Fury
1955 - United States, United KingdomFury – a magnificent, fiery black stallion with a temper as hot as the desert sun. No one has managed to break him – until Joey Clark arrives. Joey, played by newcomer Bobby Diamond, is a young orphan with no family and a reputation that precedes him. Dogged by accusations of wrongdoing and with nowhere left to turn, Joey is taken in by ranch owner Jim Newton, a widower portrayed with warm authority by Peter Graves. Together on Newton’s Broken Wheel Ranch, boy and beast forge a bond of mutual respect that becomes the emotional cornerstone of the series.
The storylines, though aimed at younger viewers, often carried moral weight, underlining the importance of integrity, friendship, and standing up for what’s right – values that made the series not just entertaining, but quietly educational. There’s plenty of action too: chases across the open plains, showdowns with unscrupulous characters, and stirring moments of high drama, all framed by the raw beauty of the Western landscape.
While the human actors were excellent in their roles, it is impossible to review Fury without singling out its true star: the horse himself. Registered as Highland Dale, the stallion was credited under various names including 'Beauty' and 'Gypsy', but affectionately known on set simply as 'Beaut'. An American Saddlebred of striking intelligence and screen presence, Beaut was impeccably trained by his owner Ralph McCutcheon. Insured for more than a quarter of a million dollars – a staggering sum at the time – Beaut earned multiple Patsy Awards, established by the American Humane Association and the animal equivalent of an Oscar, thanks to his unforgettable performances not only in Fury but in major films such as Giant and Gypsy Colt.
Fury was the first production from the newly formed Television Programs of America (TPA), made in association with ITC in the UK. Its success helped set the tone for a wave of Western-themed television, but few series have matched its heartfelt blend of adventure, moral clarity, and the profound emotional connection between a boy and his horse.
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Published on December 17th, 2018. Written by Rex Brady for Television Heaven.
