Gentle
Ben - Season Two
(1968 - 1969/CBS DVD Set)
Picture:
C Sound: C Extras: D Episodes: B+
Welcome
back to another season (the last as it sadly turns out) of fun and
adventure with Gentle
Ben
and the Wedloes in the Florida Everglades. As young Mark (Clint
Howard) grows and explores the nature reserve with his park ranger
father, Tom (Dennis Weaver), he teaches Ben about nature, animals and
man, and he understands the balance between them. Mark has the best
pet a kid could ever want, a 650-lb bear named Ben. He lives with
his mother and father at an animal reserve with the swampland as his
playground. They are often visited by neighbor and friend Boomhauer,
with other wild animals (which Mark and Ben befriend). More than
often Mark gets into trouble and Ben somehow manages to save him.
This was a heart felt
series, good for all ages and the family. It was like Doctor
Dolittle (without singing for fans of the original film), except with
a kid and a bear. The episodes were at times entertaining, even
funny as the young boy gets into trouble and learn about morals and
animals from his park ranger father. Each episode taught something
about the importance of nature and how man treats nature, but that
was not enough to keep the show going and it folded early. Again,
nice it is finally on DVD for all to see. See more after the episode
listing as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------
Two
For the Sea (Part 1) -
Ben and Mark befriend a runaway dolphin from a water park.
Two
For the Sea (Part 2) -
Ben follows his new found friend out to sea.
The
Wall that Mark and Tom Built -
Mark decides to move in with Ben and live away from home.
Ben
the Champ -
Ben tries wrestling at the town carnival.
Flapjack
for Breakfast -
Mark follows his pet raccoon into the swamp, who gets caught by a
trapper.
A
Gift of Love -
Mark meets a lonely man in the woods and decides to train a dog for
him.
Code
Name: Disaster! - The
Wedloes face mother nature when a flood heads their way.
The
Intruders -
While exploring the swamps, Mark and Ben find some trouble.
Starr
of Green Bay - Mark
gets a lesson in sportsmanship from Bart Starr of the Green Bay
Packers.
Warden's
Pond - The
Wedloes help build a home for a new couple.
Knights
of the Road -
Mark meets a hobo in the deep swampland.
The
Haunted Castle -
Mark runs into some jewel thieves.
The
Warden's Apprentice - Tom
tries to teach a lazy egotistic young man the value of hard work.
Keeper
of the Glades (Part 1) - The
swampland becomes overrun with vandals and hoodlums.
Keeper
of the Glades (Part 2) - Tom
tracks down the vandals and puts an end to their abuses.
The
Great Mail Boat Robbery -
Ben steals a mail boat by accident.
Show
Biz -
A clown helps Ben learn some new old tricks.
Flamingo
Flats -
Mark and Ben finds some Seminole Indians in the swampland.
Lifeline
-
Ellen leads the boys in a camp, but then runs into a storm.
My
Son the Banker -
Mark takes Ben to the bank to try and help out Mr. Boomhauer.
The
Last Red Wolf -
Tom finds a rare red wolf in the swampland.
The
Competitor -
Mark becomes competitive in a contest, but then gets into trouble.
Mark
of the Arrow -
Tom gets badly injured and Mark and Ben must go for help.
Boom's
Land Boomerang -
Boomhauer sells his land, not knowing the buyer intends to turn the
reserve into a hunting ground.
Elephant
on the Lam -
Mark must decide to either help an elephant run away or bring him
back.
The
Prey -
Mark tries to protect a doe during hunting season.
The
Bully -
Mark learns how to deal with bullies and why they are bullies.
Busman's
Holiday -
Mark is afraid that Ben would be taken away from him when Ben causes
some trouble.
The 1.33 X 1 color
picture and lossy Dolby Digital 2.0 mono sound are on par with the
last set, meaning they can look and sound good, but can be rough and
aged at times. There are no extras this time, but for more on the
first season, go to this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/12543/Comedy+Bang!+Bang!:+The+Complete+First+Sea
- Ricky Chiang
