"Gentle Ben" Fans, Please Check-In Here...! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

biffbronson · 04-11-2021, 01:23 PM

How many of you Lassie fans remember the CBS series Gentle Ben, starring Dennis Weaver, Clint Howard, and Beth Brickell? It ran originally for 2 seasons between 1967 and 1969, 56 or 58 episodes (source discrepancy). Ben was Mark's (Clint's) black bear.

I used to really enjoy watching it -- likely in syndication in the early 1970s. Maybe one of the retro networks can air it, like they've done with Flipper in the past.

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1960'sTVfan · 04-11-2021, 06:17 PM

Back in 2013 and 2014, CBS released both seasons of Gentle Ben on DVD. It fits right in with other animal/adventure shows of the 60's like Daktari and Flipper. I would just prefer that the episodes be a full hour instead of just a half hour, half hour episodes don't leave a lot of room for story development. Episodes of Flipper are also only a half hour although some of them are multi part shows stretched over 2 or 3 episodes. Episodes of Daktari run for a full hour. The half hour format works fine for sitcoms, but for action/adventure shows I believe a full hour is preferred for better story development.

biffbronson · 04-28-2021, 11:29 PM

For fans of the series (and Dennis Weaver fans):

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04-11-2021, 01:23 PM	#1
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,270	"Gentle Ben" Fans, Please Check-In Here...! How many of you Lassie fans remember the CBS series Gentle Ben, starring Dennis Weaver, Clint Howard, and Beth Brickell? It ran originally for 2 seasons between 1967 and 1969, 56 or 58 episodes (source discrepancy). Ben was Mark's (Clint's) black bear. I used to really enjoy watching it -- likely in syndication in the early 1970s. Maybe one of the retro networks can air it, like they've done with Flipper in the past.

04-11-2021, 06:17 PM	#2
1960'sTVfan Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 30, 2009 Posts: 6,046	Back in 2013 and 2014, CBS released both seasons of Gentle Ben on DVD. It fits right in with other animal/adventure shows of the 60's like Daktari and Flipper. I would just prefer that the episodes be a full hour instead of just a half hour, half hour episodes don't leave a lot of room for story development. Episodes of Flipper are also only a half hour although some of them are multi part shows stretched over 2 or 3 episodes. Episodes of Daktari run for a full hour. The half hour format works fine for sitcoms, but for action/adventure shows I believe a full hour is preferred for better story development.

04-28-2021, 11:29 PM	#3
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,270	For fans of the series (and Dennis Weaver fans):