With all of this stirring around in people's heads, perhaps the Davy Crockett phenomena should not have been such an unexpected occurrence. Yet, no one, especially not Walt Disney, expected the Davy Crockett fad. The series became so popular that Fess Parker could not go out in public without being mobbed. Every little boy had to have a coonskin cap and a long rifle. Everyone watched the three television programs and demanded more. (Despite the fact that Mr. Crockett died in the last episode.) Disney ended up putting the episodes together and releasing them as a movie; which packed theaters all over the country. Then he created three series pre-quels to give people even more Crockett.

 

Why this mania for Davy Crockett? I believe its because Davy projected an image of how Americans wanted to perceive themselves. Crockett was presented as a faithful friend who was charming and willing to risk his life to help others. He was even willing to die for what he believed was right. For Davy Crockett what was right was more important than what was profitable. He had little to gain by helping the Indians or the Texans and he in fact destroyed his political career and eventually lost his life by doing so. However, he died a man who had made a difference; not just a man who had made money.

 

I have my student watch several clips from the Davy Crockett television episodes. We then discuss why Americans needed to believe in a hero like Crockett, and how the mania for the series can be explained by this need. I then have each student write about whether he or she believes that Davy Crockett is a good role model for Americans today.

A typical Coonskin pioneer ;o)

 

(c) Disney

 

"Mouseketeers reinforced day after day a subtle sense of what mattered--

a well-groomed appearance, inquisitiveness and a willingness to learn, politeness and good manners, a friendly personality, and respect for authority."

-Watts p. 341

 

If Davy Crockett displayed the values that 1950's American adults (and little boys ;o) wanted to identify with; the Mouseketeers were the decade's role models for pre-teen boys and girls. The Mickey Mouse Club was a variety hour with song and dance routines, comedy skits, newsreels, inspirational stories, cartoons, serials, and more. However, the show was much more than just entertainment for the young. Disney carefully selected the Mouseketeers as representatives of the best of American youth. The young actors and actresses were polite and enthusiastic; whether they were performing a dance routine or were acting in a serial like Spin and Marty. On and off camera they were presented as dutiful sons and daughters; willing to help out in the home and willing to work together to achieve goals. When the Mouseketeers faced common teenage problems (in skits and serials) they solved these problems using kindness, morality, and good humor. The show also used newsreel segments to show the achievements and character of actual teenagers. The Mickey Mouse Club made it clear that if you made the right choices you could be an outstanding member of American society, no matter how old you were.

 

I use clips from several Mickey Mouse Club shows to demonstrate the values that Americans wanted their teenagers to have in the 1950's. We discuss why parents wanted their children to have these values, and whether it was realistic for teenagers to have these values. I then have students write about whether the values promoted by the Mouseketeers have a place in our culture today.

Annette!
(c) Disney