The Painted Hills
After years of prospecting, Jonathan finally strikes gold. He returns to town only to discover that his partner has since died and left Tommy fatherless. He decides to leave Shep (played by Lassie) with Tommy to cheer him up. Meanwhile, Jonathan's new partner, Lin, isn't interested in sharing the gold, and lures Jonathan to his death. Lassie immediately deduces what's happened, so Lin poisons Lassie. Lassie barely pulls through and pursues Lin to a climactic confrontation where, due to an off-screen accident with some liquid nitrogen, Lin's gun jams.
The Painted Hills, also known as Lassie’s Adventures in the Goldrush, is a 1951 drama film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and directed by Harold F. Kress.
Adapted by True Boardman from Alexander Hull’s novel Shep of the Painted Hills, the film stars Paul Kelly, Bruce Cowling, Ann Doran, and dog actor Pal (credited as “Lassie”) in a story about a collie named Shep who seeks revenge after her master is murdered. Technical advisor Nipo T. Strongheart for Native American topics worked with the Miwok people for their role in the movie.
The Painted Hills was the seventh, and final, MGM Lassie film released.
Plot
A prospector named Jonathan Harvey (Paul Kelly), whose faithful companion is a rough collie named Shep, looks after the family of his late partner, Martha Blake (Ann Doran) and her son Tommy (Gary Gray). After years of digging in the hills of California (where the movie was shot), he finally strikes gold. However, before he can share it with the Blakes, his greedy partner Lin Taylor (Bruce Cowling) kills Jonathan and attempts to lay claim on the gold. He poisons Shep, who nearly dies, and nearly kills Tommy, but ultimately Shep recovers and leads Lin into the mountains, where he falls off a cliff to his death.
Cast
Pal (credited as “Lassie”) as Shep – Hero
Paul Kelly as Jonathan Harvey – Good Oldtime Prospector
Bruce Cowling as Lin Taylor – Gold Fever Bad Partner
Gary Gray as Tommy Blake – Boy
Ann Doran as Martha Blake – Tommy’s Mom
Art Smith as Pilot Pete – Parson
Andrea Virginia Lester as Mita
Chief Yowlachie as Bald Eagle – Indian Vet
Brown Jug Reynolds as Red Wing
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