Based on the novel by Fred Gipson, Old Yeller is set in Texas in 1869. While his father is away on a cattle drive, 15-year-old Travis Coates (Tommy Kirk) takes over management of the family farm. Adopting a "strictly business" policy, Travis is irritated when younger brother, Arliss (Kevin Corcoran), adopts a frisky stray dog. But soon Travis is as fond of the dog as everyone else in the family; moreover, "Old Yeller" is an excellent watchdog. But while fighting off a mad wolf, Yeller is
infected with rabies. Though Yeller seems unaffected at first, he eventually behaves so viciously that the disheartened Travis has no choice but to shoot the dog. A heart-to-heart talk between Travis and his returning father (Fess Parker), coupled with the adoption of a new pup, paves the way to an emotional but reasonably happy ending. Earning eight million dolalrs domestically on its first release, Old Yeller convinced Walt Disney to devote more and more time to live-action films and less time to animation -- which at the time was a sagacious business move. In 1963, Disney released a lesser sequel to Old Yeller titled Savage Sam. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
What makes Old Yeller more than run-of-the-mill Disney is not only the gut-wrenching climax, but also the remarkably well-done uplift of the denouement.
When I saw "Old Yeller " as a child, I was emotionally devastated. Its heartbreaking climax has stayed with me all these years, proving how deeply a movie can affect us.
A classic movie that teaches everyone the danger of stray dogs and the deadliness of rabies. It's fearless at displaying animal death and for that it is worthy of praise, but too many people love it for the dog story. I think it's weak in that area, where it excels in is depression and two neglected children who are
forced to replace their father.
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