Walt Disney Treasures: Davy Crockett – The Complete Televised Series

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All 5 episodes of Walt Disney’s Davy Crockett series chronicling the adventures of the King of the Wild Frontier. Beginning with Davy Crockett, Indian Fighter and featuring Davy’s adventures all the way up to the Alamo, these classic adventures are fun for the whole family. Introduction by Leonard Maltin.
Episodes: Davy Crockett, Indian Fighter; Davy Crockett Goes to Congress; Davy Crockett’s Keelboat Race; Davy Crockett and the River Pirates; Davy Crockett at the Alamo.

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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