The 24 Aug 1961 DV announced the Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of motion picture rights to the novel by Fred Gipson, scheduled for publication in Feb 1962. Both the book and the picture were sequels to another Gipson story, Old Yeller (1958, see entry). The 13 Oct 1961 LAT credited H. N. Swanson with negotiating the deal. Gipson was expected at Disney Studios on 30 Oct 1961 to begin writing the screenplay. Seven months later, the 23 May 1962 DV identified Ron Alexander as the new screenwriter, although his name appears nowhere else in contemporary sources. Principal photography began 22 Aug 1962, according to the 24 Aug 1962 DV. The 26 Nov 1962 LAT noted that actor Dewey Martin had recently completed his role. The 10 Jul 1963 LAT identified locations in the vicinity of Thousand Oaks, CA, in addition to Disney Studios in Burbank, CA.
       The 9 Jan 1963 Var reported that the premiere would take place in Gipson’s home state of Texas “as a publicity gesture.” Cities under consideration were Dallas and San Antonio, the latter of which was near Gipson’s hometown of Mason. No date had been set at the time of the article.
       Savage Sam opened 10 Jul 1963 in Los Angeles, CA, and 31 Jul 1963 in New York City. Reviews were unenthusiastic, with the 22 May 1963 Var describing the picture as “unsatisfactory.” The 1 Aug 1963 NYT indicated a number of flaws, including the fact that the titular canine hero was responsible for creating the situation from which he later had to rescue his owners. Regardless, the picture earned approximately $126,500 in its first two weeks in Los Angeles.
       The 5 Apr 1964 LAT announced that “Tom Dooley,” the dog who portrayed “Savage Sam,” won a Patsy Award from the American Humane Association on 4 Apr 1964, placing him among the best animal actors of 1963.
       The 23 Mar 1963 LAT identified the vocal group heard on the soundtrack as The Wellingtons.