Intensive Preperation

Stephen Grimes with continuity sketches

 Since I started this blog twenty years ago, Neil Vessey has regularly provided me with fantastic behind-the-scenes information and rare stills from the production of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood (1952). This exceptionally rare magazine article he has kindly shared with me, is truly one of the best. Featuring never-before-seen behind-the-scenes images and fascinating details, it’s an absolute must-see for all fans of this wonderful film:

“After many weeks of intensive preparation, the new Walt Disney all-action film in Technicolor, “Robin Hood”, has gone before the cameras at Denham Studios. The first shot was made on April 30.

The last two weeks before the unit went into action were a time of great activity among the double-strength set-up, which will be filming inside the studio and on location in different parts of the country.

Daily conferences were held between producer Perce Pearce, scriptwriter Laurence Watkin, art director Carmen Dillon, director Ken Annakin and lighting cameraman Guy Green, to ensure coordination on the floor.

As the first two sets-the exterior of Huntingdon Manor and the Robin Hood cave and forest encampment-took shape and colour on the Denham stages, the plasterers’ shop continued non-stop production of the many other 12th-century Nottinghamshire buildings and interiors for the story.

In the Art Department, walls covered with over a thousand continuity sketches, the works of Stephen Grimes, told the story of the film in minute detail, while enormous tables bearing scale models of the sets, made by Ivor Beddoes, illustrated with great accuracy the landscape and buildings of 12th-century England.

Art Director, Carmen Dillon

Outside the studios, Alex Bryce, directing exterior scenes, has toured the countryside with a camera unit headed by Geoffrey Unsworth, seeking suitable locations for river and forest scenes in which the film abounds.

In the pattern shop, under the supervision of Bill Evans, 12th-century utensils, furniture, carts and carved chests were turned out and mellowed under the watchful eye of historical expert, Dr. Charles Beard.

Bill Evans and Dr. Charles Beard

Hair stylist Vivienne Walker and make-up expert Stuart Freeborne gradually transformed the cast into likenesses of their historical counterparts, and members of the cast, too, were fully occupied in learning and practising the many skilled arts in which the film calls for them to be accomplished.

After months of interviews and tests, casting director Maude Spector finalised the huge cast which the vast scale of the production necessitated….

In addition to Richard Todd, Joan Rice, James Robertson Justice and James Hayter, in leading roles as Robin Hood, Maid Marian, Little John and Friar Tuck, respectively. Hubert Gregg will play the scheming Prince John, Anthony Eustrel the Archbishop-churchman, soldier and advisor of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, played by Martitia Hunt.

Then Walt Disney has signed many other fine actors to play important featured roles: Peter Finch as the notorious Sheriff of Nottingham, Patrick Barr as Richard the Lion Heart, Anthony Forwood as handsome Will Scarlet, guitar playing Elton Hayes as the roving minstrel Allan-a-Dale, Michael Hordern as Scathelock, a persecuted farmer, Bill Owen as Stuteley, a poacher, and Hal Osmond as the celebrated Midge the Miller.

Walt Disney will arrive in England to supervise the production of “Robin Hood.”

THE CINEMA STUDIO May 1951