Paul Martin (Lassie)
| Paul Martin | |
|---|---|
Hugh Reilly as Paul Martin
|
|
| First appearance | "Transition" (1957) |
| Last appearance | "The Wayfarers" (1964) |
| Created by | Robert Maxwell • Jack Wrather |
| Portrayed by | Jon Shepodd (1957-1958) • Hugh Reilly (1958-1964) |
| Information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Family | Ruth Martin (wife) • Timmy Martin (adopted son) • Petrie J. Martin (uncle) • Lassie (companion animal) |
| Spouse(s) | Ruth Martin |
| Children | Timmy Martin |
Paul Martin is a fictional character on the long-running television series Lassie (1954–1973). Paul is a farmer, and the husband of Ruth, a housewife. The couple are adoptive parents of Timmy, a foster child living on a small farm in the American midwest that the couple purchase. Paul is depicted as a sober, industrious, brave, and intelligent man who attends church, is a volunteer firefighter, and a member of the Grange. In the show's fourth-season episode "The Ring", his uncle, Petrie Martin of Millvale, Pennsylvania, joins him on the farm to help with the work.
The creation of Paul Martin came at a critical time in the show's history and permitted a new storyline to develop that proved popular with audiences. The show's highest ratings were recorded during the Martin family years.
Paul makes his first appearance mid-fourth season (1957) and his last appearance in the opener of the eleventh season (1964), making a total of 147 episode appearances. The character is portrayed on the series, first, by Jon Shepodd (1957–1958) and thereafter by Hugh Reilly (1958–1964). The character appeared in show-related merchandise such as novels and comic books. Selected episodes featuring the character are available on VHS and DVD including all the Christmas episodes filmed during the Paul Martin seasons of the show.
The television series Lassie debuted on CBS in September 1954 with Jan Clayton playing widowed farm woman Ellen Miller, Tommy Rettig her son Jeff, and George Cleveland her father-in-law George Miller. In its first three years, the show won two Emmy Awards, and, at the beginning of its fourth season (1957), introduced child actor Jon Provost to audiences as a young runaway named Timmy. In his debut, Timmy remains on the Miller farm in a foster status after a social worker's assistance.
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