Producer Peace Pearce (seated, wearing the white hat) is pictured with Alex Bryce and the second unit crew as they film the scene where Robin Hood climbs the riverbank under attack from the sheriff’s men. Take a look at the archer standing behind Robin (Richard Todd), bow drawn—let’s hope his aim is off!
There are plenty more behind-the-scenes moments to explore on this blog—just click the link!
Here’s a glimpse into some rare behind-the-scenes moments at Denham Studios in Buckinghamshire, captured during the production of Walt Disney’s 1952 film The Story of Robin Hood. First, we see the talented art director Carman Dillon demonstrating camera movements in front of the Nottingham Castle set to Walt Disney. Next is Joan Rice arriving at the studio on her bicycle—likely the same one she kept falling off, according to director Ken Annakin.
Annakin himself appears in the following image, directing the scene where King Richard departs for the Crusades. Finally, we catch a moment with Friar Tuck’s dog resting before his spirited chase after the Sheriff.
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| Carman Dillon with Walt Disney |
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| Joan Rice arrives at the Studio |
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| Ken Annakin at Nottingham Castle |
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| The trainer with Frair Tuck's dog |
Special thanks to Doreen for translating this German poster for Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood (1952). The text is likely from an early release, as it's written in an older form of German.
The poster reads:
"Robin Hood und seine tollkühnen Gesellen."
Doreen translated this as "Robin Hood and his reckless (or brave) companions/fellows."
"Seine" means "his"
"Gesellen" means "companions" or "fellows"
This blog features posters from all over the world celebrating this wonderful film—just click the link to explore!
Please click on the link 'Posters' to see many more.
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| Ivan Craig as an outlaw in The Story of Robin Hood |
That outlaw is portrayed by Ivan Craig—born Walter Ivan Sackville Craig in 1912 in Edinburgh, Scotland. In 1940, he married fashion model Lillian May Davies in Horsham, West Sussex.
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| Ivan Craig (1912-1995) |
Not long after their wedding, Craig joined the British Army and was deployed to Africa, where he served during the war. While he was away, Lillian met Prince Bertil of Sweden, Duke of Halland, at her 28th birthday party. The two fell in love, despite Lillian still being married to Craig.
When Craig returned after the war, he expressed a desire to marry someone else. The couple divorced amicably on November 7, 1947. Nearly three decades later, Lillian and Prince Bertil were finally able to marry—on December 7, 1976—at Drottningholm Palace, with the Swedish king and queen in attendance.
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| Ivan Craig in The Story of Robin Hood |
Ivan Craig went on to have a solid career in film and television. His credits include Laughter in Paradise (1951), The Story of Robin Hood (1952), Hell Below Zero (1954), The Gay Cavalier (TV, 1957), and Ivanhoe (TV, 1958).
He passed away in Surrey, England, on March 7, 1995.
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Regular readers of my blog will be aware of our ongoing investigation into Robin Hood’s Chairs. Carmen Dillon and her art department designed these chairs for Walt Disney’s live-action movie The Story of Robin Hood in 1952. Since the release of that wonderful film, they have appeared in numerous media productions related to the Robin Hood legend. And now, King Richard I has been seen using them!
Richard the Lionheart was a British ITV series that ran for a year from 1962-1963. It starred Dermot Walsh, Trader Faulkner, Robin Hunter and Iain Gregory. I remember it well, and just recently, Talking Pictures TV have been showing the series at 9:30 am on a Saturday. So, after sixty-three years, I sat down to watch it, and during the third episode, The Robbers of Ashdown Forest, I spotted that chair.
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| The chair in Richard the Lionheart |
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| From the episode School For A King |
So now, here is the updated list of media that used those Robin Hood chairs as props:
The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952)
The Men of Sherwood Forest (Film, 1954)
The Black Knight (Film, 1954)
The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV, 1955–1958)
The Dark Avenger (Film, 1955)
Ivanhoe (TV, 1958) – Episode: The Night Raiders (featuring Joan Rice, who would have remembered these chairs from her time filming at Denham Studios)
Sword of Sherwood Forest (Film, 1960)
Richard the Lionheart (TV, 1962-1963)
Robin of Sherwood (TV, 1984–1986)
The Mission – Stay With Me (Official Music Video, 1986)
Horrible Histories (TV, 2013–2015)
So, once again, the chair appears during Richard I's reign!
If you have seen them in other productions or know of thereabouts, please get in touch.
Don't forget to visit my Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men Facebook page.
Several readers have contacted my blog about the so-called "Robin Hood Chairs," and John Nelson has shared another image of their use in Robin of Sherwood (1984–1986).
Back in 2011, while watching a rerun of The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955–1958) starring Richard Greene, I recognised those distinctive chairs—originally designed by Carmen Dillon for Disney’s The Story of Robin Hood (1952). Later, I spotted one again in Robin of Sherwood (1984–1986), where the Sheriff (Nickolas Grace) was seated in it!
After writing about this discovery, my readers pointed out that the same chairs had appeared in several other medieval adventure films. Among them was Men of Sherwood (1954), which also reused props and costumes from Disney’s film.
After The Story of Robin Hood wrapped, it's likely that these "Robin Hood Chairs," along with thousands of other props, were shipped out of Denham Studios when Rank Organisation ceased film production. From there, they were probably rented out for various film and television projects.
With the help of my readers, I’ve started compiling a list of productions that featured props from Disney’s The Story of Robin Hood (1952)—some as many as 64 years later:
The Men of Sherwood Forest (Film, 1954)
The Black Knight (Film, 1954)
The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV, 1955–1958)
The Dark Avenger (Film, 1955)
Ivanhoe (TV, 1958) – Episode: The Night Raiders (featuring Joan Rice, who would have remembered these chairs from her time filming at Denham Studios)
Sword of Sherwood Forest (Film, 1960)
Robin of Sherwood (TV, 1984–1986)
The Mission – Stay With Me (Official Music Video, 1986)
Horrible Histories (TV, 2013–2015)
I would love to know where they are now!
If you know of any additional appearances, feel free to get in touch!
This rare insight into the original script highlighted changes made to scenes and adjustments to the dialogue.
Below is a transcript of the opening scene:
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ROBIN HOOD
FROM CREDIT TITLES DISSOLVE TO:
The tooled-leather, copper-bound cover of a Twelfth Century MANUSCRIPT BOOK opens to a parchment page, upon which is lettered:
In the Year 1190 Richard the Lion Heart
Summoned his armies to a crusade.
Among the Loyal Knights who answered
his call was the Earl of Huntingdon
The page turns, disclosing a monotone pen-sketch VIEW with the caption:
'The Earl of Huntingdon --his Manor House.'
As CAMERA moves toward sketch it DISSOLVES INTO:
1. EXT. HUNTINGDON MANOR-LONG SHOT (MATTE)
The estate is surrounded by meadows and wooded hills. The courtyard shows the activity of horses and grooms.
2. EXT. MANOR COURTYARD - FULL SHOT
Preparations for the Earl's departure are everywhere in evidence. Manor-servants are loading two great wains, with iron-bound, crimson trunks and wicker hampers. Immobile in the background are saddled horses that will carry the Earl's escort, while in front of the manor hall steps, Pages are leading the Earl's black charger and a little palfrey, saddled for a lady's use. On the upper steps waits a dignified old steward, with a Page who is holding a gold-mounted drinking horn in a napkin; below is the Earl's Squire.
Through the manor-hall doorway strides the Earl in riding dress.
3. EXT. MANOR COURTYARD - MED. SHOT - EARL
He addresses the Squire.
EARL
Everything in readiness, Stephen?
Stephen inclines his head respectfully. The Steward steps forward, taking the drinking horn from the hands of the Page.
STEWARD
A stirrup cup to your departure, Sir?"
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| The Original Script |
This never quite appeared in the film. But in the opening scene, the Page can be seen standing on the steps holding the drinking horn, as Nurse Tyb rushes around the courtyard calling for Maid Marian.
I will share a few more pages soon.