In 1978, Hollywood’s biggest tough guy decided to do something completely bizarre. Clint Eastwood—the man who made "Dirty Harry" a household name—partnered up with a beer-drinking, right-hook-throwing orangutan. Critics thought he was crazy. They predicted a career-ending disaster. Instead, Every Which Way But Loose became a massive cultural phenomenon, out-grossing almost everything in Eastwood's catalog at the time.
But let’s be real. People didn’t flock to theaters just to see Clint fight bikers in San Fernando Valley. They came for Clyde.
The chemistry between the rugged Philo Beddoe and his primate sidekick felt authentic. It wasn't just some animal doing tricks; it was a partnership. Decades later, the film remains a weird, gritty, and surprisingly tender relic of 70s cinema. However, the story of the animal behind the character is far more complicated—and significantly darker—than the "Right turn, Clyde" memes would have you believe.
Who Was the Real Clyde in Every Which Way But Loose?
Most fans assume one ape did it all. Actually, the "Clyde" we see in the first film was a trained orangutan named Manis. He was about four years old during filming and belonged to a traveling act based in Las Vegas.
Manis was a natural. Eastwood famously remarked that he was one of the most gifted actors he’d ever worked with because his reactions were so unscripted and human-like. You’ve probably seen the scene where Clyde gives the middle finger to the Black Widows motorcycle gang. That wasn't some complex animatronic. That was Manis.
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By the time the sequel, Any Which Way You Can, rolled around in 1980, Manis had hit a massive growth spurt. He was simply too big and powerful to work safely with the actors. The production had to find replacements, eventually hiring two other orangutans named C.J. and Buddha. This is where the history starts to get messy and, honestly, pretty heartbreaking.
The Dark Rumors: What Really Happened to the Orangutan?
If you spend five minutes on a movie trivia forum, you’ll find a grim story. It usually goes like this: Clyde was beaten to death by his trainer with a lead pipe or an axe handle because he stole a doughnut on set.
Is it true? Well, the reality is a tangled mess of conflicting reports and 1980s-era "he-said-she-said."
- Manis (The Original): Most evidence suggests Manis, the star of the first film, returned to his life in Las Vegas and lived for several more years. He even showed up as a limo driver in Cannonball Run II in 1983. He definitely wasn't the one who died during production.
- Buddha (The Successor): This is where the tragedy likely lies. Reports from organizations like PETA and a 1985 National Enquirer article alleged that Buddha was severely "disciplined" by his handlers.
- The Cause of Death: It is a documented fact that an orangutan used in the sequel died of a cerebral hemorrhage shortly after filming. Whether that was caused by blunt force trauma from a trainer or natural health issues remains a point of intense debate.
Eastwood himself later expressed regret. In a 2008 interview, he mentioned feeling uneasy about the animal handling on set, though he claimed he wasn't fully aware of the extent of the alleged abuse at the time. It’s a sobering reminder that the "fun" animal movies of the 70s and 80s didn't have the same CGI safety nets we have today.
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Why the Movie Still Hits Different Today
Despite the controversy, the film holds a unique spot in the "buddy comedy" genre. It’s basically a modern Western where the horse is replaced by a primate. You’ve got bare-knuckle brawling, a senile grandmother (the hilarious Ruth Gordon) who just wants her driver's license, and a soundtrack that defined the "outlaw country" era.
The movie captured a very specific blue-collar vibe. It didn't take place in glitzy LA; it took place in Bakersfield, North Hollywood, and Georgetown, Colorado. It felt dusty, sweaty, and lived-in.
The Supporting Cast That Made It Work
While Clint and Clyde took the spotlight, the movie wouldn't be the same without the surrounding chaos.
- Geoffrey Lewis played Orville, the loyal manager who was basically the "straight man" to the ape.
- Sondra Locke played the country singer Lynn Halsey-Taylor, providing the emotional (and somewhat manipulative) motivation for Philo's cross-country trek.
- The Black Widows were perhaps the least threatening motorcycle gang in cinematic history, serving as the perfect comedic punching bags for Clyde’s antics.
Impact on Pop Culture and Animal Welfare
The success of Every Which Way But Loose changed how Hollywood viewed animal stars. It proved that an animal could carry a movie just as well as a human A-lister. But it also eventually led to a massive shift in how we treat those animals.
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By the mid-2000s, the "Clyde tragedy" became a rallying cry for animal rights activists. It contributed to the eventual industry-wide move toward digital primates. Think about Planet of the Apes or King Kong today—all of that is motion capture. No more lead pipes, no more doughnuts, and no more "disciplining" sentient creatures for a three-second gag.
How to Revisit the Legend
If you’re looking to rewatch this classic, keep a few things in mind. It’s a product of its time. Some of the jokes are dated, and the pacing is definitely slower than modern action-comedies. But the heart is there.
- Look for the small moments: Watch the way Manis mimics Eastwood’s facial expressions. It’s legitimately impressive.
- Listen to the music: The title track by Eddie Rabbitt is an absolute banger that perfectly sets the tone for a road trip movie.
- Check the filming locations: Many of the spots in the San Fernando Valley and Colorado look almost exactly the same today, making it a fun "then and now" trip for film buffs.
Ultimately, Clyde represents a weird, bittersweet era of filmmaking. He gave us some of the most iconic comedic moments of the 70s, even if the cost behind the scenes was higher than any of us knew.
Next Steps for the Interested Fan:
If you want to support modern primate welfare in honor of the real animals behind Clyde, consider looking into the Center for Great Apes or similar sanctuaries. They provide a permanent home for retired animal actors where they can live out their lives in peace, away from the cameras and the "Right turn, Clyde" commands.