By Beverly Washburn, Hollywood Memories
I have been asked by some of you to write about the movie that most people seem to remember me for. The year was 1956 and I was asked to audition for the part of “Lisbeth” in the Walt Disney film “Old Yeller.”
I was thrilled as animals are my passion. However, I really didn’t think I would get the role since they were also filming the famous Mickey Mouse Club at the same time. And, of course, any of the Mouseketeers would have been wonderful in the role.
After meeting and reading for the role before Walt Disney and the director Robert Stevenson, and much to my surprise, I got the call saying I had been cast. It was a dream come true for me.
We filmed for three months and it is definitely one of my fondest memories. What some of you animal lovers might be interested to know, is that Old Yeller, whose real name was “Spike” was a rescue dog!
They found him in a shelter and trained him. Unlike “Lassie” and “Rin Tin Tin” where they had numerous Collies and German Shepherds all playing the same role, there was only One Old Yeller. He did every scene.
He was an amazing dog who did an amazing job. If I remember right, his dressing room was even bigger than mine!
While the movie was supposed to have taken place in Texas, we never went on location other than to Iverson Ranch, which is about 50 miles outside of LA. The majority of the filming was done on the stage at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank.
Although it sounds like a cliché, we truly did become like a family – since there were only seven people in the entire film. We were together every day for three months. I’m saddened to say that everyone in the cast has now since passed away. I am the only one now still living from the movie.
I’m so proud to have been a part of what has been considered a “Classic Film.”
Over the now 50+ years, there have been references to Old Yeller on “The Cosby Show,” “Friends,” “King of the Hill,” “Fresh Prince of Bel Air”—as well as references in music, video games, and comic strips.
Another highlight for me was that I was able to go to school every day in the big red trailer with all of the Mouseketeers. I’m still friends with many of them today.
Old Yeller was released at Christmas time in 1957 and the memory lingers on.
Until next time, remember: “Love is like a flower. If you don’t nurture it, it will die”MSN
Beverly Washburn graced the silver screen as a child actress and is the author of Reel Tears. You can contact Beverly at [email protected]. Article reprinted with permission by The Vegas Voice.
