"Poll: Favorite Screen Adaptation of Dr. Syn" Topic

Russell Thorndike's 1915 novel, Doctor Syn : A Tale of Romney Marsh has been adapted for two different UK films. William Buchanan's 1960, Christopher Syn (a re-written version of Thorndike's Further Adventures of Doctor Syn with various conflations) adapted in twin versions for 3 part television release and a condensed film.

Which is your favorite?

* Doctor Syn, Gainsborough Pictures (1937).

* Captain Clegg (aka Night Creatures), Hammer Film Productions (1962).

* Dr. Syn, Alias The Scarecrow, Disney (1963, film version editted from the television version and released first in the UK).

* The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, Disney's Wonderful World of Color (1964).

* No opinion.

* Other, please describe.

* Dr. who?

Well, it has to be Disney's "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh," since that is the only version I have seen--or was even aware of up until your post. Anyway, Patrick McGoohan was such a wonderful actor that it is hard to envision anyone else being more convincing.

The Gainsborough film is on YouTube: YouTube link

Captain Clegg is on Daily Motion: link

These two are somewhat similar to each other and both very different films from the Disney version, and closer to the original novel. The 1937 one has a happier ending, the 1962 ending is closer to the book. Both of these, like Thorndike's novel, have very complex characters. The Disney Scarecrow is an unsullied hero.

I enjoy all of the them, Captain Clegg is my favorite! Clegg is also well worth watching just for the horses of the Marsh Phantoms ^,^

The Thorndike novel is also a very good read. I haven't read Buchanan's re-write which is the one Disney worked from.

I like them all for different reasons. In my mind, Patrick McGoohan is the best Scarecrow, but I like the more mature nature of the Night Creatures.
I've read the Crume re-write.

link

You might like this project at the LAF.

link

Ah, the Crume book is a novelisation of the Disney screen adaptation of Buchanan's re-write. Thorndike is of the more mature nature in a world of complex characters.

That project on LAF is outstanding!

I read the Crume novelization as a boy; I never knew the tale was based on an older novel. I'd love to see the Disney production; I grew up on their old adventure work (shown as reruns on The Mickey Mouse Show from my era). Missed Dr. Syn, though. I'll check out the others.

" A 'scare-me'"-Crow T. Robot ;^)

Doesn't Blue Moon have a Scarecrow figure in one of their sets?

Gotta go with Disney's "The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh".
It's got a theme song and that makes it more "pulpy".