Joan Rice in Curtain Up

 Joan Rice was discovered while working as a waitress at a London Lyons Corner House and subsequently trained at the Rank Organisation’s renowned “charm school.” Her career reached its pinnacle when Walt Disney personally selected her to portray the spirited Maid Marian in The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men. Her captivating performance earned widespread critical praise and firmly established her as a rising star.

Michael Medwin and Joan Rice

Filming on The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men concluded in August 1951. Joan then moved on to the low-budget comedy Curtain Up, filmed at Isleworth Studios during the autumn of 1951. She played Avis, a timid young girl who quickly realises that acting is not for her, in a chaotic repertory theatre company alongside comedy luminaries Margaret Rutherford and Robert Morley.

Michael Medwin and Joan Rice

The two films reached British cinemas in the spring of 1952, with The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men released first on 13 March, showcasing Rice in her prominent leading role as Maid Marian. Curtain Up followed on 12 May 1952, giving audiences an opportunity to see her in a contrasting supporting role. Released less than two months apart, the films captured Rice at the height of her popularity, although securing further leading roles in major productions would become increasingly difficult as the decade progressed.