Lassie - A Dog Named Tramp

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Lassie - A Dog Named Tramp

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: May 16, 2026

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Overview

This episode presents a classic radio drama from the golden age of radio, starring Lassie and featuring a memorable tale titled "A Dog Named Tramp." The story revolves around courage, compassion, and the bond between a boy and his dog, while also highlighting themes of loyalty, heroism, and redemption set against the backdrop of impending floodwaters.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

Lassie's Introduction and the Red Heart Award

• Host Introduction (00:33): The episode opens with Charles Lyon introducing the show as sponsored by Red Heart dog food, emphasizing the importance of providing variety and nutrition to dogs.
• Rudd Weatherwax (Lassie’s owner/trainer) introduces the story:
  "Well, today, Lassie and I have a story for you about a dog named Tramp—not much of a dog, I guess, but full of courage when he needed it most." [01:25]

The Start: Tommy and His Father's Fishing Trip

• Tommy and his father head to a river for fishing and possible swimming.

  • Tommy excitedly suggests, "Gee, it's such a swell day, dad. Maybe I could get a little swimming in, do you think?" [02:03]

• Encounter with a Cruel Stranger (Dog in Danger):

  • Tommy and his dad witness a man trying to drown a dog named Tramp by tying a rock to him because, "he snuck up behind me and ate my string of fish." [02:29]

• Tommy Decides to Save Tramp:

  • Demonstrating bravery and compassion, Tommy jumps in to rescue the dog:

    "I'm gonna pull that dog out. I've got my scout knife. I'll dive down and cut the rope." [02:46]

  • After struggling in the water, Tommy succeeds:

    "I got him, Dad! Yes, I..." [03:01]

A New Home for Tramp

• Tommy Adopts Tramp:

  • Tommy proudly proclaims, "Well, that man said he was a tramp dog, so he's mine now because I saved him. That's a boy." [03:19]

• Bonding & Play:

  • Tommy and Tramp play tug-of-war, illustrating the growing bond.

• Warnings of Approaching Flood:

  • Tommy's father cautions Tommy about the rising river:

    "The river's rising bad... Looks like a flood's on the way. You go down there, be careful." [04:01]

The Flood & Peril

• Tommy’s Curiosity Leads to Trouble:
  • Looking for 'swell stuff' floating on the flooding river, Tommy rows out alone to retrieve a doghouse for Tramp, but is swept away by the strong current.
  • Crisis hits:

    "This current is f... Current awful strong... The boat's tipping—Help. Help. Help." [05:47]

Rescue Mission: Tramp to the Rescue

• Family Discovers Tommy's Disappearance:

  • Tommy’s mother and father notice he’s missing; Tramp’s barking alerts them.
  • Tramp tries to lead them to the riverbank:

    "Not with him? But why? What, Frank? Tramp acts like he wanted us to follow him." [06:19]

• Spotting Tommy Stranded:

  • Tommy is found on an island with the floodwaters rising and no way back.
  • Parents realize they need to get a rope across but can't.

• Tramp Overcomes Fear of Water:

  • Knowing Tramp is terrified of water, Tommy's dad tries to encourage him:

    "I’m going to tie the end of this clothesline to Tramp’s collar and see if I can’t get him to swim to Tom." [07:38]

  • Despite his fear, Tramp makes it:

    "He did it, mother. Tramp did it. Swim, Tramp. Sw..." [08:01]

• Return to Safety:

  • Tommy and Tramp use the rope to start back, but the rope breaks.
  • In a turning point, Tramp, in a feat of courage, grabs the broken end in his mouth to make sure Tommy can finish the crossing:

    "Look, Frank. Tramp's got the end of the broken rope in his mouth!" [09:56]

• Family Reunited:

  • Tommy's safe return is celebrated, with heartfelt gratitude to Tramp.

The Moral and Valor

• Tramp’s Redemption:

  • Tommy’s father remarks on Tramp repaying the life debt:

    "Looks like old Tramp has evened the score. He's paid Tom off in full for saving him from Old Man River." [10:40]

• Closing Message (Role of Dogs in Valor):

  • Commentary on the virtues of canine loyalty and bravery, tied back to the Red Heart dog food sponsorship.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Rescuing Tramp:

  "I’m gonna pull that dog out. I’ve got my scout knife. I’ll dive down and cut the rope."
  — Tommy, [02:46]

• On Overcoming Fear for Loyalty:

  "He’ll never do that. That dog’s desperately afraid of water."
  "I know. But he’s even more afraid of losing Tom."
  — Tommy's parents, [07:44]

• On Repayment and Gratitude:

  "Looks like old Tramp has evened the score. He’s paid Tom off in full for saving him from Old Man River."
  — Tommy’s father, [10:40]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:33: Show introduction, sponsor message, and Lassie’s trainer introduction
• 02:18 – 03:19: Tommy and his father discover and rescue Tramp
• 04:01 – 04:50: Rising floodwaters; Tommy’s father warns him of danger
• 05:47: Tommy in peril on the river
• 06:19 – 07:09: Family realizes Tommy is missing; Tramp leads search
• 07:38 – 08:01: Tramp faces his fear to swim across the river
• 09:35 – 10:40: Tramp enables Tommy’s escape from the island, heroic moment as Tramp grabs the rope
• 10:40: Family reunited and Tramp acknowledged for bravery

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Red Heart Award for Valor Segment

• Award Presented to Tippy of Seattle, WA:
  • "This week our Red Heart Award for Valor is presented to a dog named Tippy of Seattle, Washington... Tippy bounded from the living quarters and drove the armed bandit away." [11:35]
  • Tippy receives a heart-shaped locket and a case of Red Heart food as recognition.

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Conclusion

"A Dog Named Tramp" is a heartwarming, action-filled tale about courage, gratitude, and the special bond between humans and dogs, delivered in the classic, wholesome storytelling style of golden-age radio. Through suspense, peril, and ultimately triumph, the episode celebrates the heroics and loyalty of dogs, both fictional and real.

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Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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 most famous dog, Lassie in person. Now you know what hot weather does to your appetite and how important it is for your meals to be appetizing. Well, that dog of yours appreciates appetizing meals, too. And when you feed him the Red Heart way, he always welcomes his dinner because all three delicious Red Heart flavors are flavors. Dogs like beef, fish and cheese. Feed those three Red Heart flavors in rotation so that your dog doesn't get tired of his food. He'll not only enjoy Red Heart, but it's so good for him that it's sure to keep him healthy, happy and handsome. Get a supply of free flavor Red Heart now. 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. Thank you, Charlie, and hello, everyone. Well, today, Lassie and I have a story for you about a dog named Trampoline. Not much of a dog, I guess, but full of courage when he needed it most. The story started when Tommy Clark and his father decided to go down to the nearby river for an afternoon of fishing.

[C]

Gee, it's such a swell day, dad. Maybe I could get a little swimming in, do you think?

[B]

No reason why not, son.

[C]

Well, if the fish aren't biting, that is. Pete Norman was down yesterday. Said he got more catfish than his

[B]

folks could eat in three meals. Might be biting as good today. Must eat my fish, will you?

[C]

Hey, look, dad. What's that man doing with that dog on the riverbank?

[B]

He's got a rope around the dog's neck and the end's tied to a big rock. He's gonna drown, it looks like.

[C]

Hey, mister, what's wrong with the dog? Nothing.

[B]

It's a trapped dog, and he snuck up behind me and ate my string of fish. Well, this rock around his neck will give him all the fish he wants in that river.

[C]

Say, that's a nasty thing to do.

[B]

Throw a dog in the river to

[C]

drown because of a few fish. Yeah, you think so?

[B]

Well, I guess I'm sorry for the mutt.

[C]

Don't get him. Oh, gosh, dad. I'm gonna pull that dog out. I've got my scout knife. I'll dive down and cut the rope. Hey, hey, wait, Tuck.

[B]

Oh, that kid. Risking his life for a mut dog.

[C]

I got him, Ted. Yes, I.

[B]

Here, grab my hand. I'll pull you in. Ok, I got the dog by the collar.

[C]

Now you come. Oh, gee, dad, is he dead?

[B]

No, no, not by long shot. Let's get to work and get the water out of his lungs. He'll be all right.

[C]

Well, that man said he was a tramp dog, so he's mine now because I saved him. That's a boy. Oh, hi, dad. Here I am. Hey, dad, look how strong Tramp's teeth are. Now watch dad. Okay, Tramp, tug of war. Tug of war. That's it, boy. Grab hold. The clothesline. Now, tug of war.

[B]

That's pretty good. But you mustn't make him pull on the rope too much. It might loosen his teeth.

[C]

Okay, dad. That's enough, Tramp.

[B]

And you better put away Mom's clothesline.

[C]

Okay, Dad.

[B]

I came to tell you we'd better not count on fishing tomorrow. The river's rising bad.

[C]

Oh, honest, I haven't been near the river for a week. Tramp's scared of the water.

[B]

Well, you can hardly blame him after his experience. But mind what I say. Now the river's rising fast. Looks like a flood's on the way. You go down there. Be careful.

[C]

Oh, I. I will, dad. Hey, Tramp, let's go down to the river. Oh, boy. Gee, if it's flooding, we might find some swell stuff floating down. Come on, Tramp. A. Come on, Tramp. The old river won't hurt you. All right, you stay here. I'm going down to the bank. Hey, boy, look at the swell stuff that floated down and got stuck on the island.

[B]

Boy, here. I can see a wheelbarrow.

[C]

There's a dog house. Hey, Tramp, look out on the island. There's a swell little doghouse for you. Aw, come on, Tramp, you big sissy. I bet I could roll to the island and get that dog house 30 or 40ft. Think I can fly the rowboat in the water by myself? I'm gonna try. There it is. Gotta get the oars in the oarlocks first. River's running pretty fast now. I'll just shove there, man. Boy, I better start rolling. This current is f. Current awful strong. Keeps turning the boat. Not much further, though. One or two more. Good. Strong. The boat's tipping.

[B]

Help.

[C]

Help. Help. Help.

[B]

Where the dickens is Tom?

[C]

Well, I'm sure I don't know, Frank. I've called and called. He's always home by this time. Oh, there he is now. I hear Tramp barking.

[B]

Thank goodness. I'm starved. For the love of Mike. Tom, where have you. My mother. The dog's all alone. Tom's not with him.

[C]

Not with him? But why? What, Frank? Tramp acts like he wanted us to follow him.

[B]

Mother. The river. It's awful bad. Do you think, Frank, quickly.

[C]

Let's go, dear. Hurry.

[B]

Yes. Come on. Wait. Let me take this clothesline. Framp. Find Tom. Find Tom.

[C]

Frank.

[B]

That's where he's taken us. Straight to the riverbank.

[C]

Oh, Frank. I wonder. I hope nothing's happened.

[B]

I bet you just gotta be ready for anything.

[C]

Here's the river. Oh, Frank. Let's hurry.

[B]

No, no. Take it easy, Mother. Here we are. Careful now. The bank's off.

[C]

I don't see Tom. Dad.

[B]

Mother.

[C]

Over here.

[B]

Tom. He's on the island, Mother.

[C]

Tom. Tom. Tom. Where's our rubble? It's over, dad. But if the boat's gone, how break these rivers might be? The island will be underwater in an hour or two.

[B]

I know it, Mother. I got to figure out a way to get this rope across the channel.

[C]

No. Tramp, Come here. Jumping the water, Freddy.

[B]

Tramp's trying to get up enough nerve to swim out to the island. He wants to get to Tram. Tramp. Tramp, come here. Stand still. Now, Tramp.

[C]

What are you going to do for me?

[B]

I'm going to tie the end of this clothesline to Tramp's collar and see if I can't get him to swim to Tom. There we are.

[C]

Oh, no. He'll never do that. That dog's desperately afraid of water.

[B]

I know. But he's even more afraid of losing Tom. Look at him, Mother.

[C]

Tom. Call Tramp. Call him, boy. Tramp. Come here, Tramp.

[B]

Now, go on, boy. Go to Tom.

[C]

Tramp. He did it, mother. Tramp did it. Swim, tramp. Sw. Come on, Tramp. Oh, that's a dog. Come on, Tramp. Just a little farther and I can grab your collar. Swim hard, Tramp. Swim. Is that a boy, Tramp? Come on. Come on.

[B]

There.

[C]

Gotcha, Tramp. Up you go,

[B]

Tramping, old boy.

[C]

Oh, you did it. You swam to Me? Hurry down the river. Get me back. What'll I do now, dad? Okay, dad. Trying to rope to this tree. That's good news. I. Come on, Tramp. Let's get in the water and get back to land. Well, come on, Tramp. Well, you gotta swim back. You just got to. You know what I gotta do? I'm gonna tie this one and have it tight to my belt like that. Now, I'll tie the other end of your collar. I just gotta pull you in the water. Trampy, if you won't go in yourself again. Don't take it, Kip.

[B]

Don't you worry, Mother. That boy's got nerve. He'll make it fun.

[C]

Keep going, Tommy. That's it. Hand over hand. Tom. Tom, look out for that lock. Look out, Tom. Frank. Frankie's done broke the rope. There's Tramp. And there's Tom. Tom, Tom. Look, Frank. Tramp's got the end of the broken rope in his mob.

[B]

Yeah. Look out, Beth. Maybe I can throw him in.

[C]

Tramp. Tramp. Hang on. Hang on. Tug of war, Tramp. Tug of war. He's holding. He's holding. Full, Frank. Full heart. Then how do you feel? Well, mom, it sure feels good to be in bed again.

[B]

You had a bad time, Son, you'd be dead right now if it wasn't for old Tramp. Yes, you old, good old dog.

[C]

Oh, Tramp, how can we ever thank you? Come here. Come here, Trampy, old boy.

[B]

Oh, golly. Well, looks like old Tramp has even the score. He's paid Tom off in full for saving him from Old Man River. Thank you, Lassie, for an exciting 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. Say, Lassie, you know, speaking of valor, it seems to me the Tramp, the dog in this week's story, was pretty valorous himself. Don't you agree? Yes, sir. It's pretty plain that dogs learn the lesson of loyalty in a hurry, right? And one of the finest things you can do for him in return, day in, day out, is to see that he gets the Red Heart every meal. All three of those delicious red heart flavors, beef, fish and cheese contain exactly the same wholesome meat and meat byproducts plus other nourishing ingredients to keep your dog in top condition. And at the same time, those three flavors, fed in rotation give your dog the taste variety he welcomes. So feed your dog the Red Heart way, starting right now. Red Heart is federally Inspected dog food, you know, good for your dog in every way. And it's so quick, so easy to feed that you'll appreciate it too. Keep all three Red Heart flavors on hand and feed them in rotation. Red Heart is the food your dog needs and wants. And now Lassie's owner and trainer, Rudd Weatherwise. Thanks, Charlie. This week our Red Heart Award for Valor is presented to a dog named Tippy of Seattle, Washington. When a bandit entered the store of Mr. And Mrs. John Darrow and said as he struck Mrs. Darrow with the butt of his pistol, this is a stick up. Tippy bounded from the living quarters in the rear of the store and drove the armed bandit away. So today, in recognition of Tippy's bravery, we are sending Tippy a heart shaped sterling silver locket for his collar bearing the inscription Red Heart Award for Valor. To Tippy for rescuing his mistress, Mrs. Ina Darrel. And along with Tippy's award goes a salute from Lasses and a case of Red Heart, the food that all good dogs deserve. And to Mr. Mrs. John Darrow of Seattle, Washington, our congratulations on having a swell dog like Tippy. Next week, Lassie plays the part of a very cranky old dog that belonged to a very cranky old man. Don't miss it. Lassie is presented each week at this same time by John Morell and Company, makers of three flavor Red hearts. 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 Technicolor production of Alexander Dumas, the Three Musketeers, starring Lana Turner, Gene Kelly and June Allison. This program is produced in Hollywood by Frank Taran, directed by Harry Stewart, story by Hobart Donovan. And now a final reminder. The best way to provide for your future, the future of your family, Is to buy U.S. savings bonds. Buy them where you work on the payroll savings plan or if you are your own boss, buy where you bank on the bond a month plan. But buy them. U.S. savings bonds represent your belief in your own future, your beliefs in America. This is Charles Lyon.

[A]

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[D]

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[B]

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[C]

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[B]

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