The Adventures of Robin Hood's Chair

A scene from The Black Knight (1954) showing the chair

I doubt if many film props have had their life chronicled so fully. But since I first noticed a chair designed for Disney's Story of Robin Hood (1952) being used in TV's Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-58) and Robin of Sherwood (1984-86) my eagle eyed readers have continued to spot it in many other later productions. 

Just recently, Laurence has sent me yet another instance of what we call Robin Hood's Chair being used. His still (above) shows the chair in The Black Knight (1954), which starred Alan Ladd, Peter Cushing and Patrick Troughton.

The chair in Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952)

The ornate chair was originally designed by the talented Carman Dillon and her art department for Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men in 1951. This film was the last major production made at Denham Studios and this huge complex later merged with the Rank Organisation's Pinewood Studios. Laurence points out that The Black Knight was made at Pinewood, which probably explains the availability of the chair as a prop. 

Because of our discoveries, I have compiled a list of the film and television productions that have used Robin Hood's Chair (and other props from the Disney film) over the past sixty four years...

• The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (Film:1952)
• The Men of Sherwood Forest (Film:1954)

Men of Sherwood Forest (1954)

Three chairs used from 'The Story of Robin Hood' in 'Men of Sherwood (1954)

• The Black Knight (Film:1954)
• The Dark Avenger (Film:1955)

The chair used in The Dark Avenger (1955)

• The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV:1955-58)

That chair in the Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-1960)

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-58)

• Sword of Sherwood Forest (Film:1960)

Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960)

Sword of Sherwood Forest also used costumes from The Story of Robin Hood

• Robin of Sherwood (TV: 1984-86)

The chair in Robin of Sherwood (1984-86)

Robin of Sherwood (1984-86)

• Horrible Histories (TV: 2013-15)

The chair in a scene from the Horrible Histories episode on Richard I

A big thank you to all my readers who have sent in these examples. If you know where this chair is or have seen Robin Hood's Chair in any other productions please get in touch!