Rating: B-
Dir: Joseph Pevney
Star: Clint Walker, Martha Hyer, Keenan Wynn, Jack Elam
In the end was the beginning. And so, we finish our survey of bear films with what is generally regarded as the first of the kind. It’s a straightforward yet likeable Western, with some good characters, and better than usual plotting for the genre. Former Marshall Jim Cole (Walker) arrives in Wyoming with his wife Angela (Hyer) and children, to take over the ranch he inherited. Two problems quickly raise their head. The land’s former owner, Jed Curry (Wynn), lost it in a poker game, and wants it back. While never resorting to illegal acts, Curry uses his influence to apply pressure on Cole e.g. telling the local banker not to help him financially.
Cole’s other issue is why it’s here: the presence of a notorious bear, subtly nicknamed Satan by the locals. His predations wipe out Jim’s livestock and his only recourse to replace them is a loan from Jeb, with the ranch as security. The local farmers put up a $750 reward which would clear Jim’s debt. But to make sure that doesn’t happen, Curry hires bounty hunter Cass Dowdy to kill the bear first. Dowdy spent two years in jail courtesy of Cole, back when he was a Marshall, so there’s history between them too. Angela becomes increasingly concerned for her husband’s safety, and overhearing his parents fight, son Charlie decides he should go after Satan, forcing his father into a search for both, with Dowdy running interference.
Walker had starred for seven seasons in the Cheyenee series – this was reportedly based off an unused script for the show. At 6’6″, gigantic for the time, he cuts an imposing figure. It feels as if, like eighties Tom Cruise, Walker had a contractual obligation to have at least one (1) scene in every film with his shirt off. Cole makes for a truly heroic figure, a devoted family man and upholder of the law. Things elsewhere are more nuanced: Curry may be underhanded, but sternly rebukes his sons for engaging in violence against Cole – which goes about as well for them as you’d expect! Dowdy, too, has humanity in him. He may not like Cole, but in the end endangers himself to protect the father and son.
Just about everyone has interesting qualities, all the way down to Jim’s tiny moppet, Gypsy. Satan might be about the only exception, the bear being one-dimensionally evil. [There’s a lot of animal violence aftermath here, some of it disturbingly convincing] While obviously a model in close-up, the animal was played by a bear called Bozo, who would go on to greater fame as Ben, in The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams. The scenery here is lovely, and we thought about moving to Wyoming, until we discovered it was actually the San Bernardino National Forest. California: not so much. It remains a solid tale, honest in its simplicity, and well-told. Many bear movies would follow in its wake. Not many would be more enjoyable.