Dennis Weaver in Gentle Ben

For those of you who aren't familiar with the TV show Gentle Ben here is a 1968 cover of the issue of TV Guide that most of the cast appears on. I got if from this auction. It starred Dennis Weaver as wildlife officer Tom Wedloe. Clint Howard was his son Mark and Beth Brickell his wife Ellen. Rance Howard, Clint's real life Dad, played Henry Boomhauer. He was a friend of Tom's. They lived in the Florida everglades. Ben was the friendly and lovable 600 pound black bear that Mark Wedloe befriended. It was the Florida version of Lassie. Mark always getting into trouble. Then his Dad and Ben would get him out. It was a bit unbelieveable. No matter how gentle a bear Ben was I would not let my son pal around with him. Still it was fun family adventure and ran from 1967 to 1969. Then next year Mr. Weaver was cast in the show where he found his signature character Marshal Sam McCloud. You can read more about it at Booksteve's Library. I didn't know he enjoyed the show so much.