Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier (1955)
1h 33m | PG-13
Legends (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.
Director: Norman Foster
Studio: Walt Disney Productions
Genre: Adventure, Family, Western
Video: 720p
Cast
Fess Parker
as Davy Crockett
Hans Conried
as Thimblerig
Buddy Ebsen
as George Russel
Basil Ruysdael
as Gen. / President Andrew Jackson
William Bakewell
as Maj. Tobias Norton
Kenneth Tobey
as Col. Jim Bowie
Reviews
All six foot six inches of Fess Parker epitomises well one of the heroes of the fledging United States in this episodic retelling of his rise from frontiersman battling Indians and unscrupulous settlers through his time in Congress to his final ill-fated stance at the Alamo. I can't vouch, much, for any historical authenticity - it is just a Disney film that celebrates the legend of the man, and his long-time sidekick George Russel (Buddy Ebden) with a catchy theme song and lots of action scenes. It has twinges of a social conscience - using Crockett as a conduit for the principles of fairness, decency and loyalty that underpinned much of he traditions of the "Founding Fathers" of the USA back at the start. Parker is a little wooden in the lead, but works well with Ebden to create an enjoyable, at time amusing, action adventure well worth a watch. As ever with films like this, do bear in mind that some of the language and roles are very much of their intended time.