Shelley Duvall's Tall Tales & Legends Series
A Children's TV Show About American Heroes and Folk Stories
Aug 15, 2009
Inspired by the success of her Faerie Tale Theatre series, Shelley Duvall went on to produce Tall Tales & Legends, a children’s TV show that dramatized tales of American heroes, legends, and folk stories. From 1985 to 1987, Duvall hosted nine hour-long episodes featuring star-studded casts, elaborate sets and costumes, and clever scripts.
Tall Tales, Legends, True Stories, and Literary Characters
The stories dramatized tall tales, legends, legendary true stories, folk stories, and even some American literary characters.
Pecos Bill, King of the Cowboys Raised by coyotes, Pecos Bill left his stamp on Texas by digging the Rio Grande and lassoing a cyclone to save the land from a drought. This tall tale stars Steve Guttenberg as Pecos Bill, Rebecca De Mornay as his wife Slew Foot Sue, and Martin Mull as her father.
Johnny Appleseed Directed by Christopher Guest, this episode stars Martin Short as the legendary Johnny Appleseed, a true American hero who traveled the country planting apple orchards for settlers. This episode costars Molly Ringwald as Jenny Smith, Rob Reiner as her father Jack, and Michael McKean as Mac Macintosh.
Ponce de Leon and the Search for the Fountain of Youth Michael York stars as Ponce de Leon, the Spanish explorer who searches for the legendary Fountain of Youth as he encounters odd characters and adventures in the newly discovered land of Florida. Paul Rodriguez costars as Ponce’s faithful servant Julio and Sally Kellerman as the double-crossing Lucy the Pirate.
John Henry Danny Glover stars in the tall tale of John Henry, the steel driver who was able to build a railroad faster than the steam engine. This folk story costars Lynn Whitfield as John Henry’s true love and Tom Hulce as his best friend Quinn.
Annie Oakley Jamie Lee Curtis stars in the true story of Annie Oakley, the excellent markswoman made famous by touring with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. This episode costars Brian Dennehy as Buffalo Bill Cody and Cliff DeYoung as Annie’s husband Frank Butler, and features some actual footage from the real Wild West Show.
Davy Crockett A bored student is given a special book that transports him back to the time of Davy Crockett. He learns firsthand about the contributions this brave frontiersman and eventual congressman made to the United States. Mac Davis stars as Davy Crockett with McLean Stevenson as Andrew Jackson and Michael McKean as the teacher.
My Darlin’ Clementine Based on the famous folk song, this episode stars Shelley Duvall as the beautiful Clementine, a spunky frontierswoman who teaches the miners the value of following their dreams, then tragically drowns in the river. Narrated by Randy Newman, this story costars Ed Asner as Clementine’s father, David Dukes as her true love, and Michael Richards as the miner Sneaky Pete.
Casey at the Bat Two bored sports announcers entertain the baseball crowd with the story of the determined baseball player Casey from Mudville. This episode stars Elliot Gould as Casey and Carol Kane as his sweet fiancée.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Washington Irving’s tale of the schoolteacher Ichabod Crane who is haunted by the headless horseman gets a creepy retelling in this episode. Ed Begley Jr. stars as Ichabod with Beverly D’Angelo as his sweetheart Katrina, Tim Thomerson as his rival Brom Bones, and Charles Durning as Doffue.
An Award-winning Children’s TV Show
Shelley Duvall’s Tall Tales & Legends won several awards for fine children’s television programming. With a high production value and talented casts, this children’s TV show entertained and educated with dramatizations of such popular tales as My Darlin’ Clementine and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Episodes can be purchased by themselves or in a complete series box set.
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