The Littlest Hobo is a Canadian television series based upon a 1958 American film of the same name directed by Charles R. Rondeau. The series first aired from 1963 to 1965 in syndication, spanning six seasons and was revived for a popular second run on CTV from October 11, 1979 to March 7, 1985. It starred an ownerless dog.
All three productions revolved around a stray German Shepherd, the titular Hobo, who wanders from town to town, helping people in need. Although the concept was perhaps similar to that of Lassie, the Littlest Hobo's destiny was to befriend those who apparently needed help. Despite the attempts of the many people whom he helped to adopt him, he appeared to prefer to be on his own, and would head off by himself at the end of each episode.
Never actually named on-screen, the dog is often referred to by the name Hobo or by the names given by temporary human companions. Hobo's background is also unexplained on-screen. His origins, motivation and ultimate destination are also never explained.
Although some characters appeared in more than one episode, the only constant was the Littlest Hobo himself.
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Best Episodes of The Littlest Hobo
The Five Labours of Hercules (2)
S4 Ep18
10.0
24th Mar 1983
The Hobo must escape from a dog catcher's van and round up several unruly dogs which quickly bring havoc to wherever they roam. This episode was written by Charles Eisenmann, the owner and trainer of London and the other German Shepherds who portrayed Hobo.
The Five Labours of Hercules (1)
S4 Ep17
10.0
17th Mar 1983
A boy with a leg injury has his heart set on buying a pure-bred dog, but needs to raise the money fast, so the Hobo helps him with a dog-sitting service. This episode was written by Charles Eisenmann, the owner and trainer of London and the other German Shepherds who portrayed Hobo.
Portrait of Danger
S2 Ep12
10.0
11th Dec 1980
Hobo protects a photographer who snapped a shot of a bank robbery and decides to sell his picture to the papers. James Stephens.
Mystery at the Zoo
S2 Ep7
10.0
6th Nov 1980
Hobo investigates the disappearance of zoo animals. Carol Lynley.
The Further Adventures of Willie and Kate
S1 Ep24
10.0
22nd May 1980
The Hobo journeys onward, trying to keep his transient companions out of trouble, when Kate is captured by the authorities and placed in an orphanage run like a military academy.
Give My Regards to Broadway
S1 Ep14
10.0
31st Jan 1980
A struggling actress resorts to stealing (and writing IOUs) to make ends meet and the Hobo tries to keep her out of trouble.
Heritage
S1 Ep8
10.0
6th Dec 1979
Hobo protects an elderly prospector from greedy land-grabbers. Jasper: Leon Ames. Laura: Lynn Griffin. Glenn: J.P. Linton. Cal: Shawn Lawrence. Ralph: Ben Gordon.
Worst Episodes of The Littlest Hobo
Lumberjacks
S5 Ep8
6.0
3rd Nov 1983
A bookie tries to fix a lumberjack competition using extreme methods.
Happy Birthday Mom
S4 Ep6
7.0
21st Oct 1982
Two brothers compete in a bike race to try to earn money for their mother's birthday.
The Spirit of Thunder Rock (1)
S4 Ep7
7.0
28th Oct 1982
A seismologist takes his family along on a field assignment, where they are threatened by impending earthquakes of which only the Hobo appears to be fully aware.
Voyageurs (2)
S6 Ep16
7.0
21st Feb 1985
The elusive stranger turns out to be a Soviet air force pilot who has been stranded on the island for some time.
Willie and Kate
S1 Ep23
7.5
15th May 1980
The Hobo tries to give support and guidance to a couple of quarrelsome human transients--one old man and one young girl.
Tempest Probe
S5 Ep7
7.5
27th Oct 1983
A criminal steals a secret laser.
Smoke
S1 Ep1
8.1
11th Oct 1979
Hobo saves animals from a forest fire and aids a poisoned child.
The Littlest Hobo Episode Guide
Smoke
S1 Ep1
8.1
11th Oct 1979
Hobo saves animals from a forest fire and aids a poisoned child.
The Defector
S1 Ep4
8.7
1st Nov 1979
Hobo rescues a defecting ballerina from kidnappers.
Double Trouble
S1 Ep5
9.2
8th Nov 1979
Hobo saves two draft horses from the glue factory. Note: This episode was trailed at the end of #1.21 "Guardian Angel")
Silent Witness
S1 Ep6
10.0
15th Nov 1979
The Hobo witnesses a drunken hit-and-run and haunts the perpetrator, playing his conscience against him. Hobo pursues a hit-and-run driver.
Target For Terror
S1 Ep7
9.2
29th Nov 1979
Hobo rescues a politician's son from kidnappers.
Heritage
S1 Ep8
10.0
6th Dec 1979
Hobo protects an elderly prospector from greedy land-grabbers. Jasper: Leon Ames. Laura: Lynn Griffin. Glenn: J.P. Linton. Cal: Shawn Lawrence. Ralph: Ben Gordon.
Boy On Wheels
S1 Ep10
8.7
20th Dec 1979
Hobo comes to the aid of a wheelchair-bound boy in rehab.
Stand-in
S1 Ep11
9.0
27th Dec 1979
A different dog, and then the littlest hobo has to come and stand in for that dog.
Give My Regards to Broadway
S1 Ep14
10.0
31st Jan 1980
A struggling actress resorts to stealing (and writing IOUs) to make ends meet and the Hobo tries to keep her out of trouble.
The Last Job
S1 Ep15
9.7
7th Feb 1980
An ex-convict has a bright future ahead of him, if he goes straight, but is compelled to perform one last bank robbery.
Romiet and Julio
S1 Ep19
9.0
20th Mar 1980
The Hobo plays matchmaker to a young couple who, in between being separated by their respective parents, find time to bicker among themselves.
Willie and Kate
S1 Ep23
7.5
15th May 1980
The Hobo tries to give support and guidance to a couple of quarrelsome human transients--one old man and one young girl.
The Further Adventures of Willie and Kate
S1 Ep24
10.0
22nd May 1980
The Hobo journeys onward, trying to keep his transient companions out of trouble, when Kate is captured by the authorities and placed in an orphanage run like a military academy.
