The Lion and the Horse

this was an offbeat role for Steve Cochran who was typecast in Hollywood in tough guy, gangster roles. The rapport between the cowboy, the stallion and a young girl played by Sherry Jackson was gentle and realistic. Filmed in Warner color, on location in Wyoming, it rings true to life as the cowboy searches for and rescues a horse from a short, cruel life in a rodeo. There is humor and action, with an escaped circus lion, a brutal owner, as the cowboy bonds with the abused animal. A good film for adults and children and a plea for the protection of wild horses. (still in jeopardy today) And if you are a Steve Cochran fan, a rare treat. And the film scheduled to be shown on TCM in late January, if only this might result in a DVD release, we wouldd have a happy ending for sure:)

It's good to see Steve Cochran smiling in a movie! You can now get this move on YouTube.

A cowboy grows fond enough of a wild horse he captured to steal him from a cruel rodeo showman to whom his former workmates sold it. A modern-day western which strangely tries to hide all evidence of the fact it's set in mid-'50s America. It's a slight but enjoyable tale bolstered by Steve Cochran - who's given a rare chance to play a good guy for once - in the lead. Unfortunately, as with many films about the friendship between a human and a wild animal, the feel-good factor is diminished somewhat by the fact that the human had to first break the animal's spirit in order to befriend him.

Wild horse training cowboy Steve Cochran (as Ben Kirby) wants to keep a beautiful black stallion for himself, but the animal is sold to a rodeo showman. He finds "Wildfire" being abused by owner Ray Teal (as Dave Tracy), who won't sell. After leaving a refused $600 payment for the horse, Mr. Cochran sets him free. Later, Cochran trains Wildfire while working for Utah rancher Harry Antrim (as Cas Bagley) and bonding with his cute pigtailed granddaughter Sherry Jackson (as Jenny). The family-friendly trio is threatened by a nasty lion and the return of Wildfire's angry owner... There are some spotty production values, but "The Lion and the Horse" gives you a great look at Cochran in an appealing leading role.

****** The Lion and the Horse (5/17/52) Louis King ~ Steve Cochran, Sherry Jackson, Ray Teal, Harry Antrim

I must admit, I saw this film when I was around 10 or 11. I very much enjoyed it then. I grant you, it's a "grade B" western, but who cares.

If you are a horse lover you will enjoy this movie.

To this day I remember the song in the movie: "They bury them deep in Kanab(sp)."