Daniel Boone
Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:43 pm
Whenever I can, I like to catch an episode of the Daniel Boone show, starring Fess Parker that aired from 1964-1970. This was one of my favorite shows growing up as a kid. I won't try to go into the particulars about the show - there are a number of websites dedicated to it: although none as good as Magnum Mania!
The show featured Parker as Boone. Parker made his name playing Davy Crockett for Disney in the '50's. His sidekicks were Mingo, Yadkin, his wfie Rebecca and his two children.
Daniel Boone (the TV show) to me is an excellent example of how Hollywood changes history to fit entertainment needs. For a start, the Mingo character, played by Ed Ames. An Oxford educated Cherokee in colonial era America? Possible, but not very likely. My contention is that due to racial predujice of the era, Mingo would not have lasted too long. Secondly, Rebecca is played (by Patricia Blair) as a typical suburban housewife. As for his family, Boone had ten children, but only two are in the show. The daughter, played by Veronica Cartwright, disappears from the series during the second season, with no explanation.
But the final straw for me is if you watch the second season on, when it was shot in color, Boonsborough is located in a southwestern US desert area, with real live mesas in the background!
Oh well. I still like the show and overlook these idiosyncracies. I don't get to watch it much now. Our RTV affiliate airs it at 7 am, after I have left for work. It is still fun though.
The show featured Parker as Boone. Parker made his name playing Davy Crockett for Disney in the '50's. His sidekicks were Mingo, Yadkin, his wfie Rebecca and his two children.
Daniel Boone (the TV show) to me is an excellent example of how Hollywood changes history to fit entertainment needs. For a start, the Mingo character, played by Ed Ames. An Oxford educated Cherokee in colonial era America? Possible, but not very likely. My contention is that due to racial predujice of the era, Mingo would not have lasted too long. Secondly, Rebecca is played (by Patricia Blair) as a typical suburban housewife. As for his family, Boone had ten children, but only two are in the show. The daughter, played by Veronica Cartwright, disappears from the series during the second season, with no explanation.
But the final straw for me is if you watch the second season on, when it was shot in color, Boonsborough is located in a southwestern US desert area, with real live mesas in the background!
Oh well. I still like the show and overlook these idiosyncracies. I don't get to watch it much now. Our RTV affiliate airs it at 7 am, after I have left for work. It is still fun though.