Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Dr. Syn Alias The Scarecrow

I got the DVD from the library. It's limited release of several 10,000s sold out quickly. I'm not paying 100 bucks for it on Amazon, even with Patrick McGoohan!

I watched it with the kids. It was a sharing of a moment from my childhood and the usual discussion re history as well ensued.

Far as I know, the character is fictional. Russell Thorndike wrote a series of novels in the early 20th century about smugglung on the English southeast coast. That much is true and there were several skirmishes with smugglers and the King's revenuers (shades of moonshiners and batfuers).

The story is long and I suggest you go to Wikipedia for this as they have a good summation. Then maybe get the books!

The Disney version is based on Christopher Syn by William Buchanan, which follows and was inspired by The Further AQdventures of Dr. Syn by Thorndike.

It was originally broadcast on Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color February 9, 16, 23 1964 (as The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh).

The character is an Anglican vicar by day and the Scarecrow, leader of a group of smugglers known as the 'Gentlemen' by night.

As portrayed by Patrick McGoohan, he is very Freedom minded and hates George III's oppressive economy and thuggish tactics.

He smuggles goods through the marsh area of Romney village and uses the profits to give the locals the means to pay the overheavy taxes.

A comment to Mr. Mipps his sexton (and his 'colleague' in smuggling known as Hellspite), is significant. He mentions there is a new air of Freedom in the world. What they do in the Marsh is just a pinprick. But, he suggests, a thousand pinpricks can be very telling.........

Some of the tactics are interesting and though fictional and a Disney production, they might serve as an inspiration in some small way to 3pers everywhere.

After all, the war for Freedom against tyranny is old. And everything old is new again........

7 comments:

teacher said...

Trust you to slip in another post mentioning McGoohan!

General Pugh said...

Are you suggesting 3pers smuggle?

Mike H said...

I'm merely suggesting that 3pers be loyal to the Republic/Freedom.

Jeffersonian said...

General Pugh said...

Are you suggesting 3pers smuggle?

Mike H said...

I'm merely suggesting that 3pers be loyal to the Republic/Freedom.

Folks, smuggling is an American tradition. All the way back to John by-God Rumrunner Hancock. ;)

FatWhiteMan said...

I was thinking of this story the other day. I remember it from Disney reruns when I was a kid. Also a local theatre would run some Disney movies for a $1 on Saturday afternoons. About 1976-77, I got to see the Scarecrow of Romney Marsh on the big screen.

Now I'm looking for Johnny Tremain on DVD for my kids. We used to see it in grade school but it is probably considered right wing terrorism now.

Mike H said...

I saw it on Amazon for as low as 4-5 bucks new or used.

Also, 1776 restored directors cut around 10 bucks.

Even Fess Parker's Davy Crockett for around 10 bucks.

Anonymous said...

Your phrase is magnificent