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? 

 

 

The Earl of Huntingdon's Arched Doorway

Clement McCallin as the Earl of Huntingdon

In this rare still from Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952), we see the Earl of Huntingdon, portrayed by Clement McCallin (1913-1977).

Film writer Lawrence Edward Watkin (1901-1981) introduced an intriguing twist to the legend by making Maid Marian’s father the Earl of Huntingdon. Traditionally, this title was linked to Robin Hood himself, dating back to Tudor times and the two plays by Anthony Munday,  The Downfall of Robert Earl of Huntingdon and The Death of Robert Earl of Huntingdon, both written around 1598.

The Earl of Huntingdon leaves for Nottingham Castle

In those stills above, the Earl of Huntingdon, portrayed by Clement McCallin, stands before an elegant arched doorway.

I am sure this doorway is based on the highly decorated Norman west door at Southwell Minster in Nottinghamshire, England. This remarkably preserved Romanesque church architecture (below) dates between 1108 and 1150 and must have influenced Walt Disney's production crew.

The West Door of Southwell Minster

Disney’s production crew, including producer Perce Pearce, scriptwriter Lawrence Edward Watkin, historical advisor Dr Charles Beard, art director Carmen Dillon, and Richard Todd, visited Nottingham City Library, Nottingham Castle, Edwinstowe, Sherwood Forest, including Robin Hood’s Larder (now gone) and the Major Oak, Ollerton, Creswell Crags, Nottingham’s Caves, the Salutation Inn, Trip to Jerusalem Inn and Newstead Abbey. Their quest was to bring the REAL story of Robin Hood to the screen.

Dr Charles Beard was a historical scholar and used as an advisor on 'the mode, manners and customs of medieval England'. His knowledge and guidance, no doubt, influenced Carmen Dillon's art department to produce the Norman doorway at Denham Studios.

Putting the Castle on the Hill

Peter Ellenshaw (1913-2007)

Above, we see Huntingdon Manor magically emerge from a drawing to 'reality' from the opening scene of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Later, there are some stunning views of Nottingham Castle from the archery contest, Sherwood Forest, and much more. But how was it done?

Nottingham's Archery Contest

One of the many elements that gave Disney's live-action film such a sumptuous quality was the matte effects of Peter Ellenshaw (1913-2007). 

In the days before CGI, filmmakers relied on ‘matte painting’ as a cost-effective substitute for building sets or filming on location. Matte paintings were created by artists using paints or pastels on large sheets of glass or integrated with the live-action footage via double exposure.

A camera set up for a matte shot

Its foremost practitioner was Peter Ellenshaw, who joined Denham Studios in 1935 as an uncredited assistant to his stepfather, W. Percy Day, the inventor of matte painting on such things as Things To Come (1936) and The Thief Of Bagdad (1940).

In 1947, he created the wonderful mountain scenery for Michael Powell’s and Emeric Pressburger’s Black Narcissus. Martin Scorsese, a big fan, said that watching it was ‘like being bathed in colour.’

After Black Narcissus, Ellenshaw worked on over 30 films for Walt Disney Studios. He began working as a freelancer for Walt Disney in 1947 and became involved in making Treasure Island, the studio's first live-action movie. The great art director Carmen Dillon recommended Peter’s work to Walt for his next project in England, The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men in 1952. 

The Earl of Huntingdon rides to Nottingham Castle

                                    

Above, we see Ellenshaw's beautiful artwork on glass in the scene where the Earl of Huntingdon approaches Nottingham Castle. Below, we see the original scene as the riders approach the hill before Ellenshaw applies his masterful brushwork. 

Ellenshaw did fifty-two matte paintings for The Story of Robin Hood.

        

The riders approach the hill before the painted castle

Elton Hayes

Elton Hayes as Alan a Dale

 Above is a rare publicity still of Elton Hayes (1915-2001) as Alan a Dale in Walt Disney’s live-action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Elton said Robin Hood was his second association with Walt Disney.

Elton Hayes was also hired by Disney to prepare original sea chanties for Treasure Island because his collection of old English ballads was unrivalled in all of England. At the time he was described as Britain's counterpart to America's Burl Ives, a ballad and folk singer.

So, Hayes was ‘made for the part’ of Alan a Dale, the legendary wandering minstrel. He carried the story uniquely from scene to scene, imitating the link the legend has with the balladeers that first spread the legend in medieval England.

James Hayter as Friar Tuck and Elton Hayes as Alan a Dale

Over 73 years ago, Elton together with a rich array of talented actors and actresses filmed the Story of Robin Hood at Denham Studios and Burnam Beeches in Buckinghamshire, England. Although this wonderful version of the legend has held up remarkably well down the decades and many critics rate it highly in the long list of Robin Hood productions, today, it is generally forgotten.

There are a couple of CDs available of the music of Elton Hayes. But for fans of the Story of Robin Hood, I recommend the remastered compilation by Windyridge (WINDYVAR90), which includes 'Whistle My Love,' and 'Riddle de Diddle De Day.’

Special thanks to John Nelson for sending this image.

Joan Rice at Riverside Studios

Joan Rice

Thanks to John Nelson for sending me this image of Joan Rice (1930-1997) - our Maid Marian. It was taken in the early 1950s at Riverside Studios in London, and it was here in 1945, that producer Sydney Box set up The Company of Youth for Rank Organisation. As a student of what became known as The Rank Charm School, Joan was given an allowance of £10 a week and trained in breathing, deportment, mime, accent correction, script reading, diction and rehearsing.

Among the many stars who attended this acting school were Petula Clark, Christopher Lee, Diana Dors, Joan Collins and Anthony Steele.

This blog has over 115 pages dedicated to the life and career of Joan Rice.

Splitting Arrows, Episode 14

"How in a fair and just world is this movie so under the radar? This movie was great ... it was really good. The performances are excellent, the costumes are great, the sets are lavish, and the matte paintings are well done."

These were just a few comments from Episode 14: Splitting Arrows - A Dedicated Lack of Foxes in Disney's Story of Robin Hood in 1952.

 

This is an available podcast that is part of a series of discussions on the various interpretations of the legend in movies and television down the years.  Episode 14, with Richard Hopkins-Luntz and Mike Nichols, is dedicated to The Story of Robin Hood. And my blog gets a special mention!

Not only do they give a link to my blog and Facebook Page, but they also discuss how I have uniquely delved deeply into every aspect of Disney's Story of Robin Hood in well over 800 posts. 

These podcasts can be found on YouTube, Spotify etc.

During the first few minutes of the podcast, they describe The Story of Robin Hood as "Walt Disney's unknown Robin Hood".

Hopefully, after Seventy-Two years, this wonderful film is finally getting the recognition it deserves. 

Thanks guys!

The Story of Robin Hood on TV

The Best Robin Hood Film Ever made (O.k. i'm Biased) is on tv in the uk today September 14th 2024 at 6:10 pm:

Talking Pictures TV Sky 328 Freeview 82 Freesat 306 Virgin 445

THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD AND HIS MERRIE MEN (1952)

Director: Ken Annakin

Stars Richard Todd, Joan Rice & James Hayter

Saturday 14th September at 6:10pm

*Subtitles Available* on #TalkingPicturesTV

Alan-a-Dale's Dog

Elton Hayes as Alan-a-Dale with his dog

Throughout the movie, The Story of Robin Hood (1952), Alan-a-Dale played by Elton Hayes is followed by his faithful little dog, along the streets of Nottingham and through the winding paths of Sherwood Forest. By the end of the film, the minstrel and his loyal dog are in the outlaws' camp.  

To my knowledge, we never learn the little dog's name. But we do now!

Joan Rice with Alan-a-Dale's dog

On the back of a publicity photograph from the time of the films release, the name of the dog is revealed:

" RH-Pub-A8--JOAN RICE dressed as a page for her role as Maid Marian in "Robin Hood," makes friends with "Rusty." Rusty plays the part of Alan-a-Dale's (Elton Hayes) dog in the all-live-action Technicolor production, now being made by Walt Disney for RKO Radio."

So now we know!

Robin Hood Autographs

 

A big thank you goes out to John Nelson, who kindly sent in images of this autograph collection. The book must have been signed during the making of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men in 1951. Whoever gathered these signatures was possibly at Denham Studios or with the 2nd unit in Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire. An experience fans of the film can only dream about!

What a wonderful collection! Six members of the cast including Richard Todd (Robin Hood), James Robertson Justice (Little John), Elton Hayes (Allan a Dale), Peter Finch (Sheriff of Nottingham), Hubert Gregg (Prince John) and Joan Rice (Maid Marian). 

This blog has a large collection of autographs amongst over 91 pages of memorabilia. Just click on the label, 'Memorabilia.'