Showing posts with label Robin Hood Films. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robin Hood Films. Show all posts

The Adventures and The Story



Two Robin Hood films. One was made in America and became legendary in its own right. The other was made in England and has almost completely been forgotten. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). In this article, I would like to compare these two versions. 

In his book The Best of Disney (1988),  Neil Sinyard says:

"Nobody would make great claims for the imaginative cinematic qualities of the films Disney made in Britain in the 1950s."
He then goes on to say:
" The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (to give it its full title) certainly pales in comparison with earlier film versions of the legend starring Fairbanks and Flynn."


I am a great admirer of both early versions. I think Warner Brothers The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) truly deserves its iconic status. But, I do have issues with Sinyard over his statement that Disney's Story of Robin Hood lacks 'imaginative cinematic quality'. In my opinion, 'Uncle' Walt's live-action romp through Sherwood stands-up well, alongside Hollywood's Oscar winner. 

The Story of Robin Hood was one of the most popular films in Britain in 1952 and would eventually gross over $4,578,000 at the American box office and $2.1. million worldwide. It was the last film to be made at Korda's legendary Denham Studios in Buckinghamshire. The location filming was done in the beautiful countryside of Burnham Beeches. They didn't need to spray the leaves green like their American cousins!



Erich Korngold's score for The Adventures of Robin Hood has, of course, passed into cinematic history. It's 'chromatic harmonies,  instrumental effects, passionate climaxes—all performed in a generally romantic manner,'  have been rightly praised. But, The Story of Robin Hood also had a lush, rousing, symphonic score, played by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by Muir Mathieson. Its composer was Clifton Parker (1905-1989). 

Parker received very little recognition for his film scores in his lifetime, but during his distinguished career, he composed for 50 feature films, as well as numerous documentary shorts, radio and television scores and over 100 songs and music for ballet and theatre. Sadly today, many of his compositions are lost. But, Parker was regarded by film-makers of the time, as ' the composer who never disappoints.' On The Story, he certainly did not!

When comparing the two movies, I believe it is respect for the legend that is important. For me, the research conducted by the Disney team shines through.

When Walt Disney first announced that he was to make The Story of Robin Hood, he received a letter from the Sheriff of Nottingham inviting him to visit the City Library and inspect the collection of over a thousand books of ‘Robin Hood’ lore. Walt Disney replied that he  would be unable to go to England until the film went before the cameras, but that he would extend the kind invitation to Richard Todd and his production unit under the supervision of producer Perce Pearce.


The Disney production crew, including Richard Todd in Nottingham

Walt Disney’s production crew included producer Perce Pearce, scriptwriter Lawrence Watkin, historical advisor Dr Charles Beard and art director Carmen Dillon. Some of the places that the production crew visited included Nottingham City Library, Nottingham Castle, Newstead Abbey, Edwinstowe, Sherwood Forest including Robin Hood’s Larder (now gone) and the Major Oak, Ollerton, Creswell Crags, Nottingham’s Caves, the Salutation Inn and the Trip to Jerusalem Inn.

The legend of Robin Hood was first transmitted by travelling entertainers - minstrels and The Story has Alan-a-Dale, played by a real balladeer, Elton Hayes, who not only carries the story from scene to scene but cleverly imitates how the myth was formed.

Elton Hayes as Alan-a-Dale
Elton Hayes as Alan-a-Dale


Elton Hayes had a hit record with, Whistle My Love (1952) from The Story of Robin Hood. In the 1938 Errol Flynn film, the character Alan-a-Dale is merged with Will Scarlet and given the name 'Will o' Gamwell'. This character, played by English actor Patric Knowles, just plucks at a lute in one scene.

One of the strong-points in The Adventures is, of course the iconic sword-fight between Robin (Errol Flynn) and Guy of Gisborne (Basil Rathbone). The shadow of the two characters flickering on the castle walls is a piece of cinematic history.

Errol Flynn as Robin Hood and Basil Rathbone as Guy of Gisborne

But, The Story of Robin Hood has an equally climactic scene. Sheriff De Lacy (Peter Finch) has gone back on his word as a knight and prevents Robin Hood (Richard Todd) from re-joining Marian (Joan Rice) and the outlaws in Sherwood Forest. As Robin reaches the drawbridge, the treacherous Sheriff seizes a spear from a castle warden and launches it at the outlaw, wounding him.

Richard Todd as Robin Hood



Peter Finch as the Sheriff fights with Robin Hood


The outlaw then scrambles over the drawbridge, avoiding being crushed and has to swim across the moat, amidst a shower of arrows - a breath-taking scene in which Richard Todd was nearly seriously injured!



Claude Rains (Prince John), Basil Rathbone (Gisborne) and Melville Cooper (Sheriff)

I am sure that fans of The Adventures of Robin Hood will argue that the sheer quality and sumptuous sets and costumes of this classic, raise it well above Walt Disney's live-action version. Once again, I argue that there is little to choose between the two. The costumes and sets were equally as glamorous. Hubert Gregg, who played Prince John in The Story complained that his expensive costume was so heavy he had trouble getting down from his horse:

"The costumes were beautiful, if unnecessarily weighty in their adherence to medieval reality. One cloak was heavily embroidered and lined with real fur: it cost more than a thousand pounds (a good deal of money in pre-inflationary days) and took all my strength to wear. In one scene I had to ride into the town square, leap off my horse and enter the treasury building in high dudgeon.


Hubert Gregg as Prince John in the £1000 cloak

To add to the reality our saddles were fitted with medieval pommels at the back that had to be negotiated carefully when dismounting. In the first take, I lifted my leg as gracefully as I could the necessary six inches higher than usual and leapt beautifully off my steed. As my feet touched the ground the weight of my cloak carried me completely out of frame to the left."

Prince John (Hubert Gregg) and the Sheriff (Peter Finch)

Many of the costumes and props from Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood found their way into later media productions of the legend, including the hugely successful TV series of the 1950s starring Richard Greene.


A sumptuous set from Disney's Story of Robin Hood

I could go on and on comparing these two wonderful films. But I would like to finish with a look at the two versions of Robin's beautiful girlfriend, Maid Marian.

Olivia De Havilland's role as Marian was something she was very proud of. Understandably so. Her partnership with Errol Flynn fizzed with electricity and it is claimed that she was in love with him during the filming. 


Olivia de Havilland as Marian and Errol Flynn as Robin Hood

She was described by Milo Anderson, the costume designer on The Adventures, as a strong-minded woman who had her own ideas about things on set and would do research into her roles. It paid-off. Olivia's performance broke the mould of Maid Marian. Before, the character had simply been a love-interest 'walking through lavish sets in a queenly manner.' But Olivia's Marian is fiercely independent and spirited. She is integral to the plot of the film, guiding the outlaws after his capture at the archery contest and attempting to get a message to him about the plot to kill King Richard.

This role of the independently willed Marian would be taken up thirteen years later by a young maid who grew up playing amidst the leafy glades of Sherwood Forest. Joan Rice (1930-1997), only recently propelled into the glittering world of stardom, was personally chosen by Walt Disney to play the part of the outlaw's lover in his Story of Robin Hood."


Joan Rice as Marian and Richard Todd as Robin Hood

Sherron Lux in her paper And The 'Reel' Maid Marian, gives Joan's 'Marian' some far-overdue credit:

"Joan Rice is vital to Ken Annakin’s 1952 film for Walt Disney, misleadingly called The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men; it is Marian’s story, as well, because without her, only about half the story would be left. Joan Rice gives us a bright, spunky young Lady Marian, faithful daughter of the Earl of Huntingdon, and loyal friend to her childhood companion Robin Fitzooth (Richard Todd); though he is the son of her fathers head forester, she eventually falls in love with him despite the social barriers. However, Rice’s Marian has a distinctly independent turn of mind. She defies the Queen Mother’s orders and slips out of the castle disguised in a page-boy’s livery, seeking out her friend Robin, who has become an outlaw in Sherwood Forest. Her actions ultimately help prove that Robin and his outlaws are King Richard’s real friends and that Prince John is a traitor."  

Joan Rice will always be my favourite Maid Marian.



Richard Todd as Robin Hood and Joan Rice as Maid Marian

My comparison of The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Story of Robin Hood was always going to be subjective. But I feel it is about time Walt Disney's version was brought out of the shadows, dusted down and given some rightful praise. To describe The Story as 'lacking any imaginative cinematic quality' is an affront not only to the rich cast of actors who appeared but also to Disney's multi-talented production crew who produced what critics describe as one of the best Technicolor films ever made in Britain. Watch it and see for yourself!



Richard Todd's Signed Robin Hood Video

Signed video by Richard Todd

It is always great to see the memorabilia that readers have of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). So when I saw this signed video of our favourite movie, I must admit to being slightly envious of the owner. 

The signature is of the British actor Richard Todd (1919-2009), who played the part of Robin Hood for Walt Disney in 1951. The movie was filmed at Denham Studios and Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire, England. 


Richard Todd as Robin Hood

The Story of Robin Hood was released on VHS video for the first time in 1987. It was then released again as part of 'Walt Disney's Studio Film Collection,' on September 13th 1991 along with a laser-disc version.


'Wonderful World of Disney' version

A DVD version of the movie was available exclusively through the Disney Movie Club in America on April 7th 2006. Three years later it was released again in the USA - this time as part of the 'Wonderful World of Disney.' But sadly the DVD was not for sale in the UK and only available in Region 1 through import. 

Disney's 'Story of Robin Hood' has been voted one of the best Technicolor films ever made in England. So perhaps one day, a special edition will be available here in the UK. We hope, this DVD will contain extras such as un-released scenes, behind the scenes footage and of course the promotional 'Riddle of Robin Hood!' 

Hollywood Plan Two New Robin Hood Movies?

Richard Todd in Disney's 'Story of Robin Hood'

I have been very busy this last few weeks working with my partner on our Rosa Mundi Craft Stall at various Christmas Fairs. So this will have to be a brief post. But I could not avoid commenting on the news that Hollywood are planning two new Robin Hood movies. In particular a new Disney version! (Which will be their third interpretation of the legend).

This is from 'Deadline':


Hollywood is planning rival blockbusters about Robin Hood, just four years after Russell Crowe’s turn as the iconic English outlaw failed to capture the imagination of cinemagoers.
Sony reportedly paid $2m in October for a script titled Hood, pitched as a jumping off point for a huge Avengers-style Robin Hood “universe”. Now rival studio Disney has picked up the screenplay for Nottingham & Hood, described as a revisionist take on the famous outlaw with franchise potential.
Both projects will hope to avoid the calamities which hit Ridley Scott’s Robin Hood, starring a suspiciously Irish-sounding Crowe as a new version of the hero. A proposed shoot had to be abandoned in 2008 following concern that the leaves in the location doubling for Sherwood Forest would not be green enough. The following year, actor Sienna Miller left the project amid reports that the English star’s youth and slim figure were showing up the Gladiator actor’s age and expanding girth.
Scott’s film was originally titled Nottingham and pitched as a revisionist take with Crowe as a good Sheriff of Nottingham and Christian Bale as an evil Hood. But by the time it eventually arrived on the big screen, the veteran British director had plumped for a more traditional take and Bale had exited the project."
And also:

"Disney wants to give the “Pirates of the Caribbean" treatment to the legend of Robin Hood. The studio that owns Marvel, the Star Wars universe, and basically everything else in the world that you love, has purchased a pitch from writer Brandon Barker called “Nottingham & Hood,” produced by The Picture Company’s Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman.
One assumes that the movie is as the title suggests — a story of adventurous archer Robin Hood’s exploits in Sherwood Forest, and his rivalry with the Sheriff of Nottingham. Exact details aren’t known, but Deadline says the script “has a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ tone and the hope is to launch a new adventure franchise that fits Disney’s global brand.”
In other words, just as Robin has his bow aimed at evildoers, so too is Disney targeting a big new franchise for its fans around the world. We’ll have to wait and see if their take on Robin Hood has any of the off-kilter charm that the bumbling Jack Sparrow boasts."


This is from another website:

"In one heck of an eye-popping move, Sony is in the midst of making a seven-figure deal to buy a pitch centering on Robin Hood.
Cory Goodman and Jeremy Lott are behind the pitch, which is titled Hood.
The figure for the deal, according to sources, is $1 million against $2 million, while producer deals are still being negotiated. 
One reason for the high price is that the pitch involves the magic words “universe” and “Avengers.” The plan is to make a series of movies focusing on the outlaw archer and his band of Merry Men: Little John, Friar Tuck and Will Scarlett. One could say they were the superhero team of England’s Middle Ages. The tone of the story has been described as Mission: Impossible and the recent Fast & Furious movies. Michael De Luca brought the project and will oversee for the studio."

So it seems that once again the legend will get a new 'face lift'  (possibly two) by Hollywood producers for the next generation of movie goers. As someone that has had a life-long interest in Robin Hood I will wait eagerly to see how they interpret those ancient stories.

Joan Rice and Richard Todd as Marian and Robin

Readers of this blog will no doubt be extremely interested in how Disney's third Robin Hood will turn out. Please let me know what you think!

The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (1946)


Occasionally I like to look at how the legend of Robin Hood has been interpreted on the silver screen. There are now 40 pages dedicated to the ‘Robin Hood’ movies. Of course The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) is looked upon by every movie critic as the bench-mark to which all later cinematic versions about the outlaw hero are judged and it took Hollywood eight years before they attempted a return to  the outlaw’s haunts. But they did, with Columbia’s The Bandit of Sherwood Forest (1946), which is based on the novel, ‘Son of Robin Hood’ by Paul A Castleton.


Cornel Wilde as Robert of Nottingham

The tyrannical King John is now dead and the outlaws have all disbanded. Robin (Russell Hicks) and Marian have a fully grown son, Robert of Nottingham (Cornel Wilde), who eventually helps the Queen Mother and the beautiful Lady Catherine (Anita Louise) to protect the young King Henry III from the evil William Pembroke (Henry Daniell) and the nasty, but bumbling Sheriff (Lloyd Corrigan).


Anita Louise and Cornel Wilde


Of course, the veteran Robin Hood, Earl of Huntingdon, and his band of stalwarts Little John (Ray Teal), Friar Tuck (Edgar Buchanan), Will Scarlet (John Abbott) and Allen-A-Dale (Leslie Denison) return to their old ways to assist his son and save the young king from the clutches of the despotic Regent of England.
This 85 minute romp through the pages of England’s favorite story book hero has very little of the quality of the previous Warner Brothers masterpiece. But it does retain the sumptuous Technicolor glamour of its predecessor, owing to the experience of three cinematographers including, Tony Gaudio, who had previously worked on The Adventures of Robin Hood.

Anita Louise as the imprisoned Lady Catherine

With his specially padded shoulders and his toothy smile, (somewhat reminiscent of Douglas Fairbanks) Cornel Wilde (a real-life Olympic champion fencer) does an acceptable job as the son of the outlaw. Anita Louise as the high-born Lady Catherine, lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother, finally got her chance to become the love interest in a ‘Robin Hood Movie’. She had previously been scheduled to play Maid Marian alongside Errol Flynn for Warner Brothers but was dropped in favor of Olivia deHavilland.

Anita Louise and Cornel Wilde
 
On several occasions, particularly during the ‘Bandit’s’ climatic sword-fight scene in the castle, we also witness a nod to the famous expressionistic shadow shots used by the ‘Adventures’ director Michael Curtiz’. But sadly, with the Merry Men all galloping around on stallions like the 7th Cavalry, this movie has more resemblance to the fast pace and shoot -‘em-up qualities of a B-western produced for Saturday matinees. Still, this colorful adventure did earn Columbia an impressive $3 million at the box office, which is impressive for a movie with a modest budget like this one.


Your Favourite Maid Marian : Joan Rice


Joan Rice



I am pleased to announce that the winner of our poll for your Favourite Maid Marian of all time is Joan Rice! She gained 53 votes. Close behind came Judi Trott from TV's excellent Robin of Sherwood (1984-86) with 51.


Judi Trott


Olivia de Havilland


Joint third is the lovely Olivia de Havilland from the classic Hollywood movie The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) with Lucy Griffiths from the recent BBC series (2006-7).



Bernadette O'Farrell

Next came Richard Green's love interest, Lady Marian Fitzwalter in the iconic TV series of the 1950's played by Bernadette O'Farrell with 13 votes. And right up to date comes Hollywood's modern interpretation played by Cate Blanchett with 12.

Patricia Driscoll received 9 votes. She had  continued the roll of Lady Marian in series 3 and 4 of  TV's Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-59) after the departure of Bernadette O'Farrell.

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio gained 7 votes as Maid Marian in Robin Hood:Prince of Thieves (1991) alongside Kevin Costner. She was later nominated for two awards as Best Supporting Actress and Best Female Performance.

Legendary Audrey Hepburn returned to the screen after an eight year absence to appear in Richard Lester's Robin and Marian (1976) alongside Sean Connery.But she collected only 3 votes.


Uma Thurman

Both surprisingly on 2 votes are Uma Thurman from the gritty and very underrated Robin Hood (1991) and Sarah Branch from Hammer's Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) which also starred Richard Greene as the outlaw hero.


Gay Hamilton

Gay Hamilton played Lady Marian Fitzwarren in Hammer Film's third version of the Robin Hood legend in 1967, but she only got 1 vote along with Anna Galvin from The New Adventures of Robin Hood (1997).

Sadly the other maidens were not voted for. 

Thank you to all the readers who voted. We have now chosen Michael Praed as the all-time Favourite Robin Hood and we can place Joan Rice alongside him as Maid Marian. Who shall we pick as Friar Tuck?  Look out for the poll starting soon!




The Story of Robin Hood Trailer

Neil has managed to find the original trailer to Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).
Enjoy:
                 

Robin Hood's Colourful Chair Part 2

‘Men of Sherwood Forest’ (1954)
I would like to thank fellow blogger ‘Robin Hood’ for making me aware of yet another production that included the now infamous ‘Robin Hood Chair.’ Or should I say chairs?

It was originally designed and first used in 1951 at Denham Studios for Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men. I then noticed it in the TV series The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-1958) and also Robin of Sherwood (1984-1986). After my post last week about its appearance in the episode ‘Trial by Battle,’ he has kindly sent me stills of the chairs also being used in Men of Sherwood Forest (1954).


Some of the chairs used in 'Men of Sherwood Forest' (1954)


This was the first of a trilogy of Robin Hood features made by Hammer Film productions and also their first colour movie. Recently some critics have described it as the possibly the worst sound film about the outlaw ever made, although American actor Don Taylor gives a good performance as Robin Hood and Reginald Beckwith is an excellent Friar Tuck in this low budget romp.

No doubt ‘Robin Hood’s Chair’ was shipped out of Denham Studios with all the other thousands of props after Rank Organisation stopped film production there when Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood was completed. After that it was obviously hired out for various projects for the small and silver screen.



The chair in Disney's Story of Robin Hood (1952)


The chair in Robin of Sherwood (1984 -1986)

Below are some comments I received on the Britmovie forum in 2007:

Christoph404 said:

'I think it’s quite normal for props and costumes and even whole sets to be used in other films over the years, studios normally had their own prop stores and there are also several large independent prop hire companies around London that have been on the go for years, I remember visiting one in Acton many years ago while helping a friend find some props for a theatre production, it was like an Aladdin’s cave with the proprietor cheerfully pointing out what other famous plays some of the props had been used for in the past. Didn't the Carry On team use costumes and sets from other big productions that had filmed at Pinewood? I read that the costumes from Carry on Henry were originally used in Becket with Richard Burton, or was it A Man for All Seasons and that some of the costumes and props from Carry on up the Khyber were used in Zulu and so on. I guess it makes economical sense to recycle props,costumes etc. a point not lost on low budget film makers such as Roger Corman who was famous for doing deals with studios and using sets that had been used in other films, I’m pretty sure he came to Britain and purloined an existing set for one of his films.'

Silverwhistle said:

'Another one that a friend pointed out to me was that some helmets worn by a bunch of Knights Templar in an episode of Robin of Sherwood were those worn by the infamous 'Knights Who Say 'Ni!'' in Monty Python and the Holy Grail…'

d.dock54 said:

'I guess most of the props these days are located in private rental firms. In the old days before studios went four walls they contained huge prop departments on site. I know Pinewood had a massive prop dept so it’s not unusual for the same prop to pop up in many films. Of course some props were spirited away when a production wraps and are now privately owned. I know when MGM Borehamwood closed they flogged a lot off in a huge auction and many went down the road to Elstree. Stanley Kubrick was of the opinion that none off his props should turn up in future productions so burnt a lot of his on the lot.'

So it would be interesting to know if it the chair is still stored away somewhere and what other films and TV series it has appeared in. Please get in touch if you have seen it at: disneysrobin@googlemail.com

Peter Finch, Walt Disney and Errol Flynn


Laurence has recently returned from a trip to the United States of America, touring film locations and some of the Hollywood studios. While he was there he also visited some of the cemeteries, Forest Lawn, Glendale and also the Hollywood Memorial Cemetery where Peter Finch is interred. Above is a picture of Laurence taken at the last resting place of whom he describes as the screen’s greatest Sheriff of Nottingham, and I agree with him.




He has also very kindly sent in some other interesting pictures that will interest regular blog readers. At the Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale, Walt Disney’s ashes are scattered in a corner garden to the left of the Freedom Mausoleum entrance. The great man sadly died of cancer aged 65 in 1966.

Walt Disney's Memorial


Just around the corner under a little brown statue is buried probably the most famous Robin Hood of them all, Errol Flynn who died aged 50 of a heart attack in 1959. I was stunned to read that Flynn lay in a unmarked grave until twenty years later. It is rumoured that he was buried with six bottles of whisky, placed there by his drinking buddies.



James Cagney as Robin Hood!


Above is an extremely rare, undated picture of the Hollywood movie star James Cagney taken at an Archery Competition, staged to promote what would later become the movie, The Adventures of Robin Hood, released in1938. Incredibly it was James Cagney who was considered for the role of Robin Hood before Errol Flynn!

Also in the picture, awarding the winner, is Basil Rathbone (later Sir Guy of Gisborne) and the famous archer Howard Hill, who became Errol Flynn’s instructor on the use of the longbow. Hill also made all of the stunt body shots, the splitting of the arrow shot at the Archery Tournament, and he played the Captain of the Archers in the movie. This photo was one of several photos given by Howard Hill to his niece, Lorain Hill.

So why did James Cagney get chosen to play Robin Hood by Warner Brothers?

In Hollywood during the mid 1930’s, the ‘Motion Picture Production Code of Ethics’ was being enforced a lot stronger than before. Like many film studios of that time, Warner Brothers had to improve their image and output. So they decided to expand their horizons and move away from the steady stream of violent gangster movies that they had become renown for, and explore more prestigious areas.

Warner Brothers decided upon producing Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ using their stock company of actors and actresses, which included Olivia de Havilland, Ian Hunter, Anita Louise and James Cagney.

Dwight Franklin (1888-1971) at the time was Warmer’s historical advisor and costume designer on ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ It was he who sent a memo to Jack Warner suggesting making a movie about Robin Hood, with James Cagney as the outlaw, Anita Louise as Maid Marian and Hugh Herbert as Friar Tuck. He also had the idea of using the usual Warner Brothers ‘gangster cronies,’ Frank McHugh, Allen Jenkins, Hugh Herbert and Ross Alexander as the ‘Merry Men!’

Jack Warner was quite keen on the idea and went ahead with pre-production plans. James Cagney, who had been asking for ‘non-gangster roles’ was drafted in and producer Hal B Wallis hired English screenwriter Rowland Leigh to prepare a script for Cagney as Robin.

But Cagney, who was then a vice-president of the newly formed Screen Actors Guild, had made five movies in 1934, against his contract terms, which forced him to bring legal proceedings against Jack Warner. He had also complained about his ‘journeyman salary’ and the factory like conditions.

During his career, Cagney had walked out on several occasions before, but three months into the making of Robin Hood he walked off the lot in a tremendous rage, placed himself under suspension and never returned.

Meanwhile ‘Captain Blood’ had been released with huge success making a new and up and coming star out of 27year old Errol Flynn who had replaced Robert Donat in the role. Cagney was forgotten about and the rest is part of Hollywood’s golden history!

Happy Valentine's Day


Happy Valentine’s Day!

I hope you all get hit by Cupid’s (or Robin’s) romantic arrow today!

Here is a nice smoochie still from Columbia’s ‘Rogues of Sherwood Forest’ (1950). Directed by Gordon Douglas, this low budget offering featured John Derek as Robin, Earl of Huntington, son of old Robin. The movie is set during the reign of King John (George Macready), whose oppressive taxes incite the young Hood’s rebellion, resulting in the monarch signing the Magna Carta. In his final film role, Alan Hale played Little John for the third time, supported by Billy House as Friar Tuck, Lester Matthews as Allen-a-Dale, Billy Bevan as Will Scarlet and Diana Lynn as Lady Marianne de Beaudray.

The Very Finest of Cinematic Art

Unfortunately, I do not know which American newspaper the article below originally came from (possibly The Cleveland Press in Ohio), but I thought it would be interesting to post this small piece of cinematic history. The column below was written by Winsor French after he had attended one of the first screenings for reviewers, behind closed doors, of the sumptuous classic ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ which would later be released across the USA on 14th May 1938. Needless to say 72 years later, it remains the benchmark to which all later film versions of the legend are judged and this reviewer at the time was obviously impressed.
Original Press Article
It reads:
“Casting an eye about on coming events, one of the most important is the impending arrival of Warner Brothers ‘Robin Hood’ at the Hippodrome Theatre, with Errol Flynn as the swashbuckling hero of Sherwood Forest.
Screened behind locked doors the other afternoon for reviewers it emerged as another example that while Warners can produce some of the most banal films today, they can also come forward with the very finest of cinematic art.
And ‘Robin Hood’ I believe will be just that. Photographed in Technicolor, supplied with an excellent cast, it is crowded with action and suspense as one exciting sequence followed another. Primarily perhaps for children, it also should have enormous appeal for adults as well, and no one will be able to deny the superiority of Basil Rathbone’s performance.
This is in no sense a review, but simply an announcement that as [?] ‘Mad about Music,’ with Deanna Durbin, has run its course, Mr. Flynn will be along with his portrayal of the famous bandit. And you should find it a very satisfying characterization."

Winsor French, April 29th 1938.

The Cleveland Press, May 12th 1938


Robin Hood 2010 DVD : The Epic Adventure


ROBIN HOOD - THE EPIC ACTION-ADVENTURE DEBUTS IN A BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK & 2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION DVD SEPTEMBER 21, 2010.

ACADEMY AWARD® WINNERS RUSSELL CROWE AND CATE BLANCHETT. STAR IN THE SUMMER BLOCKBUSTER FROM THE DIRECTOR OF GLADIATOR.

ROBIN HOOD


THE EPIC ACTION-ADVENTURE DEBUTS IN A BLU-RAY™ COMBO PACK & 2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION DVD SEPTEMBER 21, 2010 FEATURING AN UNRATED DIRECTOR’S CUT PLUS THE ORIGINAL THEATRICAL FILM.


Universal City, California, Wednesday, July 28— Oscar® winner Russell Crowe reunites with Gladiator director Ridley Scott to reveal the untold story of a common archer’s rise to become a hero in Robin Hood, the $309 million worldwide blockbuster coming to Blu-ray™ Hi-Def Combo Pack, 2-Disc Special Edition DVD and single disc DVD on September 21, 2010 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. All of these versions will feature the theatrical film, as well as a never-before-seen unrated director’s cut of the movie. The film and its unrated version will also be available day and date for digital download and video on demand.

The 3-disc Robin Hood Blu-ray™ Combo Pack will feature a Blu-ray and DVD copy of the theatrical and director’s cut film, as well as a digital copy of the director’s cut that can be viewed on an array of electronic and portable devices anytime, anywhere. Additionally, both the Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and the 2-Disc Special Edition will feature deleted scenes and filmmaker commentary, plus an extensive look at the making of Robin Hood that includes behind-the-scenes interviews with cast and crew. The Blu-ray™ release also exclusively features an interactive “Director’s Notebook,” which seamlessly takes fans inside the making of the specific scenes of the film, from production design to special effects.





Sweeping pageantry and heart-pumping action transports viewers to the meticulously recreated medieval battlefields and byways of 13th century England for the inspiring story of a legendary hero. Robin Hood’s sterling cast also includes Academy Award® winners Cate Blanchett (The Aviator, Elizabeth: the Golden Age) and William Hurt (The Incredible Hulk, Kiss of the Spider Woman), as well as Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes), Mark Addy (The Full Monty¬), Oscar Isaac (Body of Lies), Danny Huston (The Aviator), Kevin Durand (Legion), Scott Grimes (“Band of Brothers”), Matthew Macfadyen (Frost/Nixon), Eileen Atkins (Last Chance Harvey), Simon McBurney (Body of Lies) and Oscar® nominee Max von Sydow (Shutter Island).

Robin Hood’s expansive scale and exhilarating action sequences hit a bulls-eye with critics around the world, with Pete Hammond of Boxoffice Magazine saying, “If you’ve think you’ve seen Robin Hood, think again,” and adding that that the film is “spectacular epic movie making at its best in the tradition of Gladiator and Braveheart.” Robin Hood is “An original, new take on a classic story,” in the words of Patrick Stoner, WHYY – PBS (Philadelphia) and “A must-see epic adventure!” according to Christina Vandre, KARE – NBC (Minneapolis). Dan Jolin of Empire gives it four stars, calling it, “Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe at their most entertaining since Gladiator.”


BONUS FEATURES EXCLUSIVELY ON BLU-RAY™:


• DIRECTOR’S NOTEBOOK—A seamless multimedia experience focusing on the director’s vision gives viewers a peek inside Oscar® nominee Ridley Scott’s unique filmmaking process. Incorporating behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Scott and his trusted inner circle of collaborators, this feature launches at critical moments throughout the film to illuminate the task of mounting a vast production like Robin Hood.


• THE ART OF NOTTINGHAM—A special look at the portfolio of designs generated for the film, including video introductions by key department heads such as production designer Arthur Max and costume designer Janty Yates. Galleries of concept art, costume designs, storyboards and other imagery are featured.


• BD-LIVETM—Access the BD-Live™ Center through your Internet-connected player to get even more content, watch the latest trailers and more.


o MY SCENES—Bookmark your favorite scenes from the movie.


• pocket BLU™ APP— Experience Blu-ray in an exciting new way with the pocket BLU™ app for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Blackberry, Android, PC and Macintosh. With this app, you can work seamlessly with a network-connected Blu-ray™ player to activate advanced features such as:


o ADVANCED REMOTE CONTROL: A sleek, elegant new way to operate your Blu-ray™ player. Users can navigate through menus, playback and BD-Live™ functions with ease as well as activate a timeline to skip to any point in the movie with the slide of a finger.


o VIDEO TIMELINE: Users can easily bring up the video timeline, allowing them to instantly access any point in the movie.


o MOBILE-TO-GO: Users can unlock a selection of bonus content with their Blu-ray™ discs to save to their device or to stream from anywhere there’s a Wi-Fi network, enabling them to enjoy exclusive content on the go, anytime, anywhere.


o VIRTUAL KEYBOARD: Enter data into a Blu-ray™ player with your device’s easy and intuitive keyboard to facilitate such Blu-ray™ features as chatting with friends and sending messages.


• uHEAR—Always catch every word with uHear! This innovative feature instantly skips back a few seconds on your Blu-ray™ disc and turns on the subtitles for the section you couldn’t hear!


• INTERACTIVE TICKER: Get the latest information about Universal’s theatrical and Blu-ray™ releases. Plus, get updates about upcoming BD-Live events, awards and TV shows on NBC


BONUS FEATURES AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY™ AND 2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION DVD:


• DELETED SCENES WITH INTRODUCTION & COMMENTARY BY EDITOR PIETRO SCALIA


• RISE AND RISE AGAIN: MAKING RIDLEY SCOTT’S ROBIN HOOD


o BALLAD, LEGEND & MYTH: PRE-PRODUCTION—See how the filmmakers and actors, including Ridley Scott, Brian Grazer and Russell Crowe, tackled the challenge of breathing new life into the longest surviving character in the English language, Robin Hood.


o THE MORE THE MERRIER: PRODUCTION—A stellar cast led by Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett descended on England to shoot this massive epic under the direction of Ridley Scott. With an unparalleled passion for detail, Scott oversees all of the production design, costuming, weaponry and action sequences in the film.


o NO QUARTER GIVEN: POST PRODUCTION—Sifting through a million feet of shot film, Ridley Scott and editor Pietro Scalia perfect the screen story and work with the post-production team to add layers of sound design, visual effects and Marc Streitenfeld’s beautiful score.


• DIGITAL COPY OF THE UNRATED DIRECTOR’S CUT VERSION OF THE FILM

SYNOPSIS

Robin Hood chronicles the life of an expert archer, previously interested only in self-preservation, from his service in King Richard’s army against the French. Upon Richard’s death, Robin Longstride (Oscar® winner Russell Crowe) travels to Nottingham, a town suffering from the corruption of a despotic sheriff and crippling taxation, where he falls for the spirited widow Lady Marion (Oscar® winner Cate Blanchett), a woman skeptical of the identity and motivations of this crusader from the forest. Hoping to earn Lady Marion’s hand and salvage the village, Robin assembles a gang whose lethal mercenary skills are matched only by their appetite for life. Together, they begin preying on the indulgent upper class to correct injustices under the sheriff. With their country weakened from decades of war, embattled by the ineffective rule of the new king and vulnerable to insurgencies from within and threats from afar, Robin and his men heed a call to ever greater adventure. This unlikeliest of heroes and his allies set off to protect their country from slipping into bloody civil war and return glory to England once more.


http://www.robinhoodthemovie.com/


CAST AND FILMMAKERS


Directed By: Ridley Scott


Screenplay By: Brian Helgeland


Story By: Brian Helgeland and Ethan Reiff & Cyrus Voris


Produced By: Brian Grazer, Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe


Executive Producers: Charles J. D. Schlissel, Michael Costigan, Jim Whitaker, Ryan Kavanaugh


Director of Photography: John Mathieson BSC


Production Designer: Arthur Max


Editor: Pietro Scalia ACE


Music By: Marc Streitenfeld


Costume Designer: Janty Yates


Cast: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Mark Strong, Mark Addy, Oscar Isaac, Danny Huston, Kevin Durand, Scott Grimes, Matthew MacFadyen, Eileen Atkins, Simon McBurney and Max von Sydow


TECHNICAL INFORMATION


Blu-ray™


Street Date: September 21, 2010


Selection Number: 61115859


Running Time: 2 Hours 21 Minutes / 2 Hours 36 Minutes


Layers: BD-50


Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 2:40:1


Rating: PG-13 for violence including intense sequences of warfare, and some sexual content / NA


Technical Info: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/DVS DD 2.0, French and Spanish DTS Surround 5.1, English SDH, French and Spanish Subtitles


TECHNICAL INFORMATION


DVD


Street Date: September 21, 2010


Copyright: 2010


Selection Number: 61110991


Running Time: 2 Hours 21 Minutes / 2 Hours 36 Minutes


Layers: Dual Layer


Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1


Rating: PG-13 for violence including intense sequences of warfare, and some sexual content / NA


Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 5.1/DVS DD 2.0, French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, English SDH, French and Spanish Subtitles


2 Disc DVD


Street Date: September 21, 2010


Copyright: 2010


Selection Number: 61112398


Running Time: 2 Hours 21 Minutes / 2 Hours 36 Minutes


Layers: Dual Layer


Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1


Rating: PG-13 for violence including intense sequences of warfare, and some sexual content / NA


Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 5.1/DVS DD 2.0, French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, English SDH, French and Spanish Subtitles