[from My Photo a Day Adventure blog]
Monday, August 2, 2021, 6:58 pm — A 1955 treasure trove! … Celebrating the original cast of tv’s Lassie … George Cleveland as Gramps … Tommy Rettig as Jeff … and, of course, Lassie! … Plastic playset figures by Robert Maxwell Associates, 1955 …
TV Guide … July 2, 1955 … Lassie and Tommy Rettig on cover, with Lee Aaker and Rin Tin Tin … Plus, a “paw-ographed” photo postcard, thanking a boy from Mankato, Minnesota, who entered a “name Lassie’s puppies” contest, signed by “Jeff Miller” …
One important person is missing … Jan Clayton, as Jeff’s mother, Ellen … The original cast, 1954-1957, the very BEST! … Syndicated as “Jeff’s Collie” … When George Cleveland died in 1957, his character, Gramps, died as well … Jeff and Ellen moved to the city and quickly realized Lassie would have a better life back at the farm with the new family … The following Timmy / Jon Provost years were sadly disappointing, lacking charm and natural spontaneity …