Michael's Movie Grade:C+
Year Released:1956
History
After the success of the first three Davy Crockett episodes, and Davy Crockett: The King of the Wild Frontier, everyone at the Disney studio knew they had a good thing going, and needed to continue this character's adventures. There was only one problem with this. That problem was that Davy Crockett had been killed off. The answer to this was to not make sequels, but rather a couple more stories about Davy that took place at an unknown time in Davy's life. These stories were first aired as two T.V. episodes and then edited into a theatrical feature film. Though Davy's previous adventures had been based off of true events (though very, very loosely), these would be all original stories created by the Disney staff. Like the previous film parts of the episodes were cut out when making it into a feature.Again like the previous feature audiences had seen the two episodes only in black and white, so this was their first time to be seen in color.
Naturally this film would feature much of the same crew that worked on King of the Wild Frontier. This would include director Norman Foster, writer Thomas W. Blackburn, producer Bill Walsh, musician George Burns, and actors Fess Parker and Buddy Ebson.
When this film was released it made money,but it was nowhere near as big of a hit as King of the Wild Frontier was. The Davy Crockett craze was dying down. However Fess Parker would go on to star in many more Disney films, and Norman Foster would go on to direct Disney's Zorro TV series and the Disney feature The Sign of Zorro based off the show.
These stories inspired two rides. The Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes (Originally called Indian War Canoes) ride appeared at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World in 1956. It is still at Disneyland, but not at Walt Disney World. Mike Fink Keel Boats also used to exist at both parks but are not at either anymore.
Review
Good, silly fun, even if it is not as good as the first film.
The story here isn't as strong as the first film, and it lacks that film's epic scope, but regardless this movie is simply quite fun. The acting is quite great. Fess Parker and Buddy Ebson are just as good as ever for these characters. However here adding to the fun is a fantastic performance by Jeff York as Mike Finn. Peter Ellenshaw's backgrounds are as good as ever as well.
Despite the story not being that strong, and even weak at times, this is a fun way to spend 81 minutes. Not as good as the first but still worth a watch.
Film Credits
Director: Norman Foster
Writers: Thomas W. Blackburn, Norman Foster
Cast: Fess Parker (Davy Crockett), Buddy Ebsen (George Russel), Jeff York (Mike Fink), Kenneth Tobey (Jocko), Clem Bevans (Cap'n Cobb), Irvin Ashkenazy (Moose), Mort Mills (Sam Mason), Paul Newlan (Big Harpe), Frank Richards (Little Harpe), Hank Worden (Fiddler), Walter Catlett (Col. Plug), Douglass Dumbrille (Saloon Owner), William Fawcett (Old Man), George J. Lewis (Black Eagle)
Producers: Bill Walsh, Walt Disney
Music: Thomas W. Blackburn, George Bruns
Songwriters: George Bruns, Thomas Blackburn
Cinematographer: Bert Glennon
Editor: Stanley E. Johnson
Art Director: Feild M. Gray
Set Decorators: Bertram C. Granger, Emile Kuri
Painter: Peter Ellenshaw
Special Effects: Ub Iwerks
Makeup Artists: David Newell, Phillip Scheer
Production Manager: John Grubbs
Assistant Director: Ivan Volkman
Sound Artist: Robert O. Cook
Costume Creator: Carl Walker
Resources Used
-Michael J. Ruhland
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