The surprise box-office hit that spawned many sequels as well as a TV and radio series. Elizabeth Taylor had only seventh billing, but with the success of 'National Velvet' was elevated to star status for a sequel, 'Courage of Lassie'. Rising child star Roddy McDowall was loaned from Fox to MGM and he joined several other London-to-Hollywood actors, including Donald Crisp, Elsa Lanchester, Nigel Bruce, Dame May Whitty and Edmund Gwenn, to make this thoroughly enjoyable family entertainment that won't leave a dry eye in the sitting room in its closing stages. Incidentally, the dog playing Lassie was a male called Pal and cost the studio ten dollars. He was originally hired as a stunt double for the first-choice canine but stood in when the female started shedding its coat heavily.

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