There are TV shows that felt like they lasted longer than their actual run. You think The Jetsons lasted in primetime until the moon landing. But they were canceled after one season. The same can be said about The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams. The show felt like it lasted for the entire ’70s. Dan Haggerty was everywhere. He was captain of NBC’s squad on Battle of the Network Stars. So it’s with a bit of a shock to realize the show lasted one and a half seasons. I recently met Dan Haggerty at the world famous Bunny Ranch. He’s married over 200 couples at the bordello. He had no idea that Grizzly Adams: Season One was about to be released on DVD. He gave me a little background on the show that helped me appreciate the series.
The show is based off The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams feature film. This is not included in the boxset. Haggerty explained that the original film was shot without him. The studio behind the movie didn’t like the lead actor so they shelved the completed project. Haggerty was working on another movie for them as the animal trainer and actor. The head of the studio saw footage of him and declared Haggerty was his Grizzly Adams. With a barebones budget, Haggerty and crew created new shots to blend with usable footage from the earlier version. This was like Back to the Future with a bear.
The movie was a massive hit in the winter of 1974. Even though it made millions, Haggerty never saw anything beyond his $5,000 check. The bear got $3,000. The good news was that he would see more paychecks thanks to NBC wanting to adapt the movie into a TV series. Haggerty would be a recognizable TV icon after years of small roles in AIP biker films and Muscle Beach Party. The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams launched as a spring replacement in a dangerous Wednesday timeslot against ABC’s Bionic Woman and CBS’s Good Times. Could Grizzly Adams survive J.J. and Jaime Sommers?
For those unfamiliar with the movie, the plot is summarized in the opening credits with Mad Jack (Dukes of Hazzard‘s Denver Pyle) narration. James Adams was charged with a murder he didn’t commit. He fled into the mountains to escape the law. He learned to survive under harsh circumstances. He was so attuned to nature, he adopted a stranded bear that became his sidekick. He names him Ben (not to be confused with Gentle Ben). This friendship earned him the name Grizzly Adams. He’s got a good heart and a price on his head.
“Adam’s Cub” loses a little girl in the wilderness from her parent’s wagon. Things look bad for her an lion attacks. Luckily Ben the Bear saves her and drags her back to Grizzly’s cabin. Can he reunite her with her family without attracting bounty hunters? “Blood Brothers” recounts how Grizzly befriended Ben and Nakoma (Don Shanks). “The Fugitive” rescues Ken Berry (F Troop) from drowning in a river. Amongst his possessions is a large back of money. How does a magician make that much loot? Grizzly senses he’s not the only wanted man in the woods. “Unwelcome Neighbor” settles a guy named Cartman near Grizzly’s cabin. The guy is a pain. Is this where South Park got their Cartman?
“Howdy-Do, I’m Mad Jack” recounts how Grizzly met the man that would tell his story to the world. “Adam’s Ark” rumbles the mountains. Turns out one of the peaks is a volcano. Grizzly must save his animal pals before their toasted in hot lava. “Redemption of Ben” nearly kills Grizzly in a landslide. Ben wanders off in remorse and gets lured into showbiz by Norman Fell (The Ropers). Will he leave the entertainment world when Grizzly rises from beneath the rocks? Grizzly meets a young Teddy Roosevelt (Charles Martin Smith) in “The Tenderfoot.” Smith would go on to star in his own great wilderness epic: Never Cry Wolf.
“The Rivals” makes Mad Jack think his mule has uncovered gold. Things get tense when a woman makes two friends get their dander up. “The Unholy Beast” spooks Grizzy and his friends. Is there really a monster that can terrify Ben? Is it Slim Pickens (Dr. Strangelove)? “Beaver Dam” pits Grizzly’s cabin against critters working on the creek. Can he be considered a friend to nature if he slaughters the beavers? “Home of the Hawk” turns Grizzly into a helping hand for a father and daughter. “The Storm” transforms a big dinner into a rescue mission. Grizzly has to find a woman’s daughter instead of getting sloshed with Mad Jack and Nakoma.
The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams takes things back to when a dramatic series didn’t have to be overly dramatic with fast editing and freaky camera moves. Haggerty is perfect for the role with his thick beard and easygoing ways with the animals. He truly has a bond with the bear. His presence in as Grizzly Adams is why its easy to think the show lasted as long as Hawaii Five-O. The show did stick around for a second season which is schedule to be released on February 19, 2012. The Adventures of Grizzly Adams: Season One brings back warm, bearded memories.
The video is 1.33:1 full frame. The transfers appears these were mastered off 16mm prints. They’re in rough shape, but viewable. From what I gather, the series was shot on 16mm to save on production costs. The audio is Dolby Digital mono. The sound is a little better than the picture.
There are no bonus features.
The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams: Season One adapts the popular movie to a weekly series without any real hiccups. Dan Haggerty is back as the fugitive frontiersman along with his friends. The series is perfect for viewers eager for a lazy time in the wilderness.
Timeless Media presents The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams: Season One. Starring: Dan Haggerty, Denver Pyle and Don Shanks. Boxset Contents: 13 episodes on 4 DVDs. Released: November 6, 2012. Available at Amazon.com
