What Is The Night of the Grizzly About?
The premise of The Night of the Grizzly in 317 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the wide-open expanse of post‑war Wyoming, a former lawman named Jim Cole decides to trade his badge for a fresh start. He packs his wife, Angela, and their children—Charlie, Gypsy, and their niece Meg—along with a trusted friend, Sam Potts, and moves to a modest parcel of land left to him by a relative. The promise of a new beginning hangs in the air, tempered by the stark beauty and unforgiving isolation of the high plains, where the rhythm of daily life is set by the rise and fall of the sun and the low‑counciling hum of cattle.
The settlement quickly reveals its own set of challenges. A neighboring rancher, Jed Curry, has long eyed the property and harbors ambitions that clash with Jim’s determination to build a home for his family. Their interactions are shaded with the kind of quiet rivalry that defines frontier towns, where every decision feels weighted by the possibility of losing what one has finally claimed. Amidst this tension, the community’s modest resources—bank loans, local stores, and the support of neighbors—offer a fragile safety net.
Yet the greatest uncertainty comes not from human ambition but from the untamed wilderness itself. An enormous grizzly, known to locals as “Satan,” roams the surrounding hills, a looming presence that reminds everyone how thin the veil is between civilization and raw nature. The bear’s reputation for prowling the range adds a constant undercurrent of dread, turning ordinary tasks into acts of cautious bravery.
Within this rugged tableau, Jim balances the weight of his former authority with the humility of a husband and father, while Angela shoulders the emotional labor of keeping the family’s spirit intact. The children’s wide‑eyed curiosity and Sam’s steady camaraderie round out a portrait of a household striving to carve out belonging against both human and animal forces, setting the tone for a tale where perseverance and the wild are inseparably intertwined.
What Happens in The Night of the Grizzly?
The complete story of The Night of the Grizzly, from the first scene to the last, in 634 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Jim Cole, [Clint Walker], his wife Angela, [Martha Hyer], their children Charlie Cole, [Kevin Brodie], and Gypsy Cole, [Victoria Paige Meyerink], along with their niece Meg, [Candy Moore], and their friend Sam Potts, [Don Haggerty], arrive in a small Wyoming town after Jim inherits a ranch and leaves his old life as a lawman behind. In town, banker Cotton Benson, [Regis Toomey], mentions a $675 mortgage on the property, and Jim hesitates to accept the land title because it would drain nearly all of their savings, but duty and hope finally push him to take the plunge.
Rancher Jed Curry, [Keenan Wynn], who once owned the land before losing it to Jim’s late uncle in a card game, makes it clear he wants the property back. The Coles move into a rundown cottage on the ranch, and as Jim begins to repair the fence, Jed presses him to sell—yet Jim stands firm, determined to make the place work. Back in town, Jim visits Wilhelmina Peterson, [Nancy Kulp], at the general store to learn about cattle deals. Wilhelmina sends Jim to Hazel Squires, [Ellen Corby], who insists she can sell cattle for a dollar apiece. When Hazel heads to check on the pigs, she discovers the animals are missing or dead—an ominous sign that Satan, a relentless grizzly bear, is raiding ranches and killing livestock. Many have tried to stop Satan, with little success, and the fear grips the countryside.
One brutal night Satan infiltrates the Cole place, killing Jim’s prize bull Duncan, spooking Sam’s mule, and injuring the family dog. The next morning, as the doctor stitches the dog, Jim and Meg head to the store for coffee, only to be met by harassment from Jed’s sons. A scuffle breaks out, but the Curry boys are soon dispatched, and Jed warns Benson to stay away from Jim’s land if he hopes to keep it safe for good.
With a need for stock after the attack, Jim secures a loan from Benson, offering collateral to cover the loan. He then travels to the Squires ranch to buy a replacement bull and cattle for breeding. Jed cautions Benson not to repeat the risky move and reminds him that he, as the bank’s major stockholder, has the power to influence decisions.
While they work, the mule returns only to perish, and Jim and Sam vow to kill Satan. They pursue the bear into the woods, but are forced to dive off a cliff into a lake to escape. Returning home from a dance, they discover Satan has decimated more cattle. Jim pleads for another loan, but Benson refuses, pushing the family toward desperate measures. Jed posts a $750 reward for anyone who can bring down the bear, drawing Cass Dowdy, [Leo Gordon], a bounty hunter with hunting dogs, into town. Jim had previously jailed Dowdy for murder, and Dowdy plans to hunt the bear not to protect the ranch, but to prevent Jim from collecting the reward and ruining his own finances.
Jim and Sam set traps for Satan, but the vigil fades as time runs short. Dowdy tries to sabotage one trap, only to be accidentally injured in the process. The two men confront each other again, and Jim defeats Dowdy, leaving him by the roadside. At home, Angela deals with the stress, while Charlie heads into the woods to spy on Satan alone. Jim follows and again encounters Dowdy, who narrowly escapes death. Satan attacks Charlie, who climbs a tree to survive, and Dowdy shoots at the bear to save the boy, paying with his life as he is fatally mauled. Jim fights Satan, injures the bear, and finally kills it. In the wake of Dowdy’s sacrifice, Jim consoles a dying Dowdy and, with Charlie safe, the family returns home to rebuild what was lost.
The Night of the Grizzly Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Arrival and the mortgage dilemma” to “Charlie’s solo hunt ends in tragedy and triumph”. 12 events name a place, across 12 locations.
- 1
Arrival and the mortgage dilemma
The Cole family arrives in a small Wyoming town as Jim leaves his lawman past to become a rancher. He inherits a run-down property and moves his wife Angela, children Charlie and Gypsy, niece Meg, and friend Sam Potts onto the land. The bank's Benson mentions a $675 mortgage, and Jim hesitates to take the title because it would drain almost all their savings, then reluctantly signs, while Jed Curry watches with the intent to reclaim the land.
When:Arrival Where:Wyoming town and ranch
- 2
Jed Curry pressures Jim to sell
Jed Curry visits Jim and presses him to sell the land, arguing that the title should stay in the Curry family. Jim resists, determined to make the ranch work for his family. Jed cautions that resistance could jeopardize any chance to keep the property.
When:Day Where:Countryside near ranch
- 3
Jim seeks cattle and a breeding plan
Jim goes into town to locate cattle for breeding with his prize bull Duncan. Wilhelmina Peterson points him toward Hazel Squires, who can sell cattle cheaply. Jim is hopeful about building a herd, but the growing bear threat hints at troubles ahead.
When:Day Where:Town / General Store
- 4
Hazel's cattle deal derailed by Satan
Hazel says she can sell cattle for a buck apiece, then goes to check a pen for pigs. She finds them missing or dead, the work of Satan the grizzly bear attacking ranches nearby. The revelation sets the stage for a harsher struggle to protect the herd.
When:Day Where:Hazel Squires' place
- 5
Satan strikes Cole ranch at night
That night Satan reaches the Cole place, killing Duncan, the prize bull, and injuring the family dog while driving the mule away. The loss hits hard, and Jim vows to safeguard his family and future. The bear's menace becomes personal for the Coles.
When:Night Where:Cole ranch
- 6
Morning after: Curry harassment and a fight
The next morning, Jim and Meg go to the store for coffee. The Curry boys, along with their cohorts, harass Jim, provoking a confrontation that ends in a fight before Jed chastises his sons for their behavior. The incident hardens the town's tensions around Jim and the land dispute.
When:Morning Where:Town store
- 7
Jim borrows money for replacement stock
Seeking replacement stock, Jim borrows money from the bank by pledging various possessions as collateral. The loan provides funds to buy cattle and a bull, but it also deepens Jim's financial vulnerability. Benson's role as lender becomes increasingly entangled with Jed's influence over the land.
When:Afternoon Where:Bank
- 8
Buying from the Squires ranch
With financing secured, Jim travels to Hazel Squires' ranch to purchase the bull and cattle for breeding. Jed warns Benson not to repeat the previous actions and reminds him that he holds significant power as a major stockholder. The scene underscores the tension between business interests and small-town loyalties.
When:Day Where:Squires ranch
- 9
Reward posted; Dowdy arrives
Jed posts a $750 reward for anyone who can kill Satan, turning bear-hunting into a town-wide incentive. Cass Dowdy, a bounty hunter with a checkered past, arrives with hunting dogs and the motive to profit from the bear's menace—and from Jim's potential reward. Jim had previously jailed Dowdy for murder, and Dowdy's arrival foreshadows a precarious alliance and conflict.
When:Day Where:Town
- 10
Bear-trap battles begin
That night Jim and Sam set traps for Satan, hoping to trap the bear and stop the losses. They doze off, and Satan strikes again, killing one of the horses and Sam in the process. Dowdy's dogs are also killed by Satan, and Dowdy sabotages one trap, only to be injured in the act.
When:Night Where:Woods near ranch
- 11
Jim defeats Dowdy; the bear remains elusive
The next morning Jim confronts Dowdy again; they fight, and Jim wins, leaving Dowdy where he lies. Jim then comforts a distraught Angela, while the family braces for the continuing bear threat. The ranch prepares for a final stand against Satan and the financial pressures surrounding the land.
When:Morning Where:Near traps; home
- 12
Charlie’s solo hunt ends in tragedy and triumph
Charlie goes after Satan alone in the woods, and Jim follows to help. In the woods, Jim encounters Dowdy again and a tense fight nearly costs him his life, but he drives Dowdy away. Satan attacks Charlie at night, chasing him up a tree; Dowdy fires to save him but is mauled and dies. Jim shoots Satan dead, comforts the dying Dowdy, and the family returns home to begin rebuilding.
When:Night Where:Woods / forest and home
Who Are the Main Characters in The Night of the Grizzly?
15 characters, among them Jim Cole (Clint Walker), Angela Cole (Martha Hyer) and Charlie Cole (Kevin Brodie): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
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Jim Cole (Clint Walker)
Played by Clint Walker
Jim Cole is a newly minted rancher who quit his job as a lawman to build a life on his inherited land. He is stubborn and resourceful, willing to take risks to protect his family and their livelihood. The bear Satan tests his leadership as he negotiates loans, cattle purchases, and dangerous traps in a harsh frontier landscape. He is driven by duty to his wife Angela and children Charlie and Gypsy.
- 💪 Strength
- 🧭 Leadership
- 🏡 Family
- 🐂 Ranch life
- AC
Angela Cole (Martha Hyer)
Played by Martha Hyer
Angela is supportive and steadfast, standing by Jim as their ranch faces financial and existential threats. She endures the bear attacks' consequences and the strain of frontier life. Her quiet resilience anchors the family through fear and loss.
- ❤️ Family
- 🏡 Domestic
- 🤝 Support
- CC
Charlie Cole (Kevin Brodie)
Played by Kevin Brodie
Charlie is brave and impulsive, sometimes acting without thinking but ultimately trying to protect his family. He ventures into the woods to face Satan, showing youthful courage but also naivety. His actions drive Jim to confront danger and reinforce family ties.
- 👦 Youth
- 🗺️ Courage
- GC
Gypsy Cole (Victoria Paige Meyerink)
Played by Victoria Paige Meyerink
Gypsy is the youngest Cole, along for the ride in a rough frontier life. She witnesses the bear’s menace and the community’s reactions, bringing a sense of innocence amid violence. Her presence highlights the family’s shared vulnerability and hope.
- 👧 Child
- 🧭 Curiosity
- M(
Meg (Candy Moore)
Played by Candy Moore
Meg is Jim's niece, a kid who brings a lighter presence to the danger-filled world. She navigates family loyalties and the social life of the frontier town. Her interactions with the adults help ground the stakes of the bear threat.
- 👒 Niece
- 🗺️ Sidekick
- SP
Sam Potts (Don Haggerty)
Played by Don Haggerty
Sam Potts is Jim's friend who joins the cautious defense against Satan. He shares in the plan to trap the bear and supports the Cole family, even risking his life. His loyalty is tested when Dowdy arrives and conflict arises.
- 🤝 Friend
- 🛡️ Protector
-
Jed Curry (Keenan Wynn)
Played by Keenan Wynn
Jed Curry is a rival rancher who tries to reclaim the land by aggression and pressure. He manipulates town dynamics, warns Benson, and resents Jim's success with the land. His feud with Jim escalates into a personal battle over property and power.
- 🏴 Rival
- 💰 Land disputes
-
Hazel Squires (Ellen Corby)
Played by Ellen Corby
Hazel Squires is a cattle dealer who sells livestock in a world of scarcity and suspicion. She interacts with Jim to arrange breeding stock while dealing with the bear's impact on her own animals. Her establishment acts as a hub of information that ties the town together.
- 🏪 Storekeeper
- 🤝 Community hub
- WP
Wilhelmina Peterson (Nancy Kulp)
Played by Nancy Kulp
Wilhelmina Peterson runs the general store and is a pivotal information node in town. She knows who buys cattle, where to find work, and how to negotiate loans. Her interactions with Jim reveal the town's economic stress.
- 🗣️ Merchant
- 🧭 Local knowledge
- CD
Cass Dowdy (Leo Gordon)
Played by Leo Gordon
Cass Dowdy is a bounty hunter who enters town ostensibly to claim the bear bounty and ruin Jim financially. He and Jim clash repeatedly, and Dowdy's pursuit of profit leads to danger and sabotage. Dowdy’s actions culminate in a fatal mauling during the bear’s attack.
- 🗡️ Bounty hunter
- 🐶 Rival
- CB
Cotton Benson (Regis Toomey)
Played by Regis Toomey
Benson is the bank’s major stockholder and a power broker who controls loans and credit in town. He imposes financial pressure on Jim, testing his willingness to risk everything for land. His decisions shape the Cole family’s ability to survive the crisis.
- 🏦 Banker
- 💸 Financing
-
Hank (Jack Elam)
Played by Jack Elam
Hank is Hazel Squires' sidekick who helps bring Jim to Hazel's place, a minor yet loyal town figure. He contributes to the social fabric of the frontier community and the bear crisis.
- 🤝 Helper
- 🐴 Sidekick
- DS
Duke Squires (Med Flory)
Played by Med Flory
Duke Squires is Hazel’s husband and a rugged frontier figure who embodies the tough ranch ethos. He supports his family while confronting the economic strain of the bear’s depredations.
- 👨🌾 Elder
- 🐕 Husband
- TC
Ted Curry (Ron Ely)
Played by Ron Ely
Ted Curry is one of Jed’s sons who participates in the local antagonism and adds to the tense frontier dynamic. His presence heightens the risk around the land disputes and violence.
- 🗡️ Younger brother
- 🔪 Rival
- CC
Cal Curry (Sammy Jackson)
Played by Sammy Jackson
Cal Curry is another Curry cousin whose actions contribute to the family’s conflict with Jim. He represents the restless younger generation in the town.
- 👦 Cousin
- 🏹 Mischief
Where and When Is The Night of the Grizzly Set?
The Night of the Grizzly is set in Wyoming and USA. Here is why the place matters to the story.
Where
Wyoming, USA
A rural ranch town setting in Wyoming frames the story, with a tumbledown cottage on the Cole family’s land and surrounding forest. The landscape centers on cattle ranching and the dangers of nature embodied by Satan the grizzly. The town features a bank, a general store, and rival ranchers who shape Jim Cole’s fight to hold on to his home.
- 🏔️ Wyoming frontier
- 🐻 Grizzly country
- 🏡 Ranch life
What Are the Themes of The Night of the Grizzly?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Survival, Justice and Family.
-
01
Survival
Jim and his family face relentless pressure from nature and predators as Satan the grizzly ravages their herd. The bear's attacks force resourceful trapping, risky loans, and moral choices about protecting livelihood. Survival here is as much about decision-making and endurance as it is about physical danger.
-
02
Justice
Laws, debts, and personal codes collide as Jim navigates a bank loan, land disputes with Jed Curry, and the uneasy presence of a bounty hunter. The frontier justice system blends with improvised vigilante actions, testing Jim's integrity as a former lawman. The film explores what 'doing right' costs a family on the edge of ruin.
-
03
Family
A family-centered drama drives the emotional core: Jim’s protection of Angela, Charlie, Gypsy, and Meg against external threats and internal fears. The bear attacks reveal generational differences and the bond that sustains them through loss, such as Dowdy’s sacrifice. The film frames heroism as a family achievement, not just an individual feat.
What Kind of Film Is The Night of the Grizzly?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A tense and steady-paced western survival film that follows a family's desperate struggle against a predatory bear and a hostile neighbor, creating a feeling of sustained threat and frontier perseverance.
- tense
- frontier
- perseverance
- threatening
- rural
- desperate
- family survival
- human vs nature
- inheritance
- frontier life
Content notes: animal death, child endangerment, mauling.
Quiz
How well do you remember The Night of the Grizzly? Test yourself on the story.
