Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier (1955)

American frontiersman Davy Crockett fights in the Creek Indian War, is elected to the U.S. Congress and fights for Texas at the Alamo.

Director:

Norman Foster

Writer:

Thomas W. Blackburn (as Tom Blackburn)

Stars:

Fess Parker, Buddy Ebsen, Basil Ruysdael

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Fess Parker	...	Davy Crockett (archive footage)
Buddy Ebsen	...	George Russel (archive footage)
Basil Ruysdael	...	Gen. / President Andrew Jackson (archive footage)
Hans Conried	...	Thimblerig (archive footage)
William Bakewell	...	Maj. Tobias Norton (archive footage)
Kenneth Tobey	...	Col. Jim Bowie (archive footage) (as Ken Tobey)
Pat Hogan	...	Chief Red Stick (archive footage)
Helene Stanley	...	Polly Crockett (archive footage)
Nick Cravat	...	Busted Luck (archive footage)
Don Megowan	...	Col. William Travis (archive footage)
Mike Mazurki	...	Bigfoot Mason (archive footage)
Jeff Thompson	...	Charlie Two Shirts (archive footage)
Henry Joyner	...	Swaney (archive footage)
Campbell Brown	...	Bruno (archive footage) (as Colonel Campbell Brown)

Storyline

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 Russell 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 partake in the last stand at the Alamo.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | davy crockett character | seven word title | bayonet charge | bayonet fight | 

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Taglines:

NOW...on the MOTION PICTURE SCREEN!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Family | Western

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Walt Disney said that if he had known the success that Davy Crockett was going to have he wouldn't have killed him off in the third TV episode.

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Goofs

Just before Russel gets hit by a tomahawk you can see him grimace before it even hits him.

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Quotes

General Andrew Jackson: You've been making quite a name for yourself in local politics.
Davy Crockett: Soft soap ain't good for nothing but washing dirty hands, General.

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Connections

Spoofed in South Park: Raising the Bar (2012)

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Soundtracks

Farewell
Music by George Bruns
Lyrics by Cali Ann Mitchell

User Reviews

Impossible to dislike

Perhaps not a masterpiece, or the best Disney film or live-action Disney film. However, it is more than easy to see why the 'Davy Crockett' series and films and merchandise were so popular.

'Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier' still holds up quite well now, and to me more than just nostalgic value (have had several childhood favourites that have not held up, but 'Davy Crockett' still has a huge amount to like). Due to it being basically three episodes of the series rolled into one film, 'Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier's' episodic nature is inevitable but it doesn't hurt the film that much, the middle third may not be quite as exciting as the outer two but not in a bad way.

Some of the exaggerated action sequences may come over as a bit silly and childish now and the dialogue (with some hilariously bad grammar) even more so. However, 'Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier' has a huge amount to like and is impossible to dislike, a lot happens and very rarely does it lull.

It is a good-looking film, with gorgeously epic scenery and evocative production design that looks like a lot of care and homework went into it, all handsomely filmed. The music is rousing, especially the timeless theme song that is one of Disney's and childhood's best and most memorable theme songs.

There is some endearingly-good natured dialogue, and as said the story is eventful and often exciting, especially the final third in the Alamo. The characters are a lot of fun, with a charismatic and likable hero in Davy Crockett, and direction is breezy and bright.

Fess Parker is jovial, charismatic and immensely likable in the title role and Buddy Ebsen counteracts with him very nicely. The acting may not be "great" but hardly bad, more than competent.

On the whole, an impossible to dislike film and with a lot of good things. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

25 May 1955 (USA)

Also Known As:

Davy Crockett: King of the Wild Frontier

Filming Locations:

Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$2,150,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walt Disney Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min 150 min (3 parts) (TV)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1