The Big Cat (1949 film)

The Big Cat is a 1949 American outdoor action film in Technicolor directed by Phil Karlson. The cast included Lon McCallister, Peggy Ann Garner, Preston Foster, Forrest Tucker, Skip Homeier, and Gene Reynolds.

Danny Turner Lon McCallister arrives in the area to move into his mothers birthplace now owned by his stepfather Tom Eggars Preston Foster. Tom is constantly threatened by a hostile neighbor, Gil Hawkes Forrest Tucker. Shortly after Danny arrives Tom and Gil have a scuffle, a sure sign of a soontobe war. When Danny arrives he meets Doris Cooper Peggy Ann Garner, whom he develops a crush on. After some close calls with Gil, the drought and the cougar become such big issues that the mayor of a nearby town announces that a hunt be started for the big cat. The hunt is unsuccessful, with the Eggars dog chasing the cougar back to its lair and the party left behind. Tom tells Danny that he may have to move away and live with the Hawkes family due to the troubles he is having around the farm.The next day he goes to the hill to show Gil and his family that he will come live with them. Gils son Jim Skip Homeier teases Danny about his failure to kill the cougar and their dislike of Tom. Danny then refuses to live with them because he remembers Gil is the one who mistreated his mother and refused to let her marry Tom. Tom hears this and attacks Gil, and the two fight. Danny and Jim also get into a fight when the angered Jim accuses Danny of starting the fight. Danny and Tom win both fights and Tom tells Gil that Danny will continue living with him. ........

Source: Wikipedia