Universal had been producing films with titles such as Son of Frankenstein and Son of Dracula in the 40s so MGM got in on the act to produce their Lassie sequel, Son of Lassie. As the title suggests, though, it is her offspring, Laddie who is our focus, though as he is played by Pal who played Lassie in the original film, Lassie Come Home, that point is immaterial. Peter Lawford and June Lockhart play the young adult roles that were originated, as children, by Roddy McDowall and Elizabeth Taylor in the previous film. Lawford is likeable enough and is most watchable whilst delivering comic prat falls in the early part of the film. He, Laddie, Eily Malyon and a washing tub and line provide some amusing slapstick comedy as does a collision with Lockhart and a cake leading to a brilliantly funny line from Nigel Bruce: "Bloomers cause rumours!" (more on him, later). Lockhart is sweetness personified as Lawford's romantic interest. Donald Crisp returns as Lassie's owner and brings warmth to the table as well as a great characterful face, unfortunately his Yorkshire accent is as terrible as ever! The other returning cast member is the aforementioned Nigel Bruce as the Duke of Radling. He, of course, famously played Dr Watson in 14 films for Fox and Universal and this is the only other recurring role of his film career. He brings delightful comic disgruntlement and avuncular twinkle to the role and the film loses something when the action moves from England to Norway. Gentle comedy and romance is replaced with derring do as Lawford's plane crash lands in Scandinavia and he and Laddie find themselves on the run from the occupying German forces. We know they are despicable Nazis because they shoot and wound Laddie! Before being reunited with his master, Laddie is temporarily adopted by a group of local children who name him Mr Simply and a freedom fighter (Well played by Nils Asther). The interesting thing about the canine hero of this film is he is originally written off as lacking in intelligence and does, from time to time drop his master into trouble, inadvertently. But the message of true love overcoming and a underdog (literally!) coming through and having his day, are warmly presented without too much of a a sacchariney feel. There are also nice turns from Moreton Lowry as a blind P. O. W and Robert Lewis as a chubby German sergeant with an inferiority complex. Colourwise, the film is gorgeous to look at and it is good enough fare for an afternoon's viewing.
Review of Son of Lassie
