Banjo 1947

Pat's father's death and move to Boston

Pat, a nine-year-old girl, loses her father and must move from Georgia to live with wealthy Aunt Elizabeth Ames in Boston. She insists on bringing her beloved Banjo, an English Setter, and boards the train with the dog in the baggage car. On the journey she befriends Bill, a railroad worker who helps them along the way.

Pat meets Bill on the train

Pat becomes friends with Bill, the railroad worker, who looks after her in the baggage car while she keeps Banjo company. The companionship provides Pat with an ally during the long trip. Banjo stays by Pat’s side as they travel north.

Aunt Elizabeth learns of Pat's arrival and cancels Bermuda trip

Elizabeth receives word that Pat has arrived and must interrupt her noted plans. She has recently broken her engagement to Dr. Bob Hartley and is on her way to Bermuda, but she decides to stay and care for her niece. The alarmed aunt shifts gears to accommodate Pat and her dog.

Banjo kept outside; a garden pen is built

Elizabeth is furious about Banjo's presence and confines the dog to an outdoor garden pen. Pat protests, hoping for a warmer welcome, but the aunt remains determined to exclude the dog from the house.

Banjo escapes and paw injury

Despite higher walls, Banjo breaks out again and sustains a paw injury. Pat rushes him to Dr. Bob for treatment, hoping the doctor can help soften her aunt's stance. The incident deepens the bond between Pat and the doctor.

Pat learns of the aunt–doctor past

Dr. Bob attempts to persuade Elizabeth to be kinder to Pat, but Pat discovers there was a past relationship between her aunt and the doctor. She resolves to help them reconcile and soften Elizabeth’s position toward Banjo. The discovery motivates Pat to engineer a solution.

Pat feigns illness to see the doctor

To spend more time with Dr. Bob and influence his decision, Pat pretends to be ill and must see him on several occasions. The doctor agrees to continue the ruse, enabling their ongoing interactions. The ruse also provides a stage for Pat to advance her plan with Aunt Elizabeth.

Aunt eases up; Banjo gets leash access

Pat’s scheme gradually pays off as Elizabeth begins to ease toward her niece. She even allows Pat to walk Banjo around the yard on a leash, marking a shift toward a more humane treatment of the dog. The home atmosphere improves, and Banjo becomes a more tolerated presence.

Neighborhood plan to test Banjo’s skills

Pat and her neighborhood friends borrow a shotgun to test Banjo’s skills as a hunting dog. The plan backfires when they misfire and hit a police car, prompting Elizabeth to decide that Banjo must go back to Georgia. Pat is stunned by the consequence of their misadventure.

Pat runs away to Georgia to follow Banjo

Mortified by the decision to send Banjo away, Pat runs out in the night and boards a train back to Georgia to follow her dog. Her determination to keep Banjo with her drives the emotional core of the escape. She heads toward the familiar countryside she loves.

Pat reaches Georgia swamp; Banjo rescues her

Pat arrives in Georgia and treks toward the swamp to find Banjo. A bobcat attacks Pat, but Banjo appears to defend her, turning the tide of danger. The rescue hinges on Banjo’s loyalty and courage in her moment of peril.

Jasper shoots the bobcat; reunion begins

Jasper, a former servant of Elizabeth, arrives and shoots the bobcat before it can kill Banjo. The danger subsides as Pat is spared, and unwittingly, this act helps mend the rift between Pat and her aunt. A sense of relief follows the perilous encounter.