Lassie 49-11-26 The Chaplains Dog

Summary

Lassie 49-11-26: "The Chaplain's Dog"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: February 14, 2026
Original Air Date: November 26, 1949
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode relives a classic from the golden era of radio: an installment of the "Lassie" radio show titled "The Chaplain's Dog." The story centers around Lassie (playing a prison dog named Cellmate, or "Mate") and her bond with the inmates and the chaplain, Father Riley, in a tough correctional institution. Tensions escalate over the fate of Mate, who brings the prisoners comfort but keeps running afoul of the warden due to her penchant for digging up the lawn—leading to an unexpected twist and redemption for both the dog and the men.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Introduction and Setting the Scene

• The episode opens with classic radio flair, highlighting Lassie as "the world's most famous dog" and plugging Red Heart dog food, which Lassie endorses.
• Rudd Weatherwax (Lassie’s owner/trainer) introduces the narrative: Lassie as "Mate," the beloved prison dog, caretaker to the inmates, and companion to the prison chaplain, Father Riley.
  • "Today, Lassie plays the part of a prison dog named Cellmate and nicknamed Mate. He belonged to Father Riley, the chaplain, and he was a great favorite among the convicts." (00:58, Rudd Weatherwax)

2. Mate’s Relationship With the Inmates

• Father Riley is shown making rounds, greeting both inmates and his dog with warmth; some prisoners welcome the company while others, like Stoney, remain hostile.
• Initial interaction:
  • Stoney rebuffs Father and expresses distaste: "Take your praying somewhere else." (01:41, Stoney)
  • When Mate tries to befriend Stoney, he kicks the dog out of spite: "Cause I hate dogs, see?" (02:52, Stoney)

3. Warden's Growing Frustration

• The warden discusses the challenges posed by tough inmates, especially Stoney, and expresses increasing irritation over Mate's repeated digging escapades that are ruining the lawn.
  • "There he is digging up my lawn again." (04:42, Warden)
  • Father Riley, apologetic but advocating for the dog’s benefit to the prisoners, promises to restrain Mate.
  • The warden delivers an ultimatum: Mate must go. (06:03–06:25)

4. Prisoner Unrest and Decision to Remove Mate

• The inmates are deeply upset at the thought of losing Mate.
  • Tensions rise, and the warden doubles security. Prisoners request a reconsideration, but the warden stands firm:
    • "That dog's gone for." (07:00–07:35, Warden)
• Father Riley arranges for Mate to be relocated to a distant parish.

5. Mate's Mysterious Return & Escalating Suspicion

• That night, Mate mysteriously returns and resumes digging furiously in the garden, ignoring even Father Riley’s commands.
  • "He must have run away, come back by himself." (08:56, Father Riley)
  • Warden is shocked and angry at Mate’s persistence:
    • "He's been digging for hours by the looks of the hole." (08:41, Warden)

6. Discovery of the Escape Plot

• As Father and Warden investigate, they discover Mate has been unearthing a tunnel; an escape attempt is underway from the cell block.
  • "Someone is tunneling from the cell block under the lawn. Father, it's a crush out." (10:09, Warden)
• The warden apprehends the inmates mid-escape, crediting Mate with foiling the plan.
  • "It was a crush out that nearly worked. Would have worked if it weren't for old Mate." (10:34, Warden)

7. Resolution and Mate’s Redemption

• Realizing the value of Mate’s instincts and the morale boost he provides, the warden softens his stance.
  • "Cellmate, old boy, you're a better prison warden than I am. This time at least. And for just as long as you want to make this prison your home, you'll be welcome." (11:33, Warden)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Stoney's Hostility:
  • "Take your praying somewhere else." (01:41, Stoney)
• The Warden’s Exasperation:
  • "Our garden lawn is being ruined beyond repair." (09:26, Warden)
• The Revelation:
  • "Someone is tunneling from the cell block under the lawn. Father, it's a crush out. Quickly, run into my bungalow and hit the siren for me. I have my gun." (10:09, Warden)
• Warden’s Respect for Mate:
  • "You're a better prison warden than I am. This time at least. And for just as long as you want to make this prison your home, you'll be welcome." (11:33, Warden)

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Key Timestamps

• 00:58 – Rudd Weatherwax introduces the story and Lassie’s role as Mate
• 01:41 – Stoney rebuffs Father Riley; kicks Mate (crucial for understanding Stoney’s resentment)
• 04:42 – Warden first complains about Mate's digging
• 06:03-06:25 – Decision made to get rid of Mate
• 07:00 – Discussion of prisoner unrest after Mate's departure
• 08:41-09:08 – Mate returns and resumes suspicious digging
• 10:09 – Discovery of the escape tunnel thanks to Mate
• 11:33 – Warden welcomes Mate to stay at the prison

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Original Tone & Atmosphere

The episode combines earnest storytelling, gentle moral lessons about trust, redemption, and the restorative power of animal companionship with the suspense of a prison drama. Dialogue is direct, vintage, but full of heart, with classic radio pacing and emotional cues.

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Final Thoughts

"Lassie: The Chaplain's Dog" is a tale of hard-edged skepticism overcome by loyalty and intuition. Mate, through her repeated digging—a behavior initially thought to be a stubborn nuisance—ultimately saves the day and earns a permanent place amongst the prisoners, staff, and even the warden. The episode deftly balances tension, redemption, and the special bond between humans and dogs, all delivered in Golden Age radio style.

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For those nostalgic for radio’s family-friendly storytelling, and Lassie’s timeless heroism, this episode is a delightful reminder of simpler yet deeply moral dramatic times.

Transcript

[A]

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 Morrell Co. Makers of three flavor Red Heart. And here is Metro Goldwyn Mayer's lovable motion picture star. Lassie in. 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's Lassie's owner and trainer, Rudd Weatherwax.

[B]

Thank you, Charlie. And hello, everyone. Well, today, Lassie plays the part of a prison dog named Cellmate and nicknamed Mate. He belonged to Father Riley, the chaplain, and he was a great favorite among the convicts. Hi, father. What say, mate?

[C]

Evening, joe.

[B]

Hello there, mate.

[A]

Father.

[C]

Hello, bucky. Evening, corning.

[B]

Evening, father. Hi, mate.

[C]

And Stoney. Good evening.

[B]

Get lost.

[C]

Still won't make friends, huh?

[B]

Take your praying somewhere else.

[C]

I'm not praying, Stoney. Just stop to pass the time of evening.

[B]

Okay, so you stop. So now start going.

[C]

Stoney, I know you're bitter at being in the big house, but here you are. There's nothing you can do about it for a while. Now, why not take a cheerful attitude? It'll help you a lot. Here.

[B]

I act the way I please.

[C]

I've noticed that, Stoney, and that's your privilege. But you'd be a lot happier if you were friendly.

[B]

Yeah. Listen, I'm in stir. Sure I got caught. There ain't nothing in the rule book says I gotta chew the fat with a chaplaincy. Now scram.

[C]

I'm sorry, Stoney. We're just trying to be friends. Trying to help you with your problems, aren't we, mate?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Now, maybe you got something. A dog there. Hey, come here, mutt.

[C]

Call him by name. He'll gladly come to your cell door. He'll put his nose through the bar so you can pat him.

[B]

Yeah. Come here, mate. Yeah, that's nice, mate. Come here. Get close.

[C]

What's the idea of kicking that dog? He's done nothing to you now.

[B]

Why? Cause I hate dogs, see?

[C]

Well, you should, Stoney. I. I'm sorry, I. Oh, I wish I could convince you that. Oh, come along, Ma.

[B]

Evening, Father. Thought I'd find you walking in the garden. Hello there, mate.

[C]

Good evening, Warden. Such a beautiful evening. I just couldn't stay in my bungalow. Thought Mate and I would stroll a bit.

[B]

Good. I'll join you if you don't mind, I wanted to speak with you.

[C]

No, nothing serious, I hope.

[B]

No, nothing immediately serious. It's about Stoney Jackson. 38463. He's bad medicine. The kind who sooner or later will give us trouble.

[C]

Yes, I know. I can do nothing with him. Most of the men enter prison bitter and inclined to be recalcitrant. But after a few weeks, or most a month or two, they snap out of it, make the best of things. Stoney, well, he lives up to his name. I told you about his kicking Mate the other evening.

[B]

Oh, he's a vicious brute, but there's nothing I can do. He's working in the jute mill and I'm forced to admit he does his work.

[C]

Oh, he oversteps. None of the rules, Warden. He's cautious, but he has all the men hating him. And that's what worries me.

[B]

I know some hard boiled con, he's irritated, will stick a stolen knife in his back someday. Tempers are short in prison.

[C]

I know. Well, where did Mate go, huh?

[B]

He was.

[A]

Oh, no.

[B]

Confounded Father. There he is digging up my lawn again.

[C]

Oh, Mate. Mate, stop that.

[A]

Come here.

[B]

Oh, Father, when are you going to do something about that? Look at my yard. Full of brown spots where we had to replace the dirt from his confounded digging.

[C]

I'm sorry, warden. Truly I am. I. I don't know how Mate ever got into that habit. From now on, I'll either keep him in my bungalow or on a leash. I promise. You wanted to see me, Warden?

[B]

Yes, Father. Last night again, your dog Mate was up to his old tricks. I just can't put up with that, Father.

[C]

I know, Warden, and truly I am sorry. You see, last night the prison hospital called me. Joe Gabrioli is dying. He wanted me and he wanted to see Mate. I took the dog to the hospital and then while I was busy with Joe, Mate ducked out into the yard.

[B]

You promised you'd keep a leash on him, Father.

[C]

I know, but in my haste I simply forgot it. I.

[B]

Father, you always have a good excuse. But look now, the state supervisors will be out to look over the prison in another 30 days. The yard is a mess. Father, I hate to tell you this, but. But you'll have to get rid of the dog.

[C]

But Warden, I can't. The men all love him. They've made him their mascot. You know, they don't have many pleasures. And he does really help.

[B]

Sorry, Father. I've given the dog many chances. He's got to go.

[C]

Warden, please, just think about the men. For a minute. Don't you see? Mate sort of takes the place of the loved ones and the pets they had at home. It's not just that he's my dog.

[B]

It's no use, Father. The dog has got to go.

[C]

As you say, Warden. Well, Father Sinkowski has a parish 20 or 30 miles in the country. He's very fond of meat. I'll run him out there this afternoon.

[B]

Well, Cory, what the devil is going on? Gordon, the men are pretty bad because you made the tap to get rid of his dog. Do you mean to tell me that. What's been done? We try to quiet them, sir. Double the guard in case they get nasty. We can't get anywhere with them. Well, I'll stop them. They're going to be punished for this. Every mother's son of them. Warden, if I may say so, their request is modest enough. They were all very fond of me. Fonder, even. We thought the supervisors are fond of the garden lawn, too. How about that? I know, but if you let the chaplain go and get the dog and bring him back, I'll do everything. No, you'll do nothing of the sort. I'm running this prison, not that dog. Cory, that's it. Turn out the cell lights now. Take away smoking privileges for 24 hours. And tell them if they revolt again, things will be worse for them. That dog's gone for.

[C]

Why, Warden, what are you doing up this late? Step in. What's wrong?

[B]

You know what's wrong, Father.

[C]

I'm sorry, Warden, I have no idea.

[B]

You hold a place of responsibility here, Father. As our chaplain, you're loved and respected by everyone. I myself have a great personal liking and respect for you. But you have no right to deliberately ignore my orders.

[C]

I ignore your orders? I'm amazed, Warden. What orders?

[B]

My order's not to bring the dog back.

[A]

Mate.

[C]

I didn't bring Mate back.

[B]

Then who did? Right now he's out in the garden digging up the whole lawn.

[A]

Mate is back here?

[B]

He certainly is. And he's been digging for hours by the looks of the hole. I thought I heard something, so I got up and walked out to the garden, and there he was.

[C]

Believe me, I knew nothing about it, Warden. He must have run away, come back by himself.

[B]

Well, you'll have to come and get him. I tried to call him from his digging and he snarled at me.

[A]

Mate snarled?

[C]

Why, that's almost unbelievable.

[B]

Well, come on now and stop him before he digs up the entire yard.

[C]

Of course, at once.

[B]

Look, look, there he is. Great Scott, look at that. Hole. Now, mate.

[A]

Stop it. Come here, mate.

[B]

You see, he pays no attention even to you.

[C]

Warden, believe me, there's something wrong.

[B]

I'll say there is. Our garden lawn is being ruined beyond repair.

[C]

I'll stop it. That's enough. Stop it, mate, and come here.

[B]

Well, at least you've stopped it. Great Scott. Look at that.

[A]

Holy.

[B]

Wait a minute. Listen. Hold his muzzle.

[C]

What is that strange sound? It comes from the hole, mate. Hush me. Hush. Great Scott.

[B]

I know what it is. Someone is tunneling from the cell block under the lawn. Father, it's a crush out. Quickly, run into my bungalow and hit the siren for me. I have my gun. I'll stand watch.

[C]

I'll leave, mate to help you, mate.

[A]

Stay.

[C]

I'll hurry back, mate. Get back.

[B]

We busted through now. Take it easy. Okay. Sony, that's far enough. Stay where you are. I'll shoot. Father, I. I owe you an apology. And a double apology to old mate here. Yep, it was a crush out that nearly worked. Would have worked if it weren't for old mate. Think of it. All those months Stoney and Corning have been patiently tunneling a little at a time. Perhaps only inches some nights.

[C]

That's where I was a dunderhead. Nate never did any digging before. And I should have noticed that the holes he dug made a nearly straight line from the cell block toward your bungalow.

[B]

Well, the men are glad that Mate's back. And I am glad he's back. Come here, boy. Cellmate. Old boy, you're a better prison warden than I am. This time at least. And for just as long as you want to make this prison your home, you'll be welcome.

[A]

Thank you, Lassie. Marvin Miller, Cliff Krugman and Earl Keane. Now friends, in just a moment, Rudd Weatherwax will be back to tell you about next week's story. But first, there's a little something I'd like to straighten out. We've been getting a number of letters lately from dog owners asking whether Red Heart is good for their particular breed of dog. Well, I want to say right here and now that you can feed Red Heart 3 flavor dog food to any dog, regardless of size or breed. Kennel tests show that Red Heart helps keep dogs of all kinds, from the smallest to the largest. Helps them to grow normally, resist disease, develop sound teeth and bones and keep a fine, glossy coat. That's because Red Heart is made of federally inspected, fresh, moist meat and wholesome meat by products packed with all those health giving vitamins and minerals every dog needs. And you can be sure there'll be no dull appetites when Red Heart's around. Those three different Red Heart flavors make a dog take an interest in his food. Lassie agrees because Rudd feeds Lassie Red Heart exclusively. And you can bet Lassie knows what those three Red Heart flavors are. That's the A diet beef flavor, B diet fish flavor and the C diet cheese flavor. So remember, whether you have a little Pomeranian or a big Saint Bernard, you can safely feed your dog Red Heart 3 flavor dog food. Lassie speaks for all dogs when Lassie speaks for Red Heart and Lassie speaks for all three Red Heart flavors. And now again, Lassie's owner and trainer, Rudd Weatherwax.

[B]

Next week, Lassie plays the part of a Russian wolfhound named Boris in a comedy entitled Berlin Episode. Now don't miss it.

[A]

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 invite you to see their production of Battleground. Starring Van Johnson, John Hodiak, Ricardo Montalban and George Murphy. The Lassie show is produced and transcribed in Hollywood by Frank Farron, directed by Harry Stewart, story by Hobart Donovan. This is Charles Lyle. There's a brand new giant jackpot on Hollywood calling tomorrow on NBC.