Complete credited cast: | |||
Dorothy McGuire | ... | Katie Coates | |
Fess Parker | ... | Jim Coates | |
Jeff York | ... | Bud Searcy | |
Chuck Connors | ... | Burn Sanderson | |
Beverly Washburn | ... | Lisbeth Searcy | |
Tommy Kirk | ... | Travis Coates | |
Kevin Corcoran | ... | Arliss Coates |
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, wild hogs and wolves, 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>
I had refused to see this movie because all I could really hear was about how depressing "Old Yeller" was and how it could make anyone cry. My friend pretty much, in the sense of literally, put this movie in the pile that she lent me and when I called her, she told me to watch it or she'd never take it back. Well, I guess I just wanted to give in since she bugged me every phone conversation from that point on.
Old Yeller is a lost dog that comes across a western set family who's father has headed for money and items for his family. When they find Old Yeller, it's like he's taken the father's position, protecting the family every chance he got. The family comes to love this dog with a passion, even when the original owner comes to claim Old Yeller, he can tell that the dog truly belongs to the family and gives them the dog. But unfortunately, the dog gets rabies... and... sob! You get the point.
I'm not kidding, this movie is so depressing, but this was the kinder version of what Hollywood once was. The story is sweet, just like I said, you'll cry for a few, because almost everyone can admit that they had that dog who was so much like Old Yeller in one way or another. So, I'm not sure if I'd recommend it or not, just for the simple sake of that it brings back old memories. Sob!
7/10