DVD Review: The Life and Times of
Grizzly Adams (Season Two)
By Joe Corey on April 2, 2013
People today talk about shows being canceled too soon as if
it was a current phenomenon. But the history of television is scattered with
iconic shows that didn’t last that long on the air, but seemed like they must
have rivaled Gunsmoke. The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams falls into that
category. Dan Haggerty’s portrayal of the wrongly accused mountain man hiding
out in the wilderness began with the massively popular The Life and Times of
Grizzly Adams movie in 1974. The movie was adapted into TV series that joined
the NBC schedule as a winter replacement in 1977. Haggerty immediately became a
hit with his warm smile, bushy beard and magic touch with animals. Yet even
with everything going right for the show, The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams:
Season Two is the only full season it aired.
“Hot Air Hero” brings another guest to Grizzly’s remote
cabin by an unusual mode of transportation. A hot air balloon piloted by Gino
Conforti (Here’s Lucy) crashes. The man dreams of setting up the air mail
version of the Pony Express. “A Bear’s Life” has Mad Jack (Dukes of Hazzard‘s
Denver Pyle) and Grizzly working around the cabin. Ben the bear decides to goof
of and be a bear for the day. A young Indian is up for his manhood ritual in
“The Trial.” He must prove his manhood by catching fish except an otter ruins
his day. He cheats in a last ditch move. “Gold Is Where You Find It” brings
Larry Storch and Forrest Tucker back to the wilderness. The F Troop stars are
suckered into buying a worthless gold map. Can they find an honest living off
the land?
“Track of the Cougar” puts Grizzly against his Indian pal
Nokoma (Don Shanks). A village has been attacked by a cougar that might have been
raised by Grizzly. Can he let his pal snuff his former pet? “The Spoilers” has
settlers near Hoot Owl Creek fear their water source is being poisoned. Not to
spoil the episode, but Ken Lynch (Mr. Haney on Green Acres) is the guest star.
“Marvin the Magnificent” brings a guest bear to the cabin. Can two men with two
bears get along without killing each other? “The Seekers” find the great Keenan
Wynn (Dr. Strangelove) arrive before a storm.
Roger E. Mosley” (Magnum P.I.) arrives in chains for “The
Runaway.” Where is he coming from? Mad Jack doesn’t think it’s smart for
Grizzly to be near the guy mainly cause he might attract people who would be
delight to grab Roger and Grizzly for their bounties. “The Renewal” is an
Easter special featuring Patrick Wayne (Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger). “The
Skyrider” brings the ’70s fad of hang gliding to Grizzly’s mountain. Russ
Tamblyn (Twin Peaks) takes flight. “The World’s Greatest Bounty Hunter” turns
Mad Jack mad enough to think he needs to snag Grizzly for the reward.
“Once Upon a Starry Night” is a Christmas special that aired
the season after the show was canceled. This 70 minute movie of the week
features wolves and an avalanche. Ken Curtis (Festus on Gunsmoke) and Don
Galloway (Ironside) are part of the holiday celebration in the mountains. So
maybe this is part of why it felt like Grizzly Adams was on the TV longer than
less than two seasons. What ended Grizzly Adams run? NBC hired Burt Silverman.
The executive was eager to air more adult oriented sitcoms than family oriented
dramas which was his key to running CBS and ABC. It didn’t work that well at
NBC. Luckily Grizzly Adams remained in the heart of America. Fans still request
Dan Haggerty marry them at Dennis Hof’s Bunny Ranch.
The Episodes
“The Trial,” “Survival,” “A Bear’s Life,” “The Choice,” “Hot
Air Hero,” “Track of the Cougar,” “The Search,” “Marvin the Magnificent,”
“Woman in the Wilderness,” “The Orphans,” “Gold Is Where You Find It,” “A Time
of Thirsting,” “The Seekers,” “The Spoilers,” “The Stranger,” “The Runaway,” “A
Gentleman Tinker,” “The World’s Greatest Bounty Hunter,” “The Littlest
Greenhorn,” “The Great Burro Race,” “The Quest,” “The Skyrider,” “The Renewal”
and “Once Upon a Starry Night.”
The video is 1.33:1 full frame. The transfer quality
isn’t so great for some of the episodes. But I’d heard the show was shot on
16mm which is why the resolution isn’t quite up to snuff. The audio is mono.
The mix varies on the episodes.
A Conversation with Dan Haggerty (13:15)
lets Grizzly Adams tell how he was discovered for the role. He gives Denver
Pyle’s tips for not squinting on camera. Turns out they shot in three locations
depending on the snow. This is an unexpected bonus feature since he didn’t seem
eager to record anything when I met Haggerty last October.
The Life and Times of Grizzly
Adams: Season Two brings back a time when a network nature program didn’t
involve people being voted off the island. Grizzly was a calming influence in
the wilderness with his pet bear. The show still maintains the charms of when
it ran in the ’70s.
Timeless Media Group presents The Life and Times of
Grizzly Adams: Season Two. Starring: Dan Haggerty, Denver Pyle and Don Shanks.
Boxset Contents: 24 episodes on 4 DVDs. Released: February 19, 2013. Available
at Amazon.com
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