Gentle Ben
Encyclopedia
Gentle Ben is a children's novel by author Walt Morey
, first published in 1965. The book concerns the friendship between the title character, a bear, and a young boy named Mark. The story was later made into a film
and television series (1967-1969), as well as made-for-TV movies which originally aired in 2002 and 2003.
television series Gentle Ben ran from September 10, 1967 until August 31, 1969, airing a total of 56 episodes. The show stars a young Clint Howard
as Mark Wedloe, and chronicles his adventures with a lovable 650-pound American black bear
named Ben (played by Bruno the Bear).
Musician and voice actor Candy Candido
provided the voice of Ben. Dennis Weaver
played Mark's father, park ranger Tom Wedloe. Beth Brickell had the role of his mother, Ellen. Rance Howard, who is Clint's real life father and the writer of several episodes for the show, played Weaver's neighbor and friend, Henry Boomhauer. Weaver's character often traveled the Everglades
via airboat, while Howard senior's Boomhauer drove a swamp buggy. The series was produced by Ivan Tors
, also the creator of Lloyd Bridges
's Sea Hunt
. Among its writers was Tam Spiva
, who also scripted for The Brady Bunch
on ABC
. The series also changed the locale from the book's Alaska
to Florida
.
Although the bear character in a subsequent television series, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, is also named Ben, there is no connection between the bears.
Gentle Ben 2 (also known as Gentle Ben: Danger on the Mountain) was first shown on 5 January 2003. It was known as Gentle Ben: Black Gold for its UK release.
The 2002 film also starred:
The 2003 film also starred:
Walt Morey
Walter "Walt" Morey , was an award-winning author of numerous works of children's fiction, set in the U.S. Pacific Northwest and Alaska, the places where Morey lived for all of his life...
, first published in 1965. The book concerns the friendship between the title character, a bear, and a young boy named Mark. The story was later made into a film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and television series (1967-1969), as well as made-for-TV movies which originally aired in 2002 and 2003.
1960s
The CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television series Gentle Ben ran from September 10, 1967 until August 31, 1969, airing a total of 56 episodes. The show stars a young Clint Howard
Clint Howard
Clinton "Clint" Howard is an American film and television actor. He is a character actor with numerous brief appearances on television and films. He has played many bit parts in movies directed by his brother, actor-turned-director Ron Howard. He is also the uncle of actress Bryce Dallas Howard...
as Mark Wedloe, and chronicles his adventures with a lovable 650-pound American black bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
named Ben (played by Bruno the Bear).
Musician and voice actor Candy Candido
Candy Candido
Candy Candido was an American radio performer, bass player, vocalist and animation voice actor, best remembered for his famous line, "I'm feeling mighty low."...
provided the voice of Ben. Dennis Weaver
Dennis Weaver
William Dennis Weaver was an American actor, best known for his work in television, including roles on Gunsmoke, as Marshal Sam McCloud on the NBC police drama McCloud, and the 1971 TV movie Duel....
played Mark's father, park ranger Tom Wedloe. Beth Brickell had the role of his mother, Ellen. Rance Howard, who is Clint's real life father and the writer of several episodes for the show, played Weaver's neighbor and friend, Henry Boomhauer. Weaver's character often traveled the Everglades
Everglades
The Everglades are subtropical wetlands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, comprising the southern half of a large watershed. The system begins near Orlando with the Kissimmee River, which discharges into the vast but shallow Lake Okeechobee...
via airboat, while Howard senior's Boomhauer drove a swamp buggy. The series was produced by Ivan Tors
Ivan Tors
Ivan Tors was a Hungarian playwright, film director, screenwriter, and film and television producer with an emphasis on non-violent but exciting science fiction, underwater filmed television and films, and films about animals...
, also the creator of Lloyd Bridges
Lloyd Bridges
Lloyd Vernet Bridges, Jr. was an American actor who starred in a number of television series and appeared in more than 150 feature films. Bridges is best known for his role of Mike Nelson in Sea Hunt, the most-popular syndicated American TV series in 1958...
's Sea Hunt
Sea Hunt
Sea Hunt was an American adventure television series that was aired in syndication by Ziv Television Programs from 1958 to 1961 and was popular in syndication for decades afterwards. The series originally aired for four seasons, with 155 episodes produced...
. Among its writers was Tam Spiva
Tam Spiva
Hubert Tamblyn Spiva, known as Tam Spiva , is a television screenwriter in Pacific Palisades, California, who is best known for his work on ABC's The Brady Bunch situation comedy , starring Florence Henderson and Robert Reed, and CBS's family drama Gentle Ben starring Dennis Weaver.Spiva is...
, who also scripted for The Brady Bunch
The Brady Bunch
The Brady Bunch is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz and starring Robert Reed, Florence Henderson, and Ann B. Davis. The series revolved around a large blended family...
on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
. The series also changed the locale from the book's Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
to Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
.
Although the bear character in a subsequent television series, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams, is also named Ben, there is no connection between the bears.
2000s
Gentle Ben (also known as Gentle Ben: The Movie and Gentle Ben: Terror on the Mountain) was first shown on 25 March 2002, although some cable airings list it with a 2003 date.Gentle Ben 2 (also known as Gentle Ben: Danger on the Mountain) was first shown on 5 January 2003. It was known as Gentle Ben: Black Gold for its UK release.
Cast
The following characters were in both films.- Dean CainDean CainDean Cain is an American actor. He is most widely known for his role as Clark Kent/Superman in the popular American television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.-Early life:...
as Jack Wedloe - Corbin BernsenCorbin BernsenCorbin Dean Bernsen is an American actor and director, known for his work on television. He is best known for his roles as divorce attorney Arnold Becker on the NBC drama series L.A. Law, and as retired police detective Henry Spencer on the USA Network comedy-drama series Psych...
as Fog Benson - Ashley LaurenceAshley LaurenceAshley Laurence is an American film and television actress. She is noted for her appearances in horror films, particularly the Hellraiser series.-Career:...
as Dakota - Reiley McClendonReiley McClendonReiley McClendon is an American actor.-Personal life:McClendon was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. McClendon attended Grace Brethren High School, and graduated with the class of 2007, since he skipped 5th grade...
as Mark Wedloe - Cody Weiant as Ashley June Benson
- Bonkers as Ben (the bear)
- Collin Bernsen as Kyle
- Gil BirminghamGil BirminghamGil Birmingham is an American actor of Comanche ancestry, known for his portrayal of Billy Black in the The Twilight Saga film series.- Personal background :...
as Pete - Jack ConleyJack Conley (actor)Jack Conley is an American actor with an established career as a guest actor on a long list of television series. His wife Francesca Casale is also an actor, working primarily in theater.-Filmography:* Hit the Dutchman as Thomas Dewey...
as Cal Stryker - Jeanne CooperJeanne CooperWilma Jeanne Cooper , best known as Jeanne Cooper, is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Katherine Chancellor on the daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless...
as Rowland - Martin KoveMartin KoveMartin Kove is an American actor who has appeared in feature films and television series.-Film appearances:His best-known roles may have been on the 1980s hit CBS television series Cagney & Lacey as Detective Victor Isbecki and in the 1984 hit film The Karate Kid as Cobra Kai Sensei John Kreese...
as Cully - Holly McClendon as Samantha
- Bob Norsworthy as EPA Inspector
- J. Karen Thomas as Ms. Washborough
- Damian Valencia as Sheriff Rivers
The 2002 film also starred:
- William KattWilliam KattWilliam Theodore Katt is an American film and television actor, best known as the star of The Greatest American Hero. He is also known for playing Tommy Ross, the ill-fated prom date of Carrie White in the film version of Carrie and Paul Drake Jr. in the Perry Mason TV movies...
as Gittis - Stephen W. Bridgewater as Norwood Malone
The 2003 film also starred:
- E. Scott Corly as Scott
External links
- The Bear Facts (1967 pilot film) (1967–1969 series) (2002 TV movie) (2003 TV Movie)