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| Richard Todd and Joan Rice |
Above is a lovely publicity still of Richard Todd as 'Robin Hood' and Joan Rice as 'Maid Marian' in Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men. I discovered this on Ebay recently. The picture seems to have been taken either on set at the outlaws camp or during the romantic Whistle My Love sequence.
After the release of Robin Hood in March 1952, Joan Rice (1930-1997) was at the height of her popularity. In June of that year she spent eight days in Hollywood and then flew on to Fiji for the filming of His Majesty O'Keefe with Burt Lancaster. But sadly her film career soon declined. This site is dedicated to her memory and if you want to read more about her 'Cinderella-like' rise to stardom please click here.
Richard Todd's film and stage success would of course, continue. He made two more live-action films for Disney, Sword and the Rose (1953) and Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue (1953) and his acting career extended into the 1980's. He was named a Disney Legend in 2002.
A little-known fact is that Todd was author Ian Fleming's first choice to play 'James Bond' in Dr No, but due to previous commitments the role eventually went to Sean Connery.
There is now over 49 pages on this blog about Richard Todd (1919-2001) here and a vast collection of images from the movie here.
If you have any memories of Joan Rice or Richard Todd please get in touch.
ReplyDeleteI have seen this picture and it seems to me the only picture I have seen of Richard Todd where he looks decidedly uncomfortable - or maybe just weary of the proceedings. We have commented before just how many publicity stills there are from the Film. I am pleased there are so many - wish we could find more !!!
ReplyDeleteYes Neil! I too am pleased there are so many pictures taken from the movie. At least it keeps us on our toes to tray and discover more.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure who was Ian Fleming's first choice, but the film producer's first choice was Patrick MacGoohan. MacGoohan famously turned down the role due to what were some of the more unsavoury aspects of the Bond character. There may have been others offered the part afterwards (I have heard that even Roger Moore was considered)before Connery was picked.
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