The Painted Hills, also known as Lassie's Adventures in the Goldrush, is a 1951 action 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 (actor), Ann Doran, and dog actor Pal (dog actor) (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 Americans in the United States topics worked with the Miwok people for their role in the movie.< name="Strongheart1954"></> The Painted Hills was the seventh, and final, MGM Lassie film released.

Plot

A prospector named Jonathan Harvey (Paul Kelly (actor)), 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 (actor)). 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.

Main cast

• Pal (dog) (credited as "Lassie") as Shep
• Paul Kelly (actor) as Jonathan Harvey
• Bruce Cowling as Lin Taylor
• Gary Gray (actor) as Tommy Blake
• Ann Doran as Martha Blake
• Art Smith (actor) as Pilot Pete
• Andrea Virginia Lester as Mita
• Chief Yowlachie as Bald Eagle
• Brown Jug Reynolds as Red Wing

Release

According to MGM records, the film earned $783,000 in the US and Canada and $302,000 elsewhere, leading to a loss of $122,000.< name="Mannix"/>

Public Domain Status

Along with seven other MGM films released the first half of 1951, the copyright on The Painted Hills lapsed after MGM neglected to file the necessary renewal applications in 1979. As such, the film is now part of the public domain and has been released to VHS and DVD by a variety of companies.< name="Pierce"></>

MST 3000

The movie was riffed on Mystery Science Theater 3000 (episode 510)



Category:1951 films
Category:American films
Category:Films about dogs
Category:Films based on novels
Category:Lassie films
Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films
Category:Films shot in California
Category:Films set in California
Category:Films set in the 18th century
Category:Films featured in Mystery Science Theater 3000 episodes