- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: TOP FILM STAR "LASSIE" ARRIVES IN LONDON FOR A PROMOTIONAL TOUR
- Date: 5th August 1998
- Summary: WOKING, ENGLAND (AUGUST 5, 1998) (RTV) LASSIE ARRIVING AT AIRPORT LIMO DRIVING OFF
- Embargoed: 20th August 1998 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: WOKING, LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVABIQAGF5F6V7DRI3NHEC5JQTH8
- Story Text: Draped in fur on a hot summer's day, top film star "Lassie" swept into London for a whirlwind promotional tour - or did she? It was the red-carpet treatment all the way, as adoring fans greeted Lassie at Fair Oaks Airport, south of London, when she swept into London.
The four-legged screen queen has been going strong since 'Lassie Come Home' in 1943, when she co-starred with Elizabeth Taylor.
Now starring in a new television series, Lassie made a flying visit to Britain to publicise the serial.
The new series "Lassie" continues the merry adventures of our wholesome four-legged friend, rescuer and do-gooder, the heroic dog who braves danger with the flick of her paw.
But out of character, like any top star, Lassie has her secrets.
Or rather, HIS secrets.
For even though Lassie is supposed to be a female dog, in true Shakespearean style, all of her roles have been played by males.
This is because, top animal trainers say, the male dogs have more screen presence.
After allegedly flying in from Los Angeles, Lassie paraded around London.
Her first port of call was Battersea dog's home for strays, where like all true great performers, she spent time with the homeless and those less fortunate than herself.
And like every top star, Lassie can't resist an opportunity to shop.
So the next stop was a visit to Britain's luxurious department store, Harrods.
The top people's store normally has a strict policy against allowing dogs past its doors.
But an exception was made for such a screen idol.
Later 'she' checked in at one of London's top hotels, the Waldorf Meridien, where the chef tried to tempt her with an iced bone.
But like most movie stars, Lassie is on a diet.However, she did drink some water from a silver bowl.
Every bit the movie legend, Lassie took a photo call and questions from the press - and in true film-star fashion, her publicist answered questions on the star's behalf.
But sadly this was no world famous dog! It was an imposter! The stand-in, or doggy double, was in actual fact a local lad named Arron from Marlow in Buckinghamshire, west of London.
He was groomed to publicise the new series, which is now airing in Britain, about the 'real' Lassie -- who can brave burning barns and dangerous mine shafts -- and who couldn't make it across the border.
The real Lassie's agents blamed her absence on Britain's tough quarantine laws.
So it was a long day for Arron, new to stardom.
After the afternoon's excitement, he tucked into a burger -- rare -- and chips at one of London's top celebrity restaurants, Joe Allen's.
There he sat alongside a photo of the latest Lassie legend, who's presently at 'his' Bel Air home in Los Angeles.
The stand-in from Marlow looked every bit the part - because after all it's difficult to tell one rough collie from another. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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