Lassie - His Masters Eyes

Summary

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Lassie – “His Master’s Eyes”

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Air Date: May 16, 2026
Runtime: (Main content: ~00:32–14:14)
Host: Rudd Weatherwax (Lassie’s owner/trainer)
Guest Star: Don Ameche

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Episode Overview

This episode of Lassie dramatizes the true story “His Master’s Eyes,” narrating the origins of the Master Eye Foundation and the birth of the guide dog movement for the blind in America. Through the story of John L. Sinikin and his dog Checko, the episode explores compassion, innovation, and the transformative relationship between humans and dogs. Featured guest Don Ameche lends his voice to portray John L. Sinikin.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Story of Checko, the Three-Legged Shepherd (00:32–05:12)

• Checko’s Injury: The story introduces Checko, a German Shepherd beloved by the Sinikin family. After bravely chasing off a dangerous dog, Checko is injured, resulting in the loss of a paw.
• Artificial Limb for a Dog: John wonders why, with all the advancement in prosthetics for humans after the war, nothing similar is done for dogs. Despite Genevieve’s skepticism—"Oh, John, it just couldn't be done. A dog wouldn't wear it." (03:50)—John invents a functioning artificial paw.

2. The Accidental Discovery (05:12–06:29)

• Meeting a Blind Man: On a train journey, John and Checko meet a blind veteran. The blind man walks the dog and is amazed by Checko’s steady guidance:
  • Blind Man: “It’s a funny thing. I just followed the dog and I didn’t bump into one seat. Guess the dog knew where I was going better than I did myself.” (06:15)
• The Spark of Inspiration: John realizes Checko might be trained to lead the blind, planting the seed for what would become the guide dog movement.

3. Training for Guide Dog Work (07:08–09:54)

• Sharing the Vision: Back home, John shares the idea with his wife Genevieve, who initially finds it far-fetched.
  • Genevieve: “Train dogs to lead the blind? Why, John, what do you expect of a dog? … That’s the most impossible…” (08:46)
• Persistence Despite Doubts: John devises a training course, using obstacles, mud puddles, and barricades, persistently working day and night. His main challenge: getting Checko to avoid puddles, which he only recently overcomes.

4. Breakthrough and Success (10:34–12:02)

• Moment of Triumph: Marvin, John’s son, is blindfolded and led through the obstacle course by Checko without a single mishap.
  • John: “I tell you, I found the secret of making a dog understand that he is the leader instead of the one being led.” (11:13)
  • Genevieve: “Oh, John, how wonderful!” (11:24)
• Marvin affirms he didn’t peek, crediting Checko’s intelligence and training.

5. The Broader Legacy (12:02–12:36)

• Celebrating Checko: John recognizes Checko for igniting a movement to help thousands:
  • John: “You will have been the first tiny flame which will grow until it can light the way for those who walk in darkness.” (12:02)

6. Master Eye Foundation Message (12:59–14:04)

• Don Ameche’s Appeal: After the drama, Don Ameche describes the Master Eye Foundation, which provides trained guide dogs at no cost to the blind, regardless of background.
  • “It costs the foundation over fifteen hundred dollars to raise and train a Master Eye guide dog. Thousands of blind people need Master Eye dogs. You can help light the way for those who walk in darkness.” (13:21)
• Call to Action: Donations are encouraged to support this cause (Minneapolis 2, Minnesota).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Genevieve on dog prosthetics: “Oh, John, it just couldn't be done. A dog wouldn't wear it.” (03:50)
• Blind Man’s amazement: “It’s a funny thing. I just followed the dog and I didn’t bump into one seat. Guess the dog knew where I was going better than I did myself.” (06:15)
• John’s realization: “Don’t you see? What it’d mean if I could train dogs to lead the blind.” (08:35)
• Breakthrough: “I found the secret of making a dog understand that he is the leader instead of the one being led.” (11:13)
• Celebrating Checko’s legacy: “You will have been the first tiny flame which will grow until it can light the way for those who walk in darkness.” (12:02)
• Don Ameche’s closing message: “Do your share to light the way for those who walk in darkness. Send that donation today to Master Eye, Minneapolis 2 Minnesota.” (13:50)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:32 Introduction & sponsor, story setup by Rudd Weatherwax
• 01:27 Don Ameche introduces the real-life inspiration
• 02:24 Checko introduced, suffers injury
• 03:39 Artificial limb discussion
• 05:12 Encounter with blind man on the train, pivotal moment
• 06:30 John devises the guide dog idea
• 09:33 John’s doubts and persistence through training
• 11:08 Success: Checko leads Marvin flawlessly through the course
• 12:02 Acknowledging Checko’s impact
• 12:59 Don Ameche’s appeal for the Master Eye Foundation

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Additional Notes

• Host Tone: Warm, earnest, with a touch of earnest 1940s-50s sentimentality.
• Episode Style: Family-friendly, inspirational, dramatized narrative with light moral overtones.
• Guest Star: Don Ameche’s classic radio warmth adds gravitas to the advocacy segment.

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Summary

“His Master’s Eyes” on Lassie celebrates the origins of guide dogs for the blind, dramatizing the ingenuity and dedication that sparked a movement. Through Checko’s injury and John L. Sinikin’s compassion, the episode illustrates how adversity can inspire innovation, ultimately leading to life-changing service for thousands of blind Americans. The storytelling remains heartwarming and optimistic, emphasizing that every small act of kindness or insight may light a path for many.

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Transcript

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[Announcer/Commercial Voice]

Lassie, the world's most famous dog, and Red Heart, America's favorite dog food team up for the Lassie Show. Guest 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 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, Rud Weatherwax.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

Thank you, Charlie. And hello everyone. Well, today Lassie plays a part of a German shepherd dog named Cho in a true story entitled His Master's Eye. And to help us tell this true story, Lassie has a very special guest, Don Ameche.

[Narrator/John]

Thank you, Rud. I'm honored at this opportunity to impersonate Mr. John L. Sinikin, who through the inspiration of his dog Checo, conceived the idea which has resulted in the institution known today as the Master Eye Foundation, a non profit organization which furnishes guide dogs without cost to the blind all over America. Our story begins shortly after World War I.

[Marvin]

Chima. Dad was sure right about these German shepherds. Don't you just love Checko, Ma?

[Genevieve]

Yes, Marvin, I do, dear. Look, there's a big strange dog in with the cat.

[Narrator/John]

Hoe, Mother.

[Marvin]

Checko boy.

[Narrator/John]

Go get him.

[Marvin]

Get him, boy. Come on, Mom. Marvin, what'll we do? Oh goodness. That huge dog will kill you. Quick one, quick. Help me. Watch him. Snow. Oh boy. Good dog, Cho. Mom, did you see that? He made that big mutt run. I told you, Cho.

[Genevieve]

Marvin.

[Marvin]

Marvin. Something's wrong with Cho. His paw. It's going to be torn from his leg.

[Genevieve]

Oh, quick, run back and get the wheelbarrow. We'll have to get into the house

[Marvin]

and call the doctor. Hurry, Marvin. Hur.

[Genevieve]

What are you chuckling at, John?

[Narrator/John]

Oh, just watching old Checko out there in the yard playing with Marvin. Gets around pretty spry on those three paws. Poor old Griffel.

[Genevieve]

I know. I've got more coffee. There.

[Narrator/John]

Nothing. So you know, Genevieve, since the war, so much has been done in the way of making artificial limbs and feet. I wonder why someone hasn't tried to make the same. Helps for injured animals.

[Genevieve]

Oh, John, it just couldn't be done. A dog wouldn't wear it.

[Narrator/John]

You've always said Cheko could be trained to do almost anything. Why couldn't he be made to use an artificial foot? That is, if we had one.

[Genevieve]

Don't you think he'd chew the straps and try to get it off?

[Narrator/John]

He might. But if it did work, my heat attract a lot of attention at the dog show. With an artificial limb? Well, you know, it might save a lot of other good dogs from being destroyed because of those same kind of injuries. No. Quiet. Quiet, Checkering. Quiet. I promised the conductor you wouldn't make a sound. Now be quiet. Oh, I know. You want a drink of water, huh? Well, come on. Beg your pardon. I didn't see you coming down the aisle.

[Blind Man]

Not at all. It's my fault, really.

[Narrator/John]

I can't see.

[Blind Man]

I'm blind. Always stumbling over someone.

[Narrator/John]

Oh, I'm sorry. Can I help? Not. Quiet. Quiet. Checko.

[Blind Man]

Is that a dog you have there?

[Narrator/John]

Yes. I got special permission to keep him with me on the train. You see, he's sort of handicapped too. He wears an artificial paw.

[Blind Man]

An artificial paw, did you say?

[Narrator/John]

Yes, and he lost one front foot in a fight. I had this artificial one made, and it's worked out so well I'm taking him to the dog show along with two springer spaniels. I'm showing. I hope to demonstrate how well a dog can get along on an artificial limb.

[Blind Man]

Oh, that's wonderful. May I pet him?

[Narrator/John]

Oh, sure. He'd love it. Come on, Checko. Then I'll stand, boy.

[Blind Man]

Hello there, old fella.

[Narrator/John]

He's a German shepherd. Quite a few of them coming into the country now.

[Blind Man]

Oh, I know. I saw a good many of them in Germany before I lost my. Before I was wounded.

[Narrator/John]

Oh, you lost your eyes in the war.

[Blind Man]

Yes. You were going down the aisle with your dog. Yeah.

[Narrator/John]

Just take him down for a drink.

[Blind Man]

Well, may I walk him to the end of the car?

[Narrator/John]

Just for fun? Of course. Here.

[Announcer/Commercial Voice]

Here's the leash, Checko.

[Narrator/John]

Let's go. Go ahead. No, don't be quiet now. I'll just go ahead and he'll follow.

[Blind Man]

Oh, good dog.

[Narrator/John]

Here's the leash.

[Blind Man]

And thanks a million. You know, it's a funny thing. I just followed the dog and I didn't Bump into one seat. Guess the dog knew where I was going better than I did myself.

[Narrator/John]

Yes, I noticed he did, didn't he? Ledger straight down the aisle. You know, I'm getting an idea, and if it works out, I. Oh, it's got to work out.

[Marvin]

Marvin, come quick. Your dad's home. Oh, goodness.

[Genevieve]

I'm glad you're home, John.

[Narrator/John]

Sure good to be home, honey.

[Marvin]

Oh, dear.

[Genevieve]

How did you do at the show? Did you win anything? Where's Checo? Did he fall out with you?

[Narrator/John]

Hey, wait. Wait just a minute, honey. You tell me. How are things around here?

[Genevieve]

Everything's fine, dear.

[Narrator/John]

Good, good.

[Genevieve]

We missed you, though.

[Narrator/John]

Oh, well, I'm glad. How is Marvin?

[Announcer/Commercial Voice]

Oh. Oh, here he comes. Well, how is my big boy?

[Marvin]

Don't put me down, Pa. Well, how's Checkle, Pop? Did you show him at the show?

[Narrator/John]

I sure did, son.

[Announcer/Commercial Voice]

I'll tell you all about it later.

[Narrator/John]

Right now, I want you to get him out of the truck. Also, take Alvin bright boy out of the crates and put him back in the kennels with the other dogs and see that they're all fed and watered. Will you do that first?

[Marvin]

Oh, sure, Pa.

[Narrator/John]

Okay. Come on.

[Announcer/Commercial Voice]

There.

[Narrator/John]

I just can't wait to tell you. Let's sit on the back steps.

[Marvin]

Oh, hello, Cho. Good boy.

[Genevieve]

Sounds like Checko's glad to be home, too. Well, come on, sit down, John, and tell me all about it. What did you win?

[Narrator/John]

Well, Alva La Salle got the third ribbon in the open class, and Bright boy got the fourth ribbon in the field trials.

[Genevieve]

Oh, gosh, I. I don't think that's much to get excited.

[Narrator/John]

Oh, no, no. Of course it isn't, honey. That's not what I'm excited about. I'm excited about a great new idea. And it was Checko that gave it to me.

[Genevieve]

An idea? Checko?

[Narrator/John]

Yeah, yeah. Listen, we were on the train. I started to get out of the seat to get Checko a drink, and in so doing, I bumped into a blind man we visited. You know, he lost his eyes in the war. He loved dogs, and he kind of made a fuss over Checko. And then he asked if he could take the leash and lead him the length of the car. And the miracle was that Cheko led him. He didn't bump into one single seat.

[Genevieve]

Well, I don't get it. What possible.

[Narrator/John]

Well, don't you see, dear? Here I've been raising springer spaniels, teaching them to hunt, teaching them to retrieve, showing a few and selling a few for what? Don't you see? What it'd mean if I could train dogs to lead the blind.

[Genevieve]

Train dogs to lead the blind? Why, John, what do you expect of a dog? Why, that's the most impossible.

[Narrator/John]

No, it is not, Genevieve. I, I, I tell you, I've got it all figured out. All I gotta do is work out a training technique that'll make a dog understand that he is the leader instead of the one being led. And I know how to do that too. I'm gonna blindfold Marvin. Then I'll lay out an obstacle course. I'll use Checko to work out the technique. I'm, I'm sure German shepherds are the dogs for this job. Oh, I know it'll work. It. It's just got to work.

[Genevieve]

John, I thought you were working with the dog. What are you sitting here for?

[Narrator/John]

Oh, I don't know. Sometimes I think I'm getting nowhere.

[Genevieve]

But last night, you were quite enthusiastic.

[Narrator/John]

Yeah. Yeah. He'll turn aside at the barricades. But those mud puddles, he just walks right straight through them logs in the ground. He jumps over them. Blind man would fall on his face a dozen times. Have he tried to follow Cheko through this obstacle course?

[Genevieve]

But you said last night he'd hold anybody to the course.

[Narrator/John]

Oh, sure he will. But like I said, when he comes to a barricade, he walks around it nicely. Then when he comes to a mud puddle, he'll walk you right straight through it. That's a part of the training technique I just can't seem to work out. Oh, honey, if you could have seen Checo on that train walking so carefully down the aisle. The train was swaying too. But he seemed to know. He seemed to realize that a blind man held his leash. And then he had to walk exactly in the center of that aisle. I don't know. Maybe. I expect two months, four months. Now I work nighttime, daytime.

[Genevieve]

John, look. Checko. Standing at the first barrier of your obstacle course. He wants to try again. He likes your game of blind man's buff. Marvin, put on the blindfold. Your father's going to try it again. Okay, do go on. John. Cecco's asking you to try it again. Don't give up, dear.

[Narrator/John]

Genevieve. Genevieve, come here quick, will you?

[Genevieve]

John, what's wrong?

[Narrator/John]

Nothing's wrong. Checker just let Marvin blindfold to the full length of the obstacle course without one fault. Come on. Watch. Watch. They're just about to come back through the course. I tell you, I found the secret of making a dog understand that he is the leader instead of the one being Led. I want you to see this.

[Marvin]

Oh, John, how wonderful.

[Announcer/Commercial Voice]

Now watch him.

[Narrator/John]

Watch him. Okay, Marvin, come ahead. Now watch him. But there, you see that?

[Marvin]

Yes.

[Narrator/John]

See, he took Marvin right around that barricade without a bit of trouble. It's a big mud puddle ahead. That's always worried me, but not anymore. Oh, did you see that? What did I tell you? Look. You see him?

[Marvin]

Pause.

[Announcer/Commercial Voice]

See him? Hold back.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

Genevieve.

[Narrator/John]

I've got it. I've got it. A guide dog for the blind is possible.

[Announcer/Commercial Voice]

Okay, Marvin, take off the blindfold and come here.

[Marvin]

Well, how'd he do, dad?

[Narrator/John]

Wonderful. Just wonderful. Son. Son, you didn't peek under that blindfold, did you?

[Marvin]

Oh, no, honestly, Dad, I couldn't see a thing. It was Cheko.

[Narrator/John]

Ah, Cheko. Cheko, you wonderful old dog. Peg leg in the horrible. You know, if this training technique works with other dogs like yourself, all I know is that the credit will be all yours. Jekyll. You. You will have been the first tiny flame which will grow until it can light the way for those who walk in darkness.

[Announcer/Commercial Voice]

Well, thank you, Lassie, Donna, Betty, Arnold, Jeffrey Silver, Don diamond and Earl Keane. Now, friends, in just a moment, Rudd Weatherwax will be back to tell you about next week's story. But first, John Morrell and Company, makers of three flavor Red Heart dog food, want to turn over their usual commercial time in order that Don Ameche may bring you this important message. Don Ameche.

[Narrator/John]

Friends, the Master Eye foundation is a worthy cause that deserves the support of all. It provides Master Eye guide dogs free to the blind regardless of race or creed. Master Eye is a non profit, non sectarian foundation directed by Bishop Bernard J. Scheele of Chicago. It costs the foundation over fifteen hundred dollars to raise and train a Master Eye guide dog. Thousands of blind people need Master Eye dogs. Now you dog owners can appreciate what a master eyed dog can mean to a blind person. And you can help the blind to own one by sending a donation to Master Eye Foundation, Minneapolis 2 Minnesota. Do your share to light the way for those who walk in darkness. Send that donation today to Master I, Minneapolis 2 Minnesota.

[Announcer/Commercial Voice]

Now, once again, Lassie's owner and trainer, Rudd Weatherwax.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

Next week, Lassie plays a part of a movie dog and a story entitled I Learned Him. Now don't miss it.

[Announcer/Commercial Voice]

Lassie is presented each week at this same time by John Morrell 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 is fed Red Heart exclusively and Lassie's vigorous bark, strong body and fine glossy coat are positive proof that Red Heart is helps keep dogs healthy and happy. Lassie speaks for Red Heart, all three wonderful flavors. Lassie appeared by arrangement with Metro Goldwyn Mayer, who invites 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 Perrin, directed by Harry Stewart. Story of the Hobart Donovan this is Charles Lyon.

[Narrator/John]

Hear that happy hillbilly Judy Canova, tonight on NBC.

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