The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh

[RICKH]

One of my favorite movies when I was a kid was Disney's The Scarecrow of Romeny Marsh.  I watched it on The Wonderful World of Disney on a Sunday night in 1963.  It was providential that I got to see it because my folks went to church every Sun. night (I wanted to stay home and watch Disney), but that night I was sick and had to stay home.  I was mesmerized by the theme song and the imagery of the Scarecrow riding his horse like a bat out of hell.  I loved Patrick McGoohan as the Reverend Dr. Syn.  Years later I stumbled on the written adventures of Dr. Syn by Russell Thorndyke and loved those even more.  I also found the Hammer movie Night Creatures with Peter Cushing as Dr. Syn/Captain Clegg and thought it was great. I've often wondered why no one has done anything with the character in the years since the Disney production.  The character in the books is very complex and interesting to say the least. So, anyway, I was wondering if there are any other Scarecrow fans out there in the UMA?

[The Creeper]

I really like it.  I have the Hammer film also and have looked for the Disney classic on dvd, but it is pretty expensive if you find it and it is out of print last time I heard.  Would love to get it though, it has been a long time since I have seen the Disney version.

[Scary Terry]

Disney never merchandised it much.  They did  do some comic book stories in the Disney Adventures magazine a few years back -- beautifully drawn by  Bret Blevins.

[monsterphile]

When the DVD came out a couple of years ago (?), it sold out quickly and now seems to go for a good price.  I have seem a Scarecrow costume on Ebay before.

Rob

[Gillfan]

He doesn't actually have a scene in the graphic novel, but Dr Syn is shown in The Leage Of Extraordinary Gentleman as having been a member of an earlier team.

[RICKH]

I have a copy of the Disney movie on tape from when it was on the Disney channel back in the 80's or 90's.  I would love to have it on a dvd...just can't bring myself to pay what they are asking for it.  Surely, Disney will release it again.
Here's something that you might find interesting since costumes were mentioned.  This is really cool but pricey.
http://hollywoodprop.com/scarecrow.htm

As to the League appearance, I keep hoping Alan Moore will chronicle the Scarecrow's involvement in more detail.

[monsterphile]

Here's an Ebay BIN for the old Halloween costume, but it's a bit pricey:


http://cgi.ebay.com/1960s-SCARECROW-ROMNEY-MARSH-Costume-DR-SYN-/390234692616?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5adbccdc08

[Street Worm]

This was the movie that made my childhood-
After watching it I was infatuated/obsessed with the character!

I've heard that Disney stopped showing it for a few years because parents wrote
in saying it "scared their children"...
any truth to this?

Here's a beautiful custom doll by Kingsley Wallis-

[Street Worm]

& here's somthing that may interest some of you...

it's not (our) Dr. Syn, but still a fun read-

http://www.desperadopublishing.com/TITLES/MurderScarecrow.htm

[Jscareshock]

Some trivia:  Peter Cushing was a big Dr. Syn fan.  He wrote a short story as an idea for a movie where he would play the Scarecrow--following his fun on Night Creatures.  The story went for auction as part of the Cushing estate some years ago.  I think it fetched about $1200.

I've been a big fan of the Scarecrow as well.  I remember watching it the first time in 1963 then in 1972 it was rereleased on TV at the time Ballatine began publishing the Dr. Syn books (they only did 2 of the series).  I made a Halloween costume of the Scarecrow that year.
  In 1974 Disney released it to the theaters editing the 3 episodes into one story.  The movie poster is awesome.
   I managed to collect the record, 8mm movie, the DVD, the poster, and even some artwork from the comic books as well as lobby cards and stills.  I then created a Marx style playset of The Scarecrow using existing figures and customizing the Scarecrow and his crew.  I am now working on a 12 inch doll similar to the one seen below.
  I have always been a fan of RObin Hood type characters and, to me, the Scarecrow is the coolest because that element of fear helps connect it to the monster world.

[RICKH]

Wow, I love that figure of the Scarecrow.  I've been thinking about doing a painting or a sculpt of him for some time now. 
I would love to read the Cushing screenplay.  When I think of Dr. Syn I picture McGoohan as the younger version and Cushing as the older. 
As to the Halloween costume, I used to have the mask when I was a kid and I kept it until I was in college.  I don't know became of it...sigh!
I think the mystery/evil aspect of the Scarecrow is what drew me to the character and I suppose the same thing is true with my love for the Shadow and the Spider pulp heroes.

[Moonshadow]

This thread demonstrates one of the many reasons I love coming to the UMA: learning about new (old) movies. I had never heard of this until now. I'm disappointed to see it's not on Netflix, but I will keep a lookout for it. It looks great!

[Opera Ghost]

This thread demonstrates one of the many reasons I love coming to the UMA: learning about new (old) movies. I had never heard of this until now. I'm disappointed to see it's not on Netflix, but I will keep a lookout for it. It looks great!

I concur with this, as well. It's been buzzing in my brain since reading about it!

[RICKH]

I had mentioned a while back that I would like to do a sculpt of the Scarecrow, well I finally finished this.

[Radioactive Rod Whitenack]

I love "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh" and the Dr Syn stories in general. I pre-ordered the DVD because I thought it might be hard to find locally, and I'm glad I did. I read somewhere that Disney only released a limited number because they intended to release it on Blu-ray soon, but I haven't heard anything since.

Some years ago, after college, I wrote several screenplays and acquired an agent for a time. One of the stories I worked on (but never completed) was a remake/re-imagining of the Dr Syn/Scarecrow of Dymchurch story. I saw it as a modern swashbuckler in the mold of "The Mask of Zorro." I still think it would make a great period adventure film.