![\"Savage](\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Savage-Sam-267x400.jpeg\")
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DVD cover Copyright Disney<\/em><\/p>\n A sequel to Old Yeller<\/em> (1957), Savage Sam<\/em> was theatrically released on June 1, 1963. The live action adventure drama is 103 minutes in length and, like its predecessor, is based on a novel of the same name by Fred Gipson.<\/p>\n Plot Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n In post-Civil War Texas, teenager Travis Coates (Tommy Kirk) manages the family home with his younger brother, Arliss Coates (Kevin Corcoran), while their parents are away in San Antonio to care for a sick relative. As the old saying goes, \u201cWhen the cat\u2019s away, the mice will play,\u201d and Arliss certainly plays with the situation, violently refusing to follow Travis\u2019s instructions. After Travis saves his stubborn brother from a bobcat, an influx of Indians appears on horseback. The Indians proceed to kidnap the brothers in addition to their neighbor Lisbeth Searcy (Marta Kristen), who was along for the journey. With the help of his hound dog, Savage Sam, Travis escapes the camp and locates his uncle Beck Coates (Brian Keith), who leads a search party to save Arliss and Lisbeth.<\/p>\n Will Arliss and Lisbeth be rescued? If so, Savage Sam, will need to sniff out the camp.<\/p>\n Returning Cast<\/strong><\/p>\n Four characters from Old Yeller<\/em> reappear in Savage Sam<\/em>: Travis, Arliss, Bud Searcy (Jeff York), and Lisbeth Searcy. Played by Beverly Washburn in the original film, Lisbeth is portrayed by Marta Kristen in Savage Sam<\/em>. Travis and Arliss, played by Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran, respectively, in both films, look decidedly older in Savage Sam<\/em>.<\/p>\n Savage Sam, like Old Yeller, is man\u2019s best friend, but it is more difficult for viewers to connect with this canine. Whereas Yeller overtly risked his life multiple times to save the human protagonists, and eventually lost his life through this selflessness, Sam is more or less along for the ride. He greatly aids the humans but does so in a more straightforward manner.<\/p>\n Arliss<\/strong><\/p>\n Arliss\u2019s behavior during the first part of the film is, in a word, disturbing. In addition to complaining about everything, Arliss launches about a dozen moderate-sized rocks at Travis following a spontaneous stampede on the farm. Travis suffers no harm, but this sequence was difficult to watch. Ditto with a later scene where Travis struggles to save an incredulous Arliss from a bobcat.<\/p>\n Arliss\u2019s behavior is so obnoxious that when he scolds the Indians to \u201cleave [his] brother alone,\u201d one gets the cynical feeling that Arliss means \u201cOnly I can mess with my brother!\u201d<\/p>\n Unity<\/strong><\/p>\n In dire moments, parties must remain united to defeat a common enemy. Such was the case with the United States during the Cold War, and this ideal is represented in Savage Sam<\/em>. Over the course of the flick, Travis, rather unsuccessfully, pleads with Arliss to remain calm such as to not further inflame the Indians; Travis implores Sam to work with him to save Arliss and Lisbeth; and Uncle Beck quickly seeks to quell arguments among members of the search party.<\/p>\n Empathy<\/strong><\/p>\n Putting yourself in another person\u2019s proverbial shoes is easier said than done. While riding towards the Indian camp, one member of the search party, recently arrived from Virginia, argues to another member, Pack Underwood (Royal Dano), who wants to rout the Indians, that the Native Americans\u2019 hostility to the settlers is a legitimate reaction against white settlers occupying the land and killing the buffalo. With Underwood unmoved, his adversary retorts \u201c[it is] sometimes hard to tell who the savages are.\u201d As it turns out, Native Americans had previously murdered Underwood\u2019s wife and three children.<\/p>\n Action<\/strong><\/p>\n Savage Sam <\/em>does not lack in action. Along the way, a stampede erupts on the Coates\u2019 farm, Arliss fights a bobcat, a myriad of players ride horses across the landscape, the search crew withstands a sandstorm, and battles ensue between the settlers and the Native Americans.<\/p>\n Music<\/strong><\/p>\n The film commences with a catchy lyrical country-western song, \u201cSavage Sam and Me,\u201d which highlights the canine\u2019s adventures in the Texas countryside. Though it is not among Disney\u2019s best numbers, it provides a fun introduction to the film.<\/p>\n Relationship to Other Disney Films<\/strong><\/p>\n Savage Sam <\/em>marked the sixth and final Disney film to feature both Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran, both of whom were named Disney Legends in 2006. The duo had previously costarred in Old Yeller<\/em>, The Shaggy Dog <\/em>(1959), Swiss Family Robinson <\/em>(1960), Babes in Toyland <\/em>(1961), and Bon Voyage! <\/em>(1962).<\/p>\n The former Virginian\u2019s comment about the difficulty of discerning the real savages is similar to the line \u201cWho is the monster, and who is the man?\u201d in the song \u201cThe Bells of Notre Dame\u201d in The Hunchback of Notre Dame <\/em>(1996).<\/p>\n Battles among Indians and settlers also occur in Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier <\/em>(1955) and Pocahontas <\/em>(1995).<\/p>\n Overall<\/strong><\/p>\n Savage Sam <\/em>features plenty of action, but it lacks the heart of its predecessor.\u00a0 There are fewer somber moments, and Arliss\u2019s unruly antics make the first part of the movie hard to watch.<\/p>\n What do you think of<\/em> Savage Sam? Let me know in the comments!<\/em><\/p>\n![\"old-yeller-pinterest-use\"](\"https:\/\/www.themouseforless.com\/blog_world\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/Old-Yeller-Pinterest-USE-400x300.jpg\")
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