Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion ** (1965, Marshall Thompson, Betsy Drake, Richard Haydn) – Classic Movie Review 8213

Director Andrew Marton’s 1965 children’s and family comedy adventure movie Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion is the pilot for the 89 episode Sixties TV show Daktari (1966–1969), which was given a cinema release. Marshall Thompson stars as Dr Marsh Tracy, who is a veterinarian running an animal study centre in Africa.

Thompson, Betsy Drake (Julie Harper), Richard Haydn and Cheryl Miller (as Dr Tracy’s daughter Paula) enjoy life with the lions in Africa and so, probably, will you.

When an African native village is thought to be terrorised by a lion, the sergeant (Robert DoQui) asks help from the veterinarian Dr Tracy nearby and the lion is found to be cross eyed. The lion Clarence is taken to the study centre and is adopted by the vet’s daughter Paula. Then Clarence helps out when poachers threaten Julie Harper (Betsy Drake) and her research monkeys.

The screenplay is by Alan Caillou, who also plays Carter, based on a story by Marshall Thompson and Art Arthur.

Also in the cast are Alan Caillou, Rockne Tarkington, Maurice Marsac, Robert DoQui, Albert Amos, Dinny Powell and Mark Allen.

Thompson and Miller returned for all the episodes of Daktari.

Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion was shot at Soledad Canyon near Los Angeles and in Miami.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8213

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