Gentle Ben: A Boy, a Bear, and the Old Florida Everglades

A young boy and a gentle 600-pound bear form an unforgettable friendship in the wilds of Florida. Gentle Ben brought the beauty of the Everglades and the Gulf coast into living rooms across America, and it remains a warmhearted classic of family entertainment.

Based on the novel by Walt Morey, the story was reimagined for a popular television series filmed around the Florida Everglades and Tampa Bay in the late 1960s. It follows young Mark Wedloe and his family, including his father, a wildlife officer, as they care for Ben, a lovable bear, and navigate life among the mangroves, airboats, and wildlife of the region.

The show showcased real Florida scenery at a time when much of the country had never seen the Everglades, and its gentle, family-friendly stories made Ben a beloved character for a generation of viewers. It is wholesome, scenic, and full of heart.

For a nostalgic trip into Old Florida wilderness, Gentle Ben is a treat for the whole family. Look for Gentle Ben and meet one of the friendliest bears in television history.