watkins is here!

he got here! he got here!dr. we. i'm glad you got here in time, - you heard the broadcast, then? yes. this is ruth and paul mart - how do you do, sir? doctor, brief me on this, will - she was hit by a truck. here are the x-rays. folks... i'm sure it'll be much easier on your nervous systems if you wait in the other room. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ we've gotta make our christmas wreaths, you know. ♪

you remember this? it's the night before christmas - uh huh. 'twas the night before christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. the stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that st. nicholas soon would be there. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ more rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,

and he whistled and shouted and called them by name. now dasher, now dancer... his eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how merry. his cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry. ♪ but i heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "happy christmas to all, and to all a good night." ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

well, that's all i can do. she's a healthy dog. maybe that'll carry her through. ♪ how do you do? well, we finished. can i see her? sure you can. will she be alright? - she came through the operation alright. now we just have to wait and see. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ silent night... ♪ holy night ♪ all is calm, ♪ all is bright. ♪ round yon virgin, mother and child. ♪ ♪ holy infant, so tender and mild. ♪ sleep in heavenly peace. ♪ sleep in heavenly peace.

♪ silent night ♪ holy night ♪ shepherds quake ♪ at the sight... ♪ oh lassie! you're alright! ♪ hallelujah ♪ christ the savior ♪ is born ♪ christ the savior is born. ♪ you made it a very nice christm. - thank you. merry christmas!

you did it, dr. watkins. you made her well. that's my best christmas present. you're a real santa claus. i'm glad i could do it, timmy. and now i've got to go. i have three grand children who are expecting santa claus, and i wanna be there. oh doctor... it was my little girl that lassie saved, and i'd like to pay you for this wonderful thing that you've done. well thank you, but it wasn't entirely my skill. the prayers of these good people, the faith of the little boy... something more. at any rate, i've been paid in something far. - bless you, doctor. good bye. merry christmas. merry christmas! merry christmas, timmy! ♪ ♪ ♪ oh, it's going to be a wonderful christmas, after all.

♪ merry christmas, paul. merry christmas, dear. - merry christmas, timmy. merry christmas, lassie. and a very merry christmas to all. ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ how's it going, john?

this one's just right for mrs. davis and her grandson. it's a beauty, isn't it, mr. stuart? - sure is. lassie thinks so, too. she should. she helped us pick it out. - i might have known. it's almost as if she knows these trees are going to folks who wouldn't have them otherwise. ... as if she knows how important this christmas project is to all of us. suppose that could be? well, where lassie's concerned, anything could be. ♪ ♪ find your special tree yet, billy? no, sir. not yet. but i will. it's gotta be just right. about this high, with every branch perfect. maybe if you told me what your secret's all about, i could help you. well, thanks, but it wouldn't be a secret then, would it?

no, i guess not. why don't you let lassie help you? she's pretty good at keeping sec. - ok. come on, lassie. ♪ ♪ ♪ i found it, lassie! just right! ♪ ♪ see that perfect star? this is the one i want! well, looks like you're all set to go. - sure are! thanks for arranging for the permit to cut the trees, mr. stuart. not at all, john. helps the church, and it'll help the woods.

give these other trees room to grow. take it easy driving down that mountainside. weather report says we're due for more snow. - ok. bye bye! bye. you're coming to church tomorrow to help us trim and deliver the trees, aren't you, mr. stuart? just like every year, billy. i wouldn't miss it for the world. bye! - bye! come on, lassie. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ok! - say john, where do we put the tree? over against the wall there, on the left side.

take two trees. try and take two trees, please. well, that's it. ♪ ♪ listen, kids: tomorrow's the big day, so let's get here bright and early, ok? - sure thing! bye! bye john! ♪ ♪ john! - what's the matter, joanne? the trees! they're gone! ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ oh no! ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ well can we get another permit and go back and cut more trees, mr. stuart? our treasury's pretty low, but we'll get the money somehow! - money isn't the problem right now. neither is the permit. it snowed up in that area last night and those roads won't be open for hours. and tonight's christmas eve. boy, i sure wish i could get my hands on whoever stole those trees. - manybe we can. how? i don't think those trees have been taken out of town. every legitimate dealer needs a seller's license. i'll get a list at the courthouse and check them out. it's sure worth a try. - mr. stuart? i'd know that special tree of mine anywhere. when you get back from the courthouse, can i help you look? you sure can. you stay here, lassie. i'll be back in a little while. we still got a lot of gifts to wrap. we better hustle. -

yeah. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ that little tree... you helped me find, lassie. it was for a real special gift. i made a promise. ♪ now... it looks like i won't be able to keep it. ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ rowd noises> ♪ ♪ ♪ where's lassie? - gosh, i don't know. i didn't see her leave. - well, we'll look for her when we check out these permits. ok.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ gee, that's a pretty one. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ hey! hey, come back here! ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ get away from that! get from there, i tell ya. stole it off my tree lot. ♪ look! it's lassie!

♪ easy, lassie. what's going on here? - this dog swiped my tree. this is my tree! i'd know it anywhere. it's the same one! look, it has that perfect star on it. it's my special tree. are you certain, billy? sure, mr. stuart. that's why lassie must have run off: to help us find our tree. and she did. you're one of the daniels boys, aren't you? - yeah, rusty. where'd you get that tree, rusty? - my brother frank and me have a lot at the edge of town. we're selling them. - but this one's mine, i tell ya!

lassie knows it, too. consider that one sold. - billy, why don't you go back to church and work on your tree? i'll straighten this out. - should i tell the others we found the trees? i wouldn't say anything definite. when i'm certain, i'll let you know. well, let's take a look at that tree lot of yours, rusty. come on. ♪ ♪ ♪ anything wrong, rusty? - some kind of mix-up, i guess. he... he thinks we stole these trees. where did you get them, frank? we bought them from a guy that came around here a few days ago. any proof of ownership, like a bill of sale? - no, the guy didn't give us one. are you sure there was a guy? - what do you mean by that?

these trees are fresh cut. probably as late as yesterday. we bought them! can you prove we didn't? not in time to get them delivered tonight. does your dad know about this lot of yours? you kidding? he's on the road. december's his big month. last time he was home for christmas i was nine. maybe ten. look, is there anything wrong with trying to make a few bucks? - not if it's honest. we didn't do anything wrong, and we're sure not gonna say we did! maybe i can change your mind for you. trees i'm talking about were taken from the community church yard last night. they were supposed to be delivered tonight, and it's getting late. what's that got to do with us? - everything, rusty. whether or not they get delivered depends entirely on you and frank. either that or we have a talk with sheriff holbrook. ♪ my jeep's parked down the street. let's take a ride. - w-where?

i wanna show you just what was stolen and who it was stolen from. come on. ♪ come on, frank. ♪ santa, keep an eye on those trees for a while, will ya? ♪ ♪

♪ either of you boys ever spend christmas in the hospital? - no, why? some of those trees were supposed to go to the children's wards. brighten things up a little. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ come on, boys. look, mr. stuart... - i want you to get a closer look. grandma, it's mr. stuart and lassie! - oh, they're here? evening, mrs. davis. - evening. merry christmas to you boys. - hiya, jimmy. hi, mr. stuart - how are you tonight? fine. - look who's here. ♪ ♪ hi, lassie. ♪ alright, young man. off to bed with you.

you know santa claus won't come till you're sound asleep. - ok, grandma. night, lassie. - there you go. ♪ night! - night! night, you guys. ... night. - merry christmas to everybody! ♪ merry christmas to you, jimmy. - ... uh, yeah. merry christmas. ♪ i didn't expect you so early. is the tree in the car? no, i'm just showing the boys where to deliver them. rusty daniels. frank daniels. mrs. davis. - i'm so happy to meet you boys. i can't tell you what this means to us, what you're doing. i mean, jimmy's been so excited; he's talked of nothing but christmas for days.

all those lights, and the decorations... i'm sure you boys know what i mean. god bless you for helping to make our christmas so happy. well, we've got other places to go. we'll see you later. - bye! and thank you! and merry christmas to all of you! - merry christmas to you! good night. ♪ see that house over there? ♪ that's the larkin home. mrs. larkin takes care of five orphans. spends all of her time and money making sure that they have the necessities. there's a lot of love in that house, but there's not enough money for a christmas tree. that's just another reason for all of those people to work so hard: for somebody else. not just themselves. come on. we've got one more stop to make. ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ here, lassie. ♪ do we have to go in there? no, i just want you to see inside the social hall. oh, that looks fine, molly. take a look. ♪ ♪ those young people have planned this project for months. saved all their own money to pay for the trees they cut.

those presents, the food packages, the decorations in the trees. but there's no trees. there goes the tree that lassie took from your lot. ♪ ♪ why's he taking it out front? - i don't know. let's find out, shall we? ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ i did keep my promise.

and it looks like everything's going to work out ok. the main thing, i got this here... for your birthday. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ now we know why that tree was so special. it was just something i had to do, mr. stuart. it seems to me, some folks kinda forget what we're supposed to be celebrating at christmas. seems that way to me, too. what do you boys think?

we didn't know how important those trees were. i'm sorry, mr. stuart. well, there's still a lot of work to be done tonight. maybe you boys would like to help? - we sure would. woudln't we, frank? what are we waiting for? let's get the rest of those trees back here. come on, rusty. ♪ you tell the other kids, will ya, billy? i sure will, mr. stuart. - ok. ♪ ♪ looks like it's going to be a wonderful christmas, lassie. for everybody. ♪ ♪

starring june lockhart, hugh reilly, john provost as timmy, and, of course, lassie. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪