Davy Crockett was only five feature Frontierland
adventures which aired as part of Disneyland and was never a series.
The five episodes were:
"Davy Crockett Indian Fighter" 12/15/54
"Davy Crockett Goes to Congress" 1/26/55
"Davy Crockett At the Alamo" 2/23/55
"Davy Crockett's Keelboat Race" 11/16/55
"Davy Crockett and the River Pirates" 12/14/55
Walt Disney Treasures - The Complete Davy Crockett Televised Series (1956), a
DVD video Collection
of all five Davy Crocket adventures is available for
purchase.
Available uncut for the first time, the five episodes of Davy Crockett
that aired on Walt Disney's 'Disneyland' show (1954-55) launched one of the
great pop culture crazes of the '50s. An estimated $300 million worth of
Crockett merchandise was sold during the first eight months of the craze,
including 10 million 'coonskin' caps. Disney didn't spend a lot on the original
episodes, but as host Leonard Maltin observes, the colorful location and matte
shots distinguished Davy Crockett from the cheesy-looking westerns of
the 1950s. The three original episodes were later recut into the theatrical
feature Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955); the more comic
adventures from the second season that introduced the flamboyant riverman Mike
Fink (Jeffrey York) became Davy Crockett and the River Pirates (1956).
Tall and ruggedly handsome, if somewhat limited as an actor, Fess Parker was
effective as the laconic frontiersman. The more experienced Buddy Ebsen (playing
sidekick Georgie Russel) carried many of their scenes. Fifty years later,
Davy Crockett remains an engaging example of national myth making. Younger
viewers may be surprised to find this straightforward hero retains much of his
appeal in an uncertain time. --Charles Solomon
Customer reviews:
Rating:
- Walt Knew What Legends Are Made Of
Davy Crockett is one of Walt Disney's most endeared and remembered live action
characters. He was presented to American audiences by Walt Disney on the
Disneyland TV Show in 1954. He was personified by Fess Parker beloved ever after
by his sincere portrayal. This colorful and entertaining character was first
seen in three episodes from the TV show ("Davy Crockett, Indian Fighter," "Davy
Crockett Goes to Congress" and "Davy Crockett at the Alamo"). Parker, with his
coonskin cap and homespun drawl and witticism created a nationwide phenomenon in
1954. Who can forget "The Ballad Of Davy Crockett" composed by George Bruns and
Tom Blackburn. Buddy Ebsen played his sidekick George Russel, whose adventures
take them from Tennessee to Washington, D.C. to the Alamo in the first three
episodes. The series' third episode focusing on the defense of the Alamo, though
well remembered, is somewhat labored until we see the final image of Davy
Crockett passing into legend and glory. This straightforward and beautifully
photographed series expounds the virtues of honesty, integrity and bravery. The
country could not get enough of Davy so he and George Russel returned in 1955
for two more episodes ("Davy Crockett's Keel Boat Race" and "Davy Crockett and
the River Pirates"). For Davy Crockett's second season on television the show
was retitled "The Legends of Davy Crockett." The necessary title change came
about because we had seen Davy come to his end defending the Alamo and Walt
Disney wanted to continue bringing us his adventures. "Davy Crockett's Keel Boat
Race" is about a riverboat race between Davy and another American folklore hero
Mike Fink. "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates" is about Davy's attempt to stop
an Indian uprising with Mike Fink's assistance. In some ways these two episodes
are the best. Davy Crockett appears less the frontier fighter and more the
good-natured peacemaker in these episodes. The riverboat race with Mike Fink is
very entertaining and a high point in Disney's American frontier live action
adventures. I don't even think John Ford could have filmed this sequence any
better. Kenneth Tobey, who worked with John Ford, is excellent in a great
comedic part (Fess Parker made note of Tobey's performance in a supplemental
interview on the DVD). Walt Disney gave this actor a chance to demonstrate his
great versatility and range as an actor. Also, Mike Fink's boats may look a
little familiar since they are the basis for the riverboat ride at the Magic
Kingdom in Walt Disney World. That's a nice nostalgic tie in! Bert Glennon's
cinematography is beautifully picturesque as ever and is matched seamlessly with
some very effective glass shot special effects by Peter Ellenshaw. This is one
of the best DVDs to come from the Disney vaults. Walt Disney introduces each of
the five episodes exactly as they were originally presented on the Disneyland TV
Show. The Supplemental Features on this DVD are above and beyond what I had
expected. Most of Disney's DVD extras seem to concentrate on the technical
aspects of the feature presentation. This DVD focused more on the phenomenon
that the legend of Davy Crockett created and the affect it had and continues to
have on those who were brought up in those times. There are two exceptional
Features: "A Conversation with Fess Parker" and "The Davy Crockett Craze." "The
Gallery" of photos and memorabilia is also excellent. "A Conversation with Fess
Parker" really hit home with me. Fess Parker appeared to be the genuine article
that he was. In a world of eroded morals filled with dirt and filth everywhere
you turn it was more than comforting to hear Fess Parker's fond recollections of
his portrayal and the ideals that Walt immortalized through the tales of this
legendary character. If your eyes feel a little watery its because your
remembering a time not so long ago when our heroes were real heroes. This is one
of the best and should help keep the legend alive for those that lived it, those
that loved it and for those that will someday be touched by it.
Rating:
- Davy Crockett: Still King of The Wild Fronteir
Walt Disney Treasures presents the greatest of all Disney Western Shows, the
five great Davy Crockett shows. This treasure is one not to be missed at all.
Why did I give it five stars? For completeness for Pete's sake. On this set, you
will enjoy all five episodes of this hugely popular series. Back in 1954, Walt
was looking for an American hero for his popular "Disneyland" series. He went
reluctantly with Crockett and it turned out to be the greatest fad of all time!
He showed a preview of the show on and original broadcast of the very first
"Disneyland" program. During the series, who would be best to play Davy
Crockett. Originally it was Buddy Ebsen, who played Davy's partner Georgie
Russel, in the series. But who would play Davy? THe answer came when Fess Parker
was cast in the film "Them." So when he went to audtition, he was chosen
immediately.
Now I told you a little bit of history, I'll finish at the end of the review.
Now we have to do the features:
There are three shows on the first disc. When you put in the disc, after a brief
stint at the Walt Disney Treasures preview, you are in the "Walt Disney Treasure
Theater." When the curtain is up you see the Crockett Curtains. When those part,
our host, Leonard Maltin, will tell us what we will see. Then the curtains close
and open again at the main menu. If you have deaf or hard of hearing in the
audience, go to Captions and put them on now. Then go to the adventures. Here
you will see the first series of the Crockett Saga. Click on the first one, Davy
Crockett, Indian Fighter. Leanord Maltin will tell you about the show, then you
will see the classic "Disneyland" television show intros. Then Walt will tell
you what you will see. After the famous "Ballad of Davy Crockett," he opens
Davy's journal for the first story, the indian war. Watch the show to see what
happens. The shows end just like they originally did. The same thing happens for
the other two shows. These are "Davy Crockett Goes to Congress" and "Davy
Crockett at The Alamo." The introductions to the shows are Black and White, but
the Crockett portions are color, mostly.
The second disc is the second series of the saga, "Crockett Legends," and
Supplemental Features. When you get there, go to the captions if you need them,
then go to the adventures. Here you will see the two final shows of the series.
The first one opens the same way like the ones on disc one, except that for some
reason, Walt's introductions are color but the end is black and white. Anyway,
the shows are the same way, here are the names, "Davy Crockett's Keelboat Race"
and "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates." In these episodes, we have Jeff Kurti
playing Mike Fink, King of the River. Then Kenneth Toby, the person who plays
Jocko in this episode is the same person who played Jim Boye at the Alamo. It
worked out great though. Now for the final features. The supplemental features
menu features two featurettes, "The Crockett Craze" and "A Conversation With
Fess Parker." There is also a gallery and an easter egg. The easter egg is the
preview on the first "Disneyland" program for Davy Crockett and the gallery has
photos, art, and theatrical posters and merchandise.
Here is the other half of the Crockett history:
Davy Crockett first aired in 1954 and was popular overnight. There were books,
games, towels, coonskin caps, and records, toy guns, anything that you could do
with Davy. Fess and Buddy were at the opening day of Disneyland which you could
see on the "Disneyland USA" set. After all of this worn down, Walt created
"Zorro" and the "Nine Lives of Elfego Baca." These shows were not as popular,
but were fun. I enjoyed the entire series of Davy Crockett. It know you will
too. So Davy Crockett is still, King of the Wild Fronteir!
Milan Brandon
Rating:
- Disneyland USA: One to Really Look Forward To!
Walt Disney Treaures Review 4 of 11
Sorry, no easter eggs on this set. (hidden DVD features)
Disneyland USA, the fourth and final volume of wave 1, is probaly the most
important. Here, as with all the others, the DVD is enclosed in a numbered tin,
along with a lithograph of the poster for Autopia, and a program booklet with a
list of features and a letter from Leonard Maltin, the host of the series. On
disc 1, we trace the early years of Disneyland with two complete episodes from
the original TV show. Each have an intro by Maltin
The Disneyland Story: The very first episode of the Disneyland Television
series, which give clips of whats to come in each section of the Disneyland
television series anthology. There is a sneak peek of Disneyland, a peek at the
new Davy Crockett series, and a tribute to Mickey featuring two entire cartoons.
Dateline Disneyland: Join your hosts Art Linkletter, Ronald Reagan, and Bob
Cummings as they cover live, the inagural day at Disneyland, with the late
Reagan covering the dedication. This is the most important of the set, and is a
treat for Disneyland film buffs and fans alike.
On disc two, there are two more shows in full color, with intros by Maltin.
Disneyland After Dark: Here, we get to meet amazing stars from the sixties,
journey through Disneyland after dark, and meet a couple of the famous "Mouseketeers,"
including Annete Funicello.
Disneyland 10th Anniversary: This piece has two parts. One showing new
attractions at Disneyland, mainly the then in progress Pirates of the Carribean,
Haunted Manision and Its a Small World. Then the history of the park, during
construction, new attractions and a lot of other juicy stuff.
Finally there are the bonus features.
The Magic Kingdom and the Magic of Television: This documentary gives a short
history of the park and the Disneyland TV Show with Leonard Maltin
Gallery: A gallery of photographs and posters, as well as merchandise.
The smallest of the four in wave 1, Disneyland USA could have a little more
material. However, that is a small price to pay for the historical broadcasts in
this wonderful set. I'll write the reviews for Wave 2 tomorrow. See you then.
List of Reviews of Walt Disney Treasures:
Silly Symphonies
Mickey Mouse in Living Color
Davy Crockett
Disneyland USA
Mickey Mouse in Black and White
The Complete Goofy
Behind the Scenes at Walt Disney Studios
Mickey Mouse in Living Color Volume 2
The Chronological Doand Volume 1
On Front Lines
Tomorrowland
All with the complete list of features, including Easter Eggs! (hidden DVD
features)
Walt Disney Treasures - The Complete Davy Crockett Televised Series (1956)
DVD
