Behind the Scenes at Denham Studios

Anthony Eustrel, Patrick Barr and Walt Disney

Once again I am indebted to Neil Vessey for sending me yet more rare pictures of the making of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Neil has kindly scanned these images from the Picture Show Annual of 1953. Above we can see Anthony Eustrel in costume as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Patrick Barr as King Richard the Lionheart with Walt Disney, during the filming of Robin Hood at Denham Studios.

In July 1951, just as his cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland  was released in America, Walt Disney visited England with his wife Lilian and his daughters, to supervise the production of his second live-action movie.

Ken Annakin with Perce Pearce

In the second image (above) we can see Ken Annakin (1914-2009) the director of this wonderful film with Perce Pearce (1899-1955). Pearce was chosen by Disney to supervise and produce his early film productions in England, including Treasure Island, The Sword and the Rose, Rob Roy the Highland Rogue and of course The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men.

To read more about the making of Robin Hood at Denham Studios and the wonderful cast of actors that appeared in this Technicolor masterpiece, please click on the relevant labels.

Final Resting Places

I am very grateful to Christian who has very kindly sent in information regarding the final resting places of five of the actors and actresses in Walt Disney's live-action movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

These pictures are tinged with much sadness as those stars have contributed such joy and happiness to generations of people. But I am sure you will agree that it is interesting to see where these screen legends were put to rest.

Together with Christian's images I have included pictures of Laurence's wonderful autograph collection to remind us of their wonderful roles in the Story of Robin Hood.

Richard Todd is buried at St. Guthlac's Churchyard

Little Ponton

South Kesteven District

Lincolnshire

England.

Anthony Eustrel's ashes were scattered at

at the Chapel of Pines Crematory

Los Angeles 

Los Angeles County

California

USA.

Bill Owen was buried at

St. John the Evangelist Churchyard

Holmfirth

Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees

West Yorkshire

England.

                                                

                                   Martitia Hunt is buried at

Golders Green Crematorium

Ivor Novello Bed

Golders Green

London Borough of Barnet

London

England.

As a Royal Navy veteran of World War II 

Sir Michael Hordern's ashes

were scattered at sea.

To read more about the lives of the actors and actresses in Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men please click on the relevant names in the side bar or below. 

Special thanks to Christian and Laurence for their contributions to this website.

The Archbishop's Blessing

This rare still from Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood was kindly sent in by Mike. It shows the Archbishop of Canterbury played by Anthony Eustrel leading prayers for King Richard (Patrick Barr) and his Crusaders as they leave for the Holy Land.

On the steps of Nottingham Castle can be seen Prince John   (Hubert Gregg) and Queen Eleanor played by Martitia Hunt.

Do you think the young choir boy (front/left of the picture) looks remarkably like the Page (Cavan Malone) who appears later in the movie?

To read more about the stars of this wonderful movie please click on their names on this site.

Anthony Eustrel

Anthony Eustrel played the part of the Archbishop of Canterbury in Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood (1952).

Alongside Martitia Hunt as Queen Eleanor, Anthony Eustrel’s character is involved in a pivotal part of the story. Together the Queen and Archbishop are faced with the task of raising the huge ransom to release the imprisoned King Richard and defeating his brother, Prince John’s evil plans. Eustrel carried off the role as the Archbishop, with extreme elegance and aplomb, like the rest of the cast of Walt Disney’s second live action production in England.

I have managed to find out very little about Eustrel’s life other than the fact he was born in London on October 12th 1902.  During his early stage career in the 1940’s he appeared at the Stratford Memorial Theatre in productions of Richard II, Taming of the Shrew and The Merchant of Venice.

His film career included:

§  Under the Red Robe (1937)

§  Second Bureau (1937)

§  The Wife of General Ling (1937)

§  Gasbags (1940)

§  The Silver Fleet (1943)

§  The Adventures of Tartu (1943)

§  Counterblast (1951)

§  The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952)

§  Captain John Smith and Pocahontas  (Burning Arrows) (1953)

§  King Richard and the Crusaders (1954)

§  Lady Godiva of Coventry (1955) - Prior

§  The Ten Commandments (1956) - First High Priest

§  The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964)

§  Bednobs and Broomsticks (1971)

Anthony Eustrel also appeared in many TV series:

Climax (1951), BBC Sunday Night Theatre (1951), Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1954-1955), Burkes Law (1964-1965), Man From Uncle (1965-1966) Batman (1966),  Get Smart (1966-1968), Hogan’s Heroes (1966-1968),  My Favourite Martian (1963-1966) (in which he played King John in one episode) and many others.

He died aged 76 on July 2nd 1979 and his ashes were interned at Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California.

If you have any more information on the life of this wonderful actor, please get in touch.