 There are several Lassie connections in this film. The dog trainer  on this movie is Frank Weatherwax, the brother of Lassies trainer,  Rudd Weatherwax. Donald Crisp,who plays David Ladds grandfather  here, played the father in "Lassie Come Home" (1942)and had roles in  three "Lassie" movies. Crisp was also James Brown, the kirk yard  keeper, in Disneys Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog  (1961).