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 In the 1850s, a farmer named James Adams is accused of a crime he didn't commit and must flee into the mountains. There, he rescues and cares for an abandoned grizzly bear cub who grows into his own powerful adult companion named 'Ben.' In addition, Adams learns that he has an uncanny link to the wild animals of the region, who interact with him without fear or aggression. Realizing this about himself, "Grizzly" Adams (played by Dan Haggerty) learns to live in the wilderness with only two neighbors; an old trader named 'Mad Jack' (played by Denver Pyle) and a Native American named Nakoma (played by Don Shanks) as his human friends. However, while living there he also meets and aids a variety of visitors. They are unused to the dangers mountain wildlife might offer, but they are always impressed by how well Adams has adapted to his environment while creating his own harmonious existence. Unfortunately, while Adams protects the wildlife he grows to love from unnecessary harm, he must still be watchful for bounty hunters looking to collect the price on his head.
By Kenneth Chisholm and Tod Swindell
Friends for Life
If you enjoyed The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams series, you will love Friends for Life!
Click Here to learn more. |
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Memorable Quotes from the Show |
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Mad Jack: [title sequence narration] They call me Mad Jack, and if there is anybody in these mountains that knows the real story about James Adams, that'd be me. So I'm putting it down in writing just how it happened in hopes of setting the record straight. Well, my friend Adams was accused of a crime he didn't commit, so he escaped into the mountains, leaving behind the only life that he ever knew. Now that wilderness out there ain't no place for a greenhorn and his chances of survivin' were mighty slim. Weren't no time at all before he was beaten down, ragged and nearly starved. Long about then, he came upon a grizzly bear cub, all alone and helpless. Now Adams knew that little critter couldn't survive without his help; so he started right down that cliff, risking his own life to save it. [chuckles]
Mad Jack: Now that cub took to Adams right off. And that was when he discovered that he had special kind of way with animals; They'd just come right up to him like he was a natural part of the wilderness. But that bear cub, he was extra special. As he growed, he became the best friend Adams ever had, and together, they became a legend. |
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How The Show Was Developed |
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The 'Grizzly Adams' series ran on NBC from 1977 to July 1979. The theme song by Tom Pace it opened with these words:
"Deep inside the forest there's a door into another land. Here is our life and home. We are staying here forever in the beauty of this place, all alone. We keep on hoping. Maybe there's a world where we don't have to run. Maybe there's a time we'll call our own, living free in harmony and majesty. Take me home. Take me home."
It came off as pure and natural, even though The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams was mostly the result of market testing and computer modeling, a research process that writer/producer Charles Sellier and Schick Sunn Classic Pictures was proud of.
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What were the character names of Grizzly Adams’ sidekicks?
Ben, the bear was played by Bozo
Mad Jack, the Mountain Man was played by Denver Pyle
Nakoma, the American Indian was played by Don Shanks
Number Seven, Mad Jack’s Burro. He received this name simply because it was the seventh mule that Mad Jack had owned!
Who wrote the theme song?
The shows theme song, "Maybe" was written and sung by Thom Pace. The song was released as a single in Europe, where it hit number one on the charts. It also won a "Goldene Europa Award" for "Best Song".
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