Gentle Ben
- Gentle Ben is also the nickname of professional golfer Ben Crenshaw
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.
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[edit] Television
[edit] 1960s
The CBS 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.
[edit] 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.[1]
[edit] Cast
The following characters were in both films.
- Dean Cain as Jack Wedloe
- Corbin Bernsen as Fog Benson
- Ashley Laurence as Dakota
- Reiley McClendon as Mark Wedloe
- Cody Weiant as Ashley June Benson
- Bonkers as Ben (the bear)
- Collin Bernsen as Kyle
- Gil Birmingham as Pete
- Jack Conley as Cal Stryker
- Jeanne Cooper as Rowland
- Martin Kove 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 Katt as Gittis
- Stephen W. Bridgewater as Norwood Malone
The 2003 film also starred:
- E. Scott Corly as Scott
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- The Bear Facts
- Gentle Giant at the Internet Movie Database (1967 pilot film)
- Gentle Ben at the Internet Movie Database (1967–1969 series)
- Gentle Ben at the Internet Movie Database (2002 TV movie)
- Gentle Ben 2 at the Internet Movie Database (2003 TV Movie)
