Rating: 
Summary: Return to a More Innocent Age
Review: "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates" is actually a recobbling of the last two of the five Davy Crockett television shows presented by Walt Disney. The first three, which were on during the 1953-54 television season, had to do with the actual Davy Crockett, with the final one of those three shows ending with our hero's death at the Alamo. However, the character was so popular with audiences--every boy in America started sporting a coonskin cap--that Walt presented two further episodes the following season, dealing with the legend of Davy Crockett. Later these two episodes were joined together into a full-length motion picture called "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates."The two episodes of this picture are very distinct in tone, with the first half being a lighthearted comedy centering around a boat race between Davy Crockett and his friend George Russel on the one hand, and riverboat captain Mike Fink, an historical figure, on the other. The second half keeps the three major characters together in a much more serious story as they outwit and defeat a team of bad guys who are making it dangerous for others to travel the Mississippi and also straining relations between the folks traveling the river and the Native Americans. We are definitely in a man's world here. There are very few women in the picture and the ones who briefly appear have no lines. So it is up to the men to carry the story and they do so for the most part admirably. Fess Parker certainly looks the part of Davy Crockett although I found his portrayal somewhat undernourished. Perhaps he came across more strongly in the three episodes from the previous season which I have not seen. And then again, he may have just been personifying the "strong, silent" type which was the masculine ideal of the time. Parker's portrayal stands out in further relief here by being up against the charismatic George Russel of Buddy Ebsen and the over-the-top Mike Fink of Jeff York. I understand that Ebsen was originally scheduled to play Davy Crockett and was "demoted" to the sidekick role after Parker was discovered in a small role in a marauding-ant film called "Them!" Poor Buddy Ebsen, always losing out on plum roles; first the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz and now this. At least he finally got his revenge with The Beverly Hillbillies and later Barnaby Jones. And here we do get to see him let out with a couple of Jed Clampett-like whoops along the way. Jeff York as Mike Fink steals every scene he is in. He is nominally the villain in the first half of the film, although it is impossible to dislike him, even when he is busy doing such dastardly deeds as sabotaging Davy's boat. His evil laugh goes so far that it strains credibility, but it doesn't matter. In the second half of the film, he ends up as Davy's and George's ally in defeating the bad guys. For me at least, he was the one of the three lead characters who stood out most strongly. I suspect that if the series had continued, that Mike Fink would have played an important role in any future stories. I wonder why Jeff York who plays Fink didn't have a bigger career than he did. The minor characters are very well drawn, especially in the first half of the film. One of the standouts in this first half is Kenneth Tobey as Jocko, one of Fink's boatmen. Diminutive in stature, he nevertheless seizes the screen each chance he gets. Certainly his scene in the bar with Ebsen, where the latter is buying him drinks and trying to talk him into joining Davy's boat crew, is one of the highlights of the film. It's curious that most of the boatmen from the first half been replaced by much more anonymous characters in the second half. I wish they had kept Tobey around at least. Overall, the second half of the film does not maintain the momentum or the interest of the first half. The first half gives some wonderful comedic opportunities to our trio of leads, while the story line of the second half is too serious to allow for much comedy. And then again, perhaps the character of Mike Fink works better as an antagonist than as an ally. The film is very much a product of its time and so scenes depicting heavy drinking are numerous (although Ebsen does a marvelous job as the chandelier-riding Russel), as are scenes depicting our heroes as somewhat trigger-happy. These are the reasons that I gave the film four stars. I probably would have given it four and a half if I had had that option. And since these films are aimed at a somewhat younger audience, parents would be well advised to discuss these scenes with their children. A couple of decades later, there was much ado about the concept of the "buddy film." This film may well have been one of the originals of that genre, as Davy Crockett and George Russel are obviously devoted to each other. To see an example of this, watch the scene where Davy sobers George up, forgives him for wagering the furs they are trying to sell on a boat race with Fink, and then sends the appreciative George back to the boat to sleep it off while he stays up through the night putting together a boat crew. Even though there is temporarily room for a third party such as Fink in this friendship, each of the two halves of the film ends with Fink going his way. The farewell scene midway through the picture is quite touching in fact. The emphasis that the film places on friendship, and friends looking out for each other, is probably the most positive aspect of the film. Even the drinking and violence in their own way play a part in promoting the theme of friendship. I found this film very enjoyable both in itself and as a nostalgic throwback to the more innocent, if in some ways less enlightened, age of the 50s. I certainly recommend it, especially for family viewing.
Rating:
Summary: Return to a More Innocent Age
Review: "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates" is actually a recobbling of the last two of the five Davy Crockett television shows presented by Walt Disney. The first three, which were on during the 1953-54 television season, had to do with the actual Davy Crockett, with the final one of those three shows ending with our hero's death at the Alamo. However, the character was so popular with audiences--every boy in America started sporting a coonskin cap--that Walt presented two further episodes the following season, dealing with the legend of Davy Crockett. Later these two episodes were joined together into a full-length motion picture called "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates." The two episodes of this picture are very distinct in tone, with the first half being a lighthearted comedy centering around a boat race between Davy Crockett and his friend George Russel on the one hand, and riverboat captain Mike Fink, an historical figure, on the other. The second half keeps the three major characters together in a much more serious story as they outwit and defeat a team of bad guys who are making it dangerous for others to travel the Mississippi and also straining relations between the folks traveling the river and the Native Americans. We are definitely in a man's world here. There are very few women in the picture and the ones who briefly appear have no lines. So it is up to the men to carry the story and they do so for the most part admirably. Fess Parker certainly looks the part of Davy Crockett although I found his portrayal somewhat undernourished. Perhaps he came across more strongly in the three episodes from the previous season which I have not seen. And then again, he may have just been personifying the "strong, silent" type which was the masculine ideal of the time. Parker's portrayal stands out in further relief here by being up against the charismatic George Russel of Buddy Ebsen and the over-the-top Mike Fink of Jeff York. I understand that Ebsen was originally scheduled to play Davy Crockett and was "demoted" to the sidekick role after Parker was discovered in a small role in a marauding-ant film called "Them!" Poor Buddy Ebsen, always losing out on plum roles; first the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz and now this. At least he finally got his revenge with The Beverly Hillbillies and later Barnaby Jones. And here we do get to see him let out with a couple of Jed Clampett-like whoops along the way. Jeff York as Mike Fink steals every scene he is in. He is nominally the villain in the first half of the film, although it is impossible to dislike him, even when he is busy doing such dastardly deeds as sabotaging Davy's boat. His evil laugh goes so far that it strains credibility, but it doesn't matter. In the second half of the film, he ends up as Davy's and George's ally in defeating the bad guys. For me at least, he was the one of the three lead characters who stood out most strongly. I suspect that if the series had continued, that Mike Fink would have played an important role in any future stories. I wonder why Jeff York who plays Fink didn't have a bigger career than he did. The minor characters are very well drawn, especially in the first half of the film. One of the standouts in this first half is Kenneth Tobey as Jocko, one of Fink's boatmen. Diminutive in stature, he nevertheless seizes the screen each chance he gets. Certainly his scene in the bar with Ebsen, where the latter is buying him drinks and trying to talk him into joining Davy's boat crew, is one of the highlights of the film. It's curious that most of the boatmen from the first half been replaced by much more anonymous characters in the second half. I wish they had kept Tobey around at least. Overall, the second half of the film does not maintain the momentum or the interest of the first half. The first half gives some wonderful comedic opportunities to our trio of leads, while the story line of the second half is too serious to allow for much comedy. And then again, perhaps the character of Mike Fink works better as an antagonist than as an ally. The film is very much a product of its time and so scenes depicting heavy drinking are numerous (although Ebsen does a marvelous job as the chandelier-riding Russel), as are scenes depicting our heroes as somewhat trigger-happy. These are the reasons that I gave the film four stars. I probably would have given it four and a half if I had had that option. And since these films are aimed at a somewhat younger audience, parents would be well advised to discuss these scenes with their children. A couple of decades later, there was much ado about the concept of the "buddy film." This film may well have been one of the originals of that genre, as Davy Crockett and George Russel are obviously devoted to each other. To see an example of this, watch the scene where Davy sobers George up, forgives him for wagering the furs they are trying to sell on a boat race with Fink, and then sends the appreciative George back to the boat to sleep it off while he stays up through the night putting together a boat crew. Even though there is temporarily room for a third party such as Fink in this friendship, each of the two halves of the film ends with Fink going his way. The farewell scene midway through the picture is quite touching in fact. The emphasis that the film places on friendship, and friends looking out for each other, is probably the most positive aspect of the film. Even the drinking and violence in their own way play a part in promoting the theme of friendship. I found this film very enjoyable both in itself and as a nostalgic throwback to the more innocent, if in some ways less enlightened, age of the 50s. I certainly recommend it, especially for family viewing.
Rating:
Summary: The King of the Wild Frontier teams up with Mike Fink
Review: "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates" includes both that fifth and final adventures of Davy Crockett (Fess Parker) and his friend Georgie Russell (Buddy Ebsen), and the previous tale "Davy Crockett's Keelboat Race." The common denominator between the two is not only the Mississippi River but also the self-styled King of the River, the braggart and brawler Mike Fink (Jeff York). Unlike the first three adventures of the legendary American collected together in the 1955 film "Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier," these 1956 tales place a greater emphasis on comedy (although Mike Fink's character is a lot more realistic in the second adventure). The first half has Mike Fink getting Georgia all liquored up and betting all the furs he and Davy collected during the winter on the outcome of a keelboat race. The race down the Mississippi to New Orleans becomes as much of a battle of wits as anything else as Mike and Davy pull one trick on each other (Mike's tend to be more underhanded). However, in the end the two become friends, and when Davy and Georgie encounter the River Pirates led by Sam Mason (Mort Mills), Mike lends a hand. The problem is that the pirates have been dressing up as Indians to attack boats on the river and this is causing tensions between the real Indians and the settlers. If there is one thing that defines Davy Crockett in these Disney adventures it is the fact that he is a friend to the Indians, which means our hero has to do something about this outrage. With Mike Fink pretending to be a tycoon, Davy sets a trap for the bad guys in the second half of the adventure. While entertaining, "Davy Crockett and the River Boat Pirates" will probably appeal more to younger kids, while older folks will prefer the original three episodes, both on nostalgic grounds and artistic principles. After all, the first three were looking more at the historical Davy Crockett and this pair is more about the legendary figure. Parker does not seem as comfortable with the slapstick as he does with Davy's more serious side. When compared to "Davy Crockett at the Alamo" it is a bit hard to believe this is the same character. To underscore the point, compare the character of Jocko that Kenneth Tobey plays in these two Mississippi adventures with his fine performance as a realistic and fatalistic Jim Bowie at the Alamo; as well as anything those performances show the difference between the "historical" and "legendary" adventures of Disney's Davy Crockett.
Rating: 
Summary: King of the DVD Frontier
Review: (Sung to The Ballad of Davy Crockett) Born on a Mountain Top in Tennessee
Now, he comes complete on DVD
Remastered and restored, so wonderful to see...
For children from age three to ninety-three Davy, Davy Crockett, new to the DVD frontier The DVD itself comes in a dandy tin,
Fightin' off some Injuns is where they all begin
The second story has him doin some congressin'
The third is a the Alamo were Davy's finally done in... Davy, Davy Crockett, the picture is remarkably clear. With all five episodes, the series is complete
The fourth one is where Davy and Mike Fink meet...
The last one has pirates who they both must beat...
Action and adventure sit on the edge your seat... Davy, Davy Crockett, A DVD to hold dear. In 1954 and 1955, Davy Crockett was a mania. No piece of entertainment before or since had created such a stir. That statement is difficult to believe. But, this new DVD set (part of the Disney Treasures Series with Leonard Maltin), helps to explain and understand the event that would take people through part of the cold war with patriotism and a coon skin cap. The series (later cut and combined into feature length features) is never spectacular, but quite well done for television. Often shot on location in Tennessee, North Carolina and the like, the shows have a realistic beauty that adds value to the productions. Davy Crockett and his sidekick George Russell are portrayed by Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen. They look like they are having fun and it is contagious. The shows are well directed but might be too slow in pacing for older youth. Otherwise it is great family entertainment. And this deluxe DVD package helps to 'can' the mania into a stimulating DVD workshop. This is part of a series of Disney Treasures. Davy, Davy Crockett, A great DVD to start the New Year...
Rating:
Summary: Slam bang entertainment
Review: .... However, Disney has finally released what I wanted, and I snapped it up without even looking at the price. The five TV episodes aired when I was five and six years old, and I immediately became one of the millions of kids with coonskin caps, buckskin jackets, and toy flintlocks, and I spent days searching the woods for Indians and guarding the front porch from marauding Mexicans with their ladders. ... Now, almost a half-century later, I got to watch the originals again-and they seem as fresh and new as the first time I saw them. Davy and Georgie in one exciting adventure after another, just enough talking to sustain the plot, right triumphs over wrong, and an unforgettable song that ties everything together periodically. The story is hardly historically accurate, but who cares? It's also not p.c.: Davy fought Indians and helped establish Texas, which for a short time was a slave state. If they made this movie today, I guess they'd have to drag the viewers through the p.c. mud. But in that sense, frankly, the movie is a refreshing change from the revisionist frontier dreck made today. ... Davy's ultimate fall at the Alamo was well-staged and quite moving, perhaps a little much for the younger kids, and perhaps the impetus for the softer Mike Fink comedies that followed. And comedies they were, with dozens of comic elements inserted into supposedly serious stories: bad guys slipping on molasses, Mike Fink ripping the top off the bar, Mike's crew in comic book fights, and so on. And though the pirates dressed as Indians rain a hail of bullets on Mike, Davy, and the rest of the good guys, no one is ever hit. But I love it. The VHS tapes were fine, but the DVD is clearly superior. For me, and I suspect a lot of others of my generation, these are true treasures.
Rating:
Summary: Walt Knew What Legends Are Made Of
Review: 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:
Summary: Definitive Disney Entertainment!!
Review: Davy Crockett is sometimes cheesy but it never fails to entertain. It has that Disney magic to it that we dont see anymore and probably never will see again from Disney. This collection of all of Davy's adventures gets its deserving treatment in the Walt Disney Treasures series and it truly is just that. I will admit, I bought this really to just complete my Treasures collection, but when I first saw it I was wowed. I was born a long time after this first aired, yet I could imagine what it would have been like. A great hero of American history coming to the tv screen on Sunday night back in the 60's. Davy Crockett, played by Fess Parker, starred in 5 features, all presented uncut as they were seen then, only now they are in color. That is a good thing though. All of the features have the original Walt Disney introduction from "Frontierland" and it is great to see classic footage restored this beautifully. The episodes included are:
Davy Crockett Indian Fighter
Davy Crockett Goes to Congress
Davy Crockett at the Alamo
Davy Crockett's Keelboat Race
Davy Crockett and the River Pirates Davy dies in the third installment, only to return in two more adventures. Walt Disney explains why this is, as he was brought back due to the popularity of the character. This, along with the extras make this a great set to own, or at least watch once. Extras include:
"A Conversation with Fess Parker" Leonard Maltin & Fess Parker
"The Davy Crockett Craze" with Leonard Maltin
Easter Egg: "The Ballad of Davy Crockett"
Still Gallery Normally I dont like watching cowboy/frontier/indian movies but I instantly loved these episodes. It is pure and simple entertainment that you wont see in today's more complicated time. But this is a great set, and also has a cool collectible tin to hold the case. This is a nice set, and although out of print you can find this without paying too much for it. No complaints on this dvd from me though, and I highly recommend it to Disney fans or anyone else in general. All I can say is check it out for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Was king of the Wild Fronteir, now king of the treasures
Review: Disney outdid themselves in creating a beautiful set like this. Enclosed in a beautiful tin case, you will get four things: 2 DVD discs, a postcard size poster of the Davy Crockett Movie, "King of the Wild Frontier," and a booklet that includes a letter from Leonard. I say, begin by putting in the disc. At the very beginning, there is a preview of three other treasures, then there is an intro by Leonard Maltin. The first disc includes the life story of Davy Crockett. The first episode, aired in 1954, one of the very first Disneyland Television shows. This show is named "Davy Crockett Indian Fighter." This show is the one that started the whole craze. When Davy is a vollunteer in the army, he becomes the best one in the army. They fight indian, but before they would begin actual war, Davy convinces the Creeks to sign a peace treaty. The second show, also in 1954, was "Davy Crockett Goes to Congress." Here, Davy Crockett leaves his family to go to Teneesee and find a new piece of land. He has a shooting match against "Big Foot Mason." When Big Foot looses against Davy and "Old Betsy," he takes over Davy's neighbor's property, who is Cherokee. He and Russel go over and fight him. Davy sends them to court. His town wants him to run for state Legislature, then they want him to run for congress. He wins, and a so-called "Friend" sends him on a tour to get the Indian Bill signed to take away indian's lands. Davy is outraged and returns to Congress to show what this is actually about. The third and final life story of Crockett is "Davy Crockett and the Alamo." Davy goes to fight with Russel, an indian named Bustedluck, and others. When they arrive at the Alamo, they last a week before being killed. Davy gave his life for Texas in the end. This may seem like the end of the entire series, but it is definetly not. There are two more. These two are the legends of Davy Crockett. The first one was in 1955. This show was "Davy Crockett's Keelboat Race." He has to race "King of the River Mike Fink" down the Ohio down to New Orleans. They Somehow win after fights with indians, stopping at towns, and going through dangerous shortcuts. The final episode ever in the series was "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates." Some River Pirates are disguising themselves as injuns and attacking all boats they could get. The Chickasaw indians are ready to go to war if Davy can't solve the problem. He and Mike and his crew get ready for the pirates. A spy gets on there Keelboat, thinking there is gold in the hull. It turns out to be rock. They disguise the boat so the pirates don't know it's Mike Fink's. They attack the pirates in there cave along they found the treasures they hid. They kill the head one and the other two are knocked out by Mike. As if this were not enough, There are bonus features, like a featurette called "The Davy Crockett Craze." Leonard Maltin talks with Paul F. Anderson about the creation of the episodes, merchandise that was for sale, how Leonard loved it as a kid, the song, and the time period. Another featurette is called "A Conversation with Fess Parker." Leonard joins Fess at his winery in California. Here they talk about Fess' experience with the show, director Norman Foster, and on publicity tour. He talks about being at Disneyland at opening day, and amazed that he would sing and dance on live television. Third, there is a beautiful gallery of photos of the creation of the show, merchandise, and theatrical posters for the two movies. Davy sure has a lot to know about. There is a hidden easter egg too. I'll tell you where it is. It is on Davy Crockett's Coonskin Cap on the Supplemental menu. The shows are in superb condition. They are in color and the sound is stuninng. That is why I give it five stars, but not just for that, for the material within as well. Davy Crockett pleased a whole generation. This will bring it for generations to come!
Rating:
Summary: Non-stop action
Review: Hilareous, explosive - could this get any better? Parker, Ebsen and York are the rip-roaringest guys you've ever met. So jump on a keelboat and get ready to laugh!
Rating:
Summary: Davy Crockett is King Again on DVD
Review: Humor me as I do my man thing and let the little boy inside eek out. It's all Walt Disney's fault. In 1954, Disney premiered the first of five Davy Crockett episodes on his "Disneyland" TV series. As a seven year-old, I was among the tens of thousands of kids caught up in the wildest media frenzy of the mid-Twentieth Century. Davy Crockett, the King of the Wild Frontier, had become the king of TV and mass merchandising. Every boy, particularly, had to have his own coonskin cap. The matching buckskin pants and shirt helped, as well as the authentically licensed "Old Betsy" long rifle. And it occurred overnight, literally, that Dec. 15 evening. Those way-back days are vividly alive in a fun and nostalgic double-DVD set just released as part of the new "Walt Disney's Treasures" series. Entitled "Davy Crockett, the Complete Televised Series," the 4 hour, 28 minute extravaganza features all five as-aired Crockett episodes with the original Walt Disney introductions and previews of next week's show. This set is a gotta-have for any baby boomer. Before getting into specific episodes and supplementals, be advised that these Crocketts are not exactly as televised originally. In 1954 and '55, the "Disneyland" series had only black and white broadcasts, so these gorgeously restored Technicolor prints are an upgrade. Most of the introductions, however, are shown here in black and white. Interestingly, there are scattered moments during the fourth episode, the keelboat race, that switch to black and white. The existing color print of this episode is obviously a tad incomplete. It would have helped if liner notes would detail exactly what happened in this regard. In fact, a downer about this set is that the liner notes barely tell anything about the Davy Crockett production. One has to get any inside info through movie guy Leonard Maltin, via his interviews that are included on the second disc. The other negative is that, although it is advertised on the cover that a recent interview with Buddy Ebsen is included, there is no such interview. It would have been super to hear his reminiscences about co-starring as Georgie Russell in the series. At least the Disney people were visionary enough to film each episode in color, anticipating the soon-to-be color TV audience as well as theatrical showings. Speaking of such, the first three episodes were edited together, and released with profitable success to movie theaters as the feature film, "Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier." I remember well the exasperation of my Dad when he, Mom, my sister and I watched the movie at the local drive-in. "Why," he vexed, "this is the same as we saw on TV!" Which it was, basically. We then sat back and enjoyed it in living color. The set includes the trilogy, "Davy Crockett, Indian Fighter," "DC Goes to Congress," and "DC At the Alamo," plus "DC and the Keelboat Race" and "DC and the River Pirates." Although Fess Parker's Crockett history ended after fives shows, he wore a cookskin hat as TV's Daniel Boone, a non-Disney production, for six years thereafter. The amiable Parker, now 76, is interviewed at his vineyard and winery, located in Los Olivos, California. He has only good memories of his years at Disney, that began with the Crockett series. He recalls dressing as Davy and touring 42 cities and 13 countries for promotion in the mid-1950s. As incentive, Parker recieved 10 per cent of Crockett merchandising profits. Author Paul Anderson ("The Davy Crockett Craze"), also interviewed, estimates that up to three thousand different Crockett items were available for sale at the time. Some choice Davy Crockett trivia is revealed on this DVD. As Anderson muses, "Nothing anyone, including Disney, has done has come near it (the Davy Crockett popularity) before, during or since." That includes "Star Wars," "Harry Potter," and "Hopalong Cassidy."
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