Lassie - Reprieve

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: Lassie – “Reprieve”

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Lassie – Reprieve
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Air Date: May 16, 2026

---

Episode Overview

“Reprieve” is a touching, classic Lassie radio drama set in a bustling tenement, focusing on themes of compassion, family, and justice. The episode follows the struggles of young Timmy and his loyal dog, Mike (played by Lassie), as they’re caught in the machinery of municipal rules and politics after an unfortunate mishap. The story highlights how acts of kindness, courage, and a re-examining of the rules can lead to mercy and hope even in hard times.

---

Key Discussion Points & Major Scenes

1. A Family in Trouble (01:27–02:44)

• The O’Malley family—Ma and her sons, Timmy and Stevie—are in their small tenement. Timmy is hiding after his dog, Mike, causes accidental damage at a fruit stand.
• The dog catcher arrives, seeking a “little kid...black and white dog.” He insists Mike owes $15 for property damages and a license fee. If unpaid, Mike will be put down in 48 hours.
• Ma: “I’d hate for the dog catcher to be getting him.” (03:01)

2. Facing the Authorities (03:34–04:25)

• Stevie and Timmy go to the pound, trying to raise enough money to free Mike, but they are short by a big margin. The dog catcher lays out the grim consequences:
  • Dog Catcher: “Unless you pay...you only have 48 hours.” (04:09)
  • Stevie: “He gets the gas chamber.” (04:28)
  • Timmy: “No! You can’t kill my Mike!” (04:32)

3. Desperate Measures & Frustration with Justice (05:47–07:38)

• The boys attempt to raise money by selling newspapers. News headlines describe a notorious criminal (“Keller”) who is about to receive a governor’s reprieve—a pointed parallel to Mike's fate.
  • Stevie: “Killer, a lousy crook...but does he get the chair? Course not. Governor’s gonna give him a reprieve. But your mutt tips over a fruit stand and right away they’re gonna croak him.” (06:06)
• Timmy, drawing inspiration from the headlines, hatches a desperate plan:
  • Timmy: “You think the governor could give Mike a reprieve?” (06:53)

4. The Governor’s Dilemma (08:05–09:13)

• At the governor’s home, a moral debate unfolds about whether granting reprieves is political maneuvering or genuine justice.
  • Governor’s wife: “But to be reelected, must you consort with known criminals?” (08:44)
  • Governor: “The men behind Keller represent a powerful political faction...is the electrocution of one man more important than my work to a truly good state government?” (08:48)

5. Timmy’s Bold Appeal (09:28–11:06)

• Timmy travels (by hopping a freight train) to the governor’s home, seeking help for his dog.
  • Timmy: “He’s so crooked he can’t lay straight in bed. Any guy that can spring a mutt like Kelly...is a crooked politician.” (10:02, referring to public perception)
  • Governor, moved, agrees to take Timmy back to the city: “You’ve seen him, son. Hop in the car.” (11:06)

6. A Thanksgiving Reprieve (11:20–12:24)

• The family gathers happily—the governor has sent both a turkey and a reprieve for Mike, sparing the dog.
  • Ma: “It was me that didn’t even know it was thanksgiving until this great turkey arrived with the governor’s own calling card.” (11:36)
  • Stevie: “The people who buy papers sure think a lot more of the governor since he didn’t give that Keller a reprieve.” (11:53)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On society’s double standards:
  • Stevie: “Killer...does he get the chair? Course not...But your mutt tips over a fruit stand and right away they’re gonna croak him.” (06:06)
• A child’s faith in political power:
  • Timmy: “You think the governor could give Mike a reprieve?” (06:53)
• On civic duty vs. personal morality:
  • Governor: “Is the electrocution of one man more important than my work to a truly good state government?” (08:48)
• Timmy’s hard-knock worldview:
  • Timmy: “He’s so crooked he can’t lay straight in bed...” (10:02)
• Warmth and gratitude in hardship:
  • Ma: “It was me that didn’t even know it was thanksgiving until this great turkey arrived with the governor’s own calling card...” (11:36)
• Optimism for the future:
  • Stevie: “The people who buy papers sure think a lot more of the governor since he didn’t give that Keller a reprieve.” (11:53)

---

Important Timestamps & Segments

• 01:27–02:44: Dog catcher visits the O’Malley home
• 03:34–04:25: Boys try to bargain for Mike’s release at the pound
• 06:06–07:38: Debate over reprieves and what justice means
• 08:05–09:13: Governor discusses the reprieve with his wife
• 09:28–11:06: Timmy’s journey to the governor; their conversation
• 11:20–12:24: Thanksgiving, turkey, and gratitude after the reprieve

---

Episode Tone & Language

The episode weaves street-smart dialogue from the boys (“we couldn’t make that much moolah together in a year”) and Ma’s gentle Irish warmth into a tale both hard-boiled and heartwarming. The show’s language reflects working-class New York, with gritty realism punctuated by hope, humor, and the innocence of a child’s plea for his best friend.

---

Closing Note

“Reprieve” is a quintessential old-time radio drama—an emotional rollercoaster that uses the familiar bond of a boy and his dog to cast light on themes of justice, mercy, and community. For modern listeners, it’s a stirring reminder that sometimes, the biggest changes can come from the smallest voices.

Transcript

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Forget whatever plans you have this weekend because you're staying at home and playing on spinquest. And there's never been a better time to sign up than right now. New users get $30 coin packs for just $10. All the table games you love, with hundreds of slot games and real cash Prizes. That's at spinquest.com S P I N Q U-S-T.com Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Lassie Show Announcer]

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 has 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.

[Narrator]

Thank you, Charlie. And hello everyone. Today, Lassie plays a part of a mutt, a sweet, friendly mutt named Mike in a story entitled Reprieve. Our story began one November evening in the walk up tenement flat of Molly o' Malley and her two young sons on the east side of one of the world's great cities.

[Stevie]

I'm Henry. Can we eat now? My head.

[Timmy]

Can we?

[Ma (Mother)]

No sense in waiting, Timmy. It'll be along or answer that stuff.

[Dog Catcher]

Yeah, I'm looking for a boy and a dog. A little kid, wears brown corduroy britches and a blue sweater, Black and white dog?

[Stevie]

Yeah. What makes you think he's here?

[Dog Catcher]

Well, people say he lives here.

[Timmy]

No.

[Ma (Mother)]

Then what's all this?

[Stevie]

It's nothing, Ma. This guy's looking for a kid and a dog. What for do you want the kid?

[Dog Catcher]

Mister, I'm from the dog pound. The kid tied the dog's leash to the leg of Tony Vitucci's fruit stand while he played ball. Dog busted the leg off and smashed $12 worth of fruit. And besides, the dog's got no license. It's 15 bucks. The kid's got a cough up.

[Stevie]

Oh, yeah? Well, you don't see no kid, no dog here, mister. Better keep hunting.

[Dog Catcher]

No need to get tough, kid. I'm just working.

[Timmy]

No.

[Ma (Mother)]

Then, Stevie, the man's right. But I think myself, mister, you'd be in better business hunting for somebody else. So good Night to you.

[Dog Catcher]

I'll go, but I'll get that dog yet.

[Timmy]

Stevie, do you think that was Timmy

[Ma (Mother)]

and Mike tipped over Tony's Fruit stand?

[Stevie]

Of course it was. He's always got a tie, Mike, to something. Cause he chases the ball and won't give it up.

[Ma (Mother)]

Oh, Lord, love the foolish dog. But I'd hate for the dog catcher to be getting him.

[Timmy]

Oh, sure.

[Ma (Mother)]

And I wonder where they are.

[Timmy]

Hey. Hey, what's that?

[Stevie]

Mike, where are they?

[Timmy]

Hi. Is he gone?

[Stevie]

Sam. Hey, what are you doing hiding in the clothes closet?

[Timmy]

I'm from the dog catcher. Is he gone? Good.

[Ma (Mother)]

Glory be hiding in the closet all the time.

[Dog Catcher]

Yes, boys, what can I do for you?

[Timmy]

You want my dog, mister?

[Stevie]

Wait a minute, Timmy. Look, mister, we come to spring the kid's mud hay. He's kind of medium big mother, black and white, and kind of half long, half short hair. You got him? Oh, yeah.

[Dog Catcher]

He was brought in about an hour ago. You got the money?

[Newsboy]

Yeah.

[Stevie]

Here's the three bucks.

[Dog Catcher]

I'm sorry, son. It'll be a little more than that. You know, I told you that dog tipped over a fruit stand. And the proprietors entered the claim for damages. That's $12 plus the license fee.

[Stevie]

15 bucks, eh? Oh, mister, me and the kid here couldn't make that much moolah together in a year.

[Dog Catcher]

Son, I'm sorry, but unless you pay a dog license fee and pay for that damage, my hands are tied. And you only have 48 hours, by the way.

[Timmy]

Huh?

[Stevie]

We only got 48 hours. Two days.

[Dog Catcher]

That's right.

[Timmy]

Then what happens, son?

[Dog Catcher]

I might as well tell you. The dog is put away.

[Stevie]

Yeah, kid, he gets the gas chamber.

[Timmy]

Oh, no. You can't kill my Mike. He didn't do nothing.

[Dog Catcher]

Son, I'm sorry. It ain't me. It's the law.

[Stevie]

Yeah, the law hate. Come on, kid, let's scram.

[Timmy]

No, no. I want to see Michael first.

[Dog Catcher]

That you can, son. He's in the first cage right through that door.

[Stevie]

Hurry, Timmy. We gotta get back to the newsstand.

[Timmy]

Oh, my.

[Stevie]

What? What?

[Timmy]

Gee, Mich, what are we gonna do? It ain't your fault. You didn't do anything. It's my fault. I shouldn't have tied you to the fruit stand. But I didn't mean to do nothing, Mike. Guy says if I don't get 15 bucks, they'll give you the chamber. But I'll get it, Mike. I'll spring you on a spike. I'll get it somewhere.

[Newsboy]

Hey, you. Paper. What do you read? Hey, what do you read? Governor expected to sign calorie free. Read all about it.

[Stevie]

Hey, Timmy, wake up. Get hustling, will you?

[Timmy]

Oh, Stevie, I don't feel like working.

[Stevie]

Yeah, I know, kid.

[Newsboy]

What do you read? Hey, Governor expected to sign Keller reprieve. Read all about it.

[Dog Catcher]

Sure.

[Stevie]

Look at this killer. A lousy crook. Killed plenty of guys and everybody knows it. But does he get the chair? Course not. Governor's gonna give him a reprieve. But your mutt tips over a fruit stand and right away they're gonna croak him.

[Timmy]

Yeah, but what? I could pay Tony back maybe. Maybe if he'd give me a couple months.

[Stevie]

Give you nuts? What do you read?

[Newsboy]

Hey, here it is. Read all about reprieve. Brickella.

[Stevie]

Like when Powell was living, he was ward healing in this ward. He told me plenty of times. Stevie, he says, get yourself on the good side of a crooked politician and you're all set.

[Newsboy]

Read all about it. Hey, what do you read?

[Timmy]

Hey, yeah, that's what I gotta do. Stevie, how do you get friends with a crooked partition?

[Stevie]

How do I know?

[Newsboy]

Read all about it. Governor expected to sign calorie free.

[Timmy]

Hey, you think the governor could. Could give Mike a. A receive?

[Stevie]

Hey, wait for your change, Mr. Hick.

[Dog Catcher]

Yeah, looks like the governor sure tied

[Lassie Show Announcer]

up with those crooks.

[Dog Catcher]

Thanks.

[Timmy]

Hey, where's the governor, Stevie? Huh?

[Stevie]

Huh? He's downstairs.

[Timmy]

Hey, can we go and see Miss Stevie, can't we?

[Stevie]

Hay you nuts? Costs plenty of dough to go on a train.

[Timmy]

We can have a freight.

[Stevie]

Don't be nuts, kid.

[Newsboy]

Read all about it. A government expected to sign Calerie Brave. What do you mean? Hey, Timmy. Hey, where'd that kid go?

[Timmy]

Sam.

[Ma (Mother)]

Carl, you aren't going to that meeting in the city, really, are you?

[Governor]

Sarah, I must. I promise to attend the meeting.

[Ma (Mother)]

Then you are planning to sign that reprieve for Keller, as they say.

[Governor]

I haven't made up my mind, dear. I. I'm still running things over in my mind.

[Ma (Mother)]

But, Carl, you yourself have said a dozen times that Keller is a vicious criminal. He has a dozen murders to his discredit, yet this is the first time the courts have been able to convict him. Now, with one signature, you wipe out all their work.

[Governor]

Sarah, you know my plans for good government. You know how hard I've worked and want to keep on working for better government in this state. And to continue, I must ensure my re election.

[Ma (Mother)]

But to be re elected, must you consort with known criminals?

[Governor]

Sarah, the men behind Keller represent a powerful political faction. So is the electrocution now of one man more Important than my work to a truly good state government.

[Ma (Mother)]

Yes, and the people would agree with me.

[Governor]

Perhaps you're right. But I'll attend the meeting, see what they have to say. Nothing can be lost by that. Good night, dear.

[Ma (Mother)]

Good night, Carl.

[Timmy]

Hey, mister.

[Governor]

Oh, what is it, son?

[Timmy]

Where can I find this guy? The governor. They said this was his house.

[Governor]

Well, perhaps it is. What did you want for the governor?

[Timmy]

Well, I gotta talk to him. He's the only guy who can spring somewhere that's gonna get knocked off.

[Lassie Show Announcer]

What?

[Governor]

What did you say, son?

[Timmy]

Well, it's like this, see. Before he died, my old man used to be a ward healer in the city. He always said you gotta know a crooked politician to get anything done.

[Governor]

Oh, I see. What makes you think the governor is a crooked politician?

[Timmy]

Aw, look, mister, he's so crooked he can't lay straight in bed. Any guy that can spring a mud like Kelly that's knocked out plenty guys is a crooked politician.

[Governor]

But the governor hasn't signed that reprieve for Keller yet.

[Timmy]

Nah, but he's gonna. I sell papers on 6th and 13th and the headline says the governor's gonna sign the receive. Everybody says that when they buy them papers. Sure, the governor's tied up with them crooks now. I figure if he can give that moita a receive, he ought to be able to spring my dog, huh, mister?

[Governor]

Spring your dog? Oh, yes, I understand. Where is your dog?

[Timmy]

Well, he's in stur in the city dog pound on 14th Street. And if I don't have 15 bucks by tomorrow, they turn on the gas.

[Governor]

Son, how did you get down here from the city?

[Timmy]

I'll hop the freight.

[Dog Catcher]

A freight? A tyke?

[Governor]

As little as you. Look, son, I'm driving to the city tonight. I'll take you back. Hop in the car there.

[Timmy]

I gotta see the governor.

[Governor]

You've seen him, son. Hop in the car.

[Timmy]

Speak, Mark, speak. Hey, nix, nix.

[Stevie]

Shut up that much.

[Ma (Mother)]

Please, boys, be more quiet with you.

[Stevie]

Well, he's all the time making a dog bark.

[Ma (Mother)]

Sure, Stevie. And it's good to be hearing old Mike bark when he thought he was a goner.

[Rudd Weatherwax / Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Oh, my.

[Ma (Mother)]

My Mike's got a lot to be thankful for. And it was me that didn't even know it was thanksgiving until this great turkey arrived with the governor's own calling card on it with a note to.

[Timmy]

Well, what does it say, ma?

[Ma (Mother)]

Well, it don't make sense to me. It says in appreciation of Mike, who proved once again that a dog is man's best friend.

[Stevie]

Gee, that don't make no sense to me either. But I do know one thing. The people who buy papers sure think a lot more of the governor since he didn't give that Keller a reprieve.

[Timmy]

Hey, Ma, ain't the turkey nearly done?

[Ma (Mother)]

I'd be carving it in five minutes.

[Stevie]

Gee, that's swell, Ma.

[Timmy]

He.

[Stevie]

I want nothing but white meat.

[Timmy]

Oh, yeah, or if there's anything else you want, Stevie. Remember me and Mike? We got influenza with the governor.

[Lassie Show Announcer]

Thank you, Lassie. Ruth Parrott, Tommy Bernard, Marvin Miller, Jeffrey Silver and Earl Keane. Now friends, in just a moment, Rud Weatherwax will be back to tell you about next week's story. But first, a word from our star. Say, Lassie, you know I have a little story of my own. It was told me by a friend who has a cocker spaniel. Now, some months ago, his neighbor got a dog too. An Irish setter. Well, that poor dog just wasn't getting enough to eat. He was all skin and bones. So when my friend fed his cocker, and you can bet he feeds him red heart, why, he'd put out a dish of red heart for the neighbor's dog too. Well, it wasn't long before the Irish setter was back to normal. His hips were well covered and he had a nice glossy coat. Only my friend didn't feel he could go on feeding the dog. But at the same time, he knew the setter would be back on a starvation diet unless something was done. So he took three cans of red heart over to his neighbor and very innocently said, I've been noticing that fine dog of yours. Just thought you might like to try feeding him red heart. I think it's the best dog food there is. Well, from then on, the neighbor has fed that setter Red Heart every day. And now he's a healthy, happy dog. Because like all dogs, he likes red heart and gets more from Red Heart. Lassie knows Red Heart is federally inspected. Fresh, moist meat and wholesome meat by products with those health giving vitamins and minerals every dog needs. It comes in three wonderful flavors. Feed them to your dog in rotation. The A diet beef flavor, the B diet fish flavor. The sea diet cheese flavor. So he can enjoy a different flavor every day. Lassie speaks for Red Heart. All three wonderful flavors. And now again, here's Lassie's owner and trainer, Rudd Weatherwax.

[Narrator]

Next week, Lassie plays a part of a dog named Cellmate in a prison story entitled the Chaplain's Dog. Now, don't miss it.

[Lassie Show Announcer]

Lassie is presented this week at the same time by John Morell and company, makers of free 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 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 Baron, directed by Harry Stewart. Story by Hobart Donovan this Charles LYON There's a $26,000 jackpot on Hollywood calling tomorrow on NBC.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

I'm here with spinquest where you can play and win from the comfort of your own home with hundreds of slot games and all of the table games you love with real cash prizes. Right now, $30 coin packs are on sale for $10 for new users. It's [e-mail] that's s p I n q u s t.com Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited.

[Rudd Weatherwax / Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Visit spinquest.com for more details. Liberty Mutual customizes your car and home insurance. And now we're customizing this rush hour ad to keep you calm, which could help your driving. And science says therapy is great for a healthy mindset, so enjoy this 14 second session on us. I think you've done everything right and absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, anything that hasn't gone your way could probably be blamed on your father not being emotionally available because his father wasn't emotionally available, and so on. And now that you're calm and healing, you're probably driving better too.