"It's been a formula that I've used most of my life: ignorance plus optimism."

    About This Interview

    In his two-and-a-half-hour interview, Fess Parker (1924-2010) talks about his childhood in Texas and his eventual journey to Hollywood after a visit during his military service in World War II. He discusses his early roles in filmed Westerns and his early television roles, including Dragnet and Annie Oakley. Parker talks about being hired by Disney in 1954 to play the lead in Davy Crockett, and he expounds on the show becoming a pop culture phenomenon and the impact of the show. He recounts several guest appearances on shows like My Little Margie and Playhouse 90, as well as his starring role on Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. He recalls starring in Daniel Boone, and concludes by discussing his retirement and advice to an aspiring actor. Don Carleton conducted the interview on July 24, 2000 in Los Olivos, CA.

    All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.
    People Talking About ...
    Thumbnail of Fess Parker

    Fess Parker and starring in and producing Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and on discussing his role with Jimmy Stewart

    07:35
    Thumbnail of Fess Parker

    Fess Parker on being cast in the starring role on Daniel Boone

    02:45
    Thumbnail of Fess Parker

    Fess Parker on meeting Walt Disney and being cast in Davy Crockett

    07:57
    Thumbnail of Fess Parker

    Fess Parker on promoting Davy Crockett with Buddy Ebsen, and on how children reacted to him as the character

    07:12
    Thumbnail of Fess Parker

    Fess Parker on being cast in the starring role on Daniel Boone

    02:45
    Thumbnail of Fess Parker

    Fess Parker on ideas he has had to bring back Davy Crockett

    09:48
    Play Full Interview

    Chapter 1

    On his early life and influences; on his experiences during World War II

    10:43

    On deciding he wanted to be an actor, and on going to college; on acting in college; on deciding to move to Los Angeles, and on meeting actor Adolphe Menjou

    17:35

    Chapter 2

    On being cast on stage in "Mister Roberts"; on his early career in feature films; on his early television appearance on an episode of Dragnet with Jack Webb

    15:03

    On meeting Walt Disney and being cast in Davy Crockett; on learning about Davy Crockett after he was cast in Davy Crockett; on the challenges of playing "Davy Crockett"

    15:11

    Chapter 3

    On the challenges of playing "Davy Crockett," and on the themes of the show; on the portrayal of Native Americans in Davy Crockett; on Helene Stanley as "Polly Crockett" on Davy Crockett, and on how he played "Davy Crockett"

    11:35

    On his input into the scripts for Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, and on the accuracy of the shows; on Buddy Ebsen as "George Russel" on Davy Crockett, and the rest of the cast of the show

    08:18

    On the costume he wore for Davy Crockett, including the iconic coonskin cap, and on the locations; on promoting Davy Crockett with Buddy Ebsen, and on how children reacted to him as the character

    08:58

    Chapter 4

    On being recognized from Davy Crockett; on who Davy Crockett was in real life, and on what the series showed of the man; on Davy Crockett portraying "Crockett's" transition to public life and politics

    13:32

    On the end of Davy Crockett at the Alamo; on ideas he has had to bring back Davy Crockett; on the merchandizing of the show

    15:57

    Chapter 5

    On the merchandizing of Davy Crockett, and on the music from the show; on his favorite scenes from Davy Crockett, and on the impact the show had on Disney Studios and Disneyland; on the legacy of Davy Crockett, and on his longstanding association with the character

    14:19

    On the first time he saw television, and on his early experience with the medium; on My Little Margie with Gale Storm, the Playhouse 90 episode "Turn Left at Mount Everest," and the feature film "Westward Ho, the Wagons!"; on starring in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

    15:38

    Chapter 6

    On starring in and producing Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; on guest-starring on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

    11:04

    On being cast as "Daniel Boone," and on the cast and crew of the show; on directing Daniel Boone; on how the historical figure Daniel Boone was portrayed on Daniel Boone

    10:09

    On favorite episode of Daniel Boone, and on the end of the show; on starring in Climb an Angry Mountain, and on an unsold pilot he made

    07:17

    Chapter 7

    On his retirement from acting, and on his activities since; on advice to an aspiring actor; on the fan mail he receives

    08:36

    On mentors in his career; on how he would like to be remembered

    04:28

    Alfred Hitchcock Presents aka The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

    Fess Parker on guest-starring on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

    03:29

    Daniel Boone

    Fess Parker on his input into the scripts for Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, and on the accuracy of the shows

    04:01

    Fess Parker on being cast in the starring role on Daniel Boone

    02:45

    Fess Parker on the cast and crew of Daniel Boone

    03:12

    Fess Parker on directing Daniel Boone

    02:28

    Fess Parker on how the historical figure Daniel Boone was portrayed on Daniel Boone

    02:11

    Fess Parker on favorite episode of Daniel Boone, and on the end of the show

    01:37

    Davy Crockett

    Fess Parker on meeting Walt Disney and being cast in Davy Crockett

    07:55

    Fess Parker on learning about Davy Crockett after he was cast in Davy Crockett

    04:46

    Fess Parker on the challenges of playing "Davy Crockett"

    02:28

    Fess Parker on the challenges of playing "Davy Crockett," and on the themes of the show

    05:39

    Fess Parker on the portrayal of Native Americans in Davy Crockett

    02:41

    Fess Parker on Helene Stanley as "Polly Crockett" on Davy Crockett, and on how he played "Davy Crockett"

    03:15

    Fess Parker on his input into the scripts for Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone, and on the accuracy of the shows

    04:01

    Fess Parker on Buddy Ebsen as "George Russel" on Davy Crockett, and the rest of the cast of the show

    04:17

    Fess Parker on the costume he wore for Davy Crockett, including the iconic coonskin cap, and on where the show was shot

    01:46

    Fess Parker on promoting Davy Crockett with Buddy Ebsen, and on how children reacted to him as the character

    07:12

    Fess Parker on being recognized from Davy Crockett

    06:06

    Fess Parker on who Davy Crockett was in real life, and on what the series showed of the man

    05:26

    Fess Parker on Davy Crockett portraying "Crockett's" transition to public life and politics

    02:00

    Fess Parker on the end of Davy Crockett at the Alamo

    02:33

    Fess Parker on ideas he has had to bring back Davy Crockett

    09:48

    Fess Parker on the merchandizing of Davy Crockett

    03:42

    Fess Parker on the merchandizing of Davy Crockett, and on the music from the show

    05:47

    Fess Parker on his favorite scenes from Davy Crockett, and on the impact the show had on Disney Studios and Disneyland

    04:33

    Fess Parker on the legacy of Davy Crockett, and on his longstanding association with the character

    03:59

    My Little Margie

    Fess Parker on appearing on My Little Margie with Gale Storm

    02:53

    Playhouse 90

    Fess Parker on appearing on the Playhouse 90 episode "Turn Left at Mount Everest"

    03:18

    Advice

    Fess Parker on advice to an aspiring actor

    03:00

    Characters & Catchphrases

    Fess Parker on the costume he wore for Davy Crockett, including the iconic coonskin cap

    01:19

    Creative Influences and Inspiration

    Fess Parker on mentors in his career

    02:53

    Fame and Celebrity

    Fess Parker on being recognized from Davy Crockett

    06:06

    Historic Events and Social Change

    Fess Parker on his experience during World War II

    02:58

    Pivotal Career Moments

    Fess Parker on mentors in his career

    02:53

    Pop Culture

    Fess Parker on the costume he wore for Davy Crockett, including the iconic coonskin cap

    01:19

    Fess Parker on being recognized from Davy Crockett

    06:06

    Television Industry

    Fess Parker on advice to an aspiring actor

    03:00

    War

    Fess Parker on his experience during World War II

    02:58

    World War II

    Fess Parker on his experience during World War II

    02:58

    Actor

    Fess Parker on advice to an aspiring actor

    03:00

    Performers

    Fess Parker on advice to an aspiring actor

    03:00

    Children's Programming

    Fess Parker on starring in Davy Crockett

    15:17

    Fess Parker on starring in Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone

    28:51

    Fess Parker on starring on Davy Crockett

    29:29

    Fess Parker on starring on Davy Crockett

    14:19

    Classic Anthology Series

    Fess Parker on appearing on the Playhouse 90 episode "Turn Left at Mount Everest"

    03:18

    Fess Parker on guest-starring on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

    03:29

    Comedy Series

    Fess Parker on appearing on My Little Margie with Gale Storm

    02:53

    Fess Parker on starring in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

    02:10

    Fess Parker and starring in and producing Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

    07:35

    TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials

    Fess Parker on starring in Climb an Angry Mountain, and on an unsold pilot he made

    05:13

    Western Series

    Fess Parker on starring in Davy Crockett

    15:17

    Fess Parker on starring in Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone

    28:51

    Fess Parker on starring on Davy Crockett

    29:29

    Fess Parker on starring on Davy Crockett

    14:19

    Fess Parker on starring on Daniel Boone

    12:13

    Walt Disney

    Fess Parker on meeting Walt Disney and being cast in Davy Crockett

    07:55

    Buddy Ebsen

    Fess Parker on Buddy Ebsen as "George Russel" on Davy Crockett, and the rest of the cast of the show

    04:17

    Fess Parker on promoting Davy Crockett with Buddy Ebsen, and on how children reacted to him as the character

    07:12

    Ronald Reagan

    Fess Parker on losing out on a part to Ronald Reagan

    03:20

    Jimmy Stewart

    Fess Parker on starring in and producing Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and on discussing his role with Jimmy Stewart

    07:35

    Gale Storm

    Fess Parker on appearing on My Little Margie with Gale Storm

    02:53

    Jack Webb

    Fess Parker on his early television appearance on an episode of Dragnet with Jack Webb

    03:26

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