Clint Eastwood’s box office best surprised audiences and critics alike, as it featured neither his hallmark Western roles nor his directorial achievements, but instead placed him alongside an orangutan in a comedic setting. Released in 1978, this unexpected hit, “Every Which Way but Loose,” outperformed all of Eastwood’s films, redefining his commercial legacy in Hollywood.
Unexpected Commercial Success Beyond the Westerns
Although Clint Eastwood is celebrated for his Westerns from the 1960s and 70s and his critically acclaimed directorial work—garnering five Oscar nominations—the film that stands as his most lucrative was neither. Even his iconic Dirty Harry series, which defines his tough cop persona and remains his most known franchise, did not produce a movie that matched this box office achievement. Instead, “Every Which Way but Loose,” starring Eastwood as Philo Beddoe, achieved unprecedented financial success.
Set in California, Philo Beddoe is a blue-collar truck driver living in a modest home with his orangutan companion, Clyde. Philo supplements his earnings as a bare-knuckle fighter, but Clyde quickly emerges as the film’s comedic cornerstone, captivating audiences and shifting the film from a standard action-comedy to a unique buddy experience.
Clyde the Orangutan: An Unlikely Star
The character Clyde was performed by Manis, an orangutan who became central to the film’s buddy dynamic. Although Manis only starred in “Every Which Way but Loose”—a different orangutan was used for the sequel due to Manis’s growth spurt—his performance left a lasting impression on both the film and the audience. The unusual casting decision played a significant role in drawing mainstream crowds, who responded strongly to the comedic pairing of Eastwood and his animal co-star.
Despite not aligning with fan expectations of Eastwood’s tough-guy persona, the film resonated with a wide audience and ultimately became his highest-earning film after inflation. “Every Which Way but Loose” was produced on a $5 million budget and grossed $104.3 million upon release. Once adjusted for inflation, this equates to an extraordinary $504.1 million in box office revenue, making it incomparable within Eastwood’s portfolio. By contrast, “Magnum Force,” the top-grossing Dirty Harry installment, reached only $284 million in today’s dollars.
Clint Eastwood’s Thoughts on His Animal Co-Star
Eastwood did not shy away from expressing affection for his orangutan co-star, referring to Clyde as a ‘big baby’ during interviews and displaying clear camaraderie in their comedic scenes. Eastwood enjoyed this lighter role and has spoken about working alongside an animal actor, which was a departure from his usual human co-stars.
“At first […] people advised me against it because orangutans are supposed to be tremendously strong, which they are, and it’s a wild animal,”
Eastwood explained. However, he then described Manis as a “big baby” and humorously noted that if given a little beer, Manis would
“be as loose as anything around.”
This light-hearted remark became a talking point, though it sparked some controversy regarding animal welfare on set.
Controversy Surrounding Animal Treatment
The decision to cast an orangutan was not without criticism. Animal rights organization PETA later released a documentary alleging that Manis was mistreated by the trainer during the film’s production. Accusations of abuse arose, but concrete evidence to substantiate these claims was never made public. Further debates surfaced after the publication of “Visions of Caliban” by Dale Peterson and Jane Goodall, which clarified that some of the more detailed allegations pertained to the sequel, in which a different orangutan, Buddha, was cast. The book also included disputed claims about the animal’s treatment, such as punitive measures taken for minor mischief like stealing food.
Attempts and Obstacles in Remaking the Classic
The impact of “Every Which Way but Loose” extended far beyond its initial release, inspiring a successful sequel and cementing its cult status among fans. Despite its enduring popularity, Hollywood has yet to successfully remake the story, though there have been concerted efforts. Starting in 2017, James Fargo, the original director, teamed up with Anthony Cohen in a bid to revive the franchise with a new film. The discussions were reported by Empire Magazine, and despite the original film’s lukewarm critical reception, its immense box office achievement has kept interest alive.
“I have been interviewing directors for over a year and as soon as I watched Cohen’s film The Sex Trip … I knew instantly he was the right director for this picture.”
— James Fargo, Director
The challenges of a remake are compounded by shifting industry standards regarding animals in films. The comedic use of a real orangutan—a central feature of the original—poses practical and ethical concerns today. While a recent 2024 comedy, “Brothers,” with Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage, successfully included an orangutan for humor, such casting has become increasingly rare as audience attitudes and animal welfare standards evolve.
So far, no significant progress has been reported on an “Every Which Way but Loose” remake since those initial 2017 discussions. James Fargo, now 87, has not directed since 2011, making further developments in the franchise unlikely, especially with doubts about Clint Eastwood participating in any capacity.
Legacy and Impact of Clint Eastwood’s Box Office Surprise
“Every Which Way but Loose” forced a redefinition of Clint Eastwood’s box office narrative, with its unlikely pairing of a Hollywood icon and an orangutan yielding a record-breaking performance. The film’s success underscores the unpredictable nature of popular appeal, as a star best known for rugged Westerns and crime dramas found his commercial apex with a comedic animal buddy film. With no apparent movement on a remake and the original’s legacy intact, the film remains a singular high point in Eastwood’s varied career, and a lasting example of how Hollywood hits can take even the most seasoned icons—and their audiences—by surprise. The story of Philo Beddoe and Clyde endures, both for fans of Clint Eastwood and for those interested in the dynamic between human and animal performers in cinema history.
