NIGHT OF THE GRIZZLY

US, 1966, 102 minutes, Colour.
Clint Walker, Martha Hyer, Keenan Wynn, Jack Elam.
Directed by Joseph Pevney.

The Night of the Grizzly is a competent and entertaining family western, focussing on a western town, the portrayal of a family, the menace of a grizzly bear. There is nothing particularly new in the film but it is well made and entertaining in its way.

1. How enjoyable a family western, the nature of its appeal, interest?

2. How important was the picture of the family? The opening with the emphasis on the group, their hopes, travelling together, their settling, work together, sharing ups and downs, the threats of Currie, the threats of the bear? Hopes and despair? Their sharing the ultimate danger, especially Charlie, their success? Could audiences identify with the family and each member? How credible a family unit? The sense of optimism and courage pervading the life of a family?

3. The film as a western: the use of the scenery and environment, the land itself, the western heritage, the wagon trains and travelling, life in the town, friendships, greed and hostility?

4. The Grizzly itself? As a threat, destructive evil coming from outside, a symbol of challenge? The visualizing of its destruction and menace, threat of the animals, of Sam, of the sharpshooter? The fight at the end, the threat to Charlie? Its death a symbol of the success of the family overcoming difficulties?

5. How well was the threat of the Grizzly linked with the threat of Currie, of Cass? Currie as a greedy man of the west, brutal but employing diplomacy, his wealth, the past hostility, his reaction to his sons and their violence and stupidity? His relying on Cass to get the money for killing the Grizzly and so buy out the family?

6. How attractive was Big Jim as the hero? The lawman and his past, his relationship with his wife, children and the whole group? The setbacks as regards the loan, the dilapidated house, the destruction by the Grizzly, the strength of his determination, his confronting the bear and the Curries? His determination and stubbornness? His heroism in rescuing Charlie? His relationship with Cass? The type of heroics
that this man represented?

7. Angela as the typical wife of the western hero? Her sharing the difficulties, her worry, anxiety at Jim's stubbornness, final reconciliation?

8. The importance of the children, the little girl and her relationship with the town hobo, the town hobo and his participating in the family life, his being welcomed at the end? Sam and his association with the family, the clash with the Curries about the drink? Wilhemina and her attraction, Sam wanting to put money into the group just prior to his being killed by the Grizzly? Credible characters?

9. The two Currie sons and their various pranks and hostility? Yet the attraction to the bear? funeral?

10. The picture of the town, its people, the man with the money and his support, Mrs Squires and her helping, the livestock, her son and his moonshine, Wilhemina and her store and her setting her cap at Sam? Filling out the picture of the town?

11. A credible story, adventure?