Favorite Fictional Character --- Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar

 

As a young Gen X lad, I grew up with a lot of TV shows and movies that debuted years—if not decades—before I was ever born. I’d wager I’m not alone in that; most of my generation probably grew up watching the same shows I did: Perry Mason, Gilligan’s Island, The Big Valley, Bewitched, Batman, and The Addams Family, just to name a few. Syndication and reruns were king when I was growing up. In this regard, I actually feel a little bad for the generations that came after us, because they don’t really know what came before them. But I digress—that’s a discussion for another time.

Today’s Favorite Fictional Character doesn’t come from a TV show but from one of the many live-action movies Disney made in the 1960s. For the record, I think the 1950s through the 1960s were when Disney did their best live-action work. I’m not knocking what came after (though all these live-action remakes really aren’t my thing), but there’s just something about the movies they made in that era that sets them apart. Maybe it’s pure nostalgia since they’re what I was raised on, but I stand by it.

Charlie, the Lonesome Cougar came out in 1967, while I wasn’t born until 1976. I’m almost positive I didn’t see it until sometime in the early 1980s—but don’t quote me on that. What I can say, with absolute certainty, is that I loved it from the very first moment the orphaned cougar cub, who would eventually be named Charlie, appeared on screen. For 75 minutes, I watched as this cub was raised by a logger named Jesse. As Charlie grows into a young adult (in feline years), all kinds of hijinks ensue—he wrecks a kitchen or two, makes mortal “enemies” with one of the logging camp’s dogs, takes a ride on a few logs, and eventually gets lost and ends up on his own for an entire summer. He faces danger, finds love, and grows up just enough that it’s no longer safe for him and Jesse to stay together. Charlie eventually finds a home on a nature preserve where he can live his life without hunters—or annoying dogs.

I was obsessed with cougars/mountain lions after watching this movie, and I remember wanting one sooooo badly. I’m pretty sure I was extra annoying in all my begging for my very own Charlie. I don’t know if my underdeveloped psyche connected with him because we both lost a parent, or if it was simply because I thought he was beautiful and funny—especially when he was destroying the kitchen. Whatever the reason, I fell in love.

I don’t know if I should admit this or not, but I do have a Charlie of my own who almost never leaves my bed. A friend got him for me about ten years ago, and I absolutely adore him. And if you want to meet Charlie for yourself, he's on Amazon Prime and a few other streamers as a rental.