The year before Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood opened in London; Hal Roach Jnr’s Tales of Robin Hood was released in the USA through Lippert Pictures Inc. Film production began on 17th August 1951 at the Hal Roach studios and it was released in the USA on 21st December of that same year. (IMDb dates differ).
I must confess I have never seen this version (so if you know where I can get a copy, please let me know!) but it has been described by some as low-budget and more like a television episode! This could be due to the fact that it was rumoured to have been considered originally as a pilot for a TV series, but the series never materialized, so it was released to theatres.
Some scenes were shot on the set that had been created for the 1950 Sierra Pictures film Joan of Arc, directed by Victor Fleming and starring Ingrid Bergman.
Cast
Robert Clarke - Robin Hood
Mary Hatcher - Maid Marian
Paul Cavanagh - Sir Guy [de Clermont]
Wade Crosby - Little John
Whit Bissell - Will Stutely
Ben Welden - Friar Tuck
Robert Bice - Will Scarlet
Keith Richards - Sir Alan
Bruce Lester - Alan A. Dale
Tiny Stowe - Sheriff of Nottingham
Lester Matthews - Sir [Hugh] Fitzwalter
John Vosper - Earl of Chester
Norman Bishop - Much
Margia Dean - Betty
Lorin Raker - Landlord
George Slocum - Captain of the guards
John Doucette - Wilfred
John Harmon - Robber
Matt McHugh - Guard
David Stollery - Robin as a boy
____________________
CREW
• James Tinling - Director
• Hal Roach, Jr. - Producer
• George Robinson - Cinematographer
• Leon Klatzkin - Composer (Music Score)
• McClure Capps - Art Director
• Richard C. Currier - Editor
• Author: LeRoy H. Zehren
6 comments:
"Tales of Robin Hood (1951)"
Hal Roach Jnr.
Robert Clarke
Mary Hatcher
Must admit I am not familiar with this film at all although I see it is available on VHS and possibly DVD. Wonder if it was ever released in England - probably so I would guess but maybe as a second feature as it only runs for 60 minutes.
Tony!
Just sending you a quick note to let you know our album, Greenwood Gone, has now been released!
http://epictales.org/blog/robertblog.php?title=wren_song_s_debut_albumamdash_greenwood_
Thanks so much for the use of your photo for the cover. We'll be sending you a complimentary copy of the CD in the post in a week or two!
-Robert
Neil,
I did read that the movie was two tv episodes put together and turned into a film because the series was shelved. Maybe that was why it was released in black and white.
Robert,
I have played some of the sample tracks and was very impressed. I was also thrilled to have my picture used for the cover! I will produce an article about the Wren Song album very soon.
I bought a VHS copy off Ebay years ago. I'd offer to share, but of course that would be criminal and it's not like I hold with generous criminals or anything.
Oh ... wait a minute....
Hmmm!Nod!Nod! Know what you mean wink! wink!
Post a Comment