“Lassie” Coming to Missoula – 1966
Lassie Coming Here
Montana’s television star, Bob Bray, known to millions of viewers as Forest Ranger Corey Stuart, and Lassie, canine favorite of the entertainment world, will be welcomed by western Montanans on Sunday afternoon, July 17, with special ceremonies at the Aerial Fire Depot.
The stars and their production crew are coming by special plane to begin shooting several local stories for the nationally-televised program, “Welcome, Lassie.”
Accompanying them will be show owner, Jack Wrather, his wife, Bonita Granville Wrather, and Lassie’s owner-trainer, Rudd Weatherwax. Mrs. Wrather is better known to motion picture audiences as actress Bonita Granville. She has added a new facet to an already established career by becoming the associate producer of the television program.
Rudd Weatherwax has owned and trained the canine star since the versatile animal began the “Lassie Come Home” motion picture series which made entertainment history.
“Lassie” has received the prize of all TV awards, the television academy’s “Emmy” for best children’s program, the National Association of Better Radio and Television Award for 1954, the Billboard Awards for Best Network Adventure Film Series and for the Best New Network Series, the distinguished Parent-Teachers Association Award, and a host of others.
Bray’s visit to Missoula is really a homecoming. The star was born on a ranch near Kalispell where he lived until 1928. Bob’s parents moved to the Kalispell area from Hamilton, his father’s birthplace.
Bray became “Forest Ranger Corey Stuart” in 1964. With his co-star he has awakened the interest of millions of viewers to forest conservation and forest fire prevention.
Western Montanans, especially the youngsters, are invited to join city, county, Forest Service and State Forestry Department personnel in welcoming Lassie and Bray to Missoula on July 17. The stars will arrive at the Forest Service’s Aerial Fire Depot west of Missoula at 2 p.m.
The above article appeared in The Missoulian on July 8, 1966.
Lassie – 4th longest running TV series of all-time – Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lassie_(1954_TV_series)
Robert Bray profile from Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bray