Monthly Archives: February 2013

February 23, 1955 – “Davy Crockett at the Alamo” Premieres on ABC

“During the past season, we’ve presented two stories based on the life of Davy Crockett of Tennessee, a man whose courage, whose humor, and exploits lifted him into the legend class.”

On February 23, 1955, the final episode in the Davy Crockett trilogy, “Davy Crocket at the Alamo,” premiered on ABC in the Disney Anthology series Disneyland. Although this was written as Davy Crockett’s last adventure, two additional episodes were created thanks to the show’s enormous popularity; these final episodes were turned into a full-length feature film. The “Alamo” episode was directed by Norman Foster, and was written by Tom Blackburn. It stars Fess Parker as Davy Crockett, Buddy Ebsen as George Russel, Hans Conreid as Thimblerig, Nick Cravat as Bustedluck, Kenneth Tobey as James Bowie, and Don Megowan as William Travis.

The story begins with Davy and his friend George Russel heading out West “to follow the sun.” On a riverboat, a sly fellow named Mr. Thimblerig is playing pinochle with the travelers. He asks Davy and George to participate in the game. Davy says he doesn’t hold much for gambling, considering it foolish, but he finally consents to play and in the course of the game, he reveals to everyone how Thimblerig has been swindling them all. Thimblerig then realizes he’s been playing Davy Crockett, and ends the game, having been “hoisted on his own petard.” Later that evening, Davy stands on the railing of the boat, telling George of his intentions to head to Texas to help all the settlers in trouble. George is not thrilled with this plan, but he decides to go along with it. As they head downstairs for a drink, Thimblerig drunkenly offers his companionship, and ends up accompanying Davy and George to Texas.

Davy, Georgie, and Thimblerig peer over the rocks carefully to observe their surroundings

As the three arrive in Texas, Davy spots smokesignals in the distance and follows them, although he knows that it could be the dangerous Comanche tribe. The trio peeks over a rock formation to see a Comanche warrior help the buffalo stampede, when the warrior falls off his horse. Crockett tries to help the injured Indian when the warrior pulls a knife on him. Davy and the warrior scuffle, but Davy wins and helps nurse the warrior back to health, nicknaming him “Bustedluck.” Davy then converses with Bustedluck, who offers to lead them to a white settlement as thanks for their help. They pass a small group of Mexicans, who warn Davy and the others that San Antonio has been taken over by Santa Ana, and the Texans have moved to the Alamo, which is surrounded by soldiers. Davy and his men continue to the Alamo anyway, and are soon pursued by Mexican soldiers. The Texans inside the Alamo help protect Davy and his crew until they can get safely inside the fort.

Davy is then sent to meet Jim Bowie, the commander, who is thrilled that Crockett is here, until he realizes that Crockett brought only four men. Davy volunteers to be a courier for more troops, but Bowie tells him that he’s needed there to help at least hold the fort. Colonel Bowie had been injured and with his condition worsening, he relinquishes his command. While Crockett is offered the position, he refuses and gives it up to William Travis, who is second in command to Bowie. Travis gives Crockett and a group of men the south wall to protect, and they watch as a messenger is sent from Santa Ana’s camp. The message says that the men in the Alamo are allowed to surrender on Santa Ana’s terms, or they will be slaughtered. Travis and Davy refuse to surrender, and the battle starts.

Davy and his crew band together as the Alamo is shelled day and night

The Alamo is shelled all day and night, but after four days there are still no casualties. Late one night, George lets Davy know that they’re almost out of ammunition, and Davy reveals that he’s known that since they got there, only Bowie made him promise not to say anything. George is furious, thinking that Davy couldn’t trust him, and storms away, declaring that it’s now “every man for hisself.” George then goes to Travis, asking to be let out to get more troops from Goliad. George then makes it out, while Davy watches, worrying. A few days later, George makes it back, but arrives with the bad news that Goliad won’t be able to spare any men. Davy has to break the news to the ailing Bowie, who requests to be taken outside to be with his men. Travis breaks the news to the men that they are on their own to protect the Alamo. He then gives the men the option to either stay or leave, and not a single man will leave the Alamo.

One of the lookouts spies Santa Ana’s men sneaking up to the fort, and the final battle begins as those men storm the Alamo. The men in the Alamo are able to hold off the men in the first wave, but it becomes increasingly difficult with each storm of the small building. Bustedluck is the first of Crockett’s men to die, stabbed with a bayonet while protecting Thimblerig. Thimblerig is then shot by the invading troops, as is Travis. George is shot several times, but refuses to go down until he fires the cannon, and Bowie, hidden away in a room, prepares himself with two pistols as the soldiers break in. Davy turns to the dying George, whose last words are “Give ’em what fer, Davy.” Davy fights bravely as the last survivor as the men advance on him, although he is eventually killed in the process. The story ends with the flag waving above the Alamo turning into the flag of the State of Texas.