Sequoia (1935)

Like most of the reviewers, I recall this film as a beautiful childhood memory, and of course, the scene I vividly recall is the "recognition scene" between Malibu and Gatu. I also remember crying my eyes out and it may have contributed to my love of animals as well. I have been lucky enough to have seen it more recently and, even with the romantic sub-plot, it did not disappoint.Amid the beautiful panorama of the giant forests, a drama is unfolding. Two baby animals, a mountain lion and a deer are left orphaned and are found by Toni (Jean Parker) whose father, Matthew Martin (Samuel S. Hinds) is a writer. He feels that it is only through sheer necessity that animals kill each other. Toni is determined that Malibu, the deer and Gatu, the puma, by growing up together, will love each other. The ranger scoffs at the idea that wild animals can be tamed and he is soon proved right. Chickens start disappearing and Gatu is the chief suspect. Toni and her father are due to return to town, so it is with great sadness that she sets them free, hoping they will always remain friends.Of course, "that scene' when Gatu is just about to strike but realises it is his childhood friend Malibu, sent me running for the tissues. They grow older - Malibu finds a partner, who is shot by Bergman (Paul Hurst, of course) the evil poacher, and leaves his own fawn to be looked after by Toni, who is back in the forest. There is a very exciting scene where Bergman is just about to shoot Malibu but Gatu comes to the rescue. There is a tussle and together they (Bergman and Gatu) roll toward the cliff. The movie ends very optimistically as hunting is finally prohibited in the National Park - every year thousands of deer were slaughtered until the whole country was up in arms. The last scene is Malibu and Gatu frolicking together in the snow.Jean Parker was one of MGM's "sweet young things" discovered in the early thirties. Usually only required to blush prettily and to wipe her tears away coyly, her roles didn't require much pep (she was the angelic Beth in "Little Women" (1933)). "Sequoia" was different and required her to be a bit more spirited. Surprisingly, she had a long career that only petered out in the 50s.Recommended.

I have read all the listed reviews on this wonderful old film and agree with all the sentiments. I appear to be most fortunate to possess two video copies of the film, one of which is in very good condition. All the children I have shown it to have loved it. Many children these days sneer at the suggestion that anything filmed in black and white could be worth watching. However, upon viewing Sequoia, they soon realize that this is anything but the case. It is sad that when they ask where they can purchase their own copies, that the film is completely unavailable commercially. This seems strange given that it has aired on Pay TV here in Australia, albeit not for 15 years or so. Let's hope a master is discovered and given due treatment for its fans.

I saw this movie once, on television, back in the late 1950s, when I was in elementary school. The story, about a girl who adopts an orphaned puma cub and a fawn, then raises them to be friends, was fascinating. Despite the movie's age (it was already over twenty years old when I saw it) the story was moving without being sentimental and exciting without being overly violent. I have searched for any existing print on VHS tape or DVD, only to find that none apparently exists. The movie was based on a book of the same title, which I now own, by Vance Joseph Hoyt, published by Grosset & Dunlap in 1931. If it is true that no print still exists then I think it would be a very good idea to re-make it!

This movie is a real treasure form my childhood. I remember watching it as the morning movie on San Francisco's Channel 7 while curled up next to my mother when I was about 4 r 5. To this day I think my love for wild animals and sense of loyalty stem from this movie. The theme I hold most dear from the movie is that natural enemies can become friends when both are nurtured with love. I think this movie's message is more timely now than ever before.This movie reminds me of how man gems have been made in Hollywood only to be lost with the passage of time. Maybe Channel 7 still has a print. It is worth contacting them to ask.Also, my wife is from Japan and has not had the chance to see Sequoia so I hope it becomes available on DVD so I can share it with her.