
What is the message of the book Old Yeller?
The theme of "Old Yeller" explores the bittersweet but endearing transition from boyhood to manhood of the main character, Travis. The critically acclaimed novel was written by Fred Gipson in 1956. Considered a classic, it won the prestigious Newbery Honor in 1969. Walt Disney produced the screen adaptation of the tale in 1957.
Who are the characters in the book Old Yeller?
- Fess Parker as Jim Coates
- Dorothy McGuire as Katie Coates
- Tommy Kirk as Travis Coates
- Kevin Corcoran as Arliss Coates
- Jeff York as Bud Searcy
- Beverly Washburn as Lisbeth Searcy
- Chuck Connors as Burn Sanderson
- Spike as Old Yeller
Is old Yeller a historical fiction?
Published in 1956, Old Yeller is a classic historical fiction novel about the bond between a boy and his dog. With his Papa away on a cattle drive, 14-year-old Travis Coates gets help from a brave stray dog. Together, they defend the homestead and protect Travis’s mother and little brother.
What is the summary of Old Yeller?
Old Yeller is a beloved children's book about the love between a boy and his dog. The story begins by introducing a boy called Travis Coates, who works hard on his family ranch to look after his mother and brother. His father is away from the family home working, which gives his oldest son some extra responsibility.

Was Old Yeller a book or movie first?
Old Yeller is a 1957 American drama film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced by Walt Disney. It stars Tommy Kirk, Dorothy McGuire, Kevin Corcoran, and Fess Parker. It is about a boy and a stray dog in post-Civil War Texas. The film is based upon the 1956 novel of the same name by Fred Gipson.
Is the book Old Yeller a true story?
Set in the 1860s, Old Yeller was inspired by a true story told by Gipson's grandfather and recounts the frontier adventures of a teenage boy, Travis, and his poor family who adopt an ugly “yeller” dog.
What is the summary of the book Old Yeller?
A teenage boy grows to love a stray yellow dog while helping his mother and younger brother run their Texas homestead while their father is away on a cattle drive. First thought to be good-for-nothing mutt, Old Yeller is soon beloved by all.
What breed was Old Yeller in the book?
The dog, Old Yeller, although described in the dialogue as a mongrel, is portrayed by a 170-pound Yellow Mastador (Labrador Retriever/English Mastiff cross) and, in the book by Fred Gipson, is a Black-Mouthed Cur, a similar looking but less bulky breed.
What killed Old Yeller?
After a series of adventures, Old Yeller is forced to defend the family against a rabid wolf. During the fight, Old Yeller is bitten and injured by the wolf. Because of Old Yeller's exposure to rabies and the fact that he is now a threat to the family as a result, the older son is forced to shoot and kill Old Yeller.
Why is the dog named Old Yeller?
When a "dingy yellow" dog comes for an unasked stay with the family, Travis reluctantly takes in the dog, which they name Old Yeller. The name has a double meaning: the fur color yellow pronounced as "yeller" and the fact that its bark sounds more like a human yell.
What is the difference between Old Yeller movie and Old Yeller book?
And in the book Travis and Old Yeller never slept didn't the cornfield and it never happened. Finally, in the movie when Travis shoots Old Yeller, him and Elizabeth bury him. But in the book, Travis and Elizabeth never buried Old Yeller.
What did they call rabies in Old Yeller?
In Old Yeller, hydrophobia, also known as rabies, is a disease that slowly spreads through the Texan community where Travis lives.
Who was the dog in Old Yeller?
SpikeSpike (1952–1962) was a lop-eared yellow Mastador (Mastiff/Labrador Retriever crossbreed) and a dog actor best known for his performance as the title character in the 1957 film Old Yeller, in which he co-starred with Tommy Kirk, Beverly Washburn, Dorothy McGuire, Fess Parker, and Kevin Corcoran.
What kind of dog was Scooby Doo?
Great DaneScooby Doo is a Great Dane, one of the biggest dog breeds. The character was created by Iwao Takamoto, animator at Hanna-Barbera Productions. Takamoto studied the breed when developing the character, but took plenty of liberties for the fictional series.
How many dogs were used in the making of Old Yeller?
PHOTOS: (1) The 1957 Disney movie, “Old Yeller,” was an instant success and became an American classic. (2) The movie starred a 115-pound, Lab/Bull Mastiff mix named Spike, who was purchased at a Van Nuys, California shelter for $3 by a Hollywood animal trainer.
What kind of dog was Cujo?
Saint BernardsWhat Happened to Cujo? Five different Saint Bernards were used during production alongside one mechanical head replica and — slightly less impressively — a man in a dog costume.
What did they call rabies in Old Yeller?
In Old Yeller, hydrophobia, also known as rabies, is a disease that slowly spreads through the Texan community where Travis lives.
Is there an Old Yeller 2?
Savage Sam is a 1963 American Western film sequel to Old Yeller based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Fred Gipson. Norman Tokar directed the live-action film, which was released by Walt Disney Productions on June 1, 1963. It did not enjoy the success of the original.
Who shot Old Yeller?
Near the end of Old Yeller, Travis Coates shoots Old Yeller because the dog has been bitten by a rabid wolf.
Was Old Yeller a yellow lab?
The Newbery Honor-winning novel “Old Yeller,” written by Fred Gipson, came out in 1956. The following year, Disney released a film with Spike in the title role. He was part yellow lab, making him a distant relative of golden retrievers. The dog he portrayed, however, was likely a yellow black mouth cur.
Who couldn't stand the sight of Old Yeller?
At first, Travis couldn't stand the sight of Old Yeller.
How old is Travis from Old Yeller?
You look afte. Old Yeller is a coming of age story about a boy named Travis and his family living in Salt Lick, Texas in the 1860s. Travis is fourteen years old and yearns to be a man.
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Is Fred Gipson's last book a hardcover?
I’m unsure what year this edition is based on the copyright page. It’s definitely not a very old edition because it does list Fred Gipson’s last book and his death in 1973 on the back cover. I believe the first edition publisher was Harper & Brothers. Regardless, this is a classic we’re happy to have. There are a few black and white illustrations throughout but not many.
Can Travis stand the sight of Old Yeller?
But can Trav. At first, Travis couldn't stand the sight of Old Yeller. The stray dog was ugly, and a thieving rascal, too. But he sure was clever, and a smart dog could be a big help on the wild Texas frontier, especially with Papa away on a long cattle drive up to Abilene. Strong and courageous, Old Yeller proved that he could protect Travis's ...
What is the Old Yeller book about?
A timeless American classic and one of the most beloved children’s books ever written, Old Yeller is a Newbery Honor Book that explores the poignant and unforgettable bond between a boy and the stray dog who becomes his loyal friend.#N#When his father sets out on a cattle drive toward Kansas for the summer, fourteen-year-old Travis Coates is left to take care of his family and their farm. Living in Texas Hill Country during the 1860s, Travis comes to face new, unanticipated, and often perilous responsibilities in the frontier wilderness.#N#A particular nuisance is a stray yellow dog that shows up one day and steals food from the family. But the big canine who Travis calls “Old Yeller” proves his worth by defending the family from danger. And Travis ultimately finds help and comfort in the courage and unwavering love of the dog who comes to be his very best friend.#N#Fred Gipson’s novel is an eloquently simple story that is both exciting and deeply moving. It stands alongside works like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Where The Red Fern Grows, and Shiloh as a beloved and enduring classic of literature. Originally published in 1956 to instant acclaim, Old Yeller later inspired a hit film from Walt Disney. Just as Old Yeller inevitably makes his way into the Coates family’s hearts, this book will find its own special place in readers’ hearts.
What is Fred Gipson's book about?
Fred Gipson’s novel is an eloquently simple story that is both exciting and deeply moving. It stands alongside works like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Where The Red Fern Grows, and Shiloh as a beloved and enduring classic of literature. Originally published in 1956 to instant acclaim, Old Yeller later inspired a hit film from Walt Disney.
What is Old Yeller based on?
Fred Gipson based Old Yeller on “memorable tales of frontier dogs” related to him by his parents, Beck and Emma Gipson.
What is the old yeller study guide?
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.
What is the dangerous task of Travis and Old Yeller?
Travis and Old Yeller tackle the dangerous task of marking and castrating young wild hogs: Yeller circling them while Travis ropes them from above. Travis falls amongst the vicious hogs and is badly hurt. Yeller saves Travis’s life, but is severely injured. Travis fetches Mama to help sew up Yeller’s wounds, and they return home safely, but Travis and Yeller’s wounds sideline them for weeks. Lisbeth comes to help Mama with the chores. Lisbeth brings Travis a speckled puppy—the son of Old Yeller and her dog—but Travis only cares about Old Yeller.
When was Old Yeller adapted for film?
Old Yeller won a Newbery Honor award in 1957 and was adapted for film by Walt Disney Studios the same year. The novel is an enduring classic and remains a much-loved children’s story.
Why do Travis and Old Yeller work together?
Travis and Old Yeller become inseparable. They work together to protect the corn crop, drive their heifer back to the homestead, and hunt game. When their neighbors Bud Searcy and Lisbeth, his quiet, pretty granddaughter, come to visit, Travis learns that Old Yeller has been stealing food from folks in the settlement. Because Lisbeth cares about Travis and Yeller, she promises not to tell. Travis puts an end to Yeller’s nighttime raids.
What is the movie Old Yeller about?
It stars Tommy Kirk, Dorothy McGuire, Fess Parker, and Beverly Washburn. It is about a boy and a stray dog in post- Civil War Texas. The film is based upon the 1956 Newbery Honor -winning novel of the same name by Fred Gipson.
How much did Old Yeller make?
During its initial theatrical run, Old Yeller earned $5.9 million in box office rentals from the United States and Canada. The film was re-released in 1965, and earned an estimated $2 million in domestic rentals.
What happened to Old Yeller in The Hog?
However, Old Yeller is severely injured by the hog and Travis hides him in a large hole. Travis' mother then retrieves Old Yeller and uses horse hair to suture his wounds. As Old Yeller recovers, Searcy warns the Coates family of hydrophobia in the area but is chastised by Katie for trying to scare Travis.
What happens when Travis goes to feed Old Yeller?
However, one night, when Travis goes to feed Old Yeller, he growls at him aggressively. Travis suspects that Old Yeller may have been infected but says nothing. Later that night, Arliss tries to open the corn crib to release Old Yeller, oblivious to the danger.
Why is Travis called Old Yeller?
He was called that because "yeller" is a dialect pronunciation of "yellow" and the fact that his bark sounds more like a human yell. Travis unsuccessfully tries to shoo the dog away, but Arliss likes him ...
Who defends Travis from Old Yeller?
On the advice of Bud Searcy, he sits in a tree, trying to rope them from above as Old Yeller corners them and keeps them from escaping. However, Travis then falls into the group of hogs and is attacked by one. Old Yeller defends Travis as he crawls away with an injured leg.
Is Old Yeller a movie?
Old Yeller, like The Wizard of Oz and Star Wars, has come to be more than just a movie; it has become a part of our culture. If you were to walk around asking random people, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who did not know the story of Old Yeller, someone who didn't enjoy it or someone who didn't cry. The movie's ending has become as famous as any other in film history.
Who is Old Yeller's owner?
One day, a young cowboy named Burn Sanderson arrives and claims that he’s Old Yeller’s true owner—Old Yeller had accompanied him on a months-long cattle drive and recently ran away. But when Bud sees how much the boys love the dog, he lets them keep him.
What does Lisbeth tell Travis about Old Yeller?
Lisbeth also takes Travis aside and tells him that she saw Old Yeller stealing from her family’s stores. After this, Travis becomes even more protective of Old Yeller and enlists the dog’s help in all of his daily tasks around the homestead.
How old is Travis Coates in Old Yeller?
Old Yeller Summary. Fourteen-year-old Travis Coates is left in charge of his family’s ranch while his Papa sets off on a long cattle drive from their Texas Hill Country home to Abilene, Kansas. Papa entreats Travis to act like “the man of the family” in his absence, and Travis promises to take good care of his Mama and his little brother, Arliss.
What does Travis feel after Yeller's death?
After Old Yeller’s death, Travis spends many days feeling heartbroken and empty ; nothing and no one can comfort him. When Papa finally returns home, he tries to tell Travis how proud he is of him for taking care of so many hard things while he was away.
What does Mama tell Travis about the wolf biting Old Yeller?
She tells Travis that the wolf bit Old Yeller, so he must be put down before hydrophobia gets to him. Travis feels numb and dead inside as he shoots and kills Old Yeller.
