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| Fred Johnson (1899 -1971) |
There are a number of actors and actresses that appear in Walt Disney's live-action movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952) that do not appear in the credits. Down the years we have attempted to discover the identities of these people who helped make such a wonderful film. One success was the identity of Giles the pageboy, who I later discovered was played by Cavan Malone. Thanks to Neil and Laurence we also managed to put names to some of Robin's outlaw band here.
So I was thrilled last week, to receive this email from Christian:
I have researched on subject character who appears only once in the film, that is to say upon King Richard’s departure for the Holy Land. At that moment, the sheriff requests permission to follow his king with his men across the seas, a request granted by his sovereign, prompting the latter to ask his brother Prince John : find a new sheriff !This character plays a pivotal role in the film, since it justifies the whole plot of Robin becoming an outlaw. Should the sheriff had remained in England, the story would have been very different for obvious reasons.I believe the Sheriff is played by Irish actor Fred Johnson (1899-1971), a very good character actor who has unfortunately made very few films (mostly horror pictures). Fred Johnson is uncredited in the Story of Robin Hood and no filmography lists him as one of the actors in this film.Attached is Fred Johnson's filmography and a few pictures.
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| The Sheriff (Fred Johnson) asks King Richard I if he can join the Crusade |
Christian seems to have found our lost Sheriff!
Fred Johnson was born in Dublin, Ireland on August 6th, 1899 and went on to have a very successful acting career both on the silver screen and television. He was also a screen writer and director.
Johnson is best remembered for his roles in The Curse of Frankenstein (1957), A Christmas Carol (1951) and The City of the Dead (1960).
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| Fred Johnson as Father Stepnik in 'The Brides of Dracula' (1960) |
Christian has very kindly created a list of Fred Johnson's career:
1970
Von Richthofen And Brown
Movie, Actor - Jeweler
1969
Where's Jack?
Movie, Actor - Merchant
1967
Eden Cried
Movie, Director
1967
Eden Cried
Movie, Writer
1965
Young Cassidy
Movie, Actor - Cab Driver
1962
Life Is A Circus
Movie, Actor - Mr. Deaken
1961
Loss Of Innocence
Movie, Actor - American Tourist
1961
Doctor Blood's Coffin
Movie, Actor - Mr. Morton
1960
Horror Hotel
Movie, Actor - Elder
1960
The Brides Of Dracula
Movie, Actor - Father Stepnic/Cure
1960
Scream Of Fear
Movie, Actor - Father
1958
Sea Fury
Movie, Actor - Doc
1957
The Curse Of Frankenstein
Movie, Actor - Grandfather
1957
Miracle In Soho
Movie, Actor - Priest
1956
The Weapon
Movie, Actor - Fitzsimmons
1956
Lust For Life
Movie, Actor - Cordan
1956
The March Hare
Movie, Actor - Joe Duffy
1955
They Can't Hang Me
Movie, Actor
1955
The Break In The Circle
Movie, Actor - Farquarson
1954
Land Of Fury
Movie, Actor
1954
Tonight's The Night
Movie, Actor
1954
Black Glove
Movie, Actor - Inspector Mackenzie
1953
Martin Luther
Movie, Actor - Prior
1953
The Saint's Girl Friday
Movie, Actor - Irish Cassidy
1952
Treasure Hunt
Movie, Actor
1952
The Long Memory
Movie, Actor - Driver
1952
You Can't Beat The Irish
Movie, Actor
1951
No Resting Place
Movie, Actor - Bailiff
1951
A Christmas Carol
Movie, Actor - Collector
1951
Flesh And Blood
Movie, Actor
1950
The Naked Heart
Movie, Actor - Esdras the Bonesetter
1950
Dance Hall
Movie, Actor - Mr. Wilson
1949
Adam And Evalyn
Movie, Actor - Chris Kirby
1947
Hi-De-Ho
Movie, Actor - Head Waiter
1947
Nora Prentiss
Movie, Actor
1947
The Mark Of Cain
Movie, Actor - Prison Chaplain
1944
Knickerbocker Holiday
Movie, Actor - Juggler
1942
Native Land
Movie, Actor - The Farmer
Many thanks to Christian.
To see more about the lives of the wonderfully talented cast of actors and actresses who appeared in the Story of Robin Hood (1952) please click here.
6 comments:
"Who Played the First Sheriff ?"
Special thanks to Christian
I am not sure this is the man - it looks very much to me like Noel Purcell who was around a lot at that time in films BUT I think if it had been Noel Purcell he would have been credited. Still think it was him though.
Very interesting...... I have just looked at Noel Purcell on IMDb and Google Images. It really is hard to tell... perhaps other readers can help!!
Christian said...
Neil has a good point!
However, I am not sure the part is being played by Noel Purcell, himself, it is true, an Irish film and stage actor about the same age as Johnson (born in 1900) and looking very much like him.
Purcell was very well known 1952, having played prominent role in The Crimson Pirate and the Pickwick Papers that same year. He should then have received screen credit and no evidence exists that he was a member of the cast, as his well-detailed filmography does not mention Robin Hood at all.
In addition, Noel Purcell was very much taller than the actor depicting the Sheriff in Story of Robin Hood
I still maintain that the man is Fred Johnson, until somebody states otherwise...
Jules and I have been scrutinizing images of both Noel Purcell and Fred Johnson. They have incredibly similar features, but we both agree with Christian that Fred Johnson probably played the first Sheriff. This also concurs with another website that names Fred as the actor in the film, although they do not name their source.
I did say that although I thought the actor was Noel Purcell that the one thing against it was that he would have got a credit in view of his fame at that time and so I do agree with Christian as far as that goes. Noel Purcell also played a prominent role in The Blue Lagoon with Jean Simmons - one of my favourite films - and it was a memorable part he played too. I am though still inclined on instinct mainly to say that this is Noel Purcell. I am also a little surprised that no one else queried this when Clement published his latest post. I personally was very surprised by the name put forward straight away.
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