Daniel Boone-Trail Blazer

Rating:
Summary: Good "B-Movie" Frontier Adventure from the 1950s
Review: No, this isn't the old Fess Parker television series, but rather a fairly standard frontier adventure programmer from Republic Pictures that was made in the mid-1950s. There's a reasonable amount of action, drama, and even some song, as Daniel Boone and his followers attempt to make a new life for themselves in the wilderness at Boonesboro.

There are no "name" stars here, save minor ex-Tarzan Bruce Bennett (former Olympic shot-putter Herman Brix), Lon Chaney, Jr., and country music star Faron Young, who does get a chance to belt one out. Bennett was in his mid 40s when he made this film and, indeed, looks the part of a father with grown children. The performances of the actors reflect the film's "B-movie" status . . . capable enough for the material, though I find the perpetually grinning Freddy Fernandez (portraying Boone's son Israel) to be annoying. In the middle of the climatic battle, there's Fernandez grinning away like an idiot (I wonder what ever happened to him?). All in all, though, this is a fairly watchable film that's helped by its short running time (approximately 75 minutes).

I have mixed feelings about this DVD transfer. I'm sure at the time of its initial release, "Daniel Boone, Trail Blazer" was probably a very good looking film. However, the print that Brentwood Communications has used has washed out colors and is "soft" looking, but the audio is fine. This is the type of film that probably could only be released on DVD through an independent budget video company; it's highly unlikely that any major studio would release this film on DVD. So, in that repect, viewers looking for older, hard-to-find films on DVD should probably be thankful to the independent video companies for searching out and releasing films like "Daniel Boone, Trail Blazer."

Rating:
Summary: Good "B-Movie" Frontier Adventure from the 1950s
Review: No, this isn't the old Fess Parker television series, but rather a fairly standard frontier adventure programmer from Republic Pictures that was made in the mid-1950s. There's a reasonable amount of action, drama, and even some song, as Daniel Boone and his followers attempt to make a new life for themselves in the wilderness at Boonesboro.

There are no "name" stars here, save minor ex-Tarzan Bruce Bennett (former Olympic shot-putter Herman Brix), Lon Chaney, Jr., and country music star Faron Young, who does get a chance to belt one out. Bennett was in his mid 40s when he made this film and, indeed, looks the part of a father with grown children. The performances of the actors reflect the film's "B-movie" status . . . capable enough for the material, though I find the perpetually grinning Freddy Fernandez (portraying Boone's son Israel) to be annoying. In the middle of the climatic battle, there's Fernandez grinning away like an idiot (I wonder what ever happened to him?). All in all, though, this is a fairly watchable film that's helped by its short running time (approximately 75 minutes).

I have mixed feelings about this DVD transfer. I'm sure at the time of its initial release, "Daniel Boone, Trail Blazer" was probably a very good looking film. However, the print that Brentwood Communications has used has washed out colors and is "soft" looking, but the audio is fine. This is the type of film that probably could only be released on DVD through an independent budget video company; it's highly unlikely that any major studio would release this film on DVD. So, in that repect, viewers looking for older, hard-to-find films on DVD should probably be thankful to the independent video companies for searching out and releasing films like "Daniel Boone, Trail Blazer."

Rating:
Summary: Daniel may be a "Trail Blazer", the movie was not.
Review: The technical part of this review refers to the Brentwood Home Video or BCI Eclipse version.

Republic Pictures was nearing the end of its career releasing B pictures mostly westerns, crime stories and those Bowery Boys pics when this one came around. Released in a process called TruColor, the films colors haven't aged well (at least in this transfer). But it doesn't detract that much from this fast moving story starring Bruce Bennett (Herman Brix, I gotta research and find out why he changed his name) as the namesake of the picture and Lon Chaney, Jr. as the Indian chief whom Daniel must eventually make peace with.

It's a story filled with fights, morality, romance and even song from country crooner Faron Young. Released in 1956, I'm sure to capitalize on the Davy Crockett craze at the time, this low budget story of building the new frontier is fine for the family with some mild violence and at 76 minutes is perfect viewing for a rainy day.

Brentwood/BCI put in their usual extras, six chapter stops, a DVD dictionary, trivia game and a short subject (Hal Roach's "Little Rascals"). This movie is also in a 10 pack of westerns at about triple the price for this one film from Brentwood Home Video called "The Wild West" and is available from Amazon.com.

Rating:
Summary: Dan'l Boone.
Review: Well-made and entertaining Indian tale from the 50's with former Tarzan Bruce Bennett as Daniel Boone and country singer Faron Young. A good Lon Chaney,Jr. as the Indian chief. But - alas - the Technical quality is very poor! Colors are bad in this edition. Try to find another one!