Lassie Come Home (1943)

Set in depression era England, a family is hit by hard times and are forced to sell their dog Lassie (Pal) much to the distress of their young son (Roddy McDowall). The dog goes with its new owner (Nigel Bruce) to Scotland but he escapes and begins the long trek back to England and the boy he adores. Based on the novel by Eric Knight and directed by Fred M. Wilcox (FORBIDDEN PLANET). One of the greatest animal movies ever made and if you don't tear up at the finale, well ..... something's lacking in you! You don't have to be an animal lover to enjoy this moving film and it's a perfect family film that doesn't hoke it up for the children and condescend to the adults. Lassie's adventures on the way home include two emotionally charged sequences: the brief respite with an elderly couple (Dame May Whitty, Ben Webster) and his interval with a traveling tinker (Edmund Gwenn) and his pooch. A huge hit that spawned six sequels in the 1940s alone. With Elizabeth Taylor (only 11 years old but already well on her way to becoming a legendary beauty), Donald Crisp, Elsa Lanchester and Alan Napier.