Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier
May. 25,1955 GLegends (and myths) from the life of famed American frontiersman Davy Crockett are depicted in this feature film edited from television episodes. Crockett and his friend George Russel fight in the Creek Indian War. Then Crockett is elected to Congress and brings his rough-hewn ways to the House of Representatives. Finally, Crockett and Russell journey to Texas and the last stand at the Alamo.
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Reviews
Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!
Beautiful, moving film.
Blistering performances.
The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.
This is a vigorous handsome adventure about a determined and powerful figure in his days as an Indian fighter and his gallant stand in defense of the famous site , El Alamo , being packed with noisy action, thrills , colorful fun , and spectacular as well as tremendous battles .Another Disney splice of three episodes from the popular TV series chronicling the further adventures of our frontier man well played by Fess Paker who dons the regular coonskin cap as a virile Davy . Here Davy Crockett meets adventures along with George Russell, Buddy Ebsen , fighting Indians who are threatening the peace during the bloody Creek Indian War under command of General Andrew Jackson , subsequently US President . Later on , Davy is appointed to Nashville representative and then elected to Congress as a Congressman and he brings his rough-hewn manners to the house of representatives. Finally , Davy and George journey to Texas , Bejar , The Alamo where takes place the last stand , 1836, attacked by the Mexican General Santa Ana . There they encounter the place really besieged and the tough Col. William Travis , Don Megowan, and the ill Col. Jim Bowie , Kenneth Tobey, stricken by fevers .Here Fess Parker gives a fine acting who became a national figure incarnating the great frontiersman, an intrepid explorer with a welcome wry wit, including legends and myths . The action is swiftly presented , and in comic-book syle .It displays an attractive and sympathetic protagonist duo, Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen. Accompanied by a fine plethora of secondaries as Hans Conried , Kenneth Tobey ,Don Megowan , Nick Cravat and Basil Ruysdael as President Andrew Jackson . Paul Hogan would appear with Fess Parker in the TV series Daniel Boone in 1966 . The nimble and sharp episodes were spliced together, interlaced by wonderful songs and released as a profitable feauture film . Walt Disney shot in color even though few color TV's were being sold, yet . As a result , the 3 episodes could be turned into instant movie by stitching the chapters get together . As it was a compilation of 3 episodes : Crockett Indian fighter, Crockett goes to congress and Davy at the Alamo .This series aired on ABC television Disneyland 1954-55. It is followed by another compilation , a new blending that created the sequel " Davy Crocket and the river pirates" 1955 by Norman Foster with similar artistic and technical .And there is anotje cinematic rendition about this historical role " Davy Crockett Indian scout" 1950 by Lew Landers with George Montgomery , Ellen Drew , Noah Beery The film has a marvelous musical score by George Bruns , singer Bill Hayes had a top hit 1955 billboard with the song Ballad of Davy Crockett with music by Bruns and lyrics by Thomas Blackburn . And a brilliant and glimmer cinematography by Charles F Boyle .The movie was well directed by Norman Foster who made some good Westerns as TV as Cinema , such as " Crazy Horse and Custer the untold story , Tombstone territory , The legend of Custer , Bat Masterson , Navajo , Viva Cisco Kid , The sign of Zorro , Rachel and the stranger". Rating: 7. A catching and really enjoyable family adventure , essential and indispensable watching, the film helped spread Davymania among the kiddies of the fiftiies .
I remember the summer of 1955 when this movie was THE movie of that summer, and when I felt it was a must to have a rabbit-skin cap and a Davy Crockett suit, all of which my mother bought me, and it was all because of the influence of that unforgettable movie. As much as I liked it, and as much as I play it now on my own video tape of it, it was definitely not your typical Walt Disney movie, like "Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs", and "Pollyanna"; the latter came along later. (Who would have ever connected Kenneth Tobey, who portrayed Jim Bowie, with a Disney movie, or Helene Stanley, who played the small role of Davy's wife Polly, since she was a lady who did often play not-so-nice girls?) Basil Ruysdael performed well the role of the then pre-president Andrew Jackson, and in these his pre-"Beverley Hillbillies" days, Buddy Ebsen was excellent as Crockett's sometimes-comical sidekick George Russell, and the large Don MacGowan was convincing as Colonel Travis the second-in-command to Bowie. Hans Conreid did a good turn as the shifty riverboat gambler, who perhaps surprisingly was very brave at the Alamo. Nobody else could have played Crockett as well as did the large Fess Parker; Crockett was a sometimes-rough man, but always good-hearted and honest. The movie followed well the man's life, all the way from his resolving the Creek Indian wars in 1814, to Davy's term in Congress where the man with butchered English expressed himself articulately and bravely his negative feeling about the Indian Bill when expansion was on everyone's minds, then to the battle at the Alamo in 1836. Again, some of the actors were rough and brave, and the fighting Mexicans at the Alamo were as mean as they could be. What also stood out to me was the song toward the end entitled "Farewell", which was soothing and beautiful in its own right. Definitely, an outstanding production.
I had not seen the movie since I was a kid. I purchased the DVD and wondered if it would remain on the shelf forever with the many "I must watch one day" movies. At first I thought how bad the movie was. I have found before that Disney early movies were not really well made and the effects are pretty awful. There are scenes that are terrible, such as the "alligator attacking "sequence. Even the late, great Steve Irwin was not that good.The early scenes of the Indians were terrible.The white guys come across as racist bigots. I found myself just hoping the indians would win. I felt angry with Crocket for killing a beautiful bear. The world has changed and so have our attitudes. Thank heavens. At first I thought that this movie is terrible and in many ways it is. The history is woeful. The funny thing is that as the movie grows on you and you start to warm to it. The reason is simple. Fess Parker is delightful. It is him and him alone that carries the film. THe man is handsome and gives a superb under stated performance. He is Davey Crocket. Buddy Epstein is great too. There are scenes that are just too awful for words but sit back and enjoy the central performance. He is superb and very under rated. THe scenery is lovely; I wonder if its covered by real estate today. I hope not.
Watching Disney's Davy Crockett at the impressionable, ripe old age of seven in 1954 started me on a lifelong love affair with American History. I now have in my den a flintlock Kentucky long rifle on one wall replete with arrowheads, powder horn, etc. and lots of Civil War (my other interest) books and just historical stuff in "my" room/retreat. Interestingly, I gave my co-worker (much younger than me) the Disney DVD to show his son. He gave it back to me stating he didn't want his son saying Injun or Redskin and wondered why the term "Native American" hadn't been dubbed in. I told him history was history and wasn't politically correct and that if the PC crowd had their way American history would indeed be revised. And by the by, I, as a person born in the USA was a "Native American". What a shame...am sure his son would have been enthralled!!! Watching those DVD's today brings my childhood rushing back to me and as I get older a keener sense of appreciation to Walt Disney and a gratitude to him for sparking my interest in our nation's history...thanks Walt!! And thanks Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen!!!