Lassie 48-07-04 Miss Flash Pointer

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Episode: "Lassie 48-07-04 Miss Flash Pointer"

Introduction

In the March 9, 2025 release of "Harold's Old Time Radio," host Rudd Weatherwax presents the beloved classic radio episode "Lassie 48-07-04 Miss Flash Pointer." This episode delves into the introduction of a new hunting dog, Miss Flash Pointer, and her interactions with the existing family dog, Mugsy. Set against the backdrop of a typical family household, the story explores themes of training, rivalry, and camaraderie among dogs, highlighting the challenges and rewards of integrating a new pet into the family dynamic.

Main Narrative

Introduction of New Characters

The episode begins with Dick Winters, the owner of Lassie, announcing his decision to add a new hunting dog, Miss Flash Pointer, to the family. His wife, Millie Winters, expresses concerns about the practicality of introducing another dog into their already busy household, particularly worrying about the impact on her prized petunias for the upcoming village flower show.

Initial Tension and Introduction to Mugsy

Upon bringing Miss Flash Pointer home, Dick introduces her to Mugsy, an older English bulldog with nine years under his belt. Millie skeptically observes Flash, doubting her value beyond being "any other dog" ([03:20] Millie Winters). Despite Millie's reservations, Dick remains optimistic about Flash's potential as a superior hunting companion.

Conflict and Training Challenges

The interaction between Flash and Mugsy is marked by initial hostility and misunderstandings. Flash expresses frustration with Dick's training methods, particularly the command to "heel," which involves walking closely beside Dick. Flash's resistance is evident when she remarks, "Flash: I don't like him." ([07:32] Flash). Mugsy attempts to mediate, advising Flash to be patient and learn from his experience, stating, "Mugsy: Now, listen carefully and you will be a great hunting dog." ([09:54] Mugsy).

Training Progress and Setbacks

Dick continues his efforts to train Flash, demonstrating with a ball to encourage her to fetch. Flash initially shows promise, fetching the ball enthusiastically ([10:40] Dick Winters). However, her enthusiasm leads to collateral damage when she inadvertently disrupts Millie's petunia garden, highlighting the ongoing struggle between effective training and household harmony. Flash confronts Mugsy about the conflicting instructions, leading to a heartfelt apology and mutual understanding between the two dogs.

Key Discussions and Insights

The episode offers a nuanced portrayal of dog training and the complexities of introducing a new pet into an established environment. It underscores the importance of patience, consistency, and clear communication in training dogs. Additionally, the narrative illustrates the natural hierarchy and relationships that develop among household pets, emphasizing the role of older dogs like Mugsy in mentoring younger ones like Flash.

Notable Quotes

• Millie Winters ([03:20]): "Looks like any other dog."

• Flash ([07:32]): "Well, I don't like him."

• Mugsy ([09:54]): "Now, listen carefully and you will be a great hunting dog."

• Flash ([10:59]): "That was a dirty trick you pulled, telling me to bury the ball in the flower bed when he hollered back."

• Mugsy ([11:25]): "Well, how'd you do today, sister?"

Conclusion

"Lassie 48-07-04 Miss Flash Pointer" delivers a heartwarming and engaging story that captures the essence of family life with pets during the Golden Age of Radio. Through the lens of Lassie and her companions, the episode explores themes of adaptation, teamwork, and the bonds that form between animals and their human families. As the episode concludes, listeners are left anticipating the next adventure, where Lassie will take on the role of a dalmatian named Spotty, continuing the tradition of entertaining and meaningful storytelling.

Additional Highlights

At the episode's conclusion, Rudd Weatherwax presents the Red Heart Award for Valor to Skipper, a white collie from Onsted, Michigan, who bravely saved his young master's siblings during a home fire. This segment celebrates Skipper's heroic actions and reinforces the values of loyalty and courage, resonating with the episode's overarching themes of dedication and love within the family unit.

Final Thoughts

"Harold's Old Time Radio" adeptly revives classic radio storytelling, blending engaging narratives with moments of genuine emotion and life lessons. This episode not only entertains but also offers listeners a glimpse into the timeless dynamics of pet ownership and family life, all while honoring the legacy of iconic radio shows from the past.

Transcript

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[John Morrell]

From Hollywood, John Morrell and company, makers of three flavor Red Heart, America's favorite dog food, presents Metro Goldwyn Mayer's lovable motion picture star, Lassie. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Red Heart presents the world's most famous dogs, Lassie in person. Say, no matter how well you like a certain food, you wouldn't want at every meal, now would you? Neither would anybody else, including your family dog. But you can be mighty sure that all three of the Red Heart flavors are listed among his top favorites and that he'll always welcome this at real time when fed in rotation. Yes, those red Heart flavors, beef, fish and cheese are flavors all dogs like. And whichever you fly, you're giving your dog a truly complete and healthful diet. For all three Red Heart flavors contain exactly the same wholesome meat and meat byproduct. So keep your dog's appetite hearty, his body healthy by feeding him three flavor Red Heart. It's Lassie's favorite food. And now, to introduce our story, followed by this week's Red Heart Award for valor, here is Lassie's owner and trainer, Rudd Weatherwax.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

Thank you, Charlie, and hello, everyone. Well, Lassie today plays a part of a handsome young pointer named Ms. Flash, whose pride led her to a fall. Yes, it happens even among dogs. And in this case, Flash the pointer was outsmarted by a wild older English bulldog named Muggsy. But we let the dogs tell their own story. It all started when Dick Winters phoned his wife Millie from the office.

[Dick Winters]

Honey, you remember that beautiful pointer I told you about? Well, I just talked to the kennel man and he's going to sell her to me.

[Millie Winters]

Oh, Dick, another dog. We've got Mugsy.

[Dick Winters]

Oh, but Millie, this dog is a hunting dog. Mugsy can't hunt. He's just a nice old pet bulldog.

[Millie Winters]

Yes, but we haven't room for another dog kennel in the backyard.

[Dick Winters]

Millie, this is a hunting dog I'm getting. He should have the run of the yard.

[Millie Winters]

Dick Winters let that dog run around the yard and ruin my prize for tuna. The village flower show. Is coming up in two weeks, and this year I'm going to win the prize.

[Dick Winters]

Oh, but, honey, she won't hurt your petunias.

[Millie Winters]

I'll say she won't. She's going in the kennel even if Muggsy chews her up. And that's an idea.

[Dick Winters]

All right, honey, I'll put her in the kennel. I'll be home at 6, dear. Goodbye.

[Millie Winters]

Goodbye. Come on, Mugsy, Back in the kennel for you.

[Dick Winters]

Well, there she is, Millie. What do you think of her?

[Millie Winters]

Looks like any other dog.

[Dick Winters]

Oh, but this one's a valuable hunting dog. A pointer. Her name's Miss Flash.

[Millie Winters]

Oh, well, put the dog in the kennel and let's go in and eat.

[Dick Winters]

Put Flash in with Mugsy.

[Millie Winters]

Why, sir, certainly a male and a female won't fight.

[Dick Winters]

What do you mean? We do?

[Millie Winters]

Well, they'll just have to learn to get along together, that's all. I'll not have a dog running over my bed of fried petunia in there.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

Flash.

[Dick Winters]

Hey, maybe they won't fight after all. Come on, Millie, let's go in and eat. I can't wait till tomorrow when I start to train.

[Mugsy]

Hello, cutie.

[Flash]

Don't you cutie me, you asthmatic old goat.

[Mugsy]

Oh, now, let's be sensible. Don't get sore. We should be good friends.

[Flash]

Short, wide and ugly.

[Mugsy]

I'm not ugly. I only look that way. So you're the pointer I heard him talking about, huh?

[Flash]

That's right. What sort of a place is this?

[Mugsy]

Well, not bad. Food's good. Red Heart twice a day.

[Flash]

Oh, fine. And have you been here long?

[Mugsy]

Nine years.

[Flash]

That man that brought me out, I suppose that's our master.

[Mugsy]

Yep. That's old knucklehead.

[Flash]

Well, why do you call him that?

[Mugsy]

Oh, he isn't too bright. Expects some awful silly things of a dog.

[Flash]

He's going to peek me to hunt.

[Mugsy]

Hunt? Hunt what?

[Flash]

Hur. I find him, he shoots him, I find him again.

[Mugsy]

Oh, yeah, I know. He makes me hunt his slippers every night.

[Flash]

What's wrong with that?

[Mugsy]

I hate the things. They taste terrible.

[Flash]

You know, Mugby. I do? I thought you'd be jealous when I moved in.

[Mugsy]

Well, I was at first, but I got to thinking. I'm getting old. Asthma's bothering me some. We can share the night watching you.

[Flash]

Oh, wow. I'll probably learn a lot from you, Match.

[Mugsy]

Well, I'm gonna take a nap. You hear anybody on the front wall, you bark.

[Dick Winters]

Heel, Flash, heel. Oh, come on, Flash, heel. Come on, Nuts. Flash, I think you must be Stupid. You're don't learn anything. Oh, shut up. All right, we'll try something else. Sid.

[Millie Winters]

Sid, no.

[Dick Winters]

Don't jump up on me. Sid.

[Flash]

Come to supper, Dick.

[Dick Winters]

Okay, Millie. Okay. Here, I'll put you back in the kennel. See? I hope she understands better tomorrow.

[Mugsy]

What's the matter, girly?

[Flash]

Oh, brother. I thought that guy would walk my legs off.

[Mugsy]

Well, he's just trying to teach you to heal. What you growling at?

[Flash]

Listen, brother. Don't you call me a hill.

[Mugsy]

Get lost. I'm not calling you a name. He wants you to walk at his side. That's called walking at heels.

[Flash]

Well, I don't like him.

[Mugsy]

Why not?

[Flash]

He keeps hitting me in the head with his knees.

[Mugsy]

Yeah, and he's got the knobbiest knees in the country. You should see him in a bathing suit.

[Flash]

Well, wise me up, will y? What does old stuff head want me to do?

[Mugsy]

Listen carefully and you will be a great hunting dog.

[Dick Winters]

That's right, Flash. Heel. Heel. Oh, brother, what a dog. Last night you were so dumb. Today you seemed to know everything. Okay, now, one more thing. Now let me take the leash off. There. Now I got a ball, a flash. Watch. I'm gonna throw the ball a fetch. Flash, fetch. You didn't get that, huh? Well, we'll try that again tomorrow in the kennel with Muggsy flag. Oh, man, I'm gonna have the best train. Spoiler.

[Mugsy]

Woof. Hiya, sweetie. How'd you do today?

[Flash]

How well? I'm good.

[Mugsy]

Woof. Huh?

[Flash]

Mm. The master says I'm the smartest dog he ever trained.

[Mugsy]

That'd be easy. You're the first one he ever trained.

[Flash]

Nah. Look, let's have no nasty craft. I'll bet you a dish of red heart that I'm the number one dog around here in a week.

[Mugsy]

Well, you might be right.

[Flash]

As a matter of fact, the boss ain't so much of me. I have a hunch he'll be finding another home for you soon.

[Mugsy]

Oh, well, I've been a good dog to him. He's murdered million of them. But I suppose I must give way to a younger dog.

[Flash]

Yes, I'm afraid so, John.

[Mugsy]

Well, till I noticed, you have trouble learning the facts.

[Flash]

Well, sure, but I don't know what the word means.

[Mugsy]

Now, listen, as long as you're going to take over, I'll help you. Look, when he says you take the ball and run into the petunia garden. That's that big bed of flowers over there. And you dig a hole as fast as you can and you bury the ball. That's what fetch means.

[Flash]

Well, are you sure, Moggsy? I ruined that bed of flowers.

[Mugsy]

Oh, that doesn't matter. They don't care a hoon about those petunias.

[Dick Winters]

Oh, I tell you, Millie, I've never seen such a smart dog.

[Millie Winters]

She does seem to do very well for such short training.

[Dick Winters]

Flash, here's the ball. You see it? Now watch Flash. I'm going to throw the ball. Look. Look there, Millie. She's going after the ball.

[Millie Winters]

Oh, isn't that cute? Look, there she has it.

[Dick Winters]

Fetch, flag. Fetch. Here she comes with it. Who's this, huh?

[Flash]

Dick, she's jumped into the middle of my petunia.

[Dick Winters]

Oh, no.

[Flash]

Oh, she's digging up my prize petun.

[Mugsy]

Well, how'd you do today, sister?

[Flash]

That was a dirty trick you pulled, telling me to bury the ball in the flower bed when he hollered back.

[Mugsy]

Dirty trick? You came in here and shot off your big bark about how you were going to take over this place. I gotta protect my job.

[Flash]

I'm sorry. I don't blame you for getting hot under the. You taught me to heal, and now I'm acting like one.

[Mugsy]

Well, okay, kid.

[Flash]

Yeah, but now the lady wants me. Said that's where I came from.

[Mugsy]

She'll get over it. She wanted to send me back, too. That was eight years ago.

[Flash]

Yeah? What did you do?

[Mugsy]

Well, just the same thing as you did. Dug up the petunias. Only that year it was geraniums. Tasted lousy, too.

[John Morrell]

Thank you, Lassie, for a very entertaining story. Now, friends, in just a moment, Rudd Weatherwax will be back to present this week's Red Heart Award for Valor. But first, a word from our star. Hey, Lassie, is it true that every time animals are used in a movie, the SPCA representative to see that they aren't overworked or mistreated? Well, now, I think that's a fine idea, Lassie. But say, did you know when it comes to feeding, there are dog owners who don't know how important it is for dogs to have variety in their diet? You bet. Three Flavor Red Heart. When a dog gets a different flavor every meal, it's sure to keep his appetite keen. And when his appetite is keen, he eats more heartily. When he eats more heartily, he keeps in better condition when he is fed really good dog food. Three Flavor Red Heart. Yes. Red Heart is made of wholesome meat and meat byproducts with other nourishing ingredients that keep your dog in fine shape. It is federally inspected dog food. And because all three of those flavors, beef, fish and cheese do contain the same wholesome ingredients. You can give your dog real nourishment and variety at the same time. Feed your dog the Red Heart way. He'll be glad you did. And now, Lassie's owner and trainer, Rud Weatherwise.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

Thanks, Charlie. This week, our Red Heart Award for Valor is presented to a white collie named Skipper of Onsted, Michigan.

[John Morrell]

When fire broke out in the rear of the home of Mr. And Mrs. William Corbin, skipper, who was in the basement, awakened his master, little Rodney Corbin, 10:20 in time to save his five little brothers.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

So today, in recognition of Skipper's loyalty and commendable action, we are sending Skipper a heart shaped sterling silver locket for.

[John Morrell]

His collar bearing the inscription Red Heart Award for Valor. To Skipper for saving the lives of the Corbin brothers.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

And along with Skipper's award goes a salute from Lassie and a case of Red Heart, the food that all good dogs deserve.

[John Morrell]

And to the Corbin family of Onset, Michigan, our congratulations on having a swell dog like Skipper. Next week, Lassie plays the part of a dalmatian named Spotty in a story of the old horse and buggy day. Lassie is presented each week at the same time by John Morell and Company, makers of three flavor Red Heart, the taste tested food that your dog will enjoy, the health tested food that will keep him in shape. Lassie appeared by arrangement with Metro Goldwyn Mayer, who invites you to see their production of the Technicolor musical A Date with Beauty. Starring Wallace Beery, Jane Powell and Elizabeth Taylor. This program is produced in Hollywood by Brett Farren, directed by Harry Story by Hobart Donovan. This is Charles Lyon. This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.