Davy Crockett and the River Pirates

Davy Crockett and his friend Georgie enter a boat race against Mike Fink, a boaster who calls himself king of the river. The race runs to New Orleans and both sides play tricks on each other. Once it ends the three find themselves on the same side: a gang of pirates is attacking traffic on the river and disguising themselves to put the blame on Native communities. Davy tries to stop the matter turning into a war. Norman Foster's film is assembled from episodes of the Disney television series. The narrative runs like two separate stories: first a race comedy, then an adventure. Fess Parker plays Davy Crockett, Buddy Ebsen plays Georgie, and Jeff York plays Mike Fink. The series' popularity in the 1950s created a long-running Crockett craze in America. Who it's for: Viewers who like 1950s Disney adventure, family westerns, and folk-hero narratives. Who it's not for: The structure is split and does not build a single story. The representation of Native peoples also runs in the shapes of its period and is troubling today.