The movie “Old Yeller”, released in 1957, narrates the story of a teenage boy who learns to love a stray yellow dog while looking after his Texas home. This boy, helping his mother and younger brother run, starts to love “Old Yeller”, previously considered worthless. Directed by Robert Stevenson, mainly stars Dorothy McGuire, Fess Parker, and Jeff York.
Where it Filmed?
The film was shot in various locations across the United States from January to May 1957. Locations include Santa Clarita, Clayton in Georgia, Walt Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch in Newhall, California, Big Bear Lake in the Big Bear Valley, Sherwood Forest, and the San Bernardino National Forest in California.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dorothy McGuire | Katie Coates |
| Fess Parker | Jim Coates |
| Jeff York | Bud Searcy |
| Chuck Connors | Burn Sanderson |
| Beverly Washburn | Lisbeth Searcy |
| Tommy Kirk | Travis Coates |
| Kevin Corcoran | Arliss Coates |
| Jumper | Burro (uncredited) |
| Spike | Old Yeller (uncredited) |
Trivia and Facts
- The role of Old Yeller was played by a Labrador Retriever/English Mastiff cross. This was contrary to how he was identified as a mongrel in the dialogue.
- The film was set in 1869, but Travis’ gun was a model 1873 Springfield Trapdoor receiver. This rifle led to some inaccuracies in the film as it used a cartridge, not a powder horn.
- Scenes from “Old Yeller” were reused in another 1957 film, “The Best Doggoned Dog in the World”.
- The quote from Jim Coates, “Now and then, for no good reason a man can figure out, life will just haul off and knock him flat,” is one of the memorable lines from the film.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Santa Clarita, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.3916641
- Longitude: -118.542586
- Place ID: ChIJJxjVrDOGwoARSNYFc-CPSlY
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Santa Clarita, CA, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Walt Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch – 19802 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, California, USA
- Latitude: 34.3775527
- Longitude: -118.4782287
- Place ID: ChIJVbilFlOPwoARU9oc3s_-9Lg
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 19802 Placerita Canyon Rd, Newhall, CA 91321, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Location Name: Sherwood Forest, California, USA
- Latitude: 38.0290898
- Longitude: -120.2243553
- Place ID: ChIJt0HoTHLMkIAR0TIKH0W5WX8
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Sherwood Forest, CA 95383, USA
- Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
