Lassie 49-11-12 I Learned Him

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold’s Old Time Radio – Lassie 49-11-12 “I Learned Him”

Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Date: February 14, 2026
Original Airdate: November 12, 1949
Episode Title: Lassie – “I Learned Him”
Description: A heartwarming, comedic episode from the classic “Lassie” radio series, exploring the bond between a boy and a found dog—who turns out to be a famous movie star—set against the backdrop of a working-class family. The show combines classic humor, working-class banter, and the wholesome spirit of vintage radio.

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Main Theme & Episode Purpose

This episode centers on the accidental adventures of little Willie, who finds a brilliant dog in the railroad yards, brings him home, and promptly “loins” (teaches) him a variety of tricks—much to the confusion and reluctant amusement of his feisty parents. The plot thickens when it’s discovered that the dog is actually “Ranger,” a lost Hollywood movie star, leading to antics over a hefty reward, parental negotiation, and the classic kid-and-dog bond.

The episode revisits a listener favorite, celebrating family dynamics, a child’s ingenuity, and the lovable mischief of a dog who might just be smarter than his humans.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. The Discovery in the Railyard

• [01:27] Lassie’s trainer, Rudd Weatherwax, introduces the story, explaining its popularity and why it’s returning:

  "It all started when little Willie, spending a day in his favorite playground, the railroad yards, found the dog and took it home with him."

2. Family Comedy & Initial Resistance

• Willie's home is bustling: his mother is skeptical about keeping a dog, given their financial situation, and his father is intrigued, especially after witnessing the dog’s tricks.
• Banter between parents:
  • [02:05] Willie: “Look at the classy pooch. Can I keep Ma?”
  • [02:11] Willie’s Mother: “Here it is. We can’t eat ourselves and we gotta eat a dog yet. Are you nuts, Willie?”
• Willie’s optimism shines: He vows to feed the dog himself, claiming the pet is clever, already performing tricks he’s “loined” him (taught him).

3. Showcasing the Dog’s Skills

• [03:31] Willie demonstrates the dog’s intelligence to his proud (but still dubious) father.
  • Willie: “Sit up, boy... Lay down, boy... Now play dead...”
  • Willie’s Father: “How straight he sits up. This dog here could be used very, very well.”

4. A Dog With a Secret Identity

• [04:53–06:05] The revelation comes via a newspaper article about a famous movie dog, Ranger, who’s missing—complete with a $3,000 reward.
  • Willie’s Father: “But you cannot deny that this dog could save me a lot of trouble if we learned him to go and get the newspaper every night.”
  • Willie’s Mother: “First you gotta learn him to climb over the neighbor’s fence!”
• The prospect of a reward instantly changes attitudes. The family begins pampering “Ranger,” planning to bathe him and return him for the windfall.

5. The Producer Arrives

• [07:23] Enter “Mr. Panic,” the flustered movie producer, eager to reclaim the lost canine star—and encountering a new dilemma.
  • Mr. Panic: “All I want is my dog back now...”
  • Willie’s Father: “My Willie here learned this dog a lot of tricks.”
• Conflict arises when Ranger refuses to obey anyone but Willie.
  • [08:44] Willie: “He won’t go with you. That’s one of the tricks I learned him.”
  • Mr. Panic: “You holding this dog someway?”
  • Willie: “Yeah, it’s just that I learned him not to do nothing less than I tell him.”

Notable Family Humor

• [08:22] Willie's Mother: “Then why didn’t he read your ad and collect the three thousand slugs hisself? You’ll find out.”

6. Negotiations & Hollywood Bound

• Mr. Panic’s only solution is to hire Willie, since Ranger will only listen to him. Willie and his parents comically negotiate Willie’s salary and perks:
  • [11:36] Willie's Father: “I would say about 200 a week. Huh?”
  • Mr. Panic: “200 to answer. Okay, we'll pay it. Pack the kid's clothes and let me get out of here.”
  • [12:01] Willie’s Mother: “Ah, Pullman nothing. My Willy is good enough to ride in a coach with the rest of the people.”

7. Wholesome Resolution

• The story concludes with Mr. Panic and Willie's family agreeing to send both boy and dog to Hollywood, highlighting the value of everyday smarts and love between a boy and his dog.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:15] Willie: “I got him doing all kind of tricks. Honest, Peter, the dog is awful smarter. I am. I don’t know which.”
• [06:05] Willie's Father (reading ad): “The disappearance of the famous movie dog, Ranger… Reward of $3,000 will be paid…”
• [08:14] Mr. Panic: “Why, this dog is almost human. Those silly little tricks don’t amount to anything. This dog can read a newspaper.”
• [08:22] Willie's Mother: “Then why didn’t he read your ad and collect the three thousand slugs hisself?”
• [09:19] Willie: “All the kids in the neighborhood try to make him do his tricks. So I loin him—Ranger don’t do nothing for nobody but me.”
• [10:22] Willie (excited): “How’s about that? I'm gonna be a holly wooden head.”
• [11:09] Willie's Mother (on Willie's Hollywood prospects): “If I know my Willy, he'll be in 'em.”
• [11:54] Willie's Father: “And one more thing. You're going to give Willie free transportation.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment Description | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:27 | Rudd Weatherwax introduces story premise | | 02:05 | Willie brings dog home, pleads to keep him | | 03:31 | Willie demonstrates dog’s tricks | | 06:05 | Family discovers dog’s true identity and the reward | | 07:23 | Producer arrives | | 08:44 | Dog refuses to go with producer; Willie’s “special trick” revealed | | 10:22 | Willie and family negotiate with Hollywood producer | | 12:01 | Mother insists on coach travel for Willie | | 12:13–End | Closing segment; Red Heart dog food ad and show credits |

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Overall Tone and Style

• Warm, Comedic, and Down-To-Earth: Dialogue is laced with period-appropriate slang and family squabbling, creating a lived-in, blue-collar feel.
• Childlike Wonder: Willie’s earnestness and pride in teaching Ranger shine throughout.
• Classic 1940s Radio Characterization: Over-the-top yet affectionate portrayals of parents, gruff-yet-lovable fathers, and a wry, sharp-tongued mother add plenty of charm.

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Final Thoughts

“I Learned Him” is a charming and funny trip back to the radio era, where dogs were stars, kids were resourceful, and families squabbled their way into prosperity—if only for a moment. It’s a celebration of everyday cleverness and the classic boy-and-his-dog bond, packed with classic one-liners and period heart.

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Transcript

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[Narrator]

Lassie, the world's most famous dog, and Red Heart, America's favorite dog food, team up for the Lassie Show. Yes, from Hollywood, it's the Lassie Show. Transcribed by John Morell Co. Makers of three flavor Red Heart. And here is Metro Goldwyn Mayer's lovable motion picture star, Lassie. In person. Lassie is fed Red heart exclusively. And Lassie's vigorous bark, strong body and fine glossy coat are positive proof that Red Heart helps keep dogs healthy and happy. Lassie speaks for Red Heart, all three wonderful flavors. And now, to introduce our story, here is Lassie's owner and trainer, Rudd Weatherwax.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

Thank you, Charlie, and hello, everyone. Well, today Lassie plays the part of a collie named Ranger in a comedy entitled I Learned Him. Because this story was so well received early in our series, we decided to tell it again. It all started when little Willie, spending a day in his favorite playground, the railroad yards, found the dog and took it home with him.

[Willie's Mother]

Ma. Hey, Marty, shut up that banging, Willie, all the time. Banging, that's what I ain't banging.

[Willie]

I'm knocking.

[Willie's Mother]

Only knocking with. Watch your feet. Look, Ma.

[Willie]

Look at the classy pooch. Can I keep Ma?

[Willie's Mother]

Can I? Dog, you crazy?

[Willie]

Oh, Ma, no. He's a swell dog. Honest, Ma. And he follows me everywhere. I'm gonna keep him.

[Willie's Mother]

Huh, Ma? Huh? A dog. Here it is. We can't eat ourselves and we gotta eat a dog yet. Are you nuts, Willie?

[Willie]

Ma, I'll feed him some way. Honest I will.

[Willie's Father]

What's wrong with you shouting, huh?

[Willie's Mother]

See, now your old man wants in on the argument. Who's shouting?

[Willie's Father]

A dog. I hear you talking. Hey, Willie. A dog, huh?

[Willie]

Hi, Pa. Yeah, here he is. Ain't he classy? Speak, boy.

[Willie's Father]

He does that when you tell him.

[Willie]

Sure. Watch. Speak, boy.

[Willie's Father]

Hey, that's pretty good. Well, he talks already.

[Willie's Mother]

Better he should keep his mouth shut. I get tired all the noise around this here place all day.

[Willie's Father]

Well, bring in the mud. We'll give him a good look at that, Willie.

[Willie's Mother]

Hey, you're not Gonna keep that dog.

[Willie]

Come on, boy. Come on in.

[Willie's Mother]

I shut up. Why?

[Willie's Father]

Why shut up? Remember free speech. You learned the mut to do this, Willie.

[Narrator]

When?

[Willie]

This afternoon, Pa. In five minutes. I got him doing all kind of tricks. Honest, Peter, the dog is awful smarter. I am. I don't know which.

[Willie's Mother]

No doubt the dog you take after your father.

[Willie's Father]

Hey, show me some more tricks you learned to Willie.

[Willie]

Sure. Watch, Pa. Watch Ma. Sit up, boy.

[Willie's Father]

Hey, look there. How straight he sits up.

[Willie's Mother]

Hey.

[Willie's Father]

Huh?

[Willie's Mother]

You should sit so straight.

[Willie]

Ah, that's nothing. Watch. Lay down, boy. Now roll over, boy. That's it. Now play dead.

[Willie's Mother]

Sh.

[Willie's Father]

What do you like?

[Willie]

That's it. Now roll over the other way. Atta boy.

[Willie's Father]

Now, this is something very, very interesting. This dog here could be used very, very well. He could learn to go and get stuff for you. For me?

[Willie's Mother]

It ain't gonna work, I can tell you that.

[Willie's Father]

Why not?

[Willie's Mother]

The handle on the pail would hoist his mouth.

[Willie's Father]

Very well, very well, madam. But you cannot deny that this dog could save me a lot of trouble if we learned him to go and get the newspaper every night.

[Willie's Mother]

Yeah, but first you gotta learn him to climb over the neighbor's fence.

[Willie]

Hey, Ma. Hey, Pa, can I keep him? Eh, Can I, Ma? Can I?

[Willie's Mother]

Okay, okay, okay, so keep him. But when he does that rollover trick, see that he slides more around on the linoleum. It'll save me from dustin'.

[Willie's Father]

This here dog could be very handy also to go get my slippers. That's if I ever get any slippers.

[Willie]

Hey, and I got a swell name for him. This here dog looks just like that swell moon pitcher dog. So I'm gonna call him the same name, Ranger. See, he likes that name Ranger this much.

[Willie's Mother]

He looks like a moon picture dog. Willy, stop combing your hair. It's musing up your brains.

[Willie]

Oh, well, he does look like a pitcher dog. Remember, I've been playing with him all afternoon in the railroad yard. Who can stay clean?

[Willie's Mother]

That reminds me, Willie. You got to take a bath one of these days. Shut up. What's the matter? You got a job?

[Willie's Father]

Oh, no, nothing like that. Look, look, for a month now, you remember how what he calls this dog, Ranger?

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

He calls him.

[Willie's Father]

Yeah, after the famous moon picture dog. All right. This here dog is Ranger, the moon pixie dog.

[Willie's Mother]

Stanley, how many times I gotta tell you? You listen too much to them pool balls knocking together.

[Willie's Father]

Listen to me.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

Look here.

[Willie's Father]

See in the paper? It says, after a month of secrecy, the disappearance of the famous movie dog Ranger has been admitted by the studio however, the public is being asked to help find him. A reward of $3,000 will be paid to the finder of Ranger by Hubert Fisk, owner and trainer.

[Willie's Mother]

$3,000 for this month. Excuse me, I mean dog.

[Willie's Father]

When it says here, you can read it and look the picture. It's him.

[Willie's Mother]

Hey, what do you know?

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Yeah.

[Willie's Mother]

Hey, close the door. He shouldn't be in a draft.

[Willie's Father]

No. Maybe we should let him lie on the sofa now, huh?

[Willie's Mother]

Oh, no, he'll get all dirty. Put him in your bed right away.

[Willie's Father]

I call Hollywood to come and bring 3,000, please. Your ma. Ma, we better give this here dog a bath. Look at him.

[Willie's Mother]

Yeah, a bath. I tell you. I'll use that there last bar of perfumery soap I got. Christmas, huh?

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Good, good.

[Willie's Father]

Very, very good. I'll go get that.

[Willie's Mother]

So on second thought, plus second glance at the dog, get also the flint gun.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

2000720800 2900. 3000. There you are, my boy.

[Willie]

I can use this tank better.

[Willie's Father]

I can use a tank best.

[Willie's Mother]

I can use a tank.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Well, I don't care which of you get the money. All I want is my dog back now. How are you, Ranger? How is the dog?

[Willie's Father]

He says the dog is great. Only he is now much more valuable than when we got him. My Willie here learned his dog a lot of tricks.

[Willie]

Huh?

[Willie's Father]

The kid.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

The kid taught Ranger tricks. Quit kidding.

[Willie's Mother]

Show him, Willie. Show him good.

[Willie]

Sure, Ranger. Speak, Ranger. Sit up. Now lay down. That's it.

[Willie's Father]

Roll over.

[Willie]

That's a boy.

[Willie's Father]

Well, now, how do you like that, Mr. Pisk?

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

How do I like. Why, you. Why, I taught those simple tricks to that dog when he was a puppy.

[Willie]

Hey, that's why he learned so easy, I bet.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Why, this dog is almost human. Those silly little tricks don't amount to anything. Why, why, this dog can read a newspaper.

[Willie's Mother]

Yeah? Then why didn't he read your ad and collect the tree Thousand slugs hisself? You'll find out.

[Willie]

I loined Ranger a couple of tricks that you don't know about. I tell you that.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Ah, piffle. Well, I want to out of here before I go nuts too. Now, goodbye now. Come on, Ranger.

[Willie's Father]

Yeah, Mr. Fitz. It's time to retire.

[Willie]

He won't go with you. That's one of the tricks I learned him.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

What's going on here? Ranger, come.

[Willie's Mother]

No use.

[Willie]

He won't go with you.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

You holding this dog someway?

[Willie]

Yeah, it's just that I learned him not to do nothing less than I tell him.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Why, why, why, that's impossible.

[Willie]

Oh, yeah, we'll take him with you.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Ranger, you come quick. What have you done to my dog?

[Willie]

How did I know whose dog he is? All the kids in the neighborhood try to make him do his tricks. They get him rolling around on the sidewalk so much he's wearing off his hair. So I loin him. Ranger don't do nothing for nobody but me.

[Willie's Mother]

No?

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

What shall I do?

[Willie's Mother]

Unloin him again? You should be as smart as my Willy. You're bigger. Hello.

[Willie's Father]

Hello.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Oh, hello, mister. Mr. Panic, I found the dog. Yeah, he's all right, but he won't come with me. No, no, that isn't it.

[Willie's Mother]

He.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

He knows me all right, huh? Yes, I smell the same as I always did. Sure, I know you're ready to start Ranger's new picture, but the kid's the only one he'll mind.

[Narrator]

What?

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Bring the kid along too? But maybe they'll want money. Pay him, huh? How much? As little as possible, but as much as necessary. Okay, I'll try it. Yeah, okay.

[Willie's Mother]

Goodbye.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

And so, Mr. Panic, the producer of Gigantic Pictures, tells me to bring your Willie to Hollywood. Now, how about it?

[Willie]

How's about that? I'm gonna be a holly wooden head.

[Willie's Mother]

My little Willie gone away from me.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Oh, now, now, now, now, madam, we'll take good care of Willie. Put him in a good school.

[Willie's Mother]

No, you.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

You'll be very wise to let him go.

[Willie's Father]

Now then, I would say that my boy Willie was very valuable.

[Willie's Mother]

Hey?

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Oh, not very valuable.

[Willie's Mother]

Oh, no. Make the dog do tricks. Go ahead, make him.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Okay. How much?

[Willie's Father]

Well, now, in Hollywood, these movie stars, they make plenty of moolah. I think Willie should get a nice salary every week. Which, of course, you can send to me.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Now, wait a minute. Willie is going to Hollywood? Yes, but he isn't going to be in the pictures.

[Willie's Mother]

If I know my Willy, he'll be in em.

[Willie's Father]

Now, you see, like I say, Willie gets his title from us. I used to be in a theater once. You?

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

In. In a theater? I don't believe it.

[Willie's Mother]

He did so. He used to sell frozen sweets in the boily queue. Yeah, and not only that, but my uncle used to be a juggler.

[Willie's Father]

Yeah, and we still got the jug to prove it.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

All right, all right, then. How much for Willie?

[Willie's Father]

Well, I would say about 200 a week. Huh?

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

200 to answer. Okay, we'll pay it. Pack the kid's clothes and let me get out of here.

[Willie's Mother]

Pack Willie's what? Look, mister, when Willie buttons his shirt, his trunk is locked.

[Willie's Father]

And one more thing. You're going to give Willie free transportation.

[Mr. Panic (Producer)]

Certainly he gets free transportation. I'll. I'll put him in a Pullman.

[Willie's Mother]

Ah, Pullman nothing. My willy is good enough to ride in a coach with the rest of the people.

[Narrator]

Well, thank you, Lassie. Tommy Bernard, Martha Wentworth, Ken Christie, Charlie Long and Earl Keane. And now a word from our star. What is it, Lassie?

[Willie's Mother]

Oh.

[Narrator]

Time for Red Heart. Well, now, which Red Heart diet do you want, Lassie? The B diet. Fish flavor. Okay. Well now, which flavor did you have yesterday? The A diet. Beef flavor. And which one will you get tomorrow? The C diet, of course. The cheese flavor. Smart dog, Lassie. You certainly know your ABCs. Those three wonderful flavors in Red Heart dog food, you know Rudd feeds them to you in rotation, A, B, C, so you can enjoy a different flavor at every meal. Feed Red Heart to your dog too. He'll enjoy the variety of those three different flavors. Lassie is fed Red Heart Extreme exclusively. And Lassie's a healthy, happy dog with a strong body and a fine glossy coat. No wonder Red Heart is federally inspected. Fresh, moist meat and wholesome meat byproducts. It is packed with all those health giving vitamins and minerals every dog needs to grow normally, develop sound teeth and bones and resist disease. Red Heart is a complete meal, all ready to eat. Nothing to cook, nothing to add, nothing to mix. Just open a can of Red Heart and serve it to your dog. There's the same fine food in every can. The only difference is in the flavor. Your dog will never tire of Red Heart, not when you feed it to him in rotation. The A diet one day, B the next, and C the following day. Lassie speaks for Red Heart, all three wonderful flavors. Next week, Lassie's going to play the part of a dog named Mike in a Thanksgiving story entitled Reprieve. Don't Miss It. Lassie is presented each week at the same time by John Morell and Company, makers of sea 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 invite you to see their production of Battlegrounds. Starring Van Johnson, John Hodak, Ricardo Montalban and George Murphy. The Lassie show is produced and transcribed in Hollywood by Frank Perrin. It is directed by Harry Stewart. The story was by Hobart Donovan.

[Willie's Mother]

This is Charles Lynn.

[Narrator]

There's a barrel of laughs on Truth or Consequences tonight on NB.

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