Robin Hood at School

We often revisit Disney's short promotional film The Riddle of Robin Hood, a rare gem that provides a fascinating look into the making of the live-action movie The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952). It highlights the efforts of Disney's research team in delving into the Robin Hood legend. While its primary purpose was to promote the upcoming film—an idea devised by Disney publicist Bill Crozier Walsh (1913–1975)—I was surprised to learn it was shown in nearly every school across the USA!

This article from "Walt Disney Studio Production News " again demonstrates something we have known for a long time—Disney was meticulous when promoting his films. Matt Crandall kindly sent me the pages shown above and below, which show the preparations for the future releases of Disney's animation Peter Pan (1953) and the live-action Story of Robin Hood (1952).

Here below is the text taken from the article:

"Probability that Walt Disney's live-action Technicolor romantic melodrama, THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD, will be one of the hit pictures of the year got a big added push through a precedential promotion device blanketing every important school district in the nation.

It bears the provocative title, THE RIDDLE OF ROBIN HOOD, and is a 15-minute documentary prelude to the theatrical feature. 

 

Stirring highlights in the legend of the celebrated outlaw patriot are combined with a behind-the-scenes revelation of how the Disney picture was made. This, as scores of prominent educators have acknowledged, has legitimate classroom value. At the same time, wherever THE RIDDLE has been loaned to schools, a new focal point of intense interest in THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD has been set up, with obvious reflection at the local theatre box office. 

Use and reception of the innovation by school authorities and students in scores of cities is the talk of the trade and portends further use of similar documentary shorts for other feature releases. 

It is also designed for television use and has already been importantly programmed in this medium as part of the enormous advertising, publicity and exploitation campaign in operation behind THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD".

I have been told the Riddle of Robin Hood was also shown in Britain, both on television and in the cinema. Did you see it?