Savage Sam (film)

Savage Sam
Directed by Norman Tokar
Produced by Walt Disney
Written by Fred Gipson
William Turberg
Based on Savage Sam by Fred Gipson
Starring Brian Keith
Tommy Kirk
Kevin Corcoran
Cinematography Edward Colman
Edited by Grant K. Smith
Production
company
Distributed by Buena Vista Distribution
Release dates
 June 1, 1963
Country United States
Language English
Box office $3,000,000 (US/ Canada)[1]

Savage Sam is a 1963 film sequel to Old Yeller based on the novel of the same name by Fred Gipson. Norman Tokar directed the live-action film, which was released by Walt Disney Productions on June 1, 1963.

Plot

Savage Sam is Old Yeller's son. He is a Bluetick Coonhound, and every bit as courageous and loyal as his father, as well as an incredibly keen tracker. Sam mostly likes chasing a bobcat, sometimes with Arliss.

The boy's uncle, Beck (Brian Keith) (referred to as the younger brother of Jim Coates) comes by to check on how the boys are doing and gives advice to Travis on how to handle Arliss a little better. ("All little brothers hate bossin'. You've got to learn how to outfigger him, Travis.")

Travis, Arliss, and their neighbor's granddaughter, Lisbeth Searcy (Marta Kristen) are taken captive by Apaches stealing horses. Travis is left behind when the Apaches are chased by a cavalry patrol and is found by Sam (thanks to Sam's keen sense of smell).

Uncle Beck gathers up a search party including Lisbeth's somewhat overbearing grandfather, Bud Searcy (once again played by Jeff York), and neighbor Wiley Crup (Slim Pickens). Led by Sam, who tracks the Apaches despite an injured paw and a hail storm, the search party finds and rescues Arliss and Lisbeth.

Cast

Behind the scenes

Walt Disney bought the film rights to the novel in 1961, prior to its publication.[2] Gipson was then hired to write the screenplay.[3]

It was one of the first movies from Norman Tokar. "I got him from TV," said Walt Disney. "I like young talent. When people get to be institutions, they direct pictures with their left hand and do something else with their right."[4] [5]

Pat Hogan appears as tribesman Broken Nose. Dean Fredericks, formerly Steve Canyon on NBC, played a Comanche chief in this film.

Critical reception

The film received poor reviews and fell short of box office expectations, paling in comparison with Old Yeller.

The Washington Post called it a "dogged, listless effort."[6] "Action melodrama with a formula plot" said the Los Angeles Times.[7] The Chicago Tribune said "the members of the cast are all capable enough, but they are all handicapped by a lurid plot which looks like it was made up by all the action scenes in a bunch of old television scripts."[8]

Trivia

This film was featured in Storybook Weaver and in the remake, Storybook Weaver Deluxe.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Top Rental Features of 1963", Variety, 8 January 1964 p 71. Please note figures are rentals as opposed to total gross.
  2. ↑ FILMLAND EVENTS: Poe-Pourri Film Cooks for Corman Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 07 Sep 1961: B9.
  3. ↑ FILMLAND EVENTS: Howard Duff Joins 'Boys' Night Out' Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 13 Oct 1961: 29.
  4. ↑ Looking at Hollywood: Walt Disney's Own Enchanted Kingdom Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Tribune (1963-Current file) [Chicago, Ill] 18 June 1963: a1.
  5. ↑ M.C.A. WILL DROP ITS TALENT OFFICE: Hollywood Giant Complying With Rule on Producers By MURRAY SCHUMACH Special to The New York Times.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 09 July 1962: 34.
  6. ↑ Savage Sam' Is a Hound for the Small Fry R.L.C.. The Washington Post, Times Herald (1959-1973) [Washington, D.C] 05 July 1963: B10.
  7. ↑ A HELPFUL HOUND: 'Savage Sam' Disney Film Hero Scott, John L. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 12 July 1963: D9.
  8. ↑ 'Savage Sam' Is Below Par for a Disney Film Tinee, Mae. Chicago Tribune (1963-Current file) [Chicago, Ill] 26 June 1963: a5.
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