This wonderful picture of Elton Hayes as Alan-a-Dale with
the second unit on location at Burnham Beeches appeared in The Cinema Studio
magazine in July 1951. Images from the magazine have already appeared on
various posts throughout this blog and give a fascinating insight into how
Disney’s live-action movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952)
was filmed.
Below the picture the caption reads: "Deep in Burnham Beeches the second unit forsake the Technicolor camera for a while to listen to Elton
Hayes who plays Alan-a-Dale in “Robin Hood” as he sings to his guitar. Elton
provides many airs and ditties suitable to the period of the time."
To read more about the work behind the camera on Robin Hood and
the fascinating life of Elton Hayes please click on the links.
Elton Hayes with the Second Unit at Burnham Beeches
ReplyDeleteWalt Disney's live-action movie the 'Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952)'
The Cinema Studio July 1951
I know this article in the publication and this picture showing a cold Burnham Beeches. I am sure there is another shot of Joan Rice with this party also. The thing that strikes me though is that there was some footage of Elton and Joan Rice and some stills of them walking through the forest BUT none of it appears in the film. The scenes we see on screen are all studio sets - and very very good they are too. If you look at some of the outdoor stills just check and see that none actually appear in the film - wish we could get and see all the out takes though.
ReplyDeleteYes I agree Neil. I would love to see the outtakes and scenes that were not used. There is a picture of Joan and Elton walking through the forest which appeared in a stamp the 'Robin Hood Stamp Album'. This clearly shows the pollarded trees at Burnham Beeches.
ReplyDeleteAlso we see the number of people involved there as film crew but there appears to be only one camera but in the 'shooting of Red Gill' sequence I would have thought that there would have been more. There is some excellent cutting of the film in that scene also and the colour they achieved was simply marvellous - one of the best Technicolor films I ever saw.
ReplyDeleteAlex Bryce would have been in charge of this outdoor shoot I am sure and he did a very good job. I don't think he got the breaks he should have had because I would have thought that he could have dealt with a big budget action film very well on his own.