Fess Parker died today. If you're old enough you remember those weeks when Walt Disney Presents had Frontier Land and the Davey Crocket episodes. If you were like me you had a coon skin cap and full sets of trading cards (both green and orange.)
I remember him more for the TV series: Daniel Boone Seems he had an affinity for playing frontiersmen.
My most memorable movie for Parker was one where he played a supporting role. He was the father of the primary character in the movie: Old Yeller.
Daniel Boone. With Ed Ames as his sidekick, Mingo. My mom bought me a coonskin cap because of my love for that show. I find it impossible to watch Old Yeller a second time. I love dogs too much. I can't take it. I would sooner shoot my neighbor.
My favorite Fess Parker movie. No question. The Legend of Davy Crockett. During my childehood when we lived in suburban Chicago in the midst of the Davy Crockett "craze", I entered a coloring contest sponsored by the Chicago Tribune. The prize was a Davy Crockett coonskin cap. I and a thousand other kids won. It was one of my most prized childhood possessions. I have no idea what ever happened to it.