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Lassie Celebrates 50 Years in Television

In commemoration of this milestone, a 50th TV Anniversary Collector's Edition DVD box set will be unleashed

NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2004 - PRNewswire - This September, Lassie celebrates the golden anniversary -- 350 dog years! -- of her two-time Emmy Award-winning television series. Heralded by TV Guide(R) as "one of the greatest TV stars of all time," Lassie has become a symbol of love, trust, and heroism since her series debuted on CBS in 1954.

Over the course of an incredible 691 television episodes, Lassie grew from a movie star into a cultural icon. Enjoying one of the longest runs in television history, Lassie's show became a phenomenon: Millions of fans in more than one hundred countries tuned in to watch Lassie save Timmy from tigers, cougars, "wells", and almost every other imaginable peril. The show topped the Nielsen ratings, inventing the family drama in the process and forever changing the way people relate to their pets.

Still Top Dog: Lassie is One of the Busiest "Actresses" in Hollywood!

• On September 14, Lassie: The 50th TV Anniversary Collector's Edition DVD box set will be unleashed. For the first time ever, 24 of the best-loved TV episodes will be available in a three-disc collection, complete with tons of bonus extras.

• Lassie currently stars in a new global TV ad campaign for General Electric.

• A new feature film based on Eric Knight's best-selling 1939 novel, Lassie Come Home, is heading into production this spring in the UK.

• An animated preschool series chronicling the adventures of Lassie as a puppy from animation house Studio B is in development.

• A new Lassie brand pet care line is scheduled to hit retail shelves in the coming months.

• Lassie is also em-bark-ing on a select city U.S. tour in the fall, continuing the tradition of live appearances for her fans.

Lassie, June Lockhart (Ruth Martin) and Jon Provost (Timmy Martin) are currently available for interviews.

About Classic Media

Classic Media manages some of the world's most recognizable family properties across all media including feature film, television, home video, and consumer products. The company's extensive library features a diverse collection of popular animated and live-action characters such as: Casper the Friendly Ghost, Mr. Magoo, Richie Rich, Peter Cottontail, Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer, The Lone Ranger, Underdog, Lassie, Little Lulu, pat the bunny, and Lamb Chop. For more information on Classic Media, visit us online at http://www.classicmedia.tv

LASSIE and associated character names, images and other indicia are trademarks of and copyrighted by Classic Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lassie: 50th TV Anniversary Collector's Edition:

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