The construction of nature, wild and tame, speaks eloquently to changing beliefs throughout American history. Folklore abounds with animal helpmates like Paul Bunyan’s giant blue ox babe or the subversive African American trickster tales of Br’er Rabbit outwitting his captors. Contemporary media build upon these images in popular shows where intelligent, benevolent and witty animals—dolphins, horses, dogs, a rare cat and overactive chimps—assist humans to develop their humanity. These overlap with more documentary depictions that may nonetheless denature the wild. Yet, lurking beyond these friendly figures is savage nature—unleashed, for example, in furious attacks in Them! (1954) by giant ants, Jurassic Park (1993) or Wolf (1994).

Rin Tin Tin (1916–32) and Lassie (a helpful female family collie played by a male dog with additional human actor sounds) provided gendered templates for domestic animals in movies (1923–31 and 1943–50, respectively). Lassie’s television debut came in 1947 (ABC). He/she reappeared for the next three decades, including a cartoon version (1973– 5). Dog companions also help delineate major characters in movies and shows, including comments on snobbery and affectation in the 1990s hit Frazier, or more heroic sidekick roles (Benji, 1974; Turner and Hooch, 1990). Cats, despite their popularity as pets, prove harder to work with, although they appear in witchcraft representations. Both cats and dogs are frequently used in advertising.

Other media play on curiosity about mammals “closer” to humans (Flipper the dolphin and various chimp shows and films). Some creatures, moreover, crossed the line through animation or tricks, like the wise-cracking, talking horse of CBS’ sitcom Mr Ed (1961– 6). In all, one sees valued traits of American relationships and citizenship read across species—loyalty independence—and an interesting continuing irony about humans.

Disney’s animated features, from Mickey Mouse to Tarzan (1999), have pushed this interlocutor/mimic role even further.

Animal documentary traditions have also blurred relations of nature and culture. Early television programs were especially linked to zoos and zookeepers creating bridges between the wild and the familiar, including interactions with talk-show hosts. National Geographic, America’s premier explorer of the exotic, has also produced more scientific studies of animals ranging from whales to domestic cats. Meanwhile, Disney’s liveaction films and television (Seal Island (1948), Jungle Cat (1960), etc.) have created characters and life narratives in the wild.

This immediacy and humanity of nature reaffirms both the meaning in wilderness and its essential humanity, a charter for appropriation. Yet nature can also convey power and uncertainty, as horror, sci-fi and disaster media suggest, and Cujo (1983) replaces Lassie. In the 1990s, videos of fighting and killing by wild animals are even marketed alongside reality shows like “Cops.” Hence, representations of animals and nature, like their manipulation in pets, parks and food production, provide multiple visions of American identity See also: nature.