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.
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.’
Walt Disney's‘Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men’ (1952).
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Memorabilia
Posters
The figure of Robin Hood on the side of the building was painted by Harry Bell, a local sign painter. In 1922 Douglas Fairbanks starred in the movie role. The mill wrote, asking if it could use the image. Overall the figure stood 80 feet tall. The head measured 11 feet and the nose exceeded three feet in length. One of the feet was reported to be 12 feet long. The figure was touched up and updated about ten years later. It is not really clear what year the project was completed, although there exists a 1932 postcard of the mill, which shows the Robin Hood image painted on the side. ( There were some who believe the figure was based on the Errol Flynn movie version of Robin Hood. However, as that movie was not released until 1938, it is obvious the figure is based on Douglas Fairbanks.)
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