Smoke

Earl Holliman and Jacqueline Scott star in this Disney TV film as a fairly new married couple.. Scott has brought her two children Ron Howard and Pamela Ferdin to the marriage and Holliman has stepfather issues with both.

A stray and injured German Shepherd that Howard names Smoke has arrived on the sheep ranch they live on and Holliman doesn't want a strange dog on the place, It's the basis for the conflict between Howard and Holliman.

Smoke is a decent enough bog and dog story and the players do well enough by their roles.

After helplessly witnessing his father's death, in a fiery car accident, 14-year-old California boy Ronny Howard (as Chris Long) goes into shock. Overcoming some grief, young Howard must adjust to life with a new stepfather, Earl Holliman (as Cal Fitch). Although Mr. Holliman tries to be fatherly, he only opens old wounds. Howard wants his real father. That is not possible, but could Howard have a dog? Mr. Holliman turns his stepson's request down, as a dog's presence would disrupt Holliman's sheep ranching business. When Howard finds a "wild dog", wounded in the woods, he is defiantly determined to keep the animal.

In good hands with director Vincent McEveety, "Smoke" is a great story; it's one of those symbolic animal tales the Disney studio favored, and often did so well. This one surely benefited from William Corbin's original book (adapted by John Furia Jr.) - the young man's transference of love to, and identification with, the wounded animal is nicely done. But, the story's more subtle symbolism (like the "fox in the hen-house") is even better. The climatic, heavy-handed "rescue from fire" isn't as satisfying; but, this is mainly due to budget restraints. "Smoke" could have stood up as a first class feature presentation.

Howard and Holliman do well, as the disconnected son and stepfather. Of course, Howard uses his acting education, from years of appearing in Andy Griffith's "Mayberry"; still, this is a strong, individual characterization - and, it shows Howard to be very capable between his two long-running typecasts ("Opie" and Richie"). Jacqueline Scott (as Fran Long Fitch) makes the most of the more minor mother/wife role, lifting the picture with a couple of very strongly performed dramatic scenes. With Pamelyn Ferdin and Andy Devine in the cast, "Smoke" is cute and irresistible.

******* Smoke (2/1-8/70) Vincent McEveety ~ Ron Howard, Earl Holliman, Jacqueline Scott

This film works on three levels; it is a boy and his dog story, a story of a boy's coming of age and a story of the relationship between the boy and his stepfather. The standout performances here are Ron Howard as Chris, a boy struggling to cope with the loss of his father; and Earl Holliman as Cal, the stepfather who wants badly to be accepted by Chris. Shug Fisher and Jacqueline Scott also are quite good, as is the dog star. (I love dogs.) There are some excellent scenes in this film, and the story will move you. This one will stay with you long after it is over.

Director Vincent McEveety I know nothing about. Clearly, SMOKE is a low budget Disney production, the script is strictly to please the audience with some dramatic touches thrown in for tension, and ultimately this is more about a stepdad and stepson finding a way to coexist than about any injured German Shepherd canine staving off attacks from foxes, nearly getting run over by passing vehicles, and any past owners looking for it.

Interesting relationship between Ronny Howard (seemingly about to enter puberty and later Ron Howard, a film director with some noted career credits) playing the boy who rescues the injured canine and his younger sister, eagerly played by Pamelyn Ferdin, who actually gives the dog and film their name.

Cinematography is run of the mill, the script likewise, and the toughest action comes from foxes attacking Smoke. For a feel good film with the heart in the right place: 7/10.

Thanks to a well written screenplay by John Furia, Jr., based on William Corbin's novel, "Smoke" emerges as an above average tv production.

Sixteen-year-old Ron Howard captures the essence of his 14-year-old character, Chris Long, a boy suffering from the loss of his father and coping with his stepfather, Cal, sensitively played by Earl Holliman.

Jacqueline Scott as Chris' mother rounds out a trio of deeply felt portrayals. The title belongs to a German shepherd, who also does some impressive work.

Audiences of 8-17 should especially appreciate this drama, which can nicely serve as a family film.