Walt Disney Treasures - Elfego Baca and The Swamp Fox - Legendary Heroes
After Davy Crockett scored a huge hit on TV and in theaters, Walt Disney looked for stories about other American heroes for Disneyland; among the ones he chose were Elfego Baca and Marion Francis, the Swamp Fox. Of the two, Elfego Baca, which ran for 10 installments from October 1958 through March 1960, is the more entertaining. Robert Loggia cuts a properly dashing figure as Baca, the New Mexico gunman who became a lawyer. In both capacities, he fought for justice and the spirit of the law, rather than its letter: If he found a law unjust--or inconvenient--he bent or ignored it to achieve his always honorable ends. Baca also stood out as a rare example of a Latino hero at time when Hispanics were rarely seen on American TV. Elfego Baca proved popular enough to be recut and released theatrically outside the United States.
During the Revolutionary War, Colonel Francis Marion led a string of unconventional campaigns against the British in the Carolinas. His skill at staging raids, then vanishing into the trackless marshes earned him the title "The Swamp Fox." As Marion, Leslie Nielsen lacks Loggia's panache. He's also required to make rather heavy-handed speeches about the rightness of the American cause and its inevitable victory that bring the story to screeching halt. And he always seems to pick the most obtuse members of the British army as targets. Although The Swamp Fox ran for six installments, from October 1959 through January 1961, it was eclipsed by more exciting Disney Americana, notably Texas John Slaughter (1958-1961). (Unrated, suitable for ages 8 and older: violence, alcohol and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon
Customer Review: Gift of Nostalgia
The memories of a young boy back in the 50's and 60's, watching "The Wonderful World of Disney," and the "Mickey Mouse Club" are what the gift of this particular selection of Walt Disney Treasures was all about. I purchased this set for my husband who, I knew, enjoyed them in his childhood. They bring back to him cherished memories of younger days and simpler times. The shows hold up well after so many years and "The Swamp Fox" is pretty historically accurate, according to the gift-recipient. We haven't watched Elfego Baca as yet, but I'm sure it will be thoroughly enjoyable. I don't see why youngsters, now, wouldn't enjoy these Disney videos--I'm sure they might seem dated, but history is timeless and they were done well.
Customer Review: Swamp Fox....dissapointed!
I too, feel somewhat strange about writing a review on a movie I have not purchased. I was going to order Swamp Fox, but after reading everyone else's comment on how it only contains three of the eight episodes, I have decided NOT to buy it. I hope Disney gets the message!
Warman's Disney Collectibles Field Guide: Values And Identification (Warmans Disney Collectibles Field Guide)
-Offers fans of Disney a comprehensive guide for a great price
-Easily introduces novice collectors to the diversity of Disney collectibles
-Disney items draw big attention at auction: a Mickey Mouse Rambling Mickey Celluloid Wind-Up Toy sold for $4,427.50
Mickey Mouse and the gang are the darlings of the collectibles world, boasting an extensive variety of collectible products. Collectors of vintage and modern Disney items will discover this colorful and innovative guide to Disneyana allows readers to:
-Learn more about the world of The House the Mouse built through interesting historical notes
-Access 500+ color photos for identifying and assessing their own collectibles
-Check prices and descriptions anywhere collectibles are -- conventions, toy stores, even the attic of a childhood home -- with this very portable guide
Mickey Mouse watches, Snow White figurines, Donald Duck lunchboxes, and rare Disney comic books are all in this one guide for collectors on the go!
Customer Review: Warman's Disney Collectibles Field Guide: Values And Identification (Warmans Disney Collectibles Field Guide)
As Disney collectors, we are constantly looking for that great deal! This book not only has an extensive listing of Disney collectibles, it is small enough to carry in a pocket or backpack. Just what my husband needed. He was really happy that it was under the Christmas tree for him this year.
Customer Review: Solid Little Guide with A Few Flaws
The first thing to know about the various Warman's Field Guides is that by design they are not meant to be all encompassing. If you're looking to a comprehensive guide to every Disney collectible then you will have to look elsewhere (if there is such a beast). The Warman's Field Guides are designed to be pocket-sized guides, easily able to take-along on those trips to flea markets, antique shows, or garage sales. They are meant to give an example of various types of Disney collectibles, more for the casual or new collector, than one who's a veteran. Thus you won't find every item in the book but you'll probably find pretty close approximations, enough to at least make an educated guess about an item's value. It's either that or haul around a Webster's Dictionary-sized guide. The book is alphabetized by character name/film beginning with the "Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad", and then goes on from there. There are marvelous treasures in the book that will make Disney collectors salivate and it's complemented by fantastic, full-color photography, highlighting one item per page for the most part. Among the treasures are a complete Alice in Wonderland lobby card set of 8 valued at $1400, a Davy Crockett one-sheet movie poster from 1955 for $650, A 1950's Donald Duck tin lithograph bank from Marx toys for $265, a 1930's Clarabelle drinking glass for $40, a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs bisque figure set for $215, and a Mickey Mouse pocket watch from the 1930's, valued at $465. There are a myriad of toys, figurines, books, posters, and lobby cards to be found within the pages of the guide. If I have one minor complaint it would be that there are too many examples shown in the book of the Mickey Mouse Magazine, Dell Four Color Comics and Walt Disney Comics and Stories. There's probably a hundred pages, one-fifth of the book dedicated to these items which to me is a bit too much since there are already many excellent comic book price guides (Krause themselves puts out many great comic price guides) on the market which do a better job on these types of items. I would have rather seen much more coverage of non-comic book items. All in all though, the book definitely does what it intended to do. Reviewed by Tim Janson
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