DR. SYN!

DR. SYN!

DR. Syn: The Scarecrow Of Romney Marsh premiered on Disney’s WonderFul World Of Color as a three part mini-series in 1963. It was later edited into a feature film for foreing distribution. Finally, it is soon to be available as a two DVD set as part of the Disney Treasures series.

I remember watching it with my Dad and enjoying the heck out of it. Patrick McGoohan was outstanding in the title role – essencially a Robin Hood / Zorro character set in the 1700s. I can still hear the wonderful title tune playing behind the Scarecrow galloping across the marsh in full halloween-style costume.

Year later when I was on a Rafael Sabatini reading kick (Captain Blood, Scaramouche, etc), I came across the original Dr. Syn books by Russell Thordike. Darker than the Disney television series, they were a sort of swashbuckling noir.

While Disney’s series is probably a bit dated by today’s over the top standards, The Scarecrow Of Romney Marsh is still great stuff -- smugglers and swashbuckling adventure for the whole family.

A tip of the fedora to Tanner at Double O Section