Walt Disney's Story Of Robin Hood

Picture Show & Film Pictorial April 12th 1952

2012-01-25T09:48:00.000-08:00

Geoff Waite has recently been in touch and very kindly sent in information from the magazine Picture Show & Film Pictorial dated April 12^th 1952. This article shows fascinating details of the promotion of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and how it was received by critics after its release.

He says:

“I recently acquired a copy of the weekly magazine Picture Show & Film Pictorial for April 12 1952 which included a review of the new Disney Robin Hood film and featured Richard Todd and Joan Rice on the front cover.”

“The new releases were allocated three stars for Excellent, two for Very Good and one for Good. You will see that Robin Hood received two stars i.e. Very Good along with the James Stewart release Where the River Bends and that no three stars were awarded that week. Even Doris Day and Gordon MacRae in Starlift only succeeded in gaining one star.”

Geoff continues:

“The film is described as ‘delightful entertainment’ and that ‘Richard Todd is a lively, youthful Robin, and newcomer Joan Rice is a pretty, tomboyish Maid Marian’.

One of the advertisements featured in that particular issue of Picture Show was obviously influenced somewhat by the publicity surrounding the new Disney film although there is no mention of either Disney or Robin Hood.”

I expect some of you have recognised a very young Roger Moore in the advert that Geoff mentiones above. He of course went on to play Ivanhoe, The Saint and James Bond in his long career. So a very big thank you to Geoff for sending me this wonderful information and giving us all an insight into how the movie was received at the time.

To read many other reviews of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men please click here.

Film & TV Clips of Joan Rice

2012-01-19T08:34:00.000-08:00

Joan Rice’s appearance on Thames TV’s This Is Your Life was first broadcast on 23rd November 1988. It was hosted by Michael Aspel who presented the life of Richard Todd.

In March 2010 Neil sent me a copy of that original programme from which I was able to print out the dialogue and show screen shots of their first meeting in thirty seven years which can be seen here: Walt Disneys First Maid Marian.

Also during that time Theresa contacted me and described how nervous Joan was about appearing on that show:

“I worked at The Kings Arms in Cookham from summer '88 to summer '89. I remember her appearance on ‘This is Your Life’. She had been incredibly nervous and wasn't entirely sure she could do it. She had also had to keep it secret so help and support was not readily available to her.”

Joan Rice and Ken McKenzie in Cookham in 1983

Maria Steyn (once a close friend of Joan Rice) has very kindly uploaded the clip of Joan and Richard’s historical meeting on that show, so that readers of this blog can view it. To see the original video footage please click here: Joan Rice and Richard Todd on 'This Is Your Life.'

Also on Maria's link is a very rare silent newsreel clip of the wedding of Joan Rice to David Green on February 16th 1953. Maria has also kindly offered to upload footage of some of Joan Rice’s movies in the future These will appear on this link which will be steadily filled with new clips, movies, videos as they become available, restored and edited for proper viewing - so stay tuned!

Film & Television Production at Burnham Beeches

2012-01-11T09:11:00.000-08:00

Due to its beautiful woodland and close proximity to London (25 miles) and many film studios, (Shepperton, Bray and Pinewood) Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire, England, has been used for many movie and television projects down the years. It is characterised by a diverse mixture of ancient woodland, wood pasture, coppice, ponds and streams, grassland, mire and heath land. The sites most prominent features are the veteran Beech and Oak pollarded trees which provide a stable habitat for many rare and endangered deadwood species.

It covers an area of 220 hectares (540 acres) and is located close to Farnham Common, Burnham and Beaconsfield.

An ancient pollarded tree in 2009

Filming is tightly controlled due to recognition of the Beeches' international importance for wildlife, restricting filming to no more than 20 days per year and to certain times of year. Filming in environmentally sensitive areas has also been banned. The revenue from filming goes directly to fund the upkeep and management of the Beeches.

During my visit in April 2009 I was given a list of ‘all’ the filming that has taken place there since 1946 and too my horror one film in particular was omitted. Yes you guessed it, Walt Disney’s ‘Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men,’ which was filmed at a number of places in the area, including Mendelssohn’s Slope and Upper and Middle Pond in 1951.

So let’s try and put the record straight:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Film 2010: Daniel Radcliffe

The film crew and production team of Harry Potter at Burnham Beeches in 2009

Creation Film 2008: Paul Bettany, Jenifer Connelly

Made With Magic TV 2008: Jamie Oliver

Jonathan Creek Christmas Special TV 2008: Alan Davies

New Tricks Series 5 TV 2008: Amanda Redman, Dennis Waterman

Merlin TV 2008: Colin Morgan, Bradley James

Midsomer Murders TV 2008: John Nettles

Eden Lake Film 2007: Kelly Reilly, Michael Fassbender

Sense & Sensibility TV 2007: Mark Williams, David Morrissey

Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix Film 2006: Daniel Radcliffe, Evanna Lynch

Primeval TV 2006: Douglas Henshall, Hannah Spearitt

Waking the Dead TV 2006: Trevor Eve, Sue Johnson

New Tricks TV 2005: Amanda Redman, Dennis Waterman

I Could Never Be Your Woman Film 2005: Michelle Pfeiffer

Driving Lessons FILM 2005: Rupert Grint, Julie Waters

Waking the Dead TV 2005: Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston

King Arthur Film 2004: Clive Owen, Keira Knightley

Winter Solstice TV 2003: Jan Niklas, Geraldine Chaplin

In Deep TV 2002: Nick Berry, Stephen Tompkinson

Born and Bred TV 2002: Naomi Radcliffe, Jenna Russell

The Hole Film 2000: Thora Birch, Keira Knightley

Midsomer Murders TV 2000 John Nettles

The Worst Witch TV Una Stubbs

Alice in Wonderland TV 1998 Whoopi Goldberg, Christopher Lloyd

Family Affairs TV 1998 Ebony Thomas, Kazia Pelka

Plunkett & Macleane Film 1998 Robert Carlyle, Liv Tyler

Merlin TV 1997/8 Sam Neil, Martin Short

Tess of the D’Urbervilles TV 1997 Justin Waddell

Bedroom 7 Hallways Film 1997 Kevin McKidd, Simon Callow

Kavanagh QC TV 1997 John Thaw

Spiceworld Film 1997 The Spice Girls, Richard E Grant

Bright Hair TV 1997 Emilia Fox, John Bowe

Bliss TV 1996 Simon Shepherd

Touching Evil TV 1997 Robson Green

Wilderness TV 1996 Amanda Ooms, Michael Kitchen

Ivanhoe TV 1996 Steve Waddington, Nick Brimble

The Wind in the Willows Film 1996 Steve Coogan, Eric Idle

The Hollow Reed Film 1995 Joely Richardson

Roald Dahl’s Red Riding Hood TV 1995 July Walters, Danny Devito

Guliver’s Travels TV 1995 Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen

Soldier Soldier TV1994/5 Robson Green, Jerome Flynn

Martin Chuzzlewit TV 1994 Julia Sawalha

First Knight Film 1994 Richard Gere, Julia Ormond

Circle of Friends Film 1994 Minnie Driver, Chris O’Donnell

Between The Lines TV 1993 Neil Pearson, Siobhan Redman

The Crying Game Film 1992 Stephen Rea, Jaye Davidson

King Ralph Film 1991 Peter O’ Toole, John Goodman

Kevin Costner in Robin Hood : Prince of Thieves

The movie was filmed all over Burnham Beeches

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Film 1990 Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman

Minder-Xmas Special TV 1988 Denis Waterman, George Cole

The Princess Bride Film 1987 Cary Elwes, Robin Wright Penn

Slipstream Film 1987 Mark Hamill, Robin Coltrane

Lair of the White Worm Film 1987 Hugh Grant, Amanda Donohoe

Mr Corbett’s Ghost TV 1987 Burgess Meredith, Mel Smith

Company of Wolves Film 1982/3 Angela Lansbury

Who Dares Wins Film 1982 Lewis Collins

Hawk the Slayer Film 1981/2 Jack Palance

Time Bandits Film 1981 John Cleese, Bernard Bresslaw

John Cleese as Robin Hood in Time Bandits

Agatha Film 1979 Dustin Hoffman, Vanessa Redgrave

Dick Turpin TV 1978 Richard O’Sullivan

The Professionals TV 1977 Lewis Collins, Martin Shaw

Carry On England Film 1976 Sid James, Kenneth Williams

The New Avengers TV 1976 Patrick Macknee, Joanna Lumley

Carry On Behind Film 1975 Sid James, Kenneth Williams

Frankenstein: The True Story Film 1973 Ralph Richardson, Jane Seymour

Bless This House Film 1972 Sid James, Diana Coupland

The Benny Hill Show TV 1971 Benny Hill

The Persuaders TV 1971 Roger Moore, Tony Curtis

Carry On Camping Film 1969 Sid James Kenneth Williams

Randall & Hopkirk-Deceased TV 1969 Mike Pratt, Kenneth Cope

Manhunt TV 1969 Cyd Hayman

The Siege of the Saxons Film 1963

Z Cars TV 1962 Colin Welland

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner Film 1962 Michael Redgrave, Tom Courtenay

The Avengers TV 1961 Patrick Macknee, Diana Rigg

Dangerman TV 1960 Patrick McGoohan

(VARIOUS) Hammer Horror films FILM 1960’s -70’s

Goldfinger Film 1960 Sean Connery

A Town Called Alice Film 1956 Peter Finch, Virginia Mc Kenna

Lost Film 1955 Thora Hird

Men of Sherwood Forest Film 1954 Don Taylor, Reginald Beckwith

Perce Pearce the producer of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

with Art Director Carmen Dillon and 2nd Unit Direcor Alex Bryce at Burnham Beeches

Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men Film 1952 Richard Todd, Joan Rice

London Belongs To Me FILM 1948: Richard Attenborough

Great Expectations FILM 1946 John Mills

If you know of any other TV of film productions not listed that used Burnham Beeches as a location, please get in touch.

Joan Rice with baby Michael

2012-01-05T02:46:00.000-08:00

Joan Rice sadly passed away on January 1st 1997. This blog is dedicated to her memory. In Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood, Joan graced the silver screen as Maid Marian and over the last five years I have tried to piece together the life of this beautiful actress.

On February 3rd this year she would have been 82 and no doubt still proud to say how she was handpicked by Walt Disney himself to play the leading lady alongside Richard Todd as Robin Hood. Many of my blog readers and film critics believe she was the best and most influential Maid Marian of all time.

But although her life reads rather like a fairytale, like many it also had its fair share of tragedy. This week Neil has very kindly sent me a press photograph of her dated 7th February 1955. On the reverse side it reads:

“London: Film star Joan Rice is pictured leaving London Airport with her 13-month old son Michael en route to Dublin. She will appear in the play ‘Welcome Stranger’ at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. Her husband, film actor Richard Greene saw her off.”

Pasted on the back of the photograph is probably the cutting that later appeared:

“Film actress Joan Rice and her 13-month-old son leave London airport for Dublin, where Miss Rice – Mrs David Green in private life – is appearing in a play.”

Interesting that she is wrongly linked with Richard Greene, the famous television Robin Hood of the 1950’s. Sadly Rank Organisation had dropped her contract by this time and her glamorous film career was declining as quickly as it had begun. Her latest movie ‘One Good Turn’ had been released in cinemas a month before she flew out to Dublin and in this she played Iris, alongside the rising comedy star Norman Wisdom.

I have been informed that her son Michael was born on Christmas Day 1953 which just about fits with the press article. Her family have also told me that he tragically committed suicide in the 1990’s.

To read more about the life of Joan Rice and how she went from being a Lyons ‘Nippy’ to a movie star please click on the 46 relevant links in the side bar and below. If you have any more information about her life, please get in touch at disneysrobin@googlemail.com.

Merrie Christmas & Happy New Year !

2011-12-21T10:47:00.000-08:00

Another year of blogging has gone by and once again I would like to thank my regular contributors who have helped me in this fifth year. There have been so many highlights for me; Laurence has undoubtedly enhanced our appreciation of the movie with that amazing picture strip and various memorabilia (including the souvenir programme). Neil managed to locate Alex Bryce’s daughter, and has continued tirelessly to uncover interesting articles about the life of the stars. Albie has sent in some wonderful photographs and helped us learn more about the history of Sherwood Forest, including Edwin’s Chapel. His intense research into the ancient roads and ‘The King’s Great Way’ through the forest helped me achieve a lifelong ambition.

Mike sent in stunning Japanese and Spanish posters from the movie and continued to enthral us with his paintings, including his interpretation of Herne the Hunter. Meanwhile Geoff Waite gave us more details about the career of the musician and singer Elton Hayes.

We discovered the winner of the poll for the favourite Robin Hood of all-time and a gangster who nearly became him. We also saw more pictures from the film premiere and had new information on the lives of Joan Rice and Catherine Grant-Bogle. There has been a great deal more and I have now reached 568 posts.

So it has been another tremendous year! Thank you so much for your wonderful support and hope to here from all of you very soon. I would like to wish you and your families a Merrie Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

Disney Robin Hood Hat 1951

2011-12-14T11:52:00.000-08:00

There are many promotional items that can be seen on this blog produced during the release of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). But the hat above is a bit of a mystery to me and I would appreciate any feed-back. It is a magazine/newspaper advertisement for what is described as a ‘Disney Hat-Robin Hood’ from 1951 which was the year the film was actually in production at Denham Studios. So was the hat made by Walt Disney Productions to advertise the forthcoming film? Any information would be much appreciated.

Picture Strip 42 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-12-06T07:25:00.000-08:00

These are the final pages of Laurence’s fantastic picture strip of Walt Disney’s movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). I am sure you will agree that he has not only given us a chance to re-live the magic moments again, but also to see and appreciate each scene in all its Technicolor glory.

His wonderful work has gone a long way to keeping the memory of the film alive and hopefully shown to my new readers why it is loved by so many. So, a very special thank you to Laurence for regularly sending the picture strip in to me.

To view all the previous pages, please click here.

Information on Catherine Grant-Bogle

2011-12-02T08:11:00.000-08:00

Richard Todd and Catherine-Grant-Bogle in 1954

It is always very rewarding for me to get some feedback from readers of my blog. So I was thrilled to receive an email from Pam this week about the mysterious later years of Catherine Grant-Bogle. Up until now, very little was known about her life after she was divorced from movie legend Richard Todd (1919-2009). So I am sure my readers will be very interested in what Pam has to say:

“I was looking up info on Richard Todd when I saw this article on Catherine Grant-Bogle. She was my landlady in 1970/71 in London, in a flat near the Tate Gallery.

I am Canadian and was backpacking through Europe with my girlfriend. She took me, my girlfriend and a girl from Hawaii in for room and board. The rooms were as the children left them and she didn't want us to touch or move anything. She also didn't want us using the kitchen and when she found the three of us making dinner, she was very upset.

She was very bitter about the divorce and told us stories. Her son Peter also came by a few times to check on her. I also have a picture of her with her cat in my photo album.

I went back to London with my first husband in 1978 and went to show him the flat. And there she was walking down the street coming out of the liquor store, looking a little worse for wear.

I am surprised to see that she lived another 20 years after I last saw her. She didn't look well and the difference in her from 1971 to 1978 was astounding!”

Pam continued:

“She did seem so sad, not only when I was rooming at her flat, but especially when I saw her walking down the street a few years later. She was a sweet lady.

Anyway, just thought I would share this with you.”

I would like to thank Pam very much for this glimpse into the later years of Richard Todd’s first wife. If anyone can add some more to this information, or would like to comment on anything concerning the movie or its actors please get in touch at disneysrobin@googlemail.com.

Walt Disney’s First Maid Marian

2011-11-26T03:28:00.000-08:00

Above is a press photograph of Joan Rice at the Dorchester Hotel in London on 28th February 1951, where it was officially announced that she had been chosen to play Maid Marian alongside Richard Todd as Robin Hood in Disney’s up and coming Technicolor motion picture.

Joan Rice was always proud of the fact that she was Walt Disney’s ‘first Maid Marian,’ and for nearly five years I have tried to piece together her life story. It reads like a fairytale how, as a child from a broken home, she was sent to an orphanage near Sherwood Forest and eventually became chosen by Walt Disney himself to play in his live action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Of course it wasn’t all to be glitz and glamour, but through all her troubles, friends and family have described her as such a warm and friendly person. This blog is dedicated to her memory and there are now over 45 posts about this beautiful actress, including stills, magazine articles and details of her life.

Meeting the Outlaws

2011-11-21T08:52:00.000-08:00

This is one of many stills from Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). From left to right we see Anthony Forwood as Will Scarlet, Richard Todd as Robin Hood, James Robertson Justice as Little John, Hal Osmond as Midge the Miller and Elton Hayes as the minstrel Allan a Dale. To see our large collection of images from the movie please click on the Picture Gallery.

Picture Strip 41 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-11-18T07:38:00.000-08:00

This is part 41 and we are sadly comming to the end of Laurence’s excellent picture strip of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Please click here to see previous pages of Laurence's picture strip.

Robin Hood's Colourful Chair Part 2

2011-11-13T05:58:00.000-08:00

‘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

Trial By Battle : 26th March 1956

2011-11-06T08:24:00.000-08:00

After seeing the recent pages of Laurence’s excellent picture strip from Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952), I was reminded of an article I wrote way back in 2006 for ‘The Sherwood Forrester’, an online magazine produced by The Adventures of Robin Hood Appreciation Society.

In that year I had been given the box set of the classic TV series The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-1958), which I was thoroughly enjoying watching again after many, many, years. Not only was I thoroughly impressed by the quality of the writing and acting, but also the respect it gives to the legend.

As many of you regular readers know, there are quite a few connections between this wonderful, black and white television series and Disney’s Technicolor masterpiece that preceded it. Some of the actors from the movie appeared in certain episodes, including Hubert Gregg and Patrick Barr, who recreated their roles for the small screen. Some familiar props were used, including the highly decorated chairs that also found their way into the ‘Robin of Sherwood’ TV series thirty years later.

But what surprised me most of all was the ending to an episode called ‘Trial by Battle’, episode 27 in series 1, which was first shown on 26th March 1956. In the final scene Robin is held down on his sick bed and he is forced to eat some broth from a wooden spoon by the determined Maid Marian and his band of outlaws. Sound familiar?

In this episode we also see Hal Osmond (Midge the Miller in Disney's Story of Robin Hood) playing the King's Comissioner and a highly decorated chair used in the Disney movie.

TRIAL BY BATTLE

Maid Marian is doomed to hang,
Brave knights it seems are all too few,
Of course it’s Robin Hood at last,
Who proves her champion true.

We journey with Friar Tuck on his obstinate ass into Sherwood Forest and to the outlaws’ camp. He is absolutely furious about being left out of Robin’s confidence and upon hearing his plans to ambush the King’s Commissioner at Pilgrims Cross Roads from the gossiping regulars of the Blue Boar Tavern.

At the camp in the greenwood, Maid Marian confirms that the King’s Commissioner is due to arrive at Nottingham Castle to examine the accounts of the shire. But Robin is as surprised as Friar Tuck to hear this ‘rumour’. So the outlaw band set off to the crossroads to ‘make sure the right outlaw’s way-lay the King’s Commissioner.’

As Robin and his band witness the melee through the trees, they soon realise that this is no ‘honest robbery’, but murder their laying on their heads. The outlaws join the fight to protect the Commissioner and a swordfight ensues between Robin and Sir Gyles of Wren.

Upon hearing this character’s name, I was immediately drawn to the ancient ballad of ‘Robin and Gandelyn’. The subject of this mysterious and eerie poem is the traditional New Year’s hunting of the wren, called Wrennock of Donne, in vengeance of the robin murdered at midsummer. Coincidence?

Sir Gyles of Wren wounds Robin and he stumbles against a rock, luckily Little John intervenes with his quarter staff and drives the evil knight away. The King’s Commissioner identifies Robin Hood and the distinguished guest is taken to the outlaws’ camp.

With birds chirping merrily in the trees, Marian, Robin (with his left arm in a sling) and his men sit with their invited guest at the feasting table in the greenwood. I couldn’t help noticing the eye contact between Robin and Marian during the scene when King’s Commissioner refuses to consume the royal venison and drink the wine. To Little John and Friar Tuck’s astonishment the guest explains the biological effect to the stomach and digestion this food can have. To which Friar Tuck rather squeamishly asks for a scrap of dried bread.

Hal Osmond as the King's Commissioner

“I carry my own diet,” said the Commissioner and brought out a bag of eggs and nuts. So when he is asked to pay his way, he firmly refuses, grabbing his sword, saying he ‘will give up not one jot of the king’s property, certainly not to outlaws!’

Robin, now assured of the Commissioners determination to defend the monarch’s interests with his life, orders his men to accompany him back to his horse. “Now I begin to see why Sir Gyles could contemplate murder!” said Marian. “He’s too honest to be long in Nottingham Castle,” said Robin who then asks Marian, as she is going to have her accounts read, to keep a watchful eye on him. But Marian is concerned about leaving Robin with a serious wound to his upper chest. Robin, after giving Marian a reassuring kiss warns her to take a dagger for her own protection.

Within the grey shadowy walls of Nottingham Castle, Sir Gyles of Wren and the Sheriff are deep in conversation. “No! I will not risk everything to correct your blundering stupidity, blusters the Sheriff. “Don’t stir your bile, Sheriff”, growls Sir Gyles, “he’s got to go one way or another.” But the Sheriff, who is obviously involved in the plot to kill the King’s Commissioner, is concerned about ‘the shadow of suspicion.’ Marian, meanwhile, is following the Commissioner’s every move and when she offers to fill his flagon his frustration boils over. Sir Gyles then intervenes with: “Commissioners of the Exchequer get over sensitive about poison, you baggage*!”

(*An unusual term that was used in Romeo and Juliet: ‘Hang thee young baggage, disobedient wretch.’ Capulet to Juliet Act 3 Scene 5).

The Disney chair behind Maid Marian (Bernadette O'Farrell)

This abusive term used at Lady Marian, angers the rather foppish Sir Walter of the Glen (played by Nicholas Parsons). But Sir Gyles dismisses Sir Walter’s anger. “Any knighthood or womanhood that can’t stomach my language, I’d have my doubts about, particularly a minx that uses a dagger at her girdle. Afraid of the Sheriff, my girl?”

Sir Gyles then moves behind Marian and in front of Sir Walter. He carefully places his arms around her and sneeringly says, “Maybe you’re planning to do the Commissioner in at that, eh?” While Sir Walter protests, Sir Gyles, holding Maid Marian closely, slyly slips her dagger out of its scabbard.

The Sheriff intervenes, apologizing to the Commissioner (who is beginning to show signs of a heavy cold) for the unrest, and suggests he puts off reading the documents till tomorrow. But he insists on being conducted to the room containing the shire accounts.

Sir Walter touchingly attempts to comfort the Lady Marian after her treatment by Sir Gyles. But Marian is preoccupied by the sudden disappearance of the evil knight whom she suddenly sees making his way up the torch lit steps towards the Commissioner’s room. So in a moment of panic she rushed up the winding castle stairs, through the open door, into his room, only to find the poor man lying dead by the fireplace.

Her beautiful face is frozen with shock as she suddenly realises her ornate dagger is missing and as she attempts to remove it from the Commissioner’s back the booming voice of Sir Gyles is heard. “Hold!” The Lady Marian froze with the dagger in her hand. Sir Gyles, Sir Walter and the Sheriff then entered the room. “How could you!” barked Sir Gyles. “You’re inhuman. How could you kill this poor little man?”

The Sheriff immediately jumps to Marian’s defence, astonished that Sir Gyles could accuse the Lady of such a thing. But the evil knight points out that Marian was removing her dagger from the Commissioner’s back. He then threatened the Sheriff that if he didn’t report this, he would inform Prince John of ‘a few other matters he would be interested to hear.’

So reluctantly the Sheriff orders Lady Marian Fitzwalter to stand trial before her peers for the murder of the Commissioner of the King’s Exchequer. The first half of the episode finishes with a close up the beautiful Marian looking frightened and very vulnerable.

Gathered in a rather cramped shadowy courtroom, Sir Gyles informed the jury how he witnessed Lady Marian drawing the dagger out of the Commissioner’s chest. She stood looking vulnerable, flanked closely by two armed guards and immediately replied, telling the members of the court how Sir Gyles had put his arms around her and stolen her dagger.

But the concerned Sheriff reminded her that there was no evidence that the dagger was ever stolen and that witnesses had established that the dagger was in her possession before the Commissioner had retired for the evening. When he then asked her why she had decided to wear such a weapon, she mistakenly revealed that she already knew that Sir Gyles had attempted to murder the commissioner once before.

Anxiously the Sheriff glanced at Sir Gyles and then lowered his voice and asked her where she had heard this information. Realising what she had said Marian tried to cover her tracks by nervously saying that it must be Sir Gyles because he had succeeded in murdering the Commissioner in the castle. Once more Lady Marian pleaded to the Sheriff that her dagger had been stolen. “When did you notice its loss?” asked the Sheriff. “When I drew it out I realised,” she replied. “So you admit that you drew out the dagger!” There was silence and then the Sheriff rose to his feet….. “Milords," Marian interrupts," I can read my judgement and doom on your faces, but I will not be hanged on the word of a murderer. I challenge Sir Gyles to defend the truth of his cause, in trial by battle.” “So be it!” announced the apparently relieved Sheriff. “By the Moot Court of Nottinghamshire, that Sir Gyles of Wren will meet the champion of Marian Fitzwater in trial by battle one week hence from this day!”

Friar Tuck visits Maid Marian in her cell

In her cell, Marian is visited by Friar Tuck, who in a hushed voice informs her that she can’t rely on Robin because his wound had not healed. Marian breaks down: “I expect I always counted on Robin, without knowing it. You take it for granted he will be there if you need him. I felt so brave, but now I am frightened.” In desperation Friar Tuck visits Sir Walter, but he had been recently ambushed by four knights who had broken his legs. His next visit was the Lord of Drune, who admitted to the Friar of selling his soul to the Devil. His lands would be forfeit if he defended the Lady Marian.

Back at the camp, an anxious Friar Tuck tells the outlaws the grave news around the flickering campfire. Robin lying on his sick bed overhears this and weakly staggers to his feet. He awkwardly removes his blanket and slips unnoticed out the camp.

Maid Marian faces the executioner

The drum beats menacingly slowly as the Lady Marian is led from her cell towards the long black shadow of the executioner. She suddenly sees her accuser, who sneeringly asks her, “Frightened, girl? No champion? I hear there is a plague of palsy in the knee among the flower of knighthood!” A desperately concerned Sheriff tells Marian he hasn’t slept for a week with worry. He advises her to confess her guilt and she will only lose her lands and live under house arrest as his prisoner. “Marian,” he pleads, “I claim to be no better than the evil times we live in, but I am no worse. Would marriage to me be so harsh a sentence?” “When I am married,” she replied, “I will be bound to my husband with something stronger than chains!”

With the shadow of the executioner behind him, the Sheriff announces to a gathering, consisting of some ashamed and embarrassed knights that he will call for Lady Marian’s Champion three times before divine providence. Disguised as a pilgrim, a worried Little John informs Friar Tuck that Robin had visited an apothecary during the evening and when told to lie down had gone off.

On the third and final call, to Marian’s surprise, a rustic appeared from the crowd and announced himself as Hugh son of Tom, freeman and freeholder on the land of Fitzwalter. As he approaches her she eventually sees through his disguise and realises it is Robin. Marian tells ‘Hugh’ that she can’t allow him to fight as she had heard he had been ill. But the rustic replies, “Sickness of the body can be cured, but sickness of the heart, to let you die without raising my hand, I could never endure.” So a relieved Marian, with a sparkle in her eye announces her acceptance of her new found champion.

Robin, with his left arm almost motionless, eventually manages to back Sir Gyles into a wood pile and with superb swordsmanship flicks the murderer’s sword from his hands. Sir Gyles immediately cries craven. The Sheriff’s face cannot hide his relief. “Lady Marian,” he announces, “You are now free and innocent before Heaven and man.” There is much rejoicing, but Robin’s weakness shows through and he begins to stumble. But help is at hand as the disguised outlaws rush to his aid and he is led away.

Robin defeats Sir Gyles

This wonderful episode ends in a similar way to the final scene in Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood, where Robin is held down on his sick bed and he is forced to eat some broth from a wooden spoon by the determined Maid Marian.

Robin is forced to eat broth

Writer: Arthur Behr (Waldo Salt)

Director: Terence Fisher

Stars:
Richard Greene (Robin Hood)
Bernadette O’Farell (Maid Marian)
Alexander Gauge (Friar Tuck)
Alan Wheatley (Sheriff)
Archie Duncan (Little John)

Guest stars:
Arthur Skinner (Outlaw), John Dearth (Outlaw), Willoughby Gray (Earl of Drune), Charles Stapley (Outlaw), Nicholas Parsons (Sir Walter of the Glen), John Longden (Sir Gyles of Wren), Barry Shawzin (Sir Hubert the Stout), Hal Osmond (King's Commissioner)

Picture Strip 40 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-11-04T14:14:00.000-07:00

This is part 40 and we are sadly comming to the end of Laurence’s excellent picture strip of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Please click here to see previous pages of Laurence's picture strip.

Robin Hood's Tomb

2011-10-30T08:15:00.000-07:00

As we are in the season for spooky stories and tales of eerie events, I thought it would be appropriate to feature a mysterious account by Thomas Gent (1693-1778) about Robin Hood’s tomb.

Born in Ireland of English parents, Thomas Gent was a member of the Stationer's Company and worked with Samuel Richardson in London before setting up as a printer at York in 1724. From his print shop in York, Thomas Gent produced many editions of Robin Hood Garlands. This story however, appeared in Gent’s 1730 work, ‘Ancient and Modern History of the famous City of York,’ and was also published in Joseph Ritson’s collection on Robin Hood in 1832.

Gent had been told that:

“[Robin Hood’s] tombstone, having his effigy there on was ordered not many years ago, by a certain knight, to be placed as a hearth-stone in his great hall. When it was laid over-night, the next morning it was ‘surprisingly’ removed [on or to] one side; and so three times it was laid and as successively turned aside. The knight, thinking he had done wrong to have bought it thither ordered it should be drawn back again; which was performed by a pair of oxen and four horses, when twice the number could scarcely do it before.”

(Joseph Ritson Robin Hood page xxxix)

Robin Hood’s grave at Kirklees has been the subject of much controversy. The drawing of the gravestone above was made in 1665 and only a small portion of the stone now remains. It is said that a chip of Robin’s tombstone was a cure for toothache and when the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway was being constructed in the early 19th century, the navvies placed pieces of it under their pillows to allay the pain!

For more information on Robin Hood's death and Kirklees, please click here.

Peter Finch, Walt Disney and Errol Flynn

2011-10-26T10:35:00.000-07:00

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.

Picture Strip 39 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-10-24T09:26:00.000-07:00

This is part 39 and we are sadly comming to the end of Laurence’s excellent picture strip of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Please click here to see previous pages of Laurence's picture strip.

Parliament Oak

2011-10-20T08:26:00.000-07:00

Although I have visited Sherwood Forest many times, I have never seen the Parliament Oak. So I am very grateful to Albie, who is lucky enough to live near Sherwood, for once again sending in some very interesting information and wonderful pictures of the legendary tree.

It was during his stay at Clipstone that King John (1166-1216), after hearing the news of a Welsh revolt, is said to have summoned a council of barons under the branches of this ancient oak in the summer of 1212. The boundary of Clipstone Park was formerly at this tree, which stood in the park fence. Seventy eight years later Edward I (Longshanks) is also said to have held Parliament here.

Albie says:

“The tree originally had two trunks but due to age damage and neglect one is much reduced in size. It is believed to be 1200 years old which make it the oldest tree we know of in Sherwood, if true. It once formed part of the pale (fence) that enclosed the deer park of Clipstone - this fence stretched nearly eight miles and was the sole reserve for the King's to hunt in. The tree marked the Hell Gate entrance of the park, which was in existence from 1180 until 1830.

Whilst staying at the Hunting Palace at Clipstone in 1212 King John was warned of a Welsh uprising. The legend is he gathered his nobles at the oak to 'have parley' with them about the situation. This was effectively a session of Parliament hence the association with the name. From here John returned to Nottingham where he was holding the young Welsh hostages in the castle. He then hung them one by one from the castle walls as a lesson to the Welsh rebels (whose sons they were). It is said their ghostly screams can still be heard at night near the castle walls.

Another local tradition states that the Ancient Barons met and brought to King John the terms which laid the foundation of the Great Charter (Magna Carta)' which was signed at Runnymede in 1215.

In Edward I’s reign another Parliament was said to have been held under the oak in 1290. The king was en route to Scotland. This was a large parliament held on St Michael's Day with nearly 300 petitions and pleas being heard. There has to be some doubt whether this session was held under the trees but the stories have persisted down the centuries that it did.

The tree survived the onslaught of the English Civil War (1642 -46) when most of the ancient oaks were felled for timber to build the Royal Navy up. It was largely neglected from then until a few years ago when its survival was looking bleak. Work was carried to ensure the tree will thrive and it is now in the care of the Sherwood Forest Trust based in Edwinstowe. A small enclosure helps protect the tree and a couple of parking bays nearby allow access as it stands alongside the busy A6075 road between Mansfield Woodhouse and Edwinstowe. At the rear of the tree is an excellent view across the Maun Valley across what was originally the Clipstone Deer Park. When in its heyday The Hunting Palace was probably visible from here.”

(ALBIE)

A Letter from Richard Todd

2011-10-14T07:39:00.000-07:00

Mike has very kindly sent in a letter he received from the late actor Richard Todd (1919-2009).

He says:

"I thought you might like to see this thank you letter I got from Richard Todd. As you will see he was very good to reply in a personal way. The card I sent was the original poster [Robin Hood], I added birthday wishes etc which made it a bit special."

I am sure you will all agree that this is yet another example of the genuine warmth and kindness of the great man.

Picture Strip 38 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-10-11T09:05:00.000-07:00

This is part 38 and we are now reaching the climax of Laurence’s fabulous picture strip of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Please click here to see previous pages of Laurence's picture strip.

Elspeth Gill

2011-10-06T08:02:00.000-07:00

We have made some amazing discoveries on this site over the last four years and this is certainly one of the best. Neil has recently managed to contact the daughter of Alex Bryce (1905-1961), the Second Unit Director on Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood (1952). Elspeth Gill has very kindly sent Neil some unique photographs of her visit on set during the making of Disney’s live-action motion picture at Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire.

Elspeth’s father was in charge of the Second Unit, which specialised in all the action shots and fight scenes of this wonderful Disney movie. These included the ambush of the royal coach, the rescue of Scathelok in the market square and Robin’s various battles with the Sheriff. She was about sixteen years old at the time and remembers the filming very well.

In Elspeth’s first photograph we can see Richard Todd (Robin Hood), behind the scenes giving her archery lessons and in the second, she is in full costume and riding one of the horses.

I would like to thank Elspeth for sharing with us these wonderful photographs and Neil for sending them to me. Perhaps she can share some more of her magical memories with us all in the future.

The Sheriff of Nottingham by Richard Kluger

2011-09-30T07:45:00.000-07:00

In literature we have witnessed Robin Hood continually evolving from a yeoman, a nobleman and a Saxon rebel, in his endless battles of wits against the cruel Sheriff. I was interested to discover the Pulitzer-prize winner Richard Kluger’s different approach to Robin’s arch nemesis.

His historical novel, The Sheriff of Nottingham, first published in 1992, is based on the life of Philip Marc a soldier of fortune, brought over from Touraine by King John and made High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire from 1204-1224. Marc’s shrievalty was researched by the Cambridge Professor Sir James Holt, who described his conduct as ‘zealous, thrustful and dangerous; envenoming the local politics with robbery, and false arrest.’

Remarkably Marc is even named in the Clause 50 of Magna Carta as one of a number of his family to be completely dismissed from office. These details of Marc’s life as a contender for the infamous villain of the Robin Hood ballads have been highlighted in various posts on this blog.

Kluger tips the legend on its head with his revisionist 480 page journey back to thirteenth century England. Here we have Marc’s rise to power from poverty to his reward by King John of a commission as Sheriff; we witness his journey with his family to Nottingham Castle, but unlike his infamous historical namesake, the author paints a different picture of him. This Philip Marc is an honourable, decent and generally respected loyal servant of the king, only trying to do a tough job.

Sadly though this book in my opinion is very wordy, it tends to plod very slowly from one episode to another, and at times I nearly gave up with it. His characters - a blend of historical and fiction-are shallow and lack any depth and colour. The fickle earl, the Jewish moneylender, the aged prior and even the village prostitute conform relentlessly to their stereotypes.

In the novel, Philip Marc faces continuous tests of his ability as an officer of the crown. His unquestionable loyalty to King John is pushed to the limit when he is instructed by the monarch to execute some Welsh princes from Nottingham Castle.

Kluger bases this on the popular legend that in 1212 the tyrannical King John ordered the death of 28 Welsh hostages. The boys, (the youngest was seven) were the sons of Prince Llywelyn's supporters who had risen in revolt. Tradition states that they were dragged from their play and hung from Nottingham castle walls.

This chapter in the story kept me interested and was certainly the most intense and well written part of the book. Unfortunately later, as I turned the pages, I seemed to lose that mood quite often, especially when Kluger introduces us to the woodsman Stuckey Woodfinch of Blythe, his version of Robin Hood.Of course, you cannot have the Sheriff of Nottingham without Robin, but in this novel the outlaw’s inclusion seems to be almost an afterthought. In a twist of the legend Kluger has Marc eventually using Stuckey’s knowledge of the greenwood and employing him as a freelance forester.

Stuckey says to Marc:

“Your brother agreed from the first that my former identity might hamper my work among the foresters as your secret eye-in-the-wood and raise suspicion of some continuing link to the castle. So I’ve changed a bit and in look and name. My ‘Stuckey’ always lacked the dignity with which I’m so fashionably gifted, so I’ve killed it outright. My ‘Woodfinch’ I’ve played around with a bit. ‘Hood’ rhymes with ‘wood’ and means a cloak of sorts, which is the purpose of my rechristening, after all. And still being fond of our feathered friends for their freedom of flight and sweetness of song, I sought a birdy name of the same length to replace ‘finch.’ Only ‘eagle,’ ‘stork’ and ‘robin’ came to mind, with the first two predatory to suit my kindly nature and the second too ungainly to love. So there you have it.”

“Have what?” asked Philip.

“My new name.”

The sheriff wore a confounded look. Then it came to him. “What-Master Hood Robin? A bit odd, if you ask me. But I suppose if you’re pleased by it....”

“No it seemed better the other way ‘round.”

A bit odd indeed!

But for me the most bizarre moment in the book was when Robin and Will Scarlet disguised as travellers ambush the Prior of Lenton Abbey:

Will says:

“None of you is to move a muscle for five minutes.”

Did they have wristwatches during the thirteenth century?

So Richard Kluger attempted to offer us an interesting new angle on the much maligned Sheriff of Nottingham, set in the volatile politics of the time. It was a great idea, but I must admit to being very disappointed. Overall the novel was slow moving and I felt the character of Kluger’s Sheriff lacked realism and was far too squeaky clean. For me the fictional pure hearted Marc was too far removed from the real historical mercenary overlord and heavy handed Angevin administrator.

Picture Strip 37 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-09-26T08:59:00.000-07:00

This is part 37 and we are now reaching the climax of Laurence’s fabulous picture strip of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Please click here to see previous pages of Laurence's picture strip.

Hubert Gregg and Joan Rice

2011-09-16T07:56:00.000-07:00

Above is a very rare picture of Hubert Gregg (Prince John) and Joan Rice (Maid Marian) at the charity film premiere of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men at the Leicester Square Theatre on Thursday 13th March 1952. It was a very prestigious occasion, attended by many stars and celebrities of the time and the money raised went to ‘The National Advertising Benevolent Fund.’

It was announced from the stage (seen above) that the advertising in the programme alone, had produced over £13,000. Also appearing on the stage that Thursday night was Elton Hayes, dressed in his Alan-a-Dale costume, who delighted the audience with one of the songs from the film, which was adapted for the occasion (even with a playful dig at the films critics). The premier was ended with a ‘finely staged observance’ of the National Anthem with trumpeters beneath the Royal Coat of Arms and illuminated letters ‘ER’.

To read more about the premiere of the film click here.

Picture Strip 36 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-09-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

This is part 36 and we are now reaching the climax of Laurence’s fabulous picture strip of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Please click here to see previous pages of Laurence's picture strip.

Elton Hayes 'Folk Songs'

2011-09-07T09:18:00.000-07:00

Geoff Waite has recently been in touch and very kindly sent me the cover of a rare Elton Hayes EP.

He says:

“With reference to the Elton Hayes Song List, one of the records mentioned was an extended play (E.P) 45 called ‘Folk Songs’ released in the U.K by World Record Club, It seems that this was also issued in Australia by World Record Club Pty Ltd Melbourne as ‘18th Century Ballads’ which I feel was a more appropriate title. I am attaching a copy of the record sleeve in case you wish to add this to the song list. It has interesting sleeve notes which I am sending separately."

Geoff continues:

"I know from your previous comments that you share my dismay that none of Elton’s recordings on 78rpm or vinyl ever made it to CD except for ‘Whistle my Love’ and ‘The Owl and the Pussy Cat’. As a result his back catalogue is now abandoned and forgotten when new technology could have done so much to keep his music alive.”

Many thanks Geoff!

I do find it incomprehensible and a tragedy that a record company will not release Elton’s music onto a CD. It is such a shame that modern generations don’t have a chance to hear the warm and relaxing style of this traditional folk singer. Hopefully in the not too distant future, a music executive might realise!!

To see the Elton Hayes Songlist and read more about the life of this wonderful folk singer please click here.

Catherine Grant-Bogle

2011-09-02T10:35:00.000-07:00

Above is a rare picture sent in by Neil, of the actress Catherine-Grant Bogle, the first wife of Richard Todd (1919-2009). She married the star of Robin Hood, The Dambusters and The Longest Day on 13th September 1949. But sadly the couple divorced in 1970 and she passed away in 1997. What Catherine did after her divorce from Richard Todd remains a mystery, so if anyone can help with information on her later life, please get in touch at: disneysrobin@googlemail.com

For more information on Richard Todd please click here.

The Birth of English

2011-08-29T06:54:00.000-07:00

After having such a good response recently with my post on the medieval town of Nottingham, I have decided to continue with a similar theme. But this time it is inspired by a fantastic series called ‘The Norman’s’ by Professor Robert Bartlett. In my post last week we saw how the town of Nottingham was originally divided into two boroughs, one Saxon and one Norman. Each grew up alongside each other and eventually developed into the city we know today. This reflects how the English language first evolved, from its Saxon and Norman roots, to become one of the most influential languages in the world.

The Norman Conquest in 1066 brought a small mainly male group to power in England, a ruling elite of perhaps no more than 10,000 men. Intermarriage was common and the children of these Anglo-Norman marriages spoke ‘English’ because their mothers or wet-nurses were ‘English’ and the French and English languages are still playing out that dance that they began in 1066.

In the three centuries that followed the Conquest, thousands of French words entered the English language. First they were the words of power, politics and law (empire, govern, authority). But soon the language reflected Norman influence in every aspect of life.

Some of the new words were very important like, ‘war’, ‘peace’, ‘justice’ and ‘court’ and the reason the modern English language has so many different words for the same thing, is that the Normans introduced French alternatives. So ‘Royal’ derived from the French-‘kingly’ or ‘queenly’ from the ‘old English’ and the same with ‘country’ (French), land (English), ‘amorous’ (French), loving (English).

One of the things that make Anglo Saxon history seem strange or distant to us is the unfamiliarity of the names........ the Ethelbert’s’ and Egbert’s’. The Norman names, William, Henry, Richard and Robert caught on amongst the conquered and endure to this day. The ruling elite set the fashion; soon William was the most common male name in England even amongst the peasantry. Surnames that begin with ‘Fitz’ go back to the Norman practice of using ‘Fils’, meaning ‘son of’ as part of the name, giving us ‘Fitzsimons’ as ‘son of Simon’ or ‘Fitzgerald’, ‘son of Gerald.’

The languages were blending together, but French remained the tongue of the ruling class and nowhere are the class divisions clearer than with meat and drink. ‘Pig ’is English, ‘pork’ is French, ‘sheep’ is English, ‘mutton’ is French. So when it’s in a cold field covered in dung, its name is in English. When it has been cooked, carved and put on the table with a glass of wine, its referred to in French!

The association with ‘Frenchness’ with the English upper classes and the Saxon with the coarseness and vulgarity is one of the Norman’s enduring legacies. But over the decades the cultural distinction between Norman and Saxon gradually evolved and prospered to become one of the most influential languages in the world.

About a hundred years after the Battle of Hastings, the king’s treasurer Richard Fitz Neal wrote that ‘with the Normans and English living side by side and intermarrying the peoples have become so mingled that nowadays it is impossible to tell who is of Norman descent.’ And French the ‘language of power’ of the Norman’s, was by the 1500’s just a foreign tongue to be learned at school.

Picture Strip 35 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-08-26T08:12:00.000-07:00

This is part 35 and we are now reaching the climax of Laurence’s fabulous picture strip of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Please click here to see previous pages of Laurence's picture strip.

Medieval Nottingham

2011-08-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

Above is an excellent map of the medieval layout of the medieval town of Nottingham, showing the original French and English boroughs. Robin Hood would have been familiar with this!

After the Norman Conquest, King William ordered a castle to be built on the huge rocky red sandstone, on the site of the original Danish tower, to the south-west of the settlement. It was originally made of wood and later re-built in stone in the twelfth century. Nottingham Castle remained outside the towns boundaries until the nineteenth century.

So a Norman settlement grew up around the shelter of the new wooden castle, leaving the Saxons largely undisturbed in their area around St. Mary’s Hill. For administrative purposes, two boroughs were set up, one French and one English; each had its own language and customs with a boundary wall running through the market place. To this day two maces are borne before the Sheriff of Nottingham, representing these two boroughs. The church of St. Peter was founded alongside St. Nicholas, both were in the French borough, whilst the pre-conquest church of St. Mary’s , visited by Robin Hood in the medieval ballad ‘Robin Hood and the Monk’, was in the English.

Under this Norman protection in 1086 the two boroughs had between 600-800 people. The first of the Plantagenet king’s, Henry II commenced to re-build the castle and its fortifications around the town in stone. He also gave Nottingham its first Royal Charter in 1154 allowing the Burgesses (leading citizens) to try thieves, levy tolls on visiting traders and hold markets on Fridays and Saturdays. This charter also gave them the monopoly in the working of dyed cloth within a radius of ten miles.

The Market Square (the largest in England) quickly became a focal point of the town, it also had an annual fair and from 1284 Edward I permitted extra fair days and one of these days became what we now know as Goose Fair, when people from as far away as Yorkshire would come for the two day event.

During the medieval period, Nottingham’s main industry was wool manufacture. But there were many craftsmen in the town and some of those occupations can be identified by the remains of its old street names, such as Wheelwright Street, Pilcher Gate, Boot Lane, Bridlesmith Gate, Blow Bladder Street, Gridlesmith Gate, and Fletcher Gate.

To read more about Nottingham please click here.

The Robin Hood Festival

2011-08-17T09:19:00.001-07:00

Albie has very kindly allowed me to post his video clip of this year's Robin Hood Festival in Sherwood Forest. This annual event is always very popular and I can guarantee it is well worth a visit. To see other clips from Albie’s You Tube site, including ‘Sherwood Heath,’ and ‘Edwin’s Chapel and Hermitage’ please click here.

Picture Strip 34 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-08-13T08:36:00.000-07:00

This is part 34 of Laurence’s fabulous picture strip of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Please click here to see previous pages of the picture strip.

Joan Rice at the Premiere

2011-07-30T03:40:00.000-07:00

Above is a rare picture of Joan Rice arriving at the premiere of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men at the Leicester Square Theatre on Thursday 13th March 1952. She is being greeted by Bill Brooks, one of the score of ‘Merrie Men’ dressed in Lincoln Green who acted as guards on the night.

In the audience were many distinguished guests and celebrities, including the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor of Nottingham who presented a gift to Joan Rice (Maid Marian in the movie).

Other guests included Claudette Colbert, Donald Peers, Petula Clark, Herbert Wilcox and Anna Neagle.

The Mayor of Westminster also attended, along with the ‘real’ Sheriff of Nottingham who met up with Peter Finch (the Sheriff in the movie) at the reception. The theatre attracted hundreds of sightseers and was covered by the ‘television newsreel cameras’ of the time.

Alex Bryce and Richard Todd

2011-07-25T12:01:00.000-07:00

Alex Bryce (1905-1960) was a Scottish screenwriter, cinematographer and film director. During the filming of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men, Bryce was in charge of the ‘Second Unit’, which specialised in all the action shots and fight scenes. These included the ambush of the Royal Coach, the rescue of Scathelok in the market square and Robin’s various battles with the Sheriff. In the picture above (kindly sent in by Neil) we can see Alex Bryce and Richard Todd (Robin Hood) on location at Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire.

To read more about Alex Bryce and the filming of The Story of Robin Hood click here.

Picture Strip 33 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-07-23T08:37:00.000-07:00

This is part 33 of Laurence’s fabulous picture strip of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Please click here to see previous pages of the picture strip.

Spanish Poster

2011-07-18T08:46:00.000-07:00

Above is yet another poster advertising Walt Disney’s live-action movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men. This one is Spanish and may be from the year of the movie’s first release in 1952, as Peter Finch does not appear in the billing.

The King's Great Way Through Sherwood Forest

2011-07-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

The Sherwood Forest of the ‘Robin Hood films’ and novels, is nearly always a deserted, dense and impenetrable woodland, that sprawled across the county of Nottinghamshire as far north as Yorkshire. But in reality there were people in ‘the woodland belonging to the shire’ making a living. Expanding forest settlements often marked by the name of ‘Woodhouse’, such as Mansfield Woodhouse, Annesley Woodhouse and Kirkby Woodhouse existed within its boundaries. Woodland clearance in Sherwood started as early as prehistoric times and huge religious estates took over considerable areas of Sherwood, which was mainly used by the new monastic orders for farming and grazing sheep and cattle.

So the country side of medieval Sherwood Forest was probably a mixture of areas of oak and birch woodland interspersed with large and small areas of heathland, studded with gorse, heather and rough grassland. This was the landscape Robin Hood would have recognised. Place names that incorporate ‘feld’ such as Mansfield, Ashfield and Farnsfield possibly indicate that it had been open country from a very early date.

Cleared woodland in Sherwood Forest

The term ‘forest’, was a legal term in the medieval period. It meant an area which was subject to special laws designed to protect the animals, such as red, roe and fallow deer and wild boar, all conserved for the king to hunt. The vast open spaces of Sherwood made it ideal to be set aside as a royal hunting forest for the sport of Norman monarchs.

King John hunting in the Royal Forest

Powerful kings like Henry II extended Sherwood, but by the death of King John it had been considerably reduced. In 1218 the boundaries of the royal forest were clearly defined for the first time. There were changes during the Middle Ages, for instance in 1232, the area south from Oxton to Lowdham and the River Trent was included. But for most of the medieval period the 1218 boundary remained constant (see map below).

I have been interested in discovering the medieval routes through Sherwood for quite a long time. In particular, the original route of the major medieval highway known as ‘The King’s Great Way', which has been a subject of much speculation. But it wasn’t until Albie joined our merry band that I was able to use his invaluable experience and knowledge to help me. Week after week Albie cycled along the paths of Sherwood and posted back information to me that he had discovered. I am extremely grateful for his tireless and very thorough research that has helped piece together a fascinating part of Sherwood’s and Nottinghamshire’s ancient history.

Albie says:

“The Kings Great Way was also known as the Kings Great Highway, the King's Way and King's Way to Blyth amongst others. It was the original Great North Road after the old Roman one fell out of favour. The Roman road was Ermine Street which ran from London, Cambridge, Lincoln and hence on to York. From Lincoln the road ran north and crossed the Humber via a ferry before heading to York. There was a branch a few miles north of Lincoln which took a route across the Trent at Littleborough, on to Doncaster, north to Selby and then up to York. This was to avoid the ferry in bad weather. This was some distance away to the east from the current North Road and fell much in to disuse once the Romans left.

The King's Great Way

The King's Great Way that interests us was probably prehistoric in origin. It may have followed what is now the A5 out of London to St. Albans then followed roughly the current A6 towards Leicester. It entered Nottinghamshire at Rempstone on the same route as the current A60 and onwards to Nottingham. It then headed north and followed the route of the A614 to somewhere near Farnsfield whereby it took a more easterly route towards Bilsthorpe, and then to the east of Rufford brushing by the west edge of Wellow. It then tracked north east a short distance, brushing through Wellow Park, then swung north passing to the west of Walesby and onwards towards the current A614 and Blyth.”

I have recently discovered that Robert Thoroton alludes to it in his ‘History of Nottingham’ (1797) when he describes: ' .........and from thence by the great way from Blyth to Cuningswath Ford, and so on, the west part of the town of Wellow. And from thence by the great way which leads from Nottingham unto Blackstone Hew.’

This 'Cuningswath' was known as Konigswath (Saxon for the King's Ford) at the time this route was popular, and today known as Conjure Alders.

The Domesday Book also mentions the ‘King’s Road’:

“In Nottingham the River Trent and the dyke and the road to York are so protected that if anyone hinders the passage of ships or anyone ploughs or makes a ditch within two perches of the ‘King’s Road’ he has to pay a fine of £8.”
(Winchester 1086).

Albie continues:

“This became the favoured route in Saxon times with some minor deviations likely, until the 1200's or so. At this point a slightly more direct route became favoured to the west forming what is basically the current A60. The start of this deviation would have been close to where the current A60/614 spilt at Redhill Island today. This 'new' Great Highway passed close to Bestwood Lodge and park, through the village of Papplewick, close to Newstead Priory and on to Mansfield. It went through Cuckney, past Welbeck Abbey and onwards to Worksop (passing near the Priory) where it joined an ancient Roman road which entered the county near Sutton-in-Ashfield and continued up to Bawtry. I suppose the route may have offered more comfort from the 1300's onwards (see map below) for travellers that were passing through due to the Priories and towns offering lodgings.

It was also at the time that the Great North Road (see map below)started to gain in popularity passing close to the current A1 route. It entered the county to the east at Balderton and into Newark. From there it crossed the marshes near the Trent before snaking north to Tuxford. From there it went on a route slightly to the east of the current A1 (it completely bypassed Retford until 1776 believe it or not!) through to Barnby Moor before meeting the King's Great Highway at Bawtry.

All three routes were being used until the 17th century whereby the 'old' Kings highway became much less important, and to a lesser extent the 'new' Highway. It was at this point that the Savile's (of Rufford Abbey) moved the route of the 'old' Highway so that it missed Wellow and its Park. This would move the road a little nearer to the dry soil on the edge of Sherwood as Wellow is on a clay marl soil and more prone to being water-logged in bad weather (the change from sand to clay soil can be seen here in Walesby).

At some stage in the 1700's the 'old' Highway was moved again taking its route to the west of Rufford more or less along the current A614 route of today. I presume it was turnpiked although there don't seem to be any of the typical gatehouses along the route today (though there is one up at Blyth and the Rose Cottage pub opposite Rufford Park gates could have been one).

By this time the Great North Road was the major route to York and Edinburgh beyond. Traffic volumes on the old and new King's Highways would be fairly low (except local traffic) until the age of the car and metalled roads early in the last century.

The common factor of all these roads is that they all seem to converge on Bawtry. This was the point where the roads entered Yorkshire and higher (drier) ground beyond. In medieval times the traveller heading south had a choice of routes at this point. Much must have depended on whether they had business in Nottingham (on the riskier Sherwood route) or a direct journey to London and the south. The Sherwood routes were still renowned for being dangerous due to highwaymen into the 1700's.”
(Albie.)

Sherwood's medieval boundaries and the King's Great Way in c.1200 and c.1300

Above is a detailed map of the Royal Forest of Sherwood, showings its medieval boundaries in 1218, 1232 and 1600. Thanks to Albie's fantastic research I can now include the routes of The King’s Great Way in the 1200’s and later 1300’s. We can now see those routes, that monarchs, knights, merchants and travellers would have taken ( rather nervously) through Sherwood Forest, on their way either to London or York.

Picture Strip 32 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-07-11T07:38:00.000-07:00

I am sure, like me, you are eager to read part 32 of Laurence’s fabulous picture strip of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Please click here to see previous pages of the picture strip.

Louise Hampton

2011-07-07T08:24:00.000-07:00

Louise Hampton as Tyb

Louise Hampton only appeared in the opening scenes of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood (1952) as Maid Marian’s comical nurse, Tyb. This traditional character has her roots in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, when the Nurse provides not only comic relief during the play but is also Juliet’s faithful confidante. This formula was used to great comedic affect again in Warner Brothers ‘Adventures of Robin Hood’ (1938) when Una O’Connor played Marian’s nurse, Bess.

Sadly I can find very little about the life of Louise Hampton, other than what is mainly on IMDb. It states that Louise was born in Stockport, Cheshire in 1877. She was a obviously a very accomplished actress and during her long career appeared in three of my all-time favourite films, ‘Scrooge’(1951) alongside Alistair Sim, ‘Goodbye Mr Chips’ (1939) as Mrs Wicket and of course the 'Story of Robin Hood ' (1952).

Louise Hampton in 'Goodbye Mr Chips' (1939)

Her movie debut was in 1911, it was a silent thriller called ‘Driving a Girl to Destruction’ and after a long interlude she was back on the silver screen in ‘Brown Sugar’ (1922) and ‘The Eleventh Commandment’ (1924).

It is said that Louise looked upon film making as a secondary importance. It was the stage that was her first love and where she gained her most success. From September 7th, 1922 to the end of February 1923 she acted in Rudolf Besier and May Edginton's play, ‘Secrets,’ at the Comedy Theatre in London. The cast also included Fay Compton, Doris Mansell, Fabia Drake, Bobbie Andrews, Cecil Trouncer and Ian Fleming.

In 1933 she appeared in the play, 'The Late Christopher Bean,' at the St. James' Theatre in London, with Edith Evans and Cedric Hardwick.

But by this time motion pictures were being made with sound and Louise’s’ first ‘talky’ was ‘Nine Till Six’ in 1932. After this she made a whole string of movies, including ‘Tobias and the Angel' (1938), ‘The Silver Box’ (1939) 'Sheppey' (1939) ‘Goodbye, Mr. Chips’ (1939), ‘His Lordship Goes to Press’ (1939), ‘Castle of Crimes’ (1940), ‘Busman’s Holiday’ (1940) ‘The Middle Watch' (1940) and ‘The Saint Meets the Tiger’ (1941).

During February 1935 and April 1936 Louise appeared in the play, ‘Lady Precious Stream,’ at the Little Theatre in John Street, London. In 1938 she also acted in ‘Babes in the Wood' at the Embassy Theatre in London, with Angela Baddeley, Alexander Knox, Ellen Pollock, and Richard Caldicot.

A year later, along with making a host of movies, Louise was treading the boards again in Carel Kapek’s play, ‘The Mother’ at the Garrick Theatre in London. It was directed by Miles Malleson and had Nigel Stock in the cast.

Her later movies included 'Bedelia' (1946), ‘The Gentle Gunman’ (1950), ‘Files From Scotland Yard’ (1951), ‘Scrooge’ (1951), ‘The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men’ (as Tyb) (1952), ‘The Oracle’, (1953) and ‘Background' (1953).

Louise passed away on 11th February 1954 aged 76. She was married to Edward Thane.

If you have any more information on the life of Louise Hampton, please get in touch at disneysrobin@googlemail.com. I would be pleased to hear from you.

Robin Hood Flour Promotion

2011-07-02T06:14:00.000-07:00

This beautifully illustrated poster was yet another of the many promotions for Walt Disney’s live-action movie the ‘Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men’ (1952).

Included in the promotion of the film were three (?) giveaway small comic books, 7.25 inches tall x 5 inches wide and printed by Western Publishing. The first free comic was ‘The Miller’s Ransom,’ followed by the ‘Ghosts of Waylea Castle', the third is sadly unknown. The comics were written by Don Christensen and illustrated by Tony Sgroi and Russ Manning.

‘Robin Hood Flour' was founded in 1900 by Donald Mclean in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in western Canada. In 1909 the mill was taken over by Francis Atherton Bean of Minneapolis and within two years it was producing over 1,600 barrels of flour a day.

Using the green and red ‘archer’ emblem as a sign of good value and respectability, Robin Hood Flour and its recipes have remained popular for over a century. In the late 50’s and early 1960’s the company even used a jingle made from the theme tune of the classic TV series ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood.’

Sherwood's Forgotten Ancient Chapel

2011-06-28T07:37:00.000-07:00

I recently received a ‘whistling arrow’ from Albie in Sherwood Forest. The note attached asked if I was aware of ‘Edwin’s Chapel’ on an old track at the southern edge of the Sherwood Visitors Centre, halfway between Edwinstowe and Warsop. I must say I had never heard of it and was extremely keen to research its history.

Born in 584, Edwin was the most powerful king among the Anglo-Saxons, ruling Bernicia (Northumberland and Durham), Deira (modern day Yorkshire) and much of eastern Mercia, the Isle of Man and Anglesey. Initially a pagan, he lived at a time when the country was converting to Christianity in two very diverse ways - Celtic from the influence of Columba in Ireland and the north and Roman following the Augustine mission from Rome to Kent. He became the first Christian king of Northumbria and the most powerful ruler in England.

Edwin was baptized by Saint Paulinus at York at Easter in the year 627, on the site of the present York Minster, in the wooden church of St. Peter which he had founded. He was a man of unusual wisdom and under him the law was so respected, that it became, as the Venerable Bede attests, "A woman might travel through the island with a babe at her breast without fear of insult".

King Edwin married Ethelburga, daughter of St. Ethelbert, King of Kent after promising to allow her to practice her Christian religion. When Queen Ethelburg gave birth to a daughter, she was baptized with twelve others by St. Paulinus on Whitsunday, and called Eanfleda.

On 12 October, 633, King Edwin was slain and his army defeated at The Battle of Heathfield near Cuckney (or possibly further north near Doncaster). He was repelling an attack made on him by Penda, the pagan King of Mercia, who, together with the Welsh prince Cadwallon ap Cadfan, a Christian only in name, had invaded his dominion. Perishing in conflict with pagans, Edwin became regarded as a martyr. He had reigned seventeen years.

Legend has it that King Edwin's Northumbrian followers carried the body of their king from the battlefield to a clearing in Sherwood Forest so that his enemies did not steal it. His body was decapitated; they took the head of their monarch back to York, where it was buried in his newly founded St Peter's Cathedral and his body was interred at Whitby Abbey.

Edwin was revered as a saint, his feast day for obvious reasons became October 12th and his shrine in York became a place of pilgrimage.

The place where his body had lain became hallowed ground. A small wooden chapel was built on the spot and Edwinstowe -- or ‘Edwin’s resting-place’ -- was born.

There is no existing historical evidence of the foundation of ‘Edwin’s Chantry Chapel’ in Sherwood Forest. But it once stood approximately 250 metres to the east on the side of the old road leading from Edwinstowe to Warsop. The earliest known record is the bestowal, by King John, of the annual stipend of forty shillings in support of the chantry hermit who ‘sang in St. Edwin's Chapel in the Hay of Birchwude, to celebrate service for his soul and those of his ancestors.’

From this time and up until 1548 numerous bequests were bestowed and later the chapel is described as consisting of a ‘parler’ (living chamber) and a chapel. The Sheriff of Nottingham continued to pay over the stripend until it was confiscated during the reign of Edward VI. Royal Commissioners under Henry VIII then took away everything of value, including the church plate and the building was allowed to fall into ruin. But Survey maps show the chapel’s existence in 1610, and 1630.

The site was re-discovered in 1911 after research by the vicar of Edwinstowe and a William Stevenson. They managed to recover and identify some of the chapel’s original building stones and place them in a cairn. A memorial cross was then placed amongst the stones with a tribute from Arthur, Sixth Duke of Portland.

I would like to thank Albie for bringing the history of the chapel to my attention and supplying the excellent photographs.

Who Was Your Favourite Robin Hood ?

2011-06-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

For quite a while this survey has appeared on my blog and I feel it’s now time to reveal the winner! I have had 395 people take part in this poll and the winner with 96 votes is Michael Praed of the 80’s TV series ‘Robin of Sherwood.’ In second place with 86 votes was Errol Flynn in the classic Hollywood movie the ‘Adventures of Robin Hood.’ Jonas Armstrong’s portrayal of the outlaw in the recent BBC series earned him third place with 68 votes.

Our Richard Todd who appeared in Disney’s live action masterpiece received 45 votes which gave him fourth place. From the golden age of television, Richard Greene’s Robin Hood was given 38 votes and Russell Crowe’s most recent depiction gained him 19 votes. Kevin Costner’s 'Prince of Thieves' reached seventh place with 11 votes.

Eighth and just ahead of his father is Jason Connery who took over from Michael Praed in 'Robin of Sherwood'. Sean Connery is ninth with his portrayal of an old Robin Hood with 7 votes and in those green tights and with 6 votes is Cary Elwes, from Mel Brooks’s hilarious movie.

One of the most underrated versions of the legend featured Patrick Bergin as the outlaw, and he received 3 votes. Cornel Wilde, Barrie Ingham and Martin Potter just got 2 votes each and John Derek and Matthew Porretta had one apiece. From the silent era of Hollywood, Douglas Fairbanks sadly never got a vote.

Thanks to everyone who took part in this poll and I hope you found the result as interesting as I did. Look out for the next survey which will be on your favourite Maid Marian of all time!

Michael Praed the 'Favourite Robin Hood'

James Cagney as Robin Hood!

2011-06-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

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!

Picture Strip 31 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-06-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

Part 31 of Laurence's very popular picture strip of Walt Disney's original movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

To see previous pages of the picture strip, please click here: Picture Strip.

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Walt Disney and a Princess visit Robin Hood

2011-06-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

Above is Walt Disney feeling the weight of a helmet, on the Nottingham Castle set during his visit to Denham Studios in June 1951. Alongside him is Elton Hayes (as the minstrel Allan-a-Dale) and Richard Todd (Robin Hood ‘disguised as a soldier of the Sheriff’). In his autobiography (‘Caught in the Act,’ Hutchinson 1986) Richard Todd describes the ‘solid’ dungeon walls as being constructed of pure wood and plaster and the ‘metal’ ring made of papier mache'.

Filming of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men began on 30th April 1951. Ken Annakin, the director of the movie, in his autobiography (‘So You Wanna Be a Director,’ Tomahawk 2001) says that 10 weeks into shooting, Disney made a surprise visit to the set. Annakin describes how the great man had photos taken with the stars of the film in the Nottingham Square set on the lot. This also included ‘numerous’ pictures with Joan Rice (Maid Marian) on the archery field.

This fits with Richard Todd (Robin Hood) memoirs where he describes Disney coming over from London to Denham near the end of June 1951 and how he was thoroughly pleased with the way things were going.

Coinciding with Walt’s stopover, the then Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) paid a visit to the Denham Studios, accompanied only by her Lady-in-Waiting and Equerry. The future queen was shown by Walt Disney and the art director Carmen Dillon around the outside sets and the costume department. Perce Pearce, the producer of Walt Disney’s Robin Hood, insisted that filming should continue as normal, as that is what the young princess wanted to see. So for about twenty minutes she stood quietly in a dark corner, while production carried on, then gave a friendly wave and slipped out of the stage. I wonder what scene it was she saw being filmed?

To read more about the production of the film, Walt Disney, or see the Picture Gallery please click on the labels below.

Picture Strip 30 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-06-08T07:19:00.000-07:00

Part 30 of Laurence's very popular picture strip of Walt Disney's original movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

To see previous pages of the picture strip, please click here: Picture Strip.

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Joan Rice and 'The Company of Youth'

2011-06-04T04:07:00.000-07:00

Recently we have discovered that Joan Rice (1930-1997) continued her acting career on the stage after her film career had sadly faded. A while ago I posted a programme of Arthur Miller’s ‘A View From The Bridge,’ which was kindly sent in by Neil, showing Joan in her favourite play, as Catherine, at the Savoy Theatre in Kettering in September 1959.

Above is a much later programme showing Joan performing in John Mortimer’s ‘A Voyage Round My Father’ at the Wimbledon Theatre in May 1973.

I hope these postings have helped counter the statements by Richard Todd and Ken Annakin that Joan was never an actress. She actually attended ‘The Company of Youth,’ often known as the ‘Rank Charm School,’ J. Arthur Rank's training institution for young film actors. It was established adjacent to Rank's experimental Highbury studio in a disused church hall, under the auspices of Olive Dodds, the Organisation's Director of Artistes. The school trained its pupils in everything from voice production to fencing and launched the careers of stars like: Christopher Lee, Dirk Bogarde, Patrick McGoohan, Donald Sinden, Honor Blackman, Michael Craig, Kay Kendal, Shirley Eaton, David McCallum, Joan Collins and Diana Dors.

It is interesting to see Gay Hamilton also listed in the programme above. Gay had played the part of Maid Marian in the Hammer production ‘A Challenge for Robin Hood,’ in 1967; Joan of course played the same part beautifully for Walt Disney in 1952. Both actresses had also played alongside James Hayter in the role as Friar Tuck.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Joan Rice: if you have any information about her life or ever met her I would love to hear from you. Please get in touch at disneysrobin@googlemail.com.

To read more about Walt Disney’s first Maid Marian please click here: - Joan Rice.

The Forest Table

2011-05-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken one morning, in 'The Forest Table’ restaurant in the Visitor Centre, Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire. Sherwood is my spiritual home. There are posters from the many Robin Hood films made down the years, on the walls all around, and this is the owner of this blog sitting next to undoubtedly the best version of them all!

I thought I would take this opportunity to thank some of my regular contributors and visitors for their help and support of my blog. I would especially like to thank Laurence for his recent input and fantastic picture strip, Albie, Neil, Mike, Geoff and Avalon for their regular comments and contributions (it really means a lot!). Also a special thank you to my 24 Google Blog Followers! Together I believe we have helped give Walt Disney’s ‘Story of Robin Hood,’ some of the publicity and recognition it deserves.

Well, I have now reached 525 posts on this blog and had 5,269 visitors last month. Many come to read my articles about the film and its production; others enjoy reading about the legend of Robin Hood and places associated with him. We have travelled many paths in the search for the outlaw and there are a lot more to come!

So if you are a regular visitor to this site or it is your first time here, it would be great to hear from you. It can be information or a question about the legend, the Disney movie, its production, the actors and actresses, or comments about the blog, please get in touch. I will do my best to answer any questions you might have.

The More The Merrier !!

Picture Strip 29 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-05-25T23:47:00.000-07:00

Part 29 of Laurence's very popular picture strip of Walt Disney's original movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

To see previous pages of the picture strip, please click here: Picture Strip.

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Henry VIII meets Robin Hood

2011-05-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

Spring is my favourite time of year and in particular the month of May, when the celebrations begin to welcome the return of warmer weather.

May Day doesn’t appear in the Christian calendar, its origins are steeped in pagan tradition. The celebrations contain elements from the Roman Festival of Flora the Goddess of flowers and Beltane one of four major Celtic festivals. Taken from the god, Bel - the 'bright one', and the Gaelic word 'teine' meaning fire, we get ‘bright fire', representing the first day of Summer and the end of Winter. The thought of those long summer nights and a good harvest, with a plentiful supply of food to come, provided every excuse to celebrate May Day.

It was a tradition for young men and women to go out into the woods before sunrise in order to gather flowers and greenery to decorate their houses and villages with the belief that the vegetation spirits would bring good fortune and make the land fertile. Neighboring villages would compete to see who could bring back the largest piece of wood, which would be used as the maypole. Meanwhile young girls washed their faces with morning dew with the hope they would have radiant beauty for the rest of the year and made May garlands of flowers and foliage.

In 1480 the mayor of Coventry gives us an insight into the custom of ‘bringing in the May.’

“The people of every city – as London and other cities – yearly in Summer do harm to diverse lords and gentles having woods and groves nigh to such cities by taking of boughs and trees; and yet the lords and gentles suffer such deeds oft-times of their good will.”

The rest of the day was given over to various festivities. The villagers would take part in dancing on the village green, plays, archery and contests of strength. The highlight of the day was the crowning of the May Queen later the Maid Marian, the human replica of Flora. By tradition she took no part in the games or dancing, but sat like a queen in her flower-decked chair to watch over the subjects.

Maid Marian and the Friar with various characters from the May celebrations.

A shepherdess called Marian and her lover Robin have links with these village plays and pastourelles at a very early medieval period. Eventually the outlaw traditions merged with these games, plays and celebrations and gradually up and down the country Robin Hood and Maid Marian became interchangeable with the Lord and Lady of the May Celebrations.

In surviving churchwarden accounts we have the records of these ‘revels,’ 'sports,’ and ‘plays,’ of Robin Hood.’ In Croscombe, just outside Wells in Somerset, the parish records include ‘Roben Hodes recons,’ for the ‘sport’ or ‘revel’ of Robin Hood. The player of the outlaw paid the amounts regularly. The churchwarden’s accounts for Kingston-on-Thames mention the costumes of ‘Robyn Hode with the mores daunsaies, the frère and mayde Maryan.’ The Friar wore white and Marian was given a green cloth (Kendal) and a satin trimmed cloak.

Henry VIII and Katherine

It was during the early 16th century that the printing presses began producing editions of the ‘Geste of Robyn Hode.’ The popularity of the outlaw was now immense and this fascinating report from Edward Hall’s (c. 1498–1547), ‘Chronicle’ of 1516 shows that even royalty were invited to celebrate May Day with Robin Hood:

“The King and Queen [Henry VIII and Queen Katherine] accompanied with many lords and ladies rode to the high ground of Shooters Hill to take the open air; and as they passed by the way, they espied a company of tall yeoman, clothed all in green with green hoods and bows and arrows, to the number of two hundred. Then one of them, which called himself Robyn hood, came to the King, desiring him to see his men shoot, and the king was content. Then he whistled and all the two hundred archers shot and loosed at once, and then he whistled again, and they likewise shot again; their arrows whistled by craft of the head, so that the noise was strange and great, and much pleased the King and Queen and all the company. All of these archers were of the King’s guard and had thus appareled themselves to make solace to the King. The Robyn hood desired the King and the Queen to come into the green wood, and to see how the outlaws live. The King demanded of the Queen and her ladies, if they durst adventure to go into the wood with so many outlaws. Then the Queen said that if it pleased him, she was content. Then the horns blew till they came to the wood under Shooters Hill, and there was an arbour made of boughs, with a hall and a great chamber very well made and covered with flowers and sweet herbs, which the King much praised. Then said Robyn hood, Sir, outlaws breakfast in venison, and therefore you must be content with such fare as we use. Then the King and Queen sat down, and were served with venison and wine by Robyn hood and his men to great contention.”

This account shows that by the Tudor period Robin Hood was not only associated with unruly and often bawdy May celebrations, but had diversified into a genial host and had began to prepare the grounds for later theatrical productions.

Martitia Hunt as Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine

2011-05-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

Martitia Hunt (1900-1969) on the set at Denham Studios as Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine in Walt Disney’s ‘Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Playing the part of the mother of the crusading King Richard I and his scheming brother Prince John, she found herself the linchpin of a divided kingdom, a part, the elegant Martitia was made for.

To read more about the tall, stately, velvet voiced actress please click here: Martitia Hunt.

Some Images of Sherwood Forest

2011-05-14T04:47:00.000-07:00

Albie is a regular contributor to this blog and is lucky enough to live near legendary Sherwood Forest. He regularly cycles along the paths of that beautiful woodland and often sends in stunning pictures and information. Here are two links to his popular Youtube pages, ‘Albie in the Woods’ and ‘Albie on Tour. ’

Here are just a few of his recent snaps, including a carpet of bluebells amongst the ancient trees and two experimental panoramic shots (3 shots stitched together), which gives the viewer a feeling of actually being on the forest path. I am sure you will agree that these are fantastic images and certainly make me want to visit Sherwood very soon.

Here is a link to a lot more images and history of Sherwood Forest.

Picture Strip 28 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-05-13T12:02:00.000-07:00

Part 28 of Laurence's very popular picture strip of Walt Disney's original movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). This is one of my favourite scenes. I wish I could have carried Joan Rice (Maid Marian) across that stream!

To see previous pages of the picture strip, please click on the label below.

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Google Problems

2011-05-13T11:54:00.000-07:00

My post of the next edition of the picture strip from yesterday has completely vanished! This was something to do with Google. I am sorry for anyone that has left comments and I will re-post it today.

Guy of Gisborne

2011-05-07T03:52:00.000-07:00

Richard Armitage

In the recent BBC Robin Hood series created by Dominic Minghella and Foz Allan, one of the best loved and enigmatic characters was that of Sir Guy of Gisborne played by Richard Armitage. Like Basil Rathbone before him, in the classic Hollywood blockbuster The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), Armitage played the role of the Sheriff of Nottingham’s evil henchman who secretly is in love with Maid Marian. Thus an intriguing love triangle is formed between him, the beautiful Marian, and the outlaw Robin Hood. In his leather clad outfit, Armitage’s portrayal of the dark, complex and mysterious knight was in my opinion one of the best I have seen. But the BBC series didn’t stop with just Sir Guy though, and even introduced his sister!

Another hugely popular interpretation of Guy of Gisborne was accomplished by the late Robert Addie, in an earlier TV series of the 1980’s, ‘Robin of Sherwood’. Like Rathbone before him, Addie was an accomplished swordsman but also a competitive archer and a very experienced horseman.

Basil Rathbone

There may have originally been independent medieval tales of Sir Guy in circulation, and elements of his death may contain links to pre-Christian tradition. In the archaic and very violent ballad ‘Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne,’ (c.1475) he wears ‘capull hyde, top and tayle and mayne.’ This appears to be a complete horse’s skin and indicate a symbolic link to an ancient Germanic horse deity or ‘man-animal’.

In this surviving medieval ballad, Guy of Gisborne is a bounty hunter who attempts to capture Robin. But the outlaw foils the attempt and kills him brutally, by beheading him, sticking his head on the end of his bow, disfiguring his face and gouging out his eyes!

We are of course at the mercy of what has survived down the centuries. The Scottish poet, William Dunbar (1460?-1520?) wrote in his 'Dance of the Seven Deadly Sins' in 1508:

'Was never weild Robeine under beache,
So bauld a bairne as he;
Gy of Gisburne, na Allane Bell,
Off thocht war nevir so slie.'

Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne

A fragment of a genuine medieval Robin Hood play is written on the upper half of a half sheet of paper (8’’x10’’) containing household accounts from East Anglia dated May 1475-August 1475 and is kept at Trinity College, Cambridge. This verse play of twenty-one lines is possibly founded on the ballad of ‘Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne,’ unfortunately the villain is not mentioned by name.

But where is Gisborne, and who was Sir Guy?

Professor J. C. Holt in his groundbreaking book ‘Robin Hood’ (Thames & Hudson Second Addition 1988) agrees with the great ballad collector Francis J. Child, and suggests ‘the villain takes his name from a village known as Gisburn (Gisburne), ten miles from Wyresdale, to the east of Bowland Forest.’ This is seven miles from Cltheroe on the borders of Lancashire, which seems far removed from other sites associated to the legend.

But many years ago I stayed in York, quite near St. Mary's Abbey. It was while I was there that I bought a book on the many once magnificent Yorkshire Abbeys and discovered that the town and priory of Guisborough was once known as Gisborne!

Guisborough/Gisborne Priory

Robert de Bruce (d.1141) a Yorkshire baron founded the priory in 1129 for canons of the order of St. Austin on the south slopes of the North York Moors and dedicated it to St. Mary. All through its history the Bruce’s and their dependants were strong and generous supporters of the priory and many family descendants were buried there, including another Robert de Bruce, (1210-1295) the 5th Lord of Annandale, known as the ‘Competitor’ who by 1300 was claiming the crown of Scotland. Robert was son of Robert Bruce, 4th Lord of Annandale and Isobel of Huntingdon. It was his grandson, also known as Robert de Bruce (1274 –1329), who did become King of Scotland, and was the legendary victor at Banockburn.

The connections between Robin Hood and the Scottish hero Robert the Bruce are numerous and the Bruce family held the Earldom of Huntingdon for a long period.

Sadly, in the reign of Edward I (1289), the monastery was accidentally destroyed by fire, when all the books, relics, and goods were burnt.

The attractive market town itself may possibly have been built on an old Roman settlement, as many remains have been found in the area. The Domesday Book mentions three manors and a church in ‘Ghigesburg,’ and although Saint Nicholas Anglican Church has the de Brus cenotaph, today it contains nothing older than 1500.

In the year 1195, the town is known as 'Giselburn', indicating the name’s original meaning, 'rushing brook', from the words 'gisel burna', the town being sited on such a stream. Robert de Bruce’s brother William became the first prior and the name Gisborne appears to have been used sometimes as an alternative for Guisborough.

The first recorded spelling of the surname is shown to be that of Walter de Gisburn (also known as Walter Hemingford/Hemingburgh an Austin canon (c1280 – 1350). In 1302, he was sent with two other monks by his prior to confer with the Archbishop of York as to some disorders that existed at Gisburn.

Walter wrote the history of the Priory of St Mary's, Gisburn, during the reign of King Edward III. In most manuscripts of his chronicle he is described as Walter de Gisburn he was certainly at Gisburn in 1297 (Chron. ii. 130, 131), and was sub prior in 1302.

He writes:

“[1129] in that year was founded our house at Gysseburne by Robert de Bruys.”

And again:

“That he should be buried in our house at Gysseburne, next to his father.”

Gisborne Priory

At the Dissolution, Guisborough Priory was looked upon as the fourth richest monastery in Yorkshire, forty nine miles from York. From a manuscript in the Cottonian Library it is said:

.... “the prior kept a most pompous house, insomuch that the towne, consystinge of 500 householders, had no lande, but lived all in the abbey."

At the dissolution the annual revenue was to the amount of £628. 3s. 4d.

And in the priors Will he writes:

......."all my half year's pension which was due unto me at the feast of the Annunciation last past out of the possessions of the late Monastereye of Gisborne dissolved."

One of the benefactors to Guisborough or Gisborne Priory was the Lascelles family of Lincolnshire and a Picot de Lascelles gave to the Priory, sometime before 1229, a bovate of land at Aylesby in Lincolnshire.

A John de Lascelles was steward of Sherwood Forest and on the 7th July 1277 it was he whom, according to an enquiry held in 1287:

“...came to Salterford and there found Robert the Monk and Robert of Alfreton with bows and arrows; and he seized them and took them to Blidworth to hold them in custody until the morrow. And later that night twenty men armed with bows and arrows came to where the aforesaid men were under arrest, broke down the entrance to the building, sorely beat a certain Gilbert, page of the aforesaid John the Steward, who was keeping guard over the men, and released them from custody. Later all the aforesaid men attacked the chamber where the said John de Lascelles lay and broke the doors and windows of the said chamber. In which matter an enquiry was made by the foresters, verderers, regarders and other officials of the forest.”

They were too late and by the time the jury met, three of the accused had fled into Yorkshire, five could not be found and only a handful were captured. Perhaps Lascelles arranged for the three that had escaped into Yorkshire to be hunted down by a hired mercenary from Gisborne Priory or village, perhaps someone known as Guy?

‘I dwell by dale and downe,’ quoth Guye,
‘And I have done many a curst turne;
And he that calles me by my right name
Calles me Guye of good Gysborne.’

'Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne' (c.1475)

Ó Clement of the Glen (2010-2011)

Picture Strip 27 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-04-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

Part 27 of Laurence's very popular picture strip of Walt Disney's original movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

To see previous pages of the picture strip, please click on the label below.

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Joan Rice and Martin Boyce

2011-04-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

Recently I was thrilled to discover this very rare press picture of Joan Rice with her fiancé Martin Boyce. It was taken at London Airport and dated 14th November 1952.

Joan and Martin Boyce were engaged in July of that year. He was a manager of an auto parts and air compressor factory.

She described him in a magazine article as a, “regular pip of a fellow". She also revealed, “We went together for a year and three months before he proposed." "As I recall it, we held hands after four months, then he kissed me on the sixth month of our meeting each other and things were on a standstill after that, until I got the news I was coming to the States."

The engagement didn’t last long though, and approximately seven months later Joan was dating David Green, a film salesman and son of veteran comedian Harry Green, in London. Joan and David were married on February 16th 1953 at Maidenhead Register Office in Berkshire.

This blog is dedicated to the memory of Joan Rice and there are over 42 pages of pictures and information about the life of this beautiful actress. So to read more information about Walt Disney’s first Maid Marian, please click on the label below or visit here: Joan Rice.

If anybody has any more information on Martin Boyce or Joan Rice please get in touch with me at: disneysrobin@googlemail.com. It would be very much appreciated.

Picture Strip 26 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-04-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

Part 26 of Laurence's very popular picture strip of Walt Disney's original movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

To see previous pages of the picture strip, please click on the label below.

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Herne the Hunter

2011-04-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

Spring is my favourite time of year and over the last few weeks we have been blessed with some lovely warm weather. The cold grey cloak of winter has at last been finally lifted and gentle blossom is at last decorating the branches of the trees and hedgerows.

As I walk down my garden and admire the bluebells and the magnolia, it often reminds me of scenes in that excellent series ‘Robin of Sherwood’ of the 1980’s. The award winning writer Richard Carpenter very cleverly created a link in the screen play between Herne the Hunter, the mysterious Green Man and the Celtic fertility god, Cernunnos.

The shamanic figure of Herne the Hunter (John Abineri) featured in 17 of the 26 episodes and one particular story, ‘Lord of the Trees’ (31st December 1984) often reminds me of this time of year. In that wonderful episode the villagers set aside a ‘Time for the Blessing,’ a forest tradition held in the spring when no blood can be shed to guarantee a good harvest.

Many of my blog readers are familiar with the art work of Mike Giddens. A while ago I featured his version of Herne the Hunter from ‘Robin of Sherwood’ and along with his art work I did a short history of the mysterious legend of Herne the Hunter.

Above is Mike’s most recent painting of Herne and I am sure you will agree that this version is absolutely stunning. His fabulous artwork can be seen on his Facebook site and also throughout this website, including his beautiful interpretation of Maid Marian.

Longbows on the Mary Rose

2011-04-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

On a calm summer day in 1545, a French invasion fleet lay at anchor off Portsmouth, poised to attack England. On that day, Henry VIII’s favourite ship Mary Rose sailed into her final battle. As the king watched from the shore, she heeled over and sank, taking with her seven hundred men. The Mary Rose was lost for more than four centuries.
Millions of people from around the world held their breath as she finally surfaced again at 9.03 am on Monday October 11 1982 to the sound of cheers and klaxon blasts from the spectator fleet-and a single gun salute from Southsea Castle. Her rediscovery and raising had been a ground-breaking feat in the history of nautical archaeology.

The hull of the Mary Rose
I visited the Mary Rose in the late 1980’s. The exhibition was amazing, there is such a wide variety of artefacts that have survived the ravages of time, including Tudor longbows.

Until recently there was only one arrow in existence thought to date from the Tudor period. The Mary Rose discovery changed this situation dramatically.

According to contemporary records, the ship was stocked with 250 bows, 400 sheave of arrows and 6 gross of bowstrings. The bowstrings have not survived, but 168 bows and around 3,000 arrows have been safely recovered.

The English longbow was quick to shoot, unlike the powerful, accurate but cumbersome crossbow. A skilled archer might have been capable of shooting twelve arrows a minute, a rate of fire not equalled until the development of semi-automatic firearms in the 19th century.

Surviving Tudor Longbows

Mary Rose bows-mostly found stored in chests measure between 1.84 and 2.06 metres in length. Each is fashioned from a single piece of yew, cut to exploit the natural laminate which occurs in the living tree. The sapwood formed the ‘back’ and the heartwood the ‘belly’, theoretically giving the bow increased performance over any bow made of heartwood alone. The longbow could pierce armour at ranges of more than 250 yards. The bow stave was shaped into a D-section from a half cross section of a tree or branch. The string of the longbow was made from hemp as it was the strongest and least elastic fibre available which was soaked in glue as some protection against moisture. The longbow arrows, called bodkins, consisted of a straight shaft with a sharp point on one end. Long Bodkin point arrows were used for piercing chainmail and Short Bodkins were used for piercing armour plate. Demand for good bows led to a search for high quality yew staves throughout Europe.

Reconstructed Tudor Rose Arrows

Experiments show that the bows have around 50 per cent of original strength. The draw weight was probably between 40 and 80 kg at a 76 cm draw. Many of the arrows were made of poplar and were around 76 cm long and 13mm in diameter. The iron heads have been lost. So have the flights, but there are traces of the glue and binding thread.

“The English are the flowers of the archers of the world.” So said the Frenchman, Philip de Commines in 1580. Even though the gun was gaining in importance, the longbowmen of Tudor England were still a force to be reckoned with. The English Archery Law of 1363 had made it obligatory for Englishmen to practise their skills with the longbow every Sunday. Longbow training included much practised commands and motions which could be carried out automatically in battle. The Mary Rose archers would have been strong to be able to draw the bow. This was confirmed by the examination of the 200 skeletons which were found on the Mary Rose. Nearly all of the skeletons were of young men in their twenties with an average height of 5 foot 7 inches. Many of these men would have been skilled with the longbow as there was a marked skeletal shoulder development which had been accentuated by their skill in archery - wide shoulders were common amongst the Mary Rose Archers.

Picture Strip 25 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-04-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

Part 25 of Laurence's very popular picture strip of Walt Disney's original movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

To see previous pages of the picture strip, please click on the label below.

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Elton Hayes

2011-04-04T09:09:00.000-07:00

I am indebted to Geoff for sending another fascinating article from the TV Mirror Magazine of the 1950’s. We have recently had an insight into the lives of Patrick Barr and James Hayter, this piece sheds more light on the early life and personality of Elton Hayes, it appeared on January 9th 1954.

"A friend of Elton Hayes owed him thirty shillings. But Elton didn’t press for the money-he accepted a small guitar in full settlement. It was an act he never regretted, for the guitar put him on the road to stardom.

That was before the war, when the now-famous guitarist was a young violinist and actor who also sang and danced.

One day. When walking through London’s Leicester Square with the guitar firmly under his arm, a stranger stopped him and asked if he would play some guitar music off-stage for a one-night play. Elton obliged, though he says now he couldn’t really play the instrument very well. Yet he seemed to please the producer. At any rate it gave him confidence, for he became proficient as a guitarist.

When the war came and he joined the Army he had to make a big decision. Which should he leave behind-his violin, which had made him a young prodigy, or the small guitar?

Elton took the guitar with him when he donned the uniform of a gunner in the Royal Artillery. He still had the instrument by him when he became an infantry major in the Far East.

But then near-tragedy befell the young musician. He contracted rheumatic fever and lay in hospital on his back. Elton foresaw the end of his dancing days, and with his fingers robbed of their flexibility, the end of his violin playing too.

Someone had heard

But what about the guitar? While in bed in hospital he kept himself cheerful by strumming it. He couldn’t clasp it in the proper manner, but had to hold it to his side. Lying on your back is not the most comfortable way of playing an instrument, but he persisted, and after a while found the tunes coming fairly easy.

Invalided home, he visited Broadcasting House to see a ‘Children’s Hour’ broadcast. He was still in uniform, and someone heard about his guitar-playing, the way he amused the patients in the hospital, and his battle to overcome his illness.

The result was an immediate invitation to take part in ‘In Town Tonight,’ singing to his own guitar accompaniment, and after the broadcast producer “Mike” Meehan suggested he should do a radio series.

Though he didn’t take the offer too seriously, Elton nevertheless typed out a rough schedule of just one ‘He Sings to a Small Guitar’ programme.

They wanted more

When the BBC accepted it and said they wanted more, he thought it was just their little joke. But of course, he was wrong. They meant it.

After the success of those first programmes there followed the late night series ‘Close Your Eyes,’ in which the Hayes charm and sincerity came strongly over the microphone.

With his fame spreading he broadcast in ‘Variety Bandbox’ and in other big shows. Then came television, proving that Elton’s personality was as important to his act as was his guitar. It was then that his gentle manner led him to greater success, for someone decided he was an easy choice for the part of Allan-a-Dale in the film Robin Hood.

As one newspaper columnist remarked after visiting the film studio:

“When the women see and hear him play his guitar and sing ‘Whistle, My Love,’ I reckon it’s the girls who will do the whistling.”

In fact so good was Elton in the role that although it started as a few lines, it grew into one of the film’s big parts.

In his London home Elton has filed away hundreds of ballads with his own guitar accompaniments. Friends who ask the modest, 38 year old singer how many songs he knows get the reply, “If I was an American I should probably say a thousand. So I just say ‘quite a lot.’”

An “ordinary chap”

Elton feels that if he likes a song it is worth working on, because “I’m an ordinary sort of chap, so there is surely somebody else who will like it too.”

When he is not playing the guitar he likes to slip away for the weekend in the country. He has a 350-year-old thatched cottage on the borders of Essex and Hertfordshire, which he restored himself. “It looks just like a tea cosy” is how he described it. In its four walls, surrounded by open fields, near the old coaching route between London and Cambridge, he can enjoy the country pursuits he loves so much."

To read more about the life of Elton Hayes, including a discography of his music, please click on the label below.

The King & The Miller

2011-03-31T12:32:00.000-07:00

Albie recently sent this fascinating Nottinghamshire legend to me:

“Thought I’d relate a local 'legend' that came back to my attention recently. ...... As far as I am aware the tale has been known for many generations and dates back to medieval times at least. Some recent stories claim the king was Henry VIII but there is no record of him ever visiting Nottingham or Sherwood to hunt. The stories of it being Henry II go back much further; the story came back to me when someone said they had been to the King & Miller for a meal. It is one of those large 'diner' pubs. The story must go back to the 17th century at least but I've not found any details on exactly when it first appeared. The interesting thing is that the story mirrors some of the tales of Robin. The miller’s wife has also been associated with Maid Marion.

The play itself was written back in the 18th century, it was first performed on January 30th 1737 on Drury Lane. The author was a Mansfield man so he would have known all about the legend. I have attached a copy of the script which is preserved at the Bodleian Library I believe.

The legend also gave its name to the area now known as Kings Mill on the west side of Mansfield - this is also the location of the King & Miller pub in Sutton and is on the boundary between Mansfield and Sutton. The actual mill stood on the north east edge of Kings Mill reservoir which is used for leisure today. Kings Mill is known better these days for the large hospital that takes this name just across the road from the pub."

The King & Miller Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire.

Albie continues:
"Over 800 years ago King Henry II (father of kings Richard I and John) was out in Sherwood hunting with his nobles. As dusk approached the king became detached from the main party and soon became lost. Whilst he was looking for a path back to Nottingham he came across a miller named John Cockle. The king took some time to convince the miller he was not a gentleman robber and was a courtier. Eventually the miller took pity and invited the king back to his house. The miller said that the king would need to share his son's bed for the night and he would show him the way back to Nottingham the next morning. The miller's wife served a meal of venison pasties, hot-bag pudding and apple pie. The king had never tasted such food before and asked what meat was used in the pasties. After agreeing to keep the recipe a secret Henry was told that it was venison from the forest. Henry agreed to keep this a secret; the miller's family could be beheaded instantly for poaching the king's venison!

The family arose early the next morning and the miller prepared to show the king the way back to Nottingham. At this point a party of nobles arrived; they were in search for the missing Henry. They dismounted from their horses and knelt before the king. The awful truth suddenly dawned on the miller and his family. John Cockle bowed his head expecting the king to decapitate him on the spot. Instead the king touches the shoulders of the miller with his sword and knighted him as Sir John Cockle. Henry also granted the miller a rich living. The family were invited to court and were given an increase in their living to £300 a year on a promise they would never to steel deer in the future. Henry then appointed John Cockle as the Overseer to Sherwood Forest"

I'm not sure whether you will have heard this tale before but thought it might be of interest. The miller came from Mansfield and presumably the king would have been using the hunting lodge at Clipstone or Mansfield Woodhouse. The story varies somewhat between tellers but the basics are the same. And I think you will see a marked similarity from the legends of Robin Hood - could this have been a basis for some of the stories? Today, there are 3 pubs known as the King & Miller (Sutton-in-Ashfield, Sheffield and Retford) and an old inn of the same name was demolished in Mansfield town centre in 1959. There was also a play called 'The King & Miller of Mansfield' by Robert Dodsley which was performed at the Theatre royal in Drury Lane.”

Very special thanks to Albie for retelling this interesting story. This of course gripped my imagination and I attempted to dig a little deeper into this wonderful ancient legend:

HENRY, our royall king, would ride a hunting
To the greene forest so pleasant and faire;
To see the harts skipping, and dainty does tripping:
Unto merry Sherwood his nobles repaire:
Hawke and hound were unbound, all things prepar'd
For the game, in the same, with good regard.

All a long summers day rode the king pleasantlye,
With all his princes and nobles eche one;
Chasing the hart and hind, and the bucke gallantlye,
Till the dark evening forc'd all to turne home,
Then at last, riding fast, he had lost quite
All his lords in the wood, late in the night.

Wandering thus wearilye, all alone, up and downe,
With a rude miller he mett at the last:
Asking the ready way unto faire Nottingham;
"Sir," quoth the miller, "I meane not to jest,
Yet I thinke, what I thinke, sooth for to say,
You doe not lightlye ride out of your way."

The excerpt above is taken from a 17th century manuscript in the ‘Percy Reliques Collection entitled A pleasant Ballad of King Henry II and the Miller of Mansfield. There is an entry in the Stationers Registers to a ballad of ‘Miller & King’ dated December 14th 1624. Another is recorded on June 30th 1625. This popular broadside ballad survives in many various collections.

Henry VIII and the Miller of Dee

Down the centuries ‘king and subject’ has been a favorite theme with ballad-makers to represent the monarch conversing, either by accident or design with his humblest villager or tradesman. Besides the King and the Miller, we have many others that have survived, including John the Reeve, King Henry and the Soldier, A Tale of King Edward and the Shepherd, King James I and the Tinker, King William III and the Forester etc. Of the latter sort, are King Alfred and the Shepherd, King Edward IV and the Tanner, and King Henry VIII and the Cobbler. We could of course add to this ‘The King’s Disguise and Friendship with Robin Hood,’ which is possibly derived from the ‘Geste of Robyn Hood.’

The theme remained a popular one in the broadside press. The Stationers' Registers record fourteen king-commoner ballads between the years of 1578 and 1690; seven are extant. In some cases the later broadside ballads are clearly versions of the earlier poems, demonstrating the continuing popularity of these tales. New or original ballads on this old theme were also composed throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

By the sixteenth century this popular motif of an accidental encounter between monarch and commoner was transferred to the stage in the so-called ‘comic histories.’ Shakespeare went on to use this popular theme in three of his plays, Henry IV, Henry V, and As You Like It.

Theophilus Cibber (1703-1758) first produced Robert Dodsley’s satire on the court of King Henry II, The King and the Miller of Mansfield, at Drury Lane on 30 January 1737. The play was a great theatrical success, attracting thirty-seven performances in its first season alone, before going on to become one of the eighteenth century’s most frequently performed pieces of theatre. In this short, six-scene play, Dodsley transposes the court from London to his native Sherwood Forest, where a King, named “Harry”, and his courtiers lose contact with each other while out hunting. The king, wandering alone, meets one of his keepers, a miller called John Cockle, in the forest. Challenged by the miller, who does not know whom he is addressing, the king declares himself to be one, who has “the Honour to belong to the King as well as you and, perhaps, should be unwilling to see any wrong done him.” He tells the miller he came hunting with the king and “has lost his way.” The miller offers “such poor entertainment as a miller can give” for the night.

The sequel, Sir John Cockle at Court, a farce, appeared in 1738.

Mansfield is said to have derived its name from the little stream called the Maun, which runs gently through it. A Topographical Dictionary of England (1848) describes the particular area on the border between Mansfield and Sutton-in-Ashfield in Nottinghamshie, ‘on the North East edge of Kings Mill reservoir stood The King's Mill'. It is said that in the days of King Henry II, this mill was occupied by John Cockle, who resided here with his wife, son and daughter Margery.

I have not managed to discover how and when Robert Dodsley (1703-1764) drew his inspiration for his play ‘The King & the Miller of Mansfield.’ But he undoubtedly heard the legend as he grew up in Nottinghamshire. He was born at Ratcliffe Gate, Mansfield in 1703 to parents who were certainly dissenters and probably Presbyterian. Since his father taught at the Mansfield Free School Robert received a good education.

Robert was apprenticed to a stocking weaver from where he ran away to London into domestic service as a footman. There he wrote collections of poems and plays gaining a considerable literary reputation by which he became a wealthy man. By 1735 he had used his wealth and influence to establish himself as the foremost publisher and bookseller of the day noted for suggesting and co-financing the first Dictionary of the English Language. He also campaigned for the freedom of the press even spending a short time in prison for some of his controversial publishing's.

His play ‘The King & the Miller of Mansfield’ was later performed all over the world and in 1762 a French composer used the story for an opera.

Picture Strip 24 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

2011-03-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

Part 24 of Laurence's very popular picture strip of Walt Disney's original movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

To see previous pages of the picture strip, please click on the label below.

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Howard Pyle

2011-03-24T11:06:00.000-07:00

Howard Pyle’s highly romanticized novel 'The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood’ has rarely been out of print since its publication by Scribner’s in 1883. His version of Robin Hood and his men’s mystic life has long influenced American writers and illustrators and continues to influence modern film producers to this day.

I have always had an interest in book illustration and I adore his art work. He quite literally breathes life into the legend in a way that was never done before. Writing his own text based on the chapbooks and garlands and combining strength of line and decorative detail, Pyle created 23 unforgettably beautiful sets of full-page illustrations in the tradition of William Morris.

The language he uses is ‘quasi-medieval’ and he honestly admits that this adventure in ‘the land of fancy’ is ‘bound by nothing but a few odd strands of certain old ballads (snipped and clipped and tied together in a score of knots).’ He created a marvelous simplistic medieval world that would herald the massive transition of the Robin Hood legend into children’s books and comics.’ The timing of the publication of Pyles’s ‘Adventures of Robin Hood’ coincided with the gradual acceptance of English literature as a required subject by British education committees. School teachers and administrators began turning to the Robin Hood tales as a means of providing students with an easy-to-understand positive overview of their English heritage.

His text included all the elements that are now considered essential to the legend, including Robin’s fight over a river with Little John, the archery contest for the Golden Arrow, the lavish feast in Sherwood Forest, the killing of Guy of Gisborne, Friar Tuck carrying Robin across a stream and King Richard being waylaid by the outlaws and their eventual pardon.

Pyle’s ‘Adventures of Robin Hood’ was specifically designed for American boys. His re-telling of the ancient legend depicts a hero’s life without rules, where ‘boys’ could roam the hills, explore the forest and feast in the fun of the outdoor life that he had experienced or dreamed of as a child. His interpretation of the legend is uniquely his own and is no doubt influenced by listening to the works of Scott and Ritson. The dialogue he uses is peppered with ‘thees’ and ‘thous,’ terms more American Quaker than Nottinghamshire-British. Pyle never visited England.

Howard Pyle with his daughter

Born in 1853, Howard Pyle grew up in a Quaker home near Wilmington, Delaware, in a house full of books where his mother often read to him and there were fields and woods to roam. He later said that his mother brightened his childhood with "an illuminating joyfulness in beautiful things." She read aloud to her children and introduced them to the Grimm fairy tales, stories from the Arabian Nights, Slovenly Peter, A Wonder Book and Tanglewood Tales, Robinson Crusoe, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Ritson's collection of ballads about Robin Hood. He spent hours reading illustrated novels by Dickens, Thackeray, Bunyan, and Defoe and enjoying the illustrations by Thomas Bewick, Felix Octavius Darley, and John Tenniel in Punch. His mother also exposed him to important British artists and illustrators of the 1860's including: Arthur Boyd Houghton, Charles Keene, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Holman Hunt, and Edward Burne-Jones.

Pyle attended the Friends' School and later a school conducted by Thomas Clarkson Taylor. But, as Pyle himself later recalled, "He spent his time largely in scrawling drawings on his slate and in his books." So realizing their son's lack of interest in studying, the Pyle's gave up their idea of sending Howard to college and instead his mother encouraged him to study art. At the age of sixteen he was commuting daily to study in Philadelphia under the Belgian artist Van der Weilen. During the next five years Pyle set up a studio at his parents’ home in Wilmington and, he continued to draw and experiment with writing in his spare time.

In February 1877 he received his first letter of acceptance and a check for his set of verses and illustrations about a magic pill. This was followed by his fairy tale for children in the renowned children’s magazine ‘St Nicholas’. This inspired him to write an article and eleven drawings for Scribner's Monthly in April 1877 which was also accepted.

At the age of 25, Pyle’s work became noticed and he continued to grow in the esteem of his peers. Whilst in New York he gradually became an established illustrator for Harper’s and soon his work was in great demand. Realizing he had learned as much as he could he returned to Wilmington, Delaware.

By 1880 Pyle had became engaged to Anne Poole and in April of 1881 they were married. They later had seven children, Sellers (1882), Phoebe (1886), Theodore (1889), Howard (1891), Eleanor (1894), Godfrey (1895) and Wilfred (1897). His work remained in constant demand as an illustrator, both for books and articles by others and for his own illustrated articles.

When Pyle began writing his Robin Hood at the age of 30, he asked his mother to send him the original copies he had owned as a child. He began researching his novel whilst visiting a public library in New York and no doubt it was whilst there that he read of Washington Irving’s descriptions of his ‘ramblings’ through Sherwood Forest. But the Sherwood Forest in Pyle’s imagination, created for American boys, is a combination of the countryside he had played in around Delaware and the mythical land he had heard about in the stories of his childhood.

Using the techniques and styles he admired in early book production and medieval manuscripts, Pyle produced beautiful decorative head and tail pieces as well as full page illustrations that guided the reader and created the mood of the story. It would later be described and praised by critics as ‘total design.’ Dobson and Taylor, authors of the celebrated ‘Rymes of Robyn Hood’ (1997) stated that ‘Robin Hood’s conquest of late nineteenth-century America ‘reached its climax’ with Pyle’ superbly illustrated work.

His highly praised and distinctive pen and ink art work was also used on Pepper & Salt, The Wonder Clock, Otto of the Silver Hand (also written by Pyle), and The Garden behind the Moon. He cemented his reputation with the four volume Arthurian legends which included The Story of King Arthur and His Knights, The Story of the Champions of the Round Table, The Story of Lancelot and His Companions, and The Story of the Grail and the Passing of Arthur. His medieval story Men of Iron was made into a Hollywood movie in 1954 and re-named The Black Shield of Falworth. And it is from his fabulous illustrations for the Book of Pirates that our present-day concept of pirates has come.

At the time when it was customary and fashionable to study in Europe, Pyle had a strong conviction that students should seek their training and inspiration in America. In 1894 he began teaching illustration at the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry (now Drexel University), and after 1900 he founded his own school of art and illustration called the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. He was always determined to teach beyond the formal institutional walls of a place like Drexel, so in the summer months between 1898 and 1903 he took his students to a mill nearby at Chadd’s Ford, Pennsylvania on the Brandywine River. These selected artists became known as the ‘Brandywine School.’

On Pyle’s fiftieth birthday one of his students (and later also a famous illustrator of Robin Hood) N. C Wyeth wrote to his mother of the celebrations in Pyle’s honor:

‘Our plan was … to represent, to the extent of our numbers, the characters originated and pictured by Mr. Pyle during his illustrious career, such as Robin Hood characters ….Little John etc. There were about seventeen of us costumed out absolutely correct in detail and color and it so happened that each statue was utilized in such a way as to fit their characters absolutely ….. A red and gold curtain rose, displaying a gorgeous gold frame containing a striking resemblance of Robin Hood. It completely fazed Mr. Pyle and amid enthusiastic applause from our small but mighty audience we were exhibited one by one, each taking some pose easily recognized by its ‘Maker’.’

As a teacher, Pyle attracted a large number of students, inspiring them as much by his idealism, as by the high standards he set for picture making. He incorporated the recording of emotions, the outdoor sketching, the lectures on historical backgrounds and costumes. His classes developed such later well known artists and illustrators as N.C. Wyeth, Frank Schoonover, Olive Rush, Elenore Abbott, Jessie Willcox, Maxfield Parrish, Elizabeth Shippen Green, Gertrude A. Kay, Charlotte Harding (Brown) Harvey Dunn, Stanley Arthurs and Edward A. Wilson. Of his 110 students, significantly, 40 were women, in a time when few women were becoming professional artists.

He taught his students to look at new ways to tell a story. He wanted to move away from the ‘staginess’ of illustrations from previous generations and sought to dramatize and portray basic human emotions. His work made the reader an eye-witness to a vivid experience. No area of the picture was to be wasted and through the details, the viewer’s eye is purposefully led toward the focal center.

Pyle died from a kidney infection while he was studying mural painting in Florence, in Italy in November 1911. It was his second trip abroad. After his death, his students collected many of his original paintings as a nucleus for the present comprehensive collection of his work in the Deleware Art Museum. His legacy was to be the roster of brilliant talent that followed; the greatest testament to his teachings.

Elizabeth Nesbitt (Howard Pyle. London: The Bodley Head, 1966) described Pyle’s ‘Merry Adventures of Robin Hood’ as the ‘most beautiful example of his twin talents as author illustrator’. Its publication established him as one of America's foremost writers and illustrators for children.’

But for me, Howard Pyle brought the simplest and strongest of ‘Robins’ back into the publishing mainstream and created the iconic mould of the merry outlaw that would be used right up until the 21st century.

Peter Ellenshaw

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We have recently discussed on here the incredible talent of the matte artist Peter Ellenshaw (1913-2007).

Before computer-generated special effects, film-makers relied on ‘matte painting’ as a cheap substitute for building sets or filming on location. Matte paintings were made by artists using paints or pastels on large sheets of glass or integrating with the live-action footage via a double exposure.

Its foremost practitioner was Peter Ellenshaw who joined Denham Studios in 1935 as an uncredited assistant to his stepfather, W. Percy Day, the inventor of matte painting on such things as Things To Come (1936) and The Thief Of Bagdad (1940).

In 1947, he created the wonderful mountain scenery for Michael Powell’s and Emeric Pressburger’s Black Narcissus. Martin Scorsese, a big fan, said that watching it was ‘like being bathed in colour.’

After Black Narcissus, Ellenshaw worked on more than 30 films for Walt Disney Studios. He began working as a freelancer for Walt Disney in 1947 and became involved in the making of Treasure Island, the studios first live-action movie. It was the great art director Carmen Dillon that recommended Peter’s work to Walt Disney, for his next project in England, ‘The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men’ in 1952.

On Robin Hood, Peter Ellenshaw eventually painted twelve matte shots. A technique that impressed the film’s producer, Ken Annakin so much, that in his next picture for Disney, ‘The Sword and The Rose’, he used seventy five of Ellenshaw’s fine matte work.

So began Peter’s long career with the Disney Studios and a 30 year friendship with Walt Disney himself, of whom he regarded as a wonderful inspiration. Ellenshaw was officially designated a ‘Disney Legend' in 1993.

Quite a while ago Neil wrote to me about a documentary called Ellenshaw Under Glass. which was available on YouTube that not only described the fascinating life and breath taking talent of Peter Ellenshaw, but showed the technique of matte painting.

Below are the clips from Youtube; I am sure you will find it very interesting.

Picture Strip 23 : Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

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Part 23 of Laurence's fabulous picture strip of Walt Disney's original movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Included in the strip is what Laurence describes as another of Ellenshaw's wonderful glass-shots. I am sure you will agree.

To see previous pages of the picture strip, please click on the label below.

If you want to learn more about the making of this wonderful film or the legend that inspired it, please click on the relevant subjects in the sidebar.

Joan Rice

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Our Joan Rice (1930-1997) as Maid Marian in Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). To read more about the life of the beautiful British actress, please click on the label 'Joan Rice' below.

Thoresby Hall

2011-03-09T09:22:00.000-08:00

Albie was at Thoresby visiting an exhibition recently and took some snaps of the magnificent hall for the blog. He also very kindly wrote a quick history of the place below:

"Thoresby Hall and Park are situated on the eastern flank of Sherwood Forest, close to the Nottingham - York road. The first hall was built during the reign of Charles I in the 1600's, but burnt down in 1745. The Earl of Kingston had the hall rebuilt in 1767. This lasted for 100 years before being replaced by the present hall though in a location about 500 metres north of the old. By this time the Kingstons had become the Earls Manvers and amongst their other properties was Pierrepont Hall in Nottingham.

The Manvers continued to occupy the hall until the late 20th Century when it was acquired by the National Coal Board (so that they didn't have to repeatedly pay for coal mining subsidence). After several other owners, it was bought by Time Warner and converted to a spa hotel complex which opened in 2000. The park covered around 2000 acres in area and was said to have a circumference of 10 miles. Most of this is still owned by the Manvers family with just the grounds near the hall being owned by the hotel. The stables and courtyard are now a craft centre which is also separate from the hotel. The lake was used by the owner in the late 18th century to re-enact naval battles. Like many aristocrats of that period, he had miniature sailing ships to play with. There was a full time naval captain who maintained them from an estate house now known as Budby Castle (though it was never a real castle).”

Albie

The statue of Robin Hood is by Tussaud-Birt (November 1948) a grandson of Madame Tussaud (famous for her London wax works) and can be seen in the Stables Gallery (above) at Thoresby Hall. It once stood in the centre of the courtyard (below).

2011-03-07T09:49:00.000-08:00

I am currently away for 3 days on a first-aid course, but will update the blog at the end of the week.