Gentle Ben (1967-1969)

Clint Howard in Gentle Ben. (Photo: CBS)

Starring: Dennis Weaver, Vera Miles, Beth Brickell

While exploring the woods of the Bear River Game Reserve, young Mark Wedloe stumbles upon a baby cub. Suddenly confronted by its angry mother, Mark climbs to the safety of a tree. As the bear approaches her cub, she is killed by Fog Hanson, a hunter. Unaware of Mark's presence, Fog takes the cub.

The next day, Mark discovers the cub concealed in Fog's waterfront shack. Mark sneaks in to feed the cub, and names him Ben.

Several months later, when Mark overhears Fog talking about killing the bear, he speaks to his father Tom and asks him to purchase the 600-pound bear from Fog.

When fate intervenes and Tom accepts the position of game warden in the Florida Everglades, he purchases Ben from Fog.

Stories depict Tom's experiences as a game warden, and the adventures shared by the boy and his pet bear.