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This serial ran for 19 minutes each episode clocking in at 11 minutes and originally aired in 1956 on the Mickey Mouse club. It has been issued for the first time on DVD in a collectible tin case with a color lobby card, certificate of authenticity and some gallery information. The two disc set divides this serial in half and has been pulled from all the MMC club episodes. Some may find them too short and slow moving at first (and the opening every 12 minutes is repetitive as hell) but compared to the pop culture 1977 Hardy Boys/ Nancy Drew Mysteries which spend too much time with teeny idol Shaun Cassidy lip synching his hits, the original is a gem! The remake is strictly of the era whereas a classic never dates. There are some bonus materials, albeit few, such as famed critic Leonard Maltin introducing the series and the original MMC hour show that brought the then young Tim Considine and Tommy Kirk on the program to promote this wildly popular series. It should not be watched first if the viewer has not seen this series before, as it gives away some key moments. There is a bonus on Franklin Dixon (the writer of these books) and after 50 plus years a reunion of the stars on Stage 2 where the serial was filmed. The baby boomers might find this a bit jarring to see how these boys aged--it didn't bother me, I wasn't there. I found this homespun family fare much closer to the author's original creations than it's weak remake. I do not know what happened to Considine after he disappeared for the screen. Kirk while under contract to Disney felt the people on the lot knew he was gay and openly declared it in 1962. His contract was dropped but he was brought back several years later for a sequel to a hit movie then worked on cheap beach movies and grade z horror flicks before falling into drug addiction (many child stars could never make the transition into adulthood and we've all heard stories of their decline after the spotlight fades). Kirk now runs a carpeting business. Overall, those many complained about the lack of bonus features, this is a fine release meticulously transferred and like most Disney movies will eventually be pulled off the shelves into Never Neverland for many years before they see the light of reissue again. So get it while you can fans of the Mickey Mouse Club and one of their most popular serials that aired every other day (excluding weekends). It's a nice trip down memory lane. This is my first viewing and I had to put out good money on the remake of the series before discovering this--the real McCoy. Super enjoyable for those who remember and their kids.Read full review
From the moment Thurl Ravenscroft intoned, "Gold doubloons and pieces of eight/ Handed down to Applegate," "The Mystery of the Applegate Treasure" became one of the best-loved serials on the The Mickey Mouse Club, second only to "The Adventures Of Spin And Marty." Gifted young actors Tim Considine and Tommy Kirk make a believable pair of adolescent sleuths: Frank and Joe Hardy want to follow in the footsteps of their father, private detective Fenton Hardy. Summer vacation in the little town of Bayport seems boring until Frank and Joe run into Perry Robinson, a new kid in their neighborhood, who them leads into the search for the long-lost pirate treasure of local eccentric Silas Applegate. There's plenty of low-key daring-do, suitably sinister villains, misread clues, and wholesome comedy to keep young children (or grandchildren) occupied while Baby Boomers delight in recalling how they enjoyed the adventure in the mid-'50s. This Disney Treasure is a must-have for viewers who grew up during the '50s--or younger audiences who want discover the answer to the question, "Now where are those gold doubloons and pieces of eight?"Read full review
I came across this DVD when I was looking to buy some of the old hardy boys books for my boys to read. They absolutely love the books (ages 12,10,8) so I knew they would be thrilled to watch a couple of their favorite actors playing as the hardy boys. I was right. Our whole family, including my husband, 6 year old daughter, and 5 year old son, sat down every night for about a week to watch a few episodes until it was finished. My husband! The guy who likes the shoot em up kind of movies actually really enjoyed watching this. It is just plainly a great, wholesome, "better days" kind of film that takes you back to some great memories of innocence and childhood. You have to be able to appreciate this kind of film for the era it was produced in. Trying to compare it to anything made for kids nowadays is not even possible. If you love the old classic movies like we do, such as old yeller, swiss family robinson, shaggy dog etc. then you will most likely enjoy this as well.Read full review
I have waited to see this again for over 50 years. Even though it's black and white, it is still an exciting mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat.... and just the right amount of humor added in. I loved the fact it included a numbered Certificate of Authenticity!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Enjoyable, good, clean fun for the family. Those were the days when kids were adventurous kids in a good way. I enjoyed seeing the little girl on her roller skates (key type). I remember having a pair of those.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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