The film was shot in
Washington state and
Monterey,
California, while the rapids scene was shot on the
San Joaquin River. It also features scenes from the former Janss Conejo Ranch in
Wildwood Regional Park in
Thousand Oaks, California. Additional photography occurred in
Big Bear Lake and
Cape Mendocino. During the film's production, MGM executives previewing the
dailies were said to be so moved that they ordered more scenes to be added to "this wonderful motion picture." Some sources say that, initially, a female collie was selected for the title role, but was replaced when the dog began to shed excessively during shooting of the film in the summer. The trainer,
Rudd Weatherwax, then substituted the male collie, Pal, in the role of "Lassie". Pal had been hired to perform the rapids stunt and, being male, looked more impressive in the part. Still other accounts, such as a 1943
New York Times article written while the film was in production, say that Pal was cast by director Fred Wilcox after first being rejected, because no other dog performed satisfactorily with the "near human attributes" he sought for the canine title role. Weatherwax would later receive all rights to the Lassie name and trademark in lieu of back pay owed him by MGM. == Music ==