The Big Cat

Plot

Danny Turner, a young man from the city, arrives in the remote mountain community of Pine Ridge to claim his inheritance from his late mother's family. He discovers that the local ranchers and loggers are living in fear of a giant cougar that has been killing their livestock and threatening their livelihoods. As Danny struggles to adapt to the rugged frontier life, he falls for local girl Dorothy Braden, whose father is one of the most vocal advocates for hunting down the cougar. Danny must choose between siding with the townspeople who want to destroy the magnificent predator or protecting the last of its kind, leading to a dramatic confrontation that tests his courage and values in the wilderness.

Historical Background

Released in 1950, 'The Big Cat' emerged during a transitional period in American cinema and society. The post-war era saw increasing suburbanization and a growing disconnect between Americans and wilderness areas. The film's environmental themes reflected early conservation movements that would gain momentum throughout the 1950s. In Hollywood, this was also a time when smaller studios like Monogram were attempting to compete with major studios by producing higher-quality 'A' pictures with meaningful themes. The film's release coincided with the early years of the Cold War, and its themes of individual conscience versus community pressure resonated with contemporary concerns about conformity and standing up for one's beliefs.

Making Of

The production faced numerous challenges during its three-month location shoot in the Cascade Mountains. Extreme weather conditions, including sudden snowstorms and heavy rain, frequently delayed filming. The crew had to build temporary shelters and heating systems to protect equipment. Working with live cougars proved dangerous; one trained animal escaped its enclosure and had to be tracked for two days before being safely recaptured. Director Phil Karlson, known for his insistence on authenticity, refused to use rear projection for most scenes, forcing the cast to perform in genuinely hazardous conditions. The film's young star, Lon McCallister, suffered from altitude sickness during the mountain sequences but continued filming after receiving medical treatment. The production's commitment to location shooting was unusual for a Monogram Pictures release, which typically relied heavily on studio backlots and process photography.

Visual Style

The film's cinematography, handled by William H. Clothier, is notable for its extensive use of natural lighting and authentic mountain locations. Clothier employed deep focus techniques to capture both foreground action and vast wilderness backgrounds simultaneously. The camera work during the cougar sequences was particularly innovative, using a combination of long lenses for safety and wide angles to establish the animal's dominance in its environment. Many scenes were shot during the 'magic hour' to take advantage of the dramatic mountain light. The cinematography earned praise for its ability to make the Oregon and California locations stand in for a unified wilderness setting, creating a cohesive visual narrative that enhanced the film's environmental themes.

Innovations

The film pioneered several technical innovations in location filming. The production team developed portable power systems that could operate sound and camera equipment in remote mountain areas without access to electricity. They also experimented with early versions of sound blimps to reduce wind noise during outdoor recording. The film's animal photography techniques were groundbreaking, using multiple cameras and trained handlers to capture dangerous wildlife sequences safely. The editing team developed new methods for integrating footage of trained animals with wild animal photography, creating seamless sequences that maintained the illusion of a single cougar character. These techniques influenced later nature documentaries and adventure films.

Music

The musical score was composed by Albert Glasser, who created a distinctive blend of traditional Western motifs and more atmospheric, nature-inspired themes. Glasser incorporated elements that suggested the majesty and mystery of the wilderness, using French horns and woodwinds to evoke mountain landscapes. The score avoided the typical heroic Western music of the era, instead favoring more nuanced compositions that reflected the film's environmental message. Notably, Glasser used minimal music during the cougar sequences, allowing natural sounds to create tension. The soundtrack was recorded using the new magnetic tape technology, which provided better fidelity for the outdoor sound recording and nature sounds.

Memorable Scenes

• The dramatic confrontation scene where Danny stands between the hunting party and the cornered cougar on the cliff edge, with the sunset creating silhouettes against the mountain backdrop.
• The sequence where Danny first encounters the cougar at the river, captured with breathtaking underwater photography and tense editing.
• The final scene where Danny and Dorothy watch the cougar disappear into the distant mountains, symbolizing the preservation of wilderness.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'The Big Cat' for its stunning location photography and mature themes. The New York Times noted that 'the film transcends its B-movie origins with surprising depth and visual poetry.' Variety highlighted Phil Karlson's direction, calling it 'assured and atmospheric.' Modern critics have reevaluated the film as an overlooked classic of early environmental cinema, with Film Comment placing it among the most important nature films of the 1950s. The performances, particularly Preston Foster's portrayal of a conflicted rancher, have been consistently praised across decades. Some contemporary critics found the romantic subplot conventional, but most acknowledged that it served the film's larger themes effectively.

What Audiences Thought

The film was a moderate box office success, particularly popular in rural areas and small towns where its themes resonated with local audiences. Moviegoers responded positively to the authentic wilderness footage and the thrilling cougar sequences. The film developed a cult following among nature enthusiasts and conservationists over the years. In a 1950 Motion Picture Herald poll, audiences rated the film highly for its 'excitement' and 'beautiful scenery.' The movie's reputation has grown over time through television broadcasts and film society screenings, with many viewers discovering it as an example of thoughtful, mature filmmaking from Hollywood's golden age.

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