About this season
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.
Episodes (18)
1. Napoleon
Aired 16 September 1982 • 30 min
2. Home Free
Aired 23 September 1982 • 30 min
3. Back to Nature
Aired 30 September 1982 • 30 min
4. The Imaginative Invalid
Aired 7 October 1982 • 30 min
A wealthy woman announces that she's leaving her money to her dog.
5. Finders Keepers
Aired 14 October 1982 • 30 min
6. Happy Birthday Mom
Aired 21 October 1982 • 30 min
Two brothers compete in a bike race to try to earn money for their mother's birthday.
7. The Spirit of Thunder Rock (1)
Aired 28 October 1982 • 30 min
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.
8. The Spirit of Thunder Rock (2)
Aired 4 November 1982 • 30 min
The quakes continue to imperil the now separated members of the family and an armed poacher who prefers his privacy only adds to the danger.
9. The Spirit of Thunder Rock (3)
Aired 11 November 1982 • 30 min
The biggest quake of them all strikes and causes a cave-in, trapping Marti with the poacher.
10. Rabies
Aired 18 November 1982 • 30 min
11. Day For Night
Aired 25 November 1982 • 30 min
12. Trooper
Aired 2 December 1982 • 30 min
13. The Loneliest Day of the Week
Aired 27 January 1983 • 30 min
14. Double Vision
Aired 3 February 1983 • 30 min
15. Winner Take All
Aired 10 February 1983 • 30 min
16. Small Pleasures
Aired 3 March 1983 • 30 min
17. The Five Labours of Hercules (1)
Aired 17 March 1983 • 30 min
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.
18. The Five Labours of Hercules (2)
Aired 24 March 1983 • 30 min
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.