Walt Disney Treasures: The Adventures of Spin & Marty

"Saddle up, boys," for a summer of friendship and rollicking "scrapes and adventures" at the Triple-R—or, as it is known to happy campers, "the greatest ranch in the whole world." This two-disc set contains the complete original daily serial that was first introduced on The Mickey Mouse Club on November 7, 1955 (the same year that Davy Crockett became a surprise pop culture sensation). David Stollery stars as the wealthy, pampered orphan Marty Markham, who arrives at the Triple-R in a limousine, with a chip planted firmly on his shoulder (at first glance, he calls the ranch "a dirty old farm"). Tim Considine costars as Spin Evans, the most popular kid at camp. Initially combatants, Spin and Marty will become the best of friends as the summer unfolds. Determined to straighten Marty out are the Triple-R's wrangler, Ollie (Leonard P. Greer), and empathic but no-nonsense foreman Bill Burnett (Harry Carey Jr.). Adding their own brand of comic relief are J. Pat O'Malley as Marty's British butler and Sammee Tong as the camp cook. Even if this collection is aimed at Baby Boomers who raced home from school to catch each installment, the show's simple, outdoorsy charms could resonate with a new generation: after a couple of episodes, they will forget about the black-and-white images and the corny dialogue and get roped in by the air of camper camaraderie and old-fashioned mischief. This set's wonderful extras include the complete Mickey Mouse Club "Round-Up Day" episode that introduced the serial, and the reunion of Considine and Stollery as they take an affectionate and sentimental journey around the former grounds of the Triple-R. Yippee-Yay, Yippee-Yi, Yippee-Yo! Highly recommended. (D. Liebenson)