Post by Greg C. on Mar 5, 2008 17:24:02 GMT -5
Starring:
Fess Parker ... Davy Crockett
Buddy Ebsen ... George Russel
Basil Ruysdael ... Gen. / President Andrew Jackson
Hans Conried ... Thimblerig
William Bakewell ... Maj. Tobias Norton
Kenneth Tobey ... Col. Jim Bowie (as Ken Tobey)
Pat Hogan ... Chief Red Stick
Helene Stanley ... Polly Crockett
Nick Cravat ... Busted Luck
Don Megowan ... Col. William Travis
Mike Mazurki ... Bigfoot Mason
Jeff Thompson ... Charlie Two Shirts
Henry Joyner ... Swaney
Campbell Brown ... Bruno
Review from Ultimate Disney
Fifty years ago, right before Christmas of 1954, Walt's weekly "Disneyland" television series aired the first of three "Frontierland" installments on the adventures of Davy Crockett, American pioneer and statesman of the early 19th century. The tremendous public response to the "Davy Crockett" episode could not have been foreseen in Walt's wildest dreams. By the following January, when the second episode aired, the whole nation had gone crazy for Crockett.
Something about the Tennessee woodsman clicked with people. Disney had molded a national hero, based on fact and brought to life through legend. America embraced anything to do with the Davy Crockett phenomenon, most notably coonskin caps, which were bought in unprecedented numbers. Ten million records of the simple folksy theme song "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" were sold within a year. The craze for Crockett merchandise also included wallets, lunch boxes, clothes, and toys.
It was evident that Walt and the filmmakers behind these "Davy Crockett" episodes did not anticipate such an outroar. The third installment, which aired February 14th, 1955, was "Davy Crockett at the Alamo", where in a grand stand for Texas' independence, the pioneer's life ended in reality and on screen.
But Disney could not ignore his audience, and so production began on two more episodes focusing on Crockett's earlier adventures. In the meantime, the first three hour-long television episodes were edited into Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier, a 93-minute feature film that graced theaters in May of 1955. The two new final episodes aired in the last two months of 1955, and then were edited into Davy Crockett and the River Pirates, an 81-minute big-screen adventure released the following summer.
In December of 2001, as part of the first wave of the Walt Disney Treasures, a now-popular line of cartoon shorts and TV programming from Walt's time, a 2-disc Limited Edition tin was devoted to Davy Crockett. This set contained all five of the "Disneyland" episodes as they aired on TV, in addition to a nice offering of bonus materials.
Now, nearly three years later, on the 50th Anniversary of the "Davy Crockett" television launch, the studio has put together this two-movie set with the theatrical cuts of both feature films, Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier and Davy Crockett and the River Pirates. With the first wave of Treasures long out of print and fetching ridiculously high prices in second-hand markets (often without the original tin packaging), this two-pack, with the low suggested retail price of $19.99, seems like a most alluring alternative to those who missed out on the 2001 DVD set. It also should pique the interest of diehard Crockett fans, as well as those who are more familiar with these feature-length cuts.
When we first meet the title hero of Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier, he's in the midst of trying to "grin down" a bear. It doesn't take long to see why Crockett is so easy to embrace. He's a terrific fighter and one cool guy. He takes down bears, beats up crocodiles, and even speaks reason to the restless Indians. When Davy Crockett wants to go home to see his family, he does so, even when the major (William Bakewell) whose orders he's disobeying faces him down with a cannon.
At the start of this first feature, the United States Army brings in Crockett to help them track their enemy in the Indian Wars. The duo of Davy and his inseparable right-hand man George Russel (Buddy Ebsen, TV's Jed Clampett) alone can scare off a hostile tribe of Indians, who have been burning lands and collecting the scalps of white men. Still, a battle is inevitable and the gun-toting white men seem well matched by the relentless Indians and their tomahawks.
When Davy returns from a brief visit home to his family, General Andrew Jackson (Basil Ruysdael) has been relocated and Major Norton is relieved to have Davy and George back. The pair tracks down the Indians and discovers that the young Chief Red Stick (Pat Hogan) is calling the shots. The Indians take George prisoner and tie him up. When Davy shows up to save his friend, he offers reason, but Red Stick, with his distrust of the white man, will not listen. Instead, the chief challenges the woodsman to a man-to-man tomahawk fight, before learning a thing or two.
After another short stay with the missus and two children, Davy's back on the road looking for adventure with George. They come across a rifle-shooting contest going on, with a $15 bull as prize. Davy naturally wins against his formidable opponent, Bigfoot Mason (Mike Mazurki). Turns out that Bigfoot Mason has been doing more than winning target contests; he has been throwing Indians off the lands they have title to, and then selling it to make money.
Davy accepts the position of magistrate to get justice for the Cherokees. Which he does, of course. Then, after getting some heartbreaking news from home, the people of Tennessee have another position that he simply has to accept: a spot in state legislation.
As years pass, Davy meets up with an old army acquaintance: Tobias Norton, who is now unofficially acting as manager for General Andrew Jackson's presidential campaign. Jackson invites Crockett to support their drive, and Davy winds up in Congress. More years pass, and Davy's having a grand time touring the nation, until he learns that the reason he's on tour is to allow Congress to pass an Indian Bill that disregards Native American rights in the name of expansion. Davy and George ride to Washington as fast as they can, getting back just in time for Crockett to deliver a powerful speech and effectively end his political career.
This career change does return Crockett, who had become a soft-spoken government-friendly figure, to his beloved wilderness and the adventure it offers. The final act sees Davy and George heading down south to lend a hand to the Americans who are struggling for Texas independence. They are joined by Thimberlig (Hans Conreid, voice of Captain Hook), whose insufficient introduction points to poor editing, and an Indian they dub Bustedluck (Nick Cravat).
Things do not look so great in Texas. Colonel Jim Bowie (Kenneth Tobey), the man in charge of operations, is struggling with sickness, while the 200 volunteers are outnumbered and running out of resources. Still, no one at the Alamo gives up, even in the face of unsurmountable odds.
King of the Wild Frontier is undoubtedly episodic in nature, with the three stories it tells distinct and only loosely connected. To keep viewers up to date on the occassionally abrupt scene transitions, the film provides animation of landscape maps and new alternate lyrics to the hummable ballad theme music. Though the film stems from television, one never questions its quality, as the Disneyland episodes lived up to Walt's high standards. As such, the ambitious project for a new medium seem every bit worthy as a feature film. There's a lot going on here, and a lot to like.
Still, some elements do not hold up so well. For instance, the exaggerated fighting scenes look a bit silly. More substantially, the depiction of Native Americans, always played by American actors with broken English, seems somewhat objectionable today. Though the first act unsettingly showcases them as savages to be slaughtered without recourse, Davy Crockett does stand up for the Native American rights in the remaining encounters, even if it's in simplified terms.
The one thread which clearly ties these tales together is the man at the center. Davy Crockett remains every bit as admirable today. He's got a good sense of humor, warmth, and always has the right thing to say. Anything that occurs around him makes for a most interesting adventure, as this old-fashioned and highly engaging feature film proves.
Fess Parker plays the settler with such a naturalness, that it seems difficult to distinguish the actor from Disney's heroic Crockett character. Buddy Ebsen provides the perfect countering performance as George Russel, a trustworthy companion with a flair for singing and making up tales.
Fess Parker ... Davy Crockett
Buddy Ebsen ... George Russel
Basil Ruysdael ... Gen. / President Andrew Jackson
Hans Conried ... Thimblerig
William Bakewell ... Maj. Tobias Norton
Kenneth Tobey ... Col. Jim Bowie (as Ken Tobey)
Pat Hogan ... Chief Red Stick
Helene Stanley ... Polly Crockett
Nick Cravat ... Busted Luck
Don Megowan ... Col. William Travis
Mike Mazurki ... Bigfoot Mason
Jeff Thompson ... Charlie Two Shirts
Henry Joyner ... Swaney
Campbell Brown ... Bruno
Review from Ultimate Disney
Fifty years ago, right before Christmas of 1954, Walt's weekly "Disneyland" television series aired the first of three "Frontierland" installments on the adventures of Davy Crockett, American pioneer and statesman of the early 19th century. The tremendous public response to the "Davy Crockett" episode could not have been foreseen in Walt's wildest dreams. By the following January, when the second episode aired, the whole nation had gone crazy for Crockett.
Something about the Tennessee woodsman clicked with people. Disney had molded a national hero, based on fact and brought to life through legend. America embraced anything to do with the Davy Crockett phenomenon, most notably coonskin caps, which were bought in unprecedented numbers. Ten million records of the simple folksy theme song "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" were sold within a year. The craze for Crockett merchandise also included wallets, lunch boxes, clothes, and toys.
It was evident that Walt and the filmmakers behind these "Davy Crockett" episodes did not anticipate such an outroar. The third installment, which aired February 14th, 1955, was "Davy Crockett at the Alamo", where in a grand stand for Texas' independence, the pioneer's life ended in reality and on screen.
But Disney could not ignore his audience, and so production began on two more episodes focusing on Crockett's earlier adventures. In the meantime, the first three hour-long television episodes were edited into Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier, a 93-minute feature film that graced theaters in May of 1955. The two new final episodes aired in the last two months of 1955, and then were edited into Davy Crockett and the River Pirates, an 81-minute big-screen adventure released the following summer.
In December of 2001, as part of the first wave of the Walt Disney Treasures, a now-popular line of cartoon shorts and TV programming from Walt's time, a 2-disc Limited Edition tin was devoted to Davy Crockett. This set contained all five of the "Disneyland" episodes as they aired on TV, in addition to a nice offering of bonus materials.
Now, nearly three years later, on the 50th Anniversary of the "Davy Crockett" television launch, the studio has put together this two-movie set with the theatrical cuts of both feature films, Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier and Davy Crockett and the River Pirates. With the first wave of Treasures long out of print and fetching ridiculously high prices in second-hand markets (often without the original tin packaging), this two-pack, with the low suggested retail price of $19.99, seems like a most alluring alternative to those who missed out on the 2001 DVD set. It also should pique the interest of diehard Crockett fans, as well as those who are more familiar with these feature-length cuts.
When we first meet the title hero of Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier, he's in the midst of trying to "grin down" a bear. It doesn't take long to see why Crockett is so easy to embrace. He's a terrific fighter and one cool guy. He takes down bears, beats up crocodiles, and even speaks reason to the restless Indians. When Davy Crockett wants to go home to see his family, he does so, even when the major (William Bakewell) whose orders he's disobeying faces him down with a cannon.
At the start of this first feature, the United States Army brings in Crockett to help them track their enemy in the Indian Wars. The duo of Davy and his inseparable right-hand man George Russel (Buddy Ebsen, TV's Jed Clampett) alone can scare off a hostile tribe of Indians, who have been burning lands and collecting the scalps of white men. Still, a battle is inevitable and the gun-toting white men seem well matched by the relentless Indians and their tomahawks.
When Davy returns from a brief visit home to his family, General Andrew Jackson (Basil Ruysdael) has been relocated and Major Norton is relieved to have Davy and George back. The pair tracks down the Indians and discovers that the young Chief Red Stick (Pat Hogan) is calling the shots. The Indians take George prisoner and tie him up. When Davy shows up to save his friend, he offers reason, but Red Stick, with his distrust of the white man, will not listen. Instead, the chief challenges the woodsman to a man-to-man tomahawk fight, before learning a thing or two.
After another short stay with the missus and two children, Davy's back on the road looking for adventure with George. They come across a rifle-shooting contest going on, with a $15 bull as prize. Davy naturally wins against his formidable opponent, Bigfoot Mason (Mike Mazurki). Turns out that Bigfoot Mason has been doing more than winning target contests; he has been throwing Indians off the lands they have title to, and then selling it to make money.
Davy accepts the position of magistrate to get justice for the Cherokees. Which he does, of course. Then, after getting some heartbreaking news from home, the people of Tennessee have another position that he simply has to accept: a spot in state legislation.
As years pass, Davy meets up with an old army acquaintance: Tobias Norton, who is now unofficially acting as manager for General Andrew Jackson's presidential campaign. Jackson invites Crockett to support their drive, and Davy winds up in Congress. More years pass, and Davy's having a grand time touring the nation, until he learns that the reason he's on tour is to allow Congress to pass an Indian Bill that disregards Native American rights in the name of expansion. Davy and George ride to Washington as fast as they can, getting back just in time for Crockett to deliver a powerful speech and effectively end his political career.
This career change does return Crockett, who had become a soft-spoken government-friendly figure, to his beloved wilderness and the adventure it offers. The final act sees Davy and George heading down south to lend a hand to the Americans who are struggling for Texas independence. They are joined by Thimberlig (Hans Conreid, voice of Captain Hook), whose insufficient introduction points to poor editing, and an Indian they dub Bustedluck (Nick Cravat).
Things do not look so great in Texas. Colonel Jim Bowie (Kenneth Tobey), the man in charge of operations, is struggling with sickness, while the 200 volunteers are outnumbered and running out of resources. Still, no one at the Alamo gives up, even in the face of unsurmountable odds.
King of the Wild Frontier is undoubtedly episodic in nature, with the three stories it tells distinct and only loosely connected. To keep viewers up to date on the occassionally abrupt scene transitions, the film provides animation of landscape maps and new alternate lyrics to the hummable ballad theme music. Though the film stems from television, one never questions its quality, as the Disneyland episodes lived up to Walt's high standards. As such, the ambitious project for a new medium seem every bit worthy as a feature film. There's a lot going on here, and a lot to like.
Still, some elements do not hold up so well. For instance, the exaggerated fighting scenes look a bit silly. More substantially, the depiction of Native Americans, always played by American actors with broken English, seems somewhat objectionable today. Though the first act unsettingly showcases them as savages to be slaughtered without recourse, Davy Crockett does stand up for the Native American rights in the remaining encounters, even if it's in simplified terms.
The one thread which clearly ties these tales together is the man at the center. Davy Crockett remains every bit as admirable today. He's got a good sense of humor, warmth, and always has the right thing to say. Anything that occurs around him makes for a most interesting adventure, as this old-fashioned and highly engaging feature film proves.
Fess Parker plays the settler with such a naturalness, that it seems difficult to distinguish the actor from Disney's heroic Crockett character. Buddy Ebsen provides the perfect countering performance as George Russel, a trustworthy companion with a flair for singing and making up tales.
