Peter O'Toole stars in new `Lassie' film

NEW YORK (AP) _ Goodbye Mr. Chips, hello Lassie. <br/><br/>Peter O'Toole, whose screen credits include ``Lawrence of Arabia,'' ``The Lion in Winter'' and ``Goodbye, Mr. Chips,''

Monday, May 23rd 2005, 1:02 pm

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ Goodbye Mr. Chips, hello Lassie.

Peter O'Toole, whose screen credits include ``Lawrence of Arabia,'' ``The Lion in Winter'' and ``Goodbye, Mr. Chips,'' will star in ``Lassie,'' a new adaptation of the 1938 novel ``Lassie Come Home'' by Eric Knight.

The 72-year-old actor will play the Duke of Rudling. He will co-star with Samantha Morton and Peter Dinklage.

Directed by Charles Sturridge, the movie was to begin shooting Monday on location in Ireland and the Isle of Man. In it, the Carraclough family, who live in a Yorkshire, England, mining town, fall on hard times on the eve of World War II, forcing them to sell their beloved dog to the Duke of Rudling, who lives in a remote castle on the northern coast of Scotland. Lassie then embarks on a long journey of several hundred miles to return to her family.

Elizabeth Taylor and Roddy McDowall starred in 1943's ``Lassie Come Home.'' There have been a string of other films and more than 675 half-hour TV episodes. The collie also has been frequently parodied for her uncanny ability to communicate with people by barking.

O'Toole received seven Oscar nominations before being given an honorary award in 2003. He had a supporting role in the 2004 Brad Pitt epic ``Troy.''