 Producers feared a "new wife" for Paul (and coincidentally a "new mother" for Timmy and Lassie) would be difficult to explain to an audience composed mainly of children, and released Shepodd as well.A search was conducted to fill the Ruth and Paul roles.Casting Paul Martin involved a good deal of effort, but Hugh Reilly, a Broadway actor recently arrived in Hollywood, had a reputation for being a solid and cooperative performer and was signed.