Old Yeller (1957)
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100% of critics liked it
(17 reviews) -
74% of users liked it
(50,427 ratings)
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… More 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
- Directed By
- Robert Stevenson
- Written By
- Fred Gipson, William Tunberg
- Genres
- Western, Drama, Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Classics
- In Theaters
- Dec 25, 1957 Wide
- Studio
- Buena Vista Pictures
Critic Reviews
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, TIME Magazine
It comes from Disney's thoroughly proved mother lode: movies for the kids that adults will stay to enjoy themselves.
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Sentimental, yes, but also sturdy as a hickory stick.
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Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Tearjerker is one of the best early Disney dramas.
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Disney Studios' first and best attempt at a boy-and-his-dog film...
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John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
Everyone sheds tears for this family drama
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Dorothy McGuire
as Katie Coates
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Fess Parker
as Jim Coates
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Tommy Kirk
as Travis Coates
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Kevin Corcoran
as Arliss Coates
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Chuck Connors
as Burn Sanderson
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Jeff York
as Bud Searcy
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Beverly Washburn
as Lisbeth Searcy
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Spike
as Old Yeller


