In my opinion the best portrayal of the minstrel Alan-a-Dale in both film and television was by Elton Hayes (1915-2001). He appeared as the legendary character in Walt Disney’s live-action film The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Above is a rare still of him on set during the filming of this underrated movie.
A magazine article from 1954 describes Elton's early life:
“ Elton Hayes has been singing to a small guitar ever since he bought a sixpenny ukulele as a school boy. The smooth easy manner in which he sings those old English ballads and folk songs has come with many years of training in the theatre.
Elton was born in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, but spent most of his school days in Leicester. His parents were both in the entertainment business - his father was in the circus and his mother was a singer.
It was natural that Elton should want to follow in his parents footsteps. He toured the country with them, and while they performed on stage, he would sit in the wings watching, and learning how show business worked.
He soon mastered the sixpenny ukulele which he bought with his pocket money, and by the time he was ten years old he could play nearly every stringed instrument.
But Elton wanted to be a straight actor. However fate turned his career in other directions. He became interested in old English folk songs and ballads.
When the war started in 1939 Elton joined the army and became a gunner in the Royal Artillery. He was posted overseas in India and decided to take his guitar with him. He was also given a commission.
While in India he became seriously ill with rheumatic fever. This was a tragedy for Elton, for his fingers began to stiffen.
One day he remembered his guitar. He took it from its case and began strumming it. And soon, after many hours of painful effort his fingers grew more supple. He could play again. His courage had brought him through.
In 1946 Elton returned to Britain and appeared on ‘In Town Tonight’. This was a beginning. For, like thousands of other ex-serviceman, he found that he had to begin building a career again.
Just how successful he has been can be judged from the number of programmes he has appeared in on radio and television.
He has had a record spot on nearly every major radio station on the Continent and the BBC. He has appeared in his own show on television and was a permanent member of Eric Barker's ‘Just Fancy’. And of course he makes gramophone records.
When the film ‘ Robin Hood’ was made in this country, the producers did not have to search far for the man to play the strolling minstrel - Elton Hayes was a natural choice”.
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| Elton fishing during a break from filming Robin Hood |
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