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Private Notes
This introduction (3:22) fills you in on practically anything you might wonder about, addressing the serial's history and popularity, its simplicity and context, the careers of the two young leads, and the DVD's contents.
In this Maltin intro to disk 2 he is discussing the careers of three contributors to the series, B-movie director William Beaudine ("Lassie"), veteran villain-portrayer Roy Barcroft (Logan), and Harry Carey Jr. (who is not to be confused with the longtime Cubs announcer).
"Tim Considine's Screen Test" (2:30) offers exactly what it promises, as the young actor is seen auditioning for the part of Marty in two scenes (coping with his polo lie and meeting Skyrocket). Curiously, there is a mildly distracting timecode on the screen, unlike the footage which is briefly excerpted in the introduction.
"Return to The Triple-R" (9:50) is a really fun new retrospective in which the actors who portrayed Spin and Marty -- Tim Considine and David Stollery, respectively -- reunite in a visit to the Golden Oak Ranch, which housed the production of their serial. Their reflections on the summers spent filming are both insightful and amusing, making this an enjoyable trip down memory lane, one which is marred only by the strange greenish tint which the show clips take on. Among the topics discussed: the unique nature of "The Mickey Mouse Club", a Trivial Pursuit fumble, the come-and-go nature of Walt on the set, and the value of real estate.
"Back in the Saddle with Harry Carey Jr." (7:29) is more of a standard interview, as Leonard Maltin fires question at "Dobe", the man who portrayed Triple-R counselor Bill Burnett. Now in his mid-80s, veteran Western actor Carey recalls the recognition the series gave him, Walt Disney, the workmanlike set-up-and-shoot-quick style of director Beaudine, and the fact that the campfire scenes were not really shot at night (a revelation which blows Maltin's mind, but seems pretty obvious from the look of them). Though up there in years, Carey seems to hold both good retention and a fondness for Spin, which benefits this piece.
An Introduction to the Adventures of Spin & Marty
