The Night of the Grizzly (1966)

When I first saw this movie I was at the drive-in with my parents. I remember hiding behind the back of the seat scared out of my wits! My father is a gunsmith and I've always had a healthy respect both for guns and wildlife. And I know for a fact that there are things in the woods that are much bigger than I am. And the fact that what occurs in this movie could actually happen without aide of CG or any other technical assistance makes it even scarier. OK, the acting itself could have been better but you have to remember the age of the movie.I hate to think how it would be "gorified" if remade. It was gory enough as it was.

This was one of the best movies I remember seeing when I was younger. Please let me know if there is any way I could purchase it so I could bring back those fond memories. One of best parts I liked in the movie is the parts for the little girl. Like when she saw the skunk and called it kitty.Another with her is how she always called her dad big Jim.I think overall most all the actors and actress's acted very well in this movie.Again thank you for this chance to voice my opinion on this movie and its actors.Also let me know if there is anyway that I can purchase a copy of this movie for myself. I have tried to be nice by putting my comments in about this movie but you seem to have to many guidelines for your comments. Try not to have so many rules and you will more than likely get more of them!

Back in the early 1950's, this "family western" might have met with success, but by 1966, television had taken over most of that market, making "Night of the Grizzly" seem a bit soft and old-fashioned for the big screen. For adult viewers, it needs more of an edge to cut through some of its overly-sentimental tone, but most children will probably watch it without complaint. The supporting cast is better than average, (Nancy Kulp being especially enjoyable), and the well-photographed scenery gives the proceedings a pleasing "outdoorsy" quality. And for those interested in another kind of scenery, Clint Walker takes off his shirt at regular intervals, thus giving one and all a look at his famously fabulous chest.

Although 'Night of the Grizzly' was released by Paramount, it's easy to mistake it as a Disney film! Long on family values and gentle humor, this adventure yarn is the kind of 'live-action' feature that the studio specialized in throughout the fifties. If you don't think a film that kids can enjoy will be your 'cup of tea', you might be in for a surprise! This is a terrific movie!Ex-Marshal Jim Cole (played with rugged charm by 'Cheyenne' Clint Walker) moves his family onto a small ranch, hoping to get away from the dangers of his previous line of work. His loving wife, Angela (popular '60s star Martha Hyer) is overjoyed by their new life, and the kids soon develop a bond with the beautiful countryside, and the small town nearby.Not EVERYONE is happy about the arrangement, however; town bigshot Jed Curry (Keenan Wynn) wants Cole's land, and his sons are soon attempting to provoke Cole, in an unsuccessful attempt to force him to leave. When a monstrous killer grizzly appears, and starts killing off Cole's livestock, Curry sees his opportunity; as the primary shareholder at the bank, he makes it nearly impossible for the rancher to get loans to replace stock. The grizzly, nicknamed 'Satan', terrorizes the countryside, killing men, horses, and farm animals, and Cole methodically begins hunting it, in hopes of getting the $750 bounty that would 'save' his ranch! The arrival of bounty hunter Cass Dowdy (played with cold-blooded menace by veteran screen villain Leo Gordon) further muddies the waters; Cole had once arrested him, and Dowdy spent two years in the 'pen', vowing revenge! Adored by the eldest Cole child, Charlie (Kevin Brodie), Dowdy announces he will kill the grizzly and accept the bounty, simply to ruin Cole! The pieces are now in place for a thrilling finale, as Cole, Charlie, and Dowdy confront the enraged beast, in a scene eerily similar to the climax of 'Jaws'! The film offers a supporting cast of Hollywood 'pros', including Jack Elam ('Cannonball Run'), as bizzare but sweet Hank, who is 'adopted' by Cole's young daughter, Gypsy (the wonderful Victoria Paige Meyerink, in her second film); Nancy Kulp (TV's 'The Beverly Hillbillies') as the spinster owner of the local mercantile store; Ron Ely (TV's first 'Tarzan') and Sammy Jackson (TV's 'No Time for Sergeants') as Dowdy's sons; and Regis Toomey ('Burke's Law'), as the sympathetic banker.This is a film to cherish, and enjoy, again and again! Gather the family...They'll thank you for it!