Transition (1957 Lassie TV series episode)

“Transition”
Lassie episode
Lassie and Timmy in the farmyard.
Episode no.	Season 4 Episode 13
Written by	Claire Kennedy
Directed by	Maurice Geraghty
Guest stars	Cloris Leachman Jon Shepodd
Original airdate	Sunday, December 1, 1957
Episode chronology ← Previous Next → "The Tooth" "Timmy's Family"

"Transition" is an episode from the American television program Lassie broadcast Sunday, December 1, 1957 at 7:00 p.m. EST on CBS. The Millers sell the farm and Timmy is adopted. The episode marks the final appearance of Tommy Rettig as Jeff Miller and the introduction of new characters Ruth and Paul Martin. "Transition" is the 13th episode in the show's fourth season, and the 115th episode in the series.

Plot summary

After the death of her father in law, George "Gramps" Miller, Ellen Miller decides to sell the farm and move to Capitol City. Paul and Ruth Martin buy the farm and adopt Timmy, a boy the Millers have provided with a foster home. Jeff Miller, knowing Lassie could never adjust to life in a city, leaves the dog with Timmy when he departs for Capitol City.

Detailed synopsis

Gramps has died unexpectedly. Friends of the family have gathered in the Miller parlor after his funeral. Kind words are offered by all. Jeff excuses himself from his friends to go to Timmy's bedroom and look in on the boy.

Friends gather after the funeral. Birdie Brockway, Doc Weaver, Sheriff Jim Billings, Ellen Miller, and Jenny, the telephone operator.

In Timmy's darkened bedroom, Timmy is abed and tells Jeff he was waiting for someone to hear his prayers. He kneels at the bedside and asks God to take good care of Gramps in Heaven. Jeff sits on the edge of Timmy's bed while Timmy falls asleep. Jeff stares grimly into the darkness, thinking and wondering. At the front door, Ellen and Jeff say good-bye to their friends. Ellen tells Jenny she's not sure what she plans to do with the farm. With the last guests departed, Ellen closes the door and sinks wearily against the door frame. Jeff reminds his mother that Timmy is due to return to his aunt and uncle in two days. Jeff wants to adopt Timmy. Ellen is uncertain but says she might see the social worker in the morning. She looks in on Timmy. He's sleeping peacefully. She smiles then turns and climbs the stairs to her bedroom.

A reverent moment for Timmy and Lassie.

The next morning in the farmyard, Jeff is showing Timmy how to play basketball. Porky arrives. Porky begins to tell Timmy that he's sorry he'll be leaving the next day. Jeff rudely stops Porky from saying anything further. Porky is mystified with Jeff's abruptly abrasive behavior and leaves. Timmy cries. He tells Jeff he's crying because he knows he has to leave the next day. Jeff says his mother is in Capitol City trying to "fix things up" so Timmy can stay on the farm forever. Jeff says he'll give Lassie to Timmy if he has to leave the farm. Timmy is comforted. Ellen arrives home. Jeff and Timmy meet her in the farmyard. Timmy asks if he has to leave the farm tomorrow. Ellen tells him that he doesn't have to leave tomorrow. It's clear though that she hasn't successfully resolved Timmy's predicament. Later that night, Jeff and Ellen talk in the kitchen about their situation. Timmy is awake in bed and senses something is in the wind. He tiptoes to the kitchen door to listen to their conversation. Ellen tells Jeff that the child welfare people have decided that Timmy needs a mother -- and a father. She further says that a young couple want to adopt Timmy and are looking for a small farm in the vicinity as well. Jeff is angry that Timmy might be "turned over to people that don't even know him."

Ruth and Paul learn Timmy has run away.

Ellen reminds him that they have to think of Timmy and what's best for him. Ellen tells Jeff the young couple are stopping by in the morning to meet Timmy. Timmy rushes to his room distraught and gets into bed. He pretends to be asleep when Jeff looks in on him. Then, through his closed bedroom door, Timmy hears Jeff agree to his mother's plans. Ellen goes upstairs; Jeff goes to his room. Timmy's eyes fill with anger and hurt. He dresses and packs a bundle with his few treasures. He has chosen the life of a bindlestiff. He slips to the front door, pauses, then tells Lassie he is going far away. Lassie tries to stop him. Timmy eludes Lassie and slips away. Lassie follows Timmy into the night. Timmy walks through moonlit fields with Lassie following at a distance. At the lakeside, Timmy beds down in the deep grass, making a pillow of his jacket. When Lassie feels the moment is right, she quietly goes to Timmy's side and sleeps. Early the next morning, Ellen is making breakfast when Jeff enters the kitchen. He's discovered Timmy's things are missing and Lassie is gone as well. The Martins arrive in the farmyard. Ellen welcomes the couple then tells them that Timmy has run away. Ruth Martin clutches anxiously at her husband's lapel. The Martins offer to help find the boy. Jeff telephones Porky thinking Pokey, his basset hound could trail Lassie. Ellen and Paul Martin leave the house to search for Timmy and Lassie. Ruth Martin remains behind in the kitchen should Timmy return on his own volition. In the fields, Ellen and Paul wearily search for Timmy. Ellen suggests they go back and call the Sheriff. Jeff, Porky, and Pokey are seen searching the fields for Timmy as well.

Ellen, Lassie, and Paul rescue Timmy from the lake.

Ellen and Paul arrive at the lakeside but do not see the sleeping Timmy. Lassie, still at Timmy's side, spots Ellen and runs to her barking joyously. Timmy wakes, sees his pursuers, and flees. Confused, he runs into the lake and becomes swamped. He sinks quickly in the water. Lassie rushes to his rescue. Paul swims to Timmy and carries him to the bank. Lassie carries his bundle ashore. Timmy is unconscious. Paul provides life saving techniques as Jeff and Porky rush to join Ellen at Timmy's side. Timmy recovers and faintly thanks Paul for saving his life. In Timmy's bedroom, Timmy is wrapped in thick bath towels. Ruth Martin is happily drying Timmy's hair. She suggests Timmy get into bed and listen to a story. Ruth tells a story about a fish named Leander. Ellen looks in and smiles. Sitting on the edge of Timmy's bed, Ruth turns to the door, catches Ellen's eye, and presses a hand to her heart with a broad smile on her face. It is obvious Ruth has fallen in love with Timmy.

Porky, Lassie, Paul Martin, Jeff and Ellen Miller, Porky Brockway.

In the kitchen, Paul and Jeff are drying Lassie when Ellen enters. Paul says he's ready to take over the farm. He tells Ellen that his wife is "crazy about Timmy" and they want to adopt him right away. Ellen and Jeff are pleased. Lassie barks joyously. In the farmyard a week later, Ellen and Jeff are putting the last of their belongings into their car. Ellen embraces Timmy with tears in her eyes. Jeff says good-bye to Porky. Ellen cries as she kisses Porky good-bye. Jeff calls Lassie to the car. Lassie leaves Timmy's side slowly and reluctantly approaches the car. Timmy buries his face in Ruth's apron and sobs with unhappiness as the reality of parting with Lassie is now upon him. Lassie looks at Timmy then at Jeff.

Jeff says goodbye to Lassie.

Jeff turns to Timmy and tells him he's going to leave Lassie with him. Jeff tells Lassie to take good care of Timmy and he'll be back to see her. Ellen's face is filled with aching sorrow; she has lost so much in the past few days -- Gramps, the farm, Timmy, and now Lassie. Jeff hugs Lassie; Lassie kisses Jeff. Timmy thanks Jeff for giving him Lassie; Jeff and Porky shout their last "Ee - Yaw - Key!" And the Millers drive away. Later that night, Paul and Ruth look in on Timmy as he goes to bed. When they open the door, Timmy is saying his prayers in his darkened bedroom. Lassie is beside him. Paul and Ruth watch unseen. Timmy asks for God's blessings on all --except the Martins. Ruth and Paul look disappointed and hurt. Then Timmy remembers something important and sinks to his knees again; he asks God's blessings on his new mother and father. Timmy has accepted his new parents. The Martins embrace with gladness in the doorway.

Cast

• Arthur Space as Doc Weaver, the Calverton veterinarian
• Cloris Leachman as Ruth Martin, wife to Paul Martin
• Donald Keeler as Sylvester "Porky" Brockway, Jeff's friend and Birdie Brockway's son
• Florence Lake as Jenny, the Claverton telephone operator
• House Peters, Jr. as Sheriff Jim Billings
• Jan Clayton as Ellen Miller, Jeff's mother
• Jon Shepodd as Paul Martin, husband to Ruth Martin
• Lassie Junior as Lassie
• Marjorie Bennett as Birdie Brockway, Porky's mother
• Tommy Rettig as Jeff Miller, Ellen Miller's son

Crew

Miscellanea

Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.

• "Transition" marked Tommy Rettig's last appearance on the series.
• The episode saw the penultimate appearances of Jan Clayton as Ellen Miller and Donald Keeler as "Porky" Brockway. Both would return for their last appearances on the series in the following episode, "Timmy's Family".
• Glycerin was used to create Timmy's tears.
• Child actor Stanley Livingston was the stuntchild rescued in the lake scene. Livingston was a competent swimmer. He would later play main character, "Chip" Douglas in the long running television program, My Three Sons (1960-1972).
• George Cleveland, (17/9/1885 – 15/7/1957), died of a heart attack prior to the filming of "Transition".

DVD release

"Transition" was released on DVD Classic Media/Sony Wonder Lassie: 50th Anniversary Collection, 2004. (ISBN 0738929360).

See also

• Child actors
• Lassie
• Lassie (1954 TV series)
• Paul Martin (television character)
• Ruth Martin (television character)
• Timmy Martin (television character)
• The Inheritance (1954 Lassie TV series episode)
• The Odyssey (1962 Lassie TV series episodes)

References

• Collins, Ace. Lassie: a dog's life. Penguin Books, 1993. ISBN 0-14-023183-8.
• Lassie Web
• Lassie: 50th Anniversary Collection. Sony Wonder/Classic Media, 2004. ISBN 0738929360.

External links

• Lassie Web