Lassie - Miss Flash Pointer

Summary

Podcast Summary: Lassie – Miss Flash Pointer

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

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Overview

This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio brings listeners the classic radio drama “Lassie: Miss Flash Pointer,” a heartwarming and humorous tale from radio’s golden age. The story stands out for using the voices of the family dogs, offering a canny look at pride, rivalry, and friendship told from their perspective. It’s a nostalgic venture into vintage entertainment—before the TV era—mixing gentle moral lessons with plenty of classic radio comedy. The show concludes with the weekly Red Heart Award for Valor, highlighting a real-life act of canine heroism.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. Introducing Lassie's New Role (00:30–02:14)

• The episode begins with Rudd Weatherwax (Lassie’s owner and trainer) introducing this week's story. Lassie takes on the role of Miss Flash, a proud young pointer, who is about to meet her match in wisdom and wit with an older English bulldog named Muggsy.
• Quote (Rudd Weatherwax, 01:52):
  “Well, Lassie today plays a part of a handsome young pointer named Ms. Flash, whose pride led her to a fall.”

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2. A New Dog In the Family (02:14–05:38)

• Dick Winters informs his wife Millie he's bringing home a prized hunting dog, Flash, much to their son Billy's concern—especially about the fate of his prize petunias and the resident bulldog, Mugsy.
• There’s playful family banter about dog care, space, and training. The decision is made to keep both dogs together, with hopes they’ll get along.
• Quote (Billy Winters, 02:30):
  “We haven’t room for another dog kennel in the backyard.”
• Miss Flash (pointer) and Mugsy (bulldog) exchange dog-to-dog banter, sizing each other up and settling in as kennel mates.

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3. Canine Rivalry and Training Woes (05:39–09:54)

• Training begins, and Flash struggles, seemingly out of her league. Muggsy jests about the eccentricities of their human, “old Knucklehead,” and the daily routines of dog life.
• The dogs exchange classic comedic one-liners rooted in misunderstanding:
  Quote (Mugsy, 07:19):
  “Listen, brother, don’t you call me a heel.”
  Quote (Flash, 07:24):
  “Get lost. I’m not calling you a name. He wants you to walk at his side. That’s called walking at heels.”
• As Flash attempts to train, Muggsy boasts about quickly winning over the humans and even threatens that Flash may be “replaced” as the favorite.

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4. A Trick, A Mishap, and a Lesson Learned (09:55–12:03)

• Jealousy and insecurity lead Flash to teach Muggsy a “wrong” interpretation of the fetch command—telling Muggsy to bury the ball in the prize petunia bed.
• The result is chaos: Muggsy ruins the garden, leading to human exasperation and the threat that he’ll need to return to his previous owner.
• The dogs reconcile:
  Quote (Mugsy, 11:25):
  “That was a dirty trick you pulled telling me to bury the ball in the flower bed…”
  Quote (Flash, 11:32):
  “You came in here and shot off your big bark about how you were going to take over this place. I got to protect my job.”
• The exchange leads to mutual understanding as Flash confides that she made the same mistakes as a new dog years ago.

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5. Enduring Bonds & Red Heart Award (12:03–14:25)

• Flash comforts Muggsy, pointing out that everyone—humans and dogs—make mistakes, and the family always forgives in the end.
• Quote (Flash, 12:05):
  “Well, just the same thing as you did. Dug up the petunias. Only that year it was geraniums. Ruth tasted lousy, too.”
• The episode then transitions to the Red Heart Award for Valor.
• Rudd Weatherwax presents the award to Skipper, a collie from Michigan, who alerted his family to a fire, saving the lives of five children.
• Quote (Narrator, 13:46):
  “When fire broke out in the rear of the home… Skipper… awakened his master… in time to save his five little brothers.”

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Comic banter about petunias and flower beds (09:54–11:30):
  Muggsy hilariously ruins the prize petunias due to a mischievous fetch lesson.
• Teaching by tough love:
  The older dog’s playful sabotage leads to a lesson in humility and empathy—one dog passing on the wisdom of adaptation and forgiveness.
• Red Heart Award Story (13:40–14:18):
  Heartwarming real-life heroism brings the show to a touching close.

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:30–01:52 — Opening narration and sponsor message
• 01:52–02:14 — Introduction by Rudd Weatherwax, Lassie’s role explained
• 02:14–05:38 — Family debate: new dog arrives, kennel drama begins
• 05:39–09:54 — Kennel banter, training session mishaps, canine rivalry
• 09:55–11:30 — The petunia incident: the fetch trick and fallout
• 11:30–12:03 — Dogs reconcile, lessons shared
• 13:40–14:18 — Red Heart Award for Valor: Skipper’s heroism

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Tone & Style

Throughout, the episode maintains the warm, lightly comic style characteristic of mid-century family radio. Dialogue between canine characters is witty and affectionate, showing both playful rivalry and camaraderie. The sponsor messaging blends seamlessly with the story, using the language and pacing of classic radio ads.

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Lassie playfully addresses themes of pride, fitting in, and redemption through the lens of two household dogs. Newcomers and classic radio fans alike are reminded of the classic values of understanding and second chances—delivered with gentle humor and genuine heart. The real-life dog hero story at the end gives a moving, memorable close, demonstrating why Lassie remains an enduring symbol of loyalty and love.

Transcript

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[Narrator/Announcer]

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 dog, Lassie in person. 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 them at mealtime when fed in rotation. Yes, those red heart flavors, beef, fish and cheese are flavors all dogs like. And whichever you 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 flavors. 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 Weatherwise.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

Thank you, Charlie, and hello, everyone. Well, Lassie today plays a part of a handsome young pointer named Ms.

[Millie Winters]

Flash, whose pride led her to a fall.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

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.

[Millie 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.

[Billy Winters]

Oh, Dick, another dog.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

We've got Mugsy.

[Millie Winters]

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

[Billy Winters]

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

[Millie Winters]

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

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Dick Winters let that run around the

[Billy Winters]

yard and ruin my prize for Tunia, the village flower show is coming up in two weeks. And this year I'm going to win the prize.

[Millie Winters]

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

[Billy Winters]

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

[Millie Winters]

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

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Goodbye.

[Billy Winters]

Goodbye. Come on, Muggy, back in the kennel for you.

[Millie Winters]

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

[Billy Winters]

Looks like any other dog.

[Millie Winters]

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

[Billy Winters]

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

[Narrator/Announcer]

Put Flash in with mud.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Zing.

[Billy Winters]

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

[Millie Winters]

What do you mean?

[Narrator/Announcer]

We do?

[Billy 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.

[Millie Winters]

Flash. 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 this train.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Oh, cutie.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

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

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Okay. Short, wide and ugly.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

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

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Oh, fine. And have you been here long?

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Nine years.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

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

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Yep. That's old Knucklehead.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Well, why do you call him that?

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Oh, he isn't too bright. Expect some awful silly things of the dog.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

He's going to creep me to hunt.

[Millie Winters]

Hunt?

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Hunt what?

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

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

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

What's wrong with Al?

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

I hate the things. They taste terrible.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

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

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

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

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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

[Millie 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.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

Sid.

[Millie Winters]

Sid, no, don't jump up on me. Sid.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Come to supper, Dick.

[Millie Winters]

Okay, Millie.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Okay. Here, I'll put you back in the kennel.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

See?

[Millie Winters]

I hope she understands better tomorrow.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

What's the matter, girly?

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

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

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Listen, brother, don't you call me a heel.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Well, I don't like him.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Why not?

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

He keeps hitting me in the head with his knees.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Well, wise me up, will ya? What does old stuff Head want me to do?

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Listen carefully. You will be a great hunting dog.

[Millie Winters]

That's right, Flash.

[Billy Winters]

Heel.

[Millie Winters]

Heel. Oh, brother, what a dog. Last night you were so dumb. Today you seem to know everything. Okay, now, one more thing. Now let me take the leash off. There. Now I got a ball. Now, Flash, watch.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm gonna throw the ball

[Millie Winters]

a pitch, Flash, pitch. You didn't get that. Well, we'll try that again tomorrow

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

in

[Millie Winters]

the kennel with Mugsy flag. Oh, man, I'm gonna have the best

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

train spoiler of the day.

[Billy Winters]

Woof.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Hiya, sweetie. How'd you do today?

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

How well? I'm great.

[Billy Winters]

Woof. Huh?

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

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

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Look, let's have no nasty crack. I'll bet you a taste of Red heart that I'm the number one dog around here in a week.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Well, you might be right.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

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.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Oh, well, then I've been a. A dog to him. He's murdered million of them. But I suppose I must give way to a young adult.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Yes, I'm afraid so, John.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

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

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

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

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Oh, that doesn't matter. They don't care. Who's about those petunias?

[Millie Winters]

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

[Billy Winters]

She does seem to do very well

[Rudd Weatherwax]

for such short training.

[Millie Winters]

Flash, here's the ball. You see it?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Now watch.

[Millie Winters]

Flash.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

I'm going to throw the ball.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Look.

[Millie Winters]

Look there, Millie. She's going after the ball.

[Billy Winters]

Oh, isn't that cute?

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Look. There she has it.

[Millie Winters]

Fetch, flag. Fetch. Here she comes with it.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Who's this, huh? Dick, she's jumped into the middle of my petunia.

[Millie Winters]

Oh, no.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Oh, she's digging up my prize petun.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Well, how'd you do today, sister?

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

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

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

What a dirty trick. You came in here and shot off your big bark about how you were going to take over this place. I got to protect my job.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

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.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

Well, okay, kid.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Yeah, but now the lady wants me sent back where I came from.

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Yeah? What did you do?

[Flash (Pointer Dog)]

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

[Narrator/Announcer]

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 word from our star. Hey, Lassie, is it true that every time animals are used in a movie, the SPCA sends over a 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 Weatherwax.

[Rudd Weatherwax]

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

[Narrator/Announcer]

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 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

[Narrator/Announcer]

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.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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 Morrell 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 production of the technicolor musical A Date with Judy. Starring Wallace Beery, Jane Powell and Elizabeth Taylor. This program is produced in Hollywood by Frank Ferris, directed by Harry Story by Hobart Donovan. This is Charles Lyon. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.

[Mugsy (Bulldog)]

Foreign

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