Old Yeller (1957) 7.2
A boy brings a yellow dog home. The dog loves the family as much as they love him, but can the love last ? Director:Robert Stevenson |
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Old Yeller (1957) 7.2
A boy brings a yellow dog home. The dog loves the family as much as they love him, but can the love last ? Director:Robert Stevenson |
|
| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Dorothy McGuire | ... | ||
| Fess Parker | ... | ||
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Jeff York | ... | |
| Chuck Connors | ... | ||
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Beverly Washburn | ... | |
| Tommy Kirk | ... | ||
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Kevin Corcoran | ... | |
Young Travis Coates is left to take care of the family ranch with his mother and younger brother while his father goes off on a cattle drive in the 1860's. When a yellow mongrel comes for an uninvited stay with the family, Travis reluctantly adopts the dog. After a series of scrapes involving raccoons, snakes, bears and all manner of animals, Travis grows to love and respect Old Yeller, who comes to have a profound effect on the boy's life. Written by David Mullich <dmullich@aol.com>
Of all the movies I saw as a young in the theaters in the 1950s, the only one that haunted me or brought tears to my eyes was this one. It made a lasting impression on everyone in our family. Not long afterward, we bought a Golden Retriever puppy and it was a fabulous dog.
After a long, long absence, I saw it for the third time in the late1990s on VHS. Since I never forgot the sad ending, I was prepared for that. My attitude was great going in, especially since I had become a fan of Dorothy McGuire since her magnificent performance in "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn."
Anyway - hey, I have to be honest - this time around I was disappointed. I think I expected too much since the film had such strong nostalgia value. Yes, it was still a nice old-fashioned story but the impact was so-so and McGuire looked like she had aged 20 years since "Brooklyn." She didn't look like the same person from the famous 1945 drama.
Tommy Kirk went on to be a star on television and in the movies for Walt Disney while I don't believe Kevin Corcoran, who was just as good as Kirk, did a whole lot after this....some westerns into the '60s. Good 'ole "Davy Crockett," Fess Parker, also is in this movie but has a minor role, being seen only in the beginning and at the end. Chuck Connors also had a small role.
A nice story, no doubt. Perhaps another viewing with lower expectations would make me rate this highly again. Just the name "Old Yeller" is still special to me, however.