From the Story to the Adventures

Patrick Barr in The Story of Robin Hood

Patrick Barr, resplendent as Richard the Lionheart, prepares to depart for the Holy Land in Disney’s The Story of Robin Hood (1952).

Four years later, Barr revived his role as Richard in the classic television series The Adventures of Robin Hood. In a rare crossover between cinema and television, he appeared alongside Richard Greene in the episodes Secret Mission (1956) and Richard the Lion-Heart (1956), in which Robin Hood meets the mysterious pilgrim Peregrinus, who is revealed to be King Richard. Three other actors from Disney’s The Story of Robin Hood also appeared in the TV series. Do you know who they were?

Patrick Barr in the Adventures of Robin Hood

Patrick—often called Pat—was born in Akola, India, on 13 February 1908. His first brush with the legendary outlaw came in 1932, when he appeared as a torturer in the black-and-white short The Merry Men of Sherwood. Throughout the 1930s, Barr was often cast as dependable, trustworthy characters, a persona he carried through a long career in film and television. After six years of military service during the Second World War, he returned to acting, appearing once again alongside Richard Todd in the classic war film The Dambusters (1955).

Will Stutely

 

Bill Owen (1914-1999), in the role of Will Stutely, stands beside one of the many giant coppiced trees in Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire, during the filming of Disney’s The Story of Robin Hood. His later career saw him appear in more than 180 episodes of the television series Last of the Summer Wine, the part of Compo Simmonite becoming his defining signature role.

A Hidden Gem in Sherwood: Whistle My Love

A decade before writing the Christmas classic “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” Eddie Pola and George Wyle were composing songs for Disney’s second live-action film, The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952). “Whistle My Love” is, in my view, a slightly overlooked gem, performed in the film by the minstrel Alan-a-Dale, played by Elton Hayes. As he sings, we see Robin and Marian walking together through the glades of Sherwood, the ballad’s tender lines — “I’ll always find you no matter where you may be” — lending the scene a beautifully romantic, yearning quality.

Robin Hood Stamp Book

 Another fine example of Disney’s impressive promotion for The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952) is this collectable book, published in New York in 1955 by Simon and Schuster. The story was adapted from Lawrence E. Watkin’s screenplay by Willis Lindquist and illustrated by Hamilton Greene, whose artwork could be coloured.

What makes the book especially appealing for fans is the set of four pages of titled, numbered colour stamps—sixty in total—that the owner had to place in the correct spots throughout. Many readers of my blog will recognise the images, but seeing them in full colour helps explain why the film was praised as the finest Technicolor production ever made in England.

One stamp is particularly intriguing: No. 32, titled “BRING HIM DOWN” SHOUTS DE LACY. It shows the Sheriff of Nottingham (Peter Finch) drawing a bow over a fallen soldier—a moment never seen in the finished film, suggesting it was left on the cutting-room floor.

Cousin Will

Anthony Forwood as Will Scarlet 

I have often lamented the fact that this film never received a sequel. With today’s trend of studios transforming beloved stories into full-fledged franchises, this Technicolor masterpiece would have been an ideal candidate. The Story of Robin Hood had so much potential to continue, not least because it is filled with memorable characters brought to life by a wonderful cast.

Will Scarlet is one of them. Introduced as “Cousin Will,” as Robin Hood (Richard Todd) calls him, he first appears among the outlaws in their Sherwood Forest camp. Yet the screenplay offers no real insight into his background. In fact, the elegantly dressed Will Scarlet—portrayed by Anthony Forwood—has only one notable scene, in which he joins the other outlaws in “christening” Little John (James Robertson-Justice) by tossing him into the river. After this brief moment, Forwood’s time on screen as Will Scarlet comes to an abrupt end. It’s hard not to feel that the narrative could have developed his character further.

The Sheriff and his Bow

Peter Finch as the Sheriff of Nottingham

We never see the Sheriff pick up a longbow in the film. It was probably one of many clips that eventually found their way onto the cutting room floor. But, a similar image was later used in ‘Walt Disney's Robin Hood Stamp Book’ published in New York in 1955 by Simon and Schuster. 

The Hero Robin Hood

 

Robin Hood has long been celebrated as a hero of the people, so when Walt Disney sought a leading man for his live-action film about the legendary outlaw, he could hardly have chosen a better fit than Captain Richard Todd.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, Todd became one of the first British officers to land on D-Day during the Second World War. Serving with the 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion of the British 6th Airborne Division, Lieutenant Todd took part in Operation Tonga on 6 June 1944. His battalion parachuted in as reinforcements shortly after the glider troops had secured the vital Pegasus Bridge, a key objective that prevented German forces from mounting a counterattack. Just five days after D-Day, Todd was promoted to Captain.

During the operation, he met Major John Howard on Pegasus Bridge—an encounter that would come full circle years later when Todd portrayed Howard in the 1962 film The Longest Day. Remarkably, the beret Todd wears in the movie is the very same one he wore during the D-Day landings.

After the war, Todd returned to acting, earning acclaim in films such as The Dam Busters and The Story of Robin Hood.

Captain Richard Todd passed away on December 3, 2009, at the age of 90. He is laid to rest at St. Guthlac’s Church in Little Ponton, Lincolnshire, England.

Joan Rice in her Promotional Dress

 

Another photograph of Joan Rice, our Maid Marian, taken at the premiere of Walt Disney’s The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men at the Leicester Square Theatre on 13th March 1952. Joan’s gown was reportedly designed by Walt Disney’s promotional team. Newspapers described her arriving in a limousine, her tulle skirt trimmed with Robin Hood motifs, and her velvet bodice — naturally — in Lincoln Green. There were also “provincial” premieres the following month. On 7th April, screenings were held in Portsmouth and Southsea, attended by Joan Rice and James Hayter. On 24th April, Joan appeared with Elton Hayes (Allan-a-Dale) at the Odeon in Manchester, before Elton Hayes visited the Gaumont Theatre in Liverpool on April 27th.

Joan and Petula

 

I have to thank John Nelson once again for another amazing and rare photograph. 

This one captures Joan Rice, our Maid Marian, at the premiere of Walt Disney’s The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men at the Leicester Square Theatre on March 13th, 1952.

Alongside Joan that evening was the talented singer, actress, and songwriter Petula Clark.

Joan's Promotional Photo

 

Even after all these years, I’m still amazed to come across promotional images from the release of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood. Discovering this one was a complete surprise! It shows Joan Rice (1930-1999) as Maid Marian.

Joan's Dolcis Advert

A very special thank you to John Nelson for sharing this wonderful advertisement from the June 1951 issue of Picturegoer magazine. It features Joan Rice (1930–1991) endorsing Dolcis handbags. At the time, Dolcis was expanding its range to create a true “one-stop shop” for coordinated fashion accessories—perfectly in tune with the 1950s emphasis on elegance and matching styles. And who better to promote their brand than rising film star Joan Rice?

In June 1951, Joan was nearing the end of filming The Story of Robin Hood at Denham Studios in Buckinghamshire. That same month, Walt Disney himself visited both the location and the studio floor units—just as Joan’s film career was beginning to take off.

Seductive Maid Marian

Joan Rice as Maid Marian

Special thanks to John Nelson for this striking publicity shot of Joan Rice (1930–1997) as Maid Marian in Walt Disney’s The Story of Robin Hood (1952). One could easily argue that this version of Marian is far more subtly seductive than anything Walt would have allowed on screen.

Joan Rice in One Good Turn and the Arc of a Promising Career

Joan Rice (1930-1997)

Joan Rice (1930-1997) was one of the Rank Organisation’s early postwar discoveries, a young actress whose charm, poise, and natural screen presence quickly made her a rising star. She first captured attention with her spirited performance as Maid Marian in The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952), where she combined vivacity, wit, and emotional depth — qualities that suggested a long and varied career ahead. Her early work promised versatility: Rice could carry both action-oriented roles and romantic leads, and she radiated an easy charisma that connected with audiences.

By the time Joan appeared in One Good Turn (1955), however, the direction of her career was beginning to change. In this Norman Wisdom vehicle, she plays Iris Gibson, a sympathetic staff member at Greenwood Children’s Home. The role is more restrained and functional, mainly offering warmth, moral support, and a romantic contrast to Wisdom’s slapstick energy. Joan plays Iris with sincerity and grace, conveying a believable sense of care and compassion for the children and grounding the film’s sentimentality.

William Russell, Joan Rice and Norman Wisdom

But compared to the energetic Maid Marian, Iris Gibson feels more subdued. The script and film structure leave little room for Joan to show her comedic timing or dramatic presence — she is, essentially, a stabilising figure amid Wisdom’s chaos. Modern retrospectives see this role as emblematic of the gradual narrowing of her career: promising leading roles gave way to smaller, often decorative parts that rarely allowed her talent to shine fully.

While One Good Turn is an enjoyable, sentimental film, and Joan’s performance adds emotional credibility, it also indicates Joan's decline in opportunities. The industry that once saw her as a rising star increasingly confined her to supporting parts. Nevertheless, even in this limited role, Joan's poise, warmth, and charm shine through, reminding viewers of the promise she showed in her earlier films.

Richard Todd and Joan Rice

Looking back, Joan Rice’s career reflects both the opportunities and limitations faced by British cinema in the 1950s: a talented actress whose early potential was partly overshadowed by industry decisions and typecasting. One Good Turn may not be the showcase she deserved, but it captures her enduring screen presence — a quiet, understated grace that still resonates with fans of classic British cinema.

This Blog is dedicated to the memory of Joan Rice (1930-1997).

On Set with Robin and Marian

Well, it had to be done. Thanks to the magic of AI, I’ve managed to place myself alongside Robin and Marian in the final scene of The Story of Robin Hood (1952). What an incredible moment that would have been to witness firsthand.

Regular readers of this blog will no doubt remember the memories shared by Elspeth Gill (1936–2012). Her father, Alex Bryce (1905–1961), was a celebrated director, producer, and writer. He worked not only on Walt Disney’s The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men but also on The Sword and the Rose (1953) and Rob Roy (1953).

Here’s a quick recap of Elspeth’s extraordinary experience:

Elspeth’s father was in charge of the Second Unit on Robin Hood, which handled all the action-packed scenes — from the ambush of the royal coach and the market square rescue of Scathelok, to Robin’s many clashes with the Sheriff. Elspeth was about sixteen at the time and recalled the filming vividly.

Elspeth Gill with Richard Todd as Robin Hood

She had the unique opportunity to watch scenes being shot not just in Burnham Beeches but also on the massive sound stages at Denham Studios. At the time, she lived just four miles from the studio. In a local fancy dress competition, she was allowed to borrow one of Richard Todd’s Robin Hood costumes — and naturally, she won! Afterwards, she even rode her horse all the way to Denham Studios, where the security guards had been informed of her grand arrival in advance.

Though more than sixty years had passed, Elspeth still recalled meeting Walt Disney himself and described the film’s Art Director, Carmen Dillon, as a truly formidable woman. As for Richard Todd, she fondly remembered him as “such a lovely, lovely man.” He became a family friend, and Elspeth even enjoyed Scottish dancing with him during the production of Rob Roy. Her father, she said, absolutely loved working on those classic Disney live-action films.

To read more about Elspeth’s memories on set, feel free to explore more on my blog.

The Eighth Robin Hood

Picturegoer March 15th 1952

 

The eighth Robin Hood is the best yet. I definitely would agree with that!

Shooting at Robin

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!

Behind the Scenes

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.

Carman Dillon with Walt Disney

Joan Rice arrives at the Studio

Ken Annakin at Nottingham Castle

The trainer with Frair Tuck's dog

German Poster

 

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!

Japanese Poster

We’ve now gathered a large collection of posters from the various releases of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood. Featured above is an exceptionally rare Japanese poster. I'm not certain of its exact release date—if anyone has more information, please feel free to share!

Please click on the link 'Posters' to see many more. 

The Outlaw and The Princess

Ivan Craig as an outlaw in The Story of Robin Hood

I'm grateful to John Nelson for sending me yet another rare still from The Story of Robin Hood. This particular image features one of Robin Hood’s loyal outlaws.

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.

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.

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.