The Proposal and the Bear  The Proposal and the Bear is a 1968 Australian TV play based on two stories by Anton Chekhov, "The Proposal" and "The Bear". They were filmed in the ABC's Melbourne studios using the same cast for two plays. "The Bear" - a woman, although desperate for a husband, fights with her only suitor. "The Proposal" - a widow is challenged to a duel by a rough farmer The "Sydney Morning Herald" said the show "required goodwill in the viewer to force the fun. It's not what-you do but the "verve with, which you do it — at least, in farce."