The Talking Bear
(aka L' OURS, THE BEAR)
With: Walter Slezak (Zookeeper), Gaby Basset (Louis), Francis Blanche, Cora Camoin, Yvette Etievant
English-Language Version:
***
THE TALKING BEAR tells the story of a kindly but bumbling zoo keeper named Louis who is assigned to work for the Paris Zoo "Bear Exhibit" by an abusive, pompous head zookeeper (Walter Slezak).
From his first day on the job, Louis finds out that the bear can talk! The bear loves to speak, but only to the kindly young caretaker. Louis tries to keep the bear's powers a secret from everyone, but it isn't long before the zookeeper and the zoo officals find out that the bear can talk.
Believing the bear to be a meanace to society, the zookeeper orders the poor animal destroyed. Louis will have none of it, and he helps his friend escape to the U.S.A., disguised as a passenger taking a trip to the States.
As Louis sees the bear get on the plane and fly off, he looks on with sadness at the loss of his good pal. He reaches into his coat pocket and finds a letter written to him by the bear. It thanks him for helping him escape, and tells him not to feel sad, for one day they will meet again, and they will have another chance at "a long,long talk!".
- Kevin S. Butler
copyright © 2004 Kevin S. Butler, all rights reserved
Video/DVD availability: (unknown)
(1963, France/Italy) color
Filmsonor S.A., Intermondia Films, Titanus
Screenplay: Roger Mauge, Edmond Sechan
Music: Jean Prodromides
Cinematography: Andre Villard
Directed by: Edmond Sechan
(1964) Embassy Pictures Corporation
Our thanks to Don Worth for supplying an image of this rare theatrical poster
for the THE TALKING BEAR (note the shameless reference to TV's "Mister Ed")!