Walt Disney Art Classics Convention 2004 - Part 1
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He went on say that the producers of The Ballad of Davy Crockett planned to start their own record label with the release. Many artists ended up recording the song, though. Parker stated that it was actually nominated for an Academy Award when it was included in the film Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier. But it was disqualified because it had originally appeared on television.
When Hodgkins asked if Parker had a good merchandising deal, Parker swiftly responded in the affirmative. He had seen what merchandise sales had done for the fortunes of Hopalong Cassidy and other western stars of the era. Since he had been signed personally by Walt Disney (as opposed to Walt Disney Productions), Parker went directly to the man himself and asked for a percentage. Walt gave him 10%. So, Parker said, he happily went to 40 cities to promote the merchandise. But there was so great a demand that all constraint broke down, and eventually the studio couldn’t contain manufacturers all over the world who were cashing in on the craze. Admitted Parker, “It was a nice thing. I was happy Walt was so generous. But in the end what I got from Walt was an introduction card to many people.�?
Parker was then asked what Crockett’s famous motto, “Be sure you’re right, then go ahead,�? meant to him. He replied that Davy Crockett was worth studying; that he was a fine man.
Hodgkins then asked if the TV series had a different view of Indians than most westerns of the 1950s. Parker immediately pointed out that Davy Crockett actually split with President Andrew Jackson over the treatment of the Indians. That split, he added, cost Crockett his reelection to Congress. Parker quoted Crockett’s parting words to his home district: “Those of you who did not vote for me can go to hell. I’m going to Texas!�?
Walt Disney presented one of the few Western TV series of the 1950s that
included sympathetic portrayals of American Indians.
Hodgkins then moved on to the opening of Disneyland. He said that Walt brought Fess Parker back from his publicity tour to do two things: ride in the opening day parade, and perform a live song and dance number with veteran vaudeville performer Buddy Ebsen. When asked what he remembered most about that day, Parker looked up thoughtfully, and finally said, “Well, it was a very hot day.�? After a ripple of laughter went through the room, he added, “It was pretty nerve racking. Everybody who was anybody was there.�? He went on to describe the wall-to-wall people, miles of camera cables, and frantic activities of hosts Art Linkletter, Ronald Reagan, and Bob Cummings. His trip into Frontierland on horseback was stymied by stacks of boards and other building materials. He was also acutely aware that there were millions more watching his live musical performance on television. “It was a piece of cake for Buddy,�? he concluded, “And torture for me.�?
Walt Disney and Fess Parker rode Walt’s own polo ponies down Main Street USA on
July 17, 1955.
The next topic of discussion was the feature film Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier. The compilation of the three television episodes was a big hit, and spawned a new round of publicity tours. Parker recalled, “I took my guitar out on the Ed Sullivan stage. If you look at the face on Sullivan… What was I doing there?�? He said thoughtfully, “Over a period of time you become accustomed to being put into different circumstances.�?
Hodgkins asked about the circumstances surrounding a memorable Hollywood Bowl appearance. Parker remembered that this happened during the filming of The Great Locomotive Chase with Jeff Hunter. He described Hunter as a “wonderful young man,�? and said that Walt gave him a great role. The whole film had Hunter chasing Parker and his men. “It was a real kick to be in those locomotives making that film,�? he said with satisfaction.
The Great Locomotive Chase was among Walt Disney’s favorite films.