The Littlest Hobo - under construction
Created | Updated Jan 28, 2002
The littlest hobo was one of the only daytime TV programmes worth being off school for when I was ill as a child. The version I know and love, along with many other generation X-ers, was the colour 1979-85 series made in Canada by CTV's production wing, although there was an earlier series in black and white, and a 1958 movie, neither of which I've personally seen.
The premise of the series is simple: every episode, the dog arrives in a new place - he's a drifter, as the title suggests - makes friends with someone, child, adult or even whole family, and solves their problem. Then he leaves, to continue his endless drifting.
I suppose it's similar to Lassie in many ways, but despite being quite cutesy, avoids that sickly sweet feel. More like Skippy the Kangeroo, I suppose, as the title character in both these series have a bit of gumption to them.
The title music was recently used for a british TV ad, and every time I hear it that song brings back memories of lying tucked up on the couch, sipping hot blackcurrent for my tonsillitis, and watching "London" save lives.
"There's a voice that keeps on calling me.
Down the road. That's where I'll always be.
Oh, every stop I make, I make a new friend.
Can't stay for long. Just turn around, and I'm gone again.
Maybe tomorrow, I'll want to settle down.
Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on.
So, if you want to join me for a while,
just grab your hat, we'll travel light. That's hobo style.
Maybe tomorrow, I'll want to settle down.
Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on.
Until tomorrow, the whole world is my home."
The premise of the series is simple: every episode, the dog arrives in a new place - he's a drifter, as the title suggests - makes friends with someone, child, adult or even whole family, and solves their problem. Then he leaves, to continue his endless drifting.
I suppose it's similar to Lassie in many ways, but despite being quite cutesy, avoids that sickly sweet feel. More like Skippy the Kangeroo, I suppose, as the title character in both these series have a bit of gumption to them.
The title music was recently used for a british TV ad, and every time I hear it that song brings back memories of lying tucked up on the couch, sipping hot blackcurrent for my tonsillitis, and watching "London" save lives.
"There's a voice that keeps on calling me.
Down the road. That's where I'll always be.
Oh, every stop I make, I make a new friend.
Can't stay for long. Just turn around, and I'm gone again.
Maybe tomorrow, I'll want to settle down.
Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on.
So, if you want to join me for a while,
just grab your hat, we'll travel light. That's hobo style.
Maybe tomorrow, I'll want to settle down.
Until tomorrow, I'll just keep moving on.
Until tomorrow, the whole world is my home."
