Exploring Clyde: The Orangutan that Stole Hollywood
Hollywood movies have introduced us to a wide range of fascinating characters over the years – from superheroes to aliens and from robots to talking animals. One such striking character that continues to charm audiences worldwide is Clyde – the orangutan from the movie “Any Which Way But Loose”. This article explores Clyde’s character, highlights his impact on the film, and evaluates his legacy in Hollywood.
Plot Summary
Released in 1978, “Any Which Way But Loose” is an American comedy-action film directed by James Fargo. The movie stars Clint Eastwood as Philo Beddoe, a truck driver and brawler who travels across the American West with his best friend Clyde, an orangutan that he rescued from an abusive owner. Despite attempts to keep Clyde away from fights, the orangutan turns out to be a talented fighter and a valuable asset in Beddoe’s brawls.
Along the way, Beddoe falls in love with a country singer named Lynn Halsey-Taylor, played by Sondra Locke. The film takes the audience on a wild adventure through tough biker bars, sleazy motels, and tense high-stakes fights that culminate in a showdown with the legendary brawler called Jack Wilson.
Clyde is an integral part of the film’s plot, providing comic relief, emotional depth, and a unique perspective on the story. Clyde’s role in the movie is pivotal in making it a memorable classic.
Clyde’s Character Analysis
Clyde’s character in the movie is portrayed as loyal, intelligent, and fiercely protective of his owner, Philo Beddoe. His behavior is uniquely human-like, as he enjoys watching television, drinking beer, and even smoking cigars. Moreover, Clyde’s actions and expressions give him a distinct personality that stands out on the screen.
The film captures Clyde’s unique behaviors, like responding to Beddoe with sign language or flashing a toothy smile. There are many times when Clyde steals the spotlight – such as his hilarious moment playing “Flight of the Bumblebee” on a piano – and the audience can’t help but adore him.
Clyde’s character is not entirely accurate to real-life orangutans, as the portrayal is highly anthropomorphized. However, the film’s portrayal of Clyde as a relatable and entertaining character goes a long way in making the film memorable.
The Role of Animals in Hollywood
Hollywood has a long tradition of using animals in movies to evoke a range of emotions within audiences. Animals are sometimes used as the main characters, like Flipper, Free Willy, and Homeward Bound. In other cases, they are utilized as supporting characters, like in the case of Lassie and Marley & Me.
“Any Which Way But Loose” is unique in that it features an animal – in this case, Clyde – as one of the lead characters of the film. Despite the animal’s role, the movie still manages to entertain, thrill and charm audiences.
The use of animals in movies comes at a cost, however. There are several concerns about animal welfare, such as training techniques or ethics behind using wild animals for entertainment. However, many movies today use computer-generated imagery to avoid exploiting animals altogether.
The Film’s Legacy
“Any Which Way But Loose” was a massive box office success, grossing over $85 million worldwide. Despite being panned by critics, the film became a cult classic, achieving a loyal fanbase that enjoys the film for its earnest humor and memorable characters.
In terms of impact, the film is notable for its ability to blur the lines between comedy and action genres and for breaking the stereotype of films with animals as purely lighthearted family entertainment.
The film’s reliance on Close-Up portrait shots of Clyde’s facial expressions inspired a new film technique called “Monkeycam” similar to the use of the shaky close-up camera work in action movies as seen in the Bourne series. The movie also gained notoriety for its soundtrack, featuring country music hits that complement the film’s charming and unique setting.
Similar Films
“Any Which Way But Loose” inspired several movies featuring animals as lead characters. Among these, “Congo” and “Marmaduke” stand out as they both feature animals in the lead roles and similar themes. Like “Any Which Way But Loose,” they balance humor and action. Congo features an intelligent gorilla leading a team of explorers through a dangerous jungle, while Marmaduke depicts a Great Dane coping with his owner’s move to a new state.
Despite their unique storytelling, the movies share similar themes like loyalty, adventure, and self-discovery.
Conclusion
Clyde, the orangutan from “Any Which Way But Loose,” holds a special place in the hearts of audiences worldwide. The mischievous and lovable character has left a lasting impression on the world of Hollywood, inspiring new techniques and breaking stereotypes about movies featuring animals as lead characters.
We must remember that while movies are a means of entertainment, there is always a debate around the ethics of using animals in this context. The wider context of the debate over raising animals for entertainment purposes also needs to be considered.
Ultimately, the film and Clyde’s character will always be a highlight in the world of Hollywood cinema. The audience will cherish their memories of watching the lovable and humorous orangutan on screen while taking into consideration the wider context beyond the screen.