Red Gill's Tree

Robert's photo from Burnham Beeches

 

Robert has recently sent me this photograph of a pollarded tree in Burnam Beeches and wonders:

Could this be the tree that Red Gill (Archie Duncan) was killed by Robin. It looks low enough. I will have to watch the film?

Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire, England, has been used for literally hundreds of movies and TV shows and there is a list of them on this website. It is a truly beautiful place and well-worth a visit.

Back in 2014 I visited and spent the day trying to locate many of the locations used in Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood.

Burnham Beeches was the location chosen by Walt Disney to be his Sherwood Forest, not only because of its close proximity to Denham Studios (12 miles approx.), where two of the huge sound stages were used, but also because of its amazing ancient woodland that was ideal as a backdrop to this classic tale. I have noticed a number of film web sites state that Disney’s live-action movie was the only Robin Hood tale to be filmed in Sherwood Forest. This in incorrect, but shows what a good choice Burnham Beeches was.

Disney's second unit filmed many scenes in an area of Burnham Beeches known as Mendelssohn’s Slope which is filled with ancient pollarded trees. Also at Middle Pond, where Robin (Richard Todd) and Marian (Joan Rice) took their romantic evening stroll, accompanied by Friar Tuck (James Hayter) and Allan a Dale (Elton Hayes) singing ‘Whistle My Love.’

Robin Hood discovers Red Gill's body

I didn't discover the huge pollarded tree that was used for filming, there is so many in the 540 acres! But a close look at some of the stills in Laurence's fantastic picture strip shows that the tree used 70 years ago was much older than Robert's candidate. But many thanks to Robert for sending it in.

Joan Rice at Burnham Beeches

These are a couple of my much-treasured pictures of the gorgeous Joan Rice (1930-1997) as Maid Marian. They were probably taken on location at Middle Pond at Burnham Beeches possibly during the filming of the Whistle My Love sequence for Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood (1952), sometime between April/June 1951.

 

Below is the picture I took of approximately the same area on 30th April 2009. 

Literally hundreds of movies and TV shows have been filmed at Burnham Beeches and there is a list of them on this website. It is a truly beautiful place and well-worth a visit.

                                                     

The Sheriff in Robin’s Camp

Stills from the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men often reveal the wonderful attention to detail by Walt Disney’s art and design department, led by Carmen Dillon. It is hard to believe this scene, like many, were filmed on one of the huge sound stages at Denham Studios in Buckinghamshire.

In this image we see a blindfolded Sheriff (Peter Finch) being led into Robin Hood’s (Richard Todd) camp in Sherwood Forest. 

Denham Studios or Burnham Beeches ?

Joan Rice (Maid Marian) and Richard Todd (Robin Hood)

These rare stills, taken from Walt Disney's live action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952) raise a number of interesting questions. Was this scene filmed on one of the huge sound stages at Denham Studios? On location at Burnham Beeches? Or both?

Joan Rice and Richard Todd

I originally believed that the scene in which Robin chases Marian through the woodland was filmed at Denham.  But now I am not so sure. The sets were so realistic it is hard to tell. What do you think?

A Lost Scene in Burnham Beeches

Allan-a-Dale with Maid Marian and Midge the Miller in Sherwood Forest

This very rare image of Allan-a-Dale (Elton Hayes) with Maid Marian (Joan Rice) and in the background Midge the Miller (Hal Osmond) has intrigued me for quite a while. It's provenance is unknown to me, but it is a scene that was never used in Disney's live-action movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

The picture shows the characters cautiously walking through 'Sherwood Forest', where they eventually meet up with Robin Hood and the rest of the outlaws. This was clearly shot on location in Burnham Beeches by Walt Disney's second film unit, directed by Alex Bryce.

Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire is a forest of outstanding natural beauty and been used by many film and television production companies down the years. To read more about the ancient woodland and a list of the movies and TV shows filmed there please click here.

Areas used for filming by Disney at Burnham Beeches

Disney's second unit filmed many scenes in an area of Burnham Beeches known as Mendelssohn’s Slope which is filled with ancient pollarded trees. Also at Middle Pond, where Robin (Richard Todd) and Marian (Joan Rice) took their romantic evening stroll, accompanied by Friar Tuck (James Hayter) and Allan a Dale (Elton Hayes) singing ‘Whistle My Love.’

Perce Pearce (producer) Carmen Dillon (art director) and Alex Bryce (2nd unit director)

Burnham Beeches was the location chosen by Walt Disney to be his Sherwood Forest, not only because of its close proximity to Denham Studios (12 miles approx.), where two of the huge sound stages were used, but also because of its amazing ancient woodland that was ideal as a backdrop to this classic tale. I have noticed a number of film web sites state that Disney’s live-action movie was the only Robin Hood tale to be filmed in Sherwood Forest. This in incorrect, but shows what a good choice Burnham Beeches was.

Sadly Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men is not available on DVD in Europe. We can only hope that one day the Disney Organisation will see the error of its ways and release it worldwide, complete with missing scenes (like the one featured above) and outtakes.

Elton Hayes with the Second Unit

This wonderful picture of Elton Hayes as Alan-a-Dale with the second unit on location at Burnham Beeches appeared in The Cinema Studio magazine in July 1951. Images from the magazine have already appeared on various posts throughout this blog and give a fascinating insight into how Disney’s live-action movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952) was filmed.

Below the picture the caption reads: "Deep in Burnham Beeches the second unit forsake the Technicolor camera for a while to listen to Elton Hayes who plays Alan-a-Dale in “Robin Hood” as he sings to his guitar. Elton provides many airs and ditties suitable to the period of the time."

To read more about the work behind the camera on Robin Hood and the fascinating life of Elton Hayes please click on the links.

Elspeth's Memories of Robin Hood

Elspeth with Richard Todd

I was thrilled last week to finally get the chance to talk with Elspeth Gill, daughter of Alex Bryce the second unit director on Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Elspeth is a charming lady and we had quite a chat about those golden days. It was Neil who initially made contact with her last year and she shared with him some wonderful photographs taken behind the scenes, which can be seen here.

Alex Bryce second unit director with Richard Todd

At the age of sixteen, Elspeth had the enviable experience of watching the filming of Robin Hood at not only Burnham Beeches but also the huge sound stages at Denham Studios. During that period she was living in a house approximately four miles from the legendary studios. When Elspeth entered a fancy dress costume at that time, she was lucky enough to be allowed to borrow one of Richard Todd’s ‘Robin Hood’ costumes. She won the contest-of course!And afterwards rode her horse all the way to the Denham Studios. The security men on the gate were apparently pre-warned of her arrival!

Although it was over sixty years ago, she could vaguely remember meeting Walt Disney and described the Art Director, Carmen Dillon, as a formidable woman.  Richard Todd she said “was such a lovely, lovely, man.” He became a friend of the family and Elspeth had fond memories of Scottish dancing with him during the making of the later movie, Rob Roy.  Her father, she explained, loved making those live-action Disney movies.

James Hayter (Friar Tuck) and Richard Todd (Robin Hood)

During the filming of the scene in which Robin Hood meets Friar Tuck (James Hayter), Richard Todd asked Elspeth to keep hold of Barron, his Great Dane. Unfortunately Baron was a great deal stronger than Elspeth and she was dragged by the huge dog downwards towards the river!

Nottingham Town Square

Elspeth could also remember being somewhere high up during the filming of a scene in ‘Nottingham Town Square.’ But she kept feeling something hitting her body and when she looked around, she realised it was Peter Finch (Sheriff of Nottingham) throwing pebbles at her!

Peter Finch as the Sheriff of Nottingham

I hope to be able to talk to Elspeth again very soon, and capture some more of her  wonderful memories of those golden days!

  

Film & Television Production at Burnham Beeches

Due to its beautiful woodland and close proximity to London (25 miles) and many film studios, (Shepperton, Bray and Pinewood) Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire, England, has been used for many movie and television projects down the years. It is characterised by a diverse mixture of ancient woodland, wood pasture, coppice, ponds and streams, grassland, mire and heath land. The sites most prominent features are the veteran Beech and Oak pollarded trees which provide a stable habitat for many rare and endangered deadwood species.

It covers an area of 220 hectares (540 acres) and is located close to Farnham Common, Burnham and Beaconsfield.

An ancient pollarded tree in 2009

Filming is tightly controlled due to recognition of the Beeches' international importance for wildlife, restricting filming to no more than 20 days per year and to certain times of year. Filming in environmentally sensitive areas has also been banned. The revenue from filming goes directly to fund the upkeep and management of the Beeches.

During my visit in April 2009 I was given a list of ‘all’ the filming that has taken place there since 1946 and too my horror one film in particular was omitted. Yes you guessed it, Walt Disney’s ‘Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men,’ which was filmed at a number of places in the area, including Mendelssohn’s Slope and Upper and Middle Pond in 1951.

So let’s try and put the record straight:


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Film 2010: Daniel Radcliffe

The film crew and production team of Harry Potter at Burnham Beeches in 2009

Creation Film 2008: Paul Bettany, Jenifer Connelly


Made With Magic TV 2008: Jamie Oliver


Jonathan Creek Christmas Special TV 2008: Alan Davies


New Tricks Series 5 TV 2008: Amanda Redman, Dennis Waterman


Merlin TV 2008: Colin Morgan, Bradley James


Midsomer Murders TV 2008: John Nettles


Eden Lake Film 2007: Kelly Reilly, Michael Fassbender


Sense & Sensibility TV 2007: Mark Williams, David Morrissey


Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix Film 2006: Daniel Radcliffe, Evanna Lynch


Primeval TV 2006: Douglas Henshall, Hannah Spearitt


Waking the Dead TV 2006: Trevor Eve, Sue Johnson


New Tricks TV 2005: Amanda Redman, Dennis Waterman


I Could Never Be Your Woman Film 2005: Michelle Pfeiffer


Driving Lessons FILM 2005: Rupert Grint, Julie Waters


Waking the Dead TV 2005: Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston


King Arthur Film 2004: Clive Owen, Keira Knightley


Winter Solstice TV 2003: Jan Niklas, Geraldine Chaplin


In Deep TV 2002: Nick Berry, Stephen Tompkinson


Born and Bred TV 2002: Naomi Radcliffe, Jenna Russell


The Hole Film 2000: Thora Birch, Keira Knightley


Midsomer Murders TV 2000 John Nettles


The Worst Witch TV Una Stubbs


Alice in Wonderland TV 1998 Whoopi Goldberg, Christopher Lloyd


Family Affairs TV 1998 Ebony Thomas, Kazia Pelka


Plunkett & Macleane Film 1998 Robert Carlyle, Liv Tyler


Merlin TV 1997/8 Sam Neil, Martin Short


Tess of the D’Urbervilles TV 1997 Justin Waddell


Bedroom 7 Hallways Film 1997 Kevin McKidd, Simon Callow


Kavanagh QC TV 1997 John Thaw


Spiceworld Film 1997 The Spice Girls, Richard E Grant


Bright Hair TV 1997 Emilia Fox, John Bowe


Bliss TV 1996 Simon Shepherd


Touching Evil TV 1997 Robson Green


Wilderness TV 1996 Amanda Ooms, Michael Kitchen


Ivanhoe TV 1996 Steve Waddington, Nick Brimble


The Wind in the Willows Film 1996 Steve Coogan, Eric Idle


The Hollow Reed Film 1995 Joely Richardson


Roald Dahl’s Red Riding Hood TV 1995 July Walters, Danny Devito


Guliver’s Travels TV 1995 Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen


Soldier Soldier TV1994/5 Robson Green, Jerome Flynn


Martin Chuzzlewit TV 1994 Julia Sawalha


First Knight Film 1994 Richard Gere, Julia Ormond


Circle of Friends Film 1994 Minnie Driver, Chris O’Donnell


Between The Lines TV 1993 Neil Pearson, Siobhan Redman


The Crying Game Film 1992 Stephen Rea, Jaye Davidson


King Ralph Film 1991 Peter O’ Toole, John Goodman

Kevin Costner in Robin Hood : Prince of Thieves

The movie was filmed all over Burnham Beeches

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Film 1990 Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman


Minder-Xmas Special TV 1988 Denis Waterman, George Cole


The Princess Bride Film 1987 Cary Elwes, Robin Wright Penn


Slipstream Film 1987 Mark Hamill, Robin Coltrane


Lair of the White Worm Film 1987 Hugh Grant, Amanda Donohoe


Mr Corbett’s Ghost TV 1987 Burgess Meredith, Mel Smith


Company of Wolves Film 1982/3 Angela Lansbury


Who Dares Wins Film 1982 Lewis Collins


Hawk the Slayer Film 1981/2 Jack Palance


Time Bandits Film 1981 John Cleese, Bernard Bresslaw

John Cleese as Robin Hood in Time Bandits

Agatha Film 1979 Dustin Hoffman, Vanessa Redgrave


Dick Turpin TV 1978 Richard O’Sullivan


The Professionals TV 1977 Lewis Collins, Martin Shaw


Carry On England Film 1976 Sid James, Kenneth Williams


The New Avengers TV 1976 Patrick Macknee, Joanna Lumley


Carry On Behind Film 1975 Sid James, Kenneth Williams


Frankenstein: The True Story Film 1973 Ralph Richardson, Jane Seymour


Bless This House Film 1972 Sid James, Diana Coupland


The Benny Hill Show TV 1971 Benny Hill


The Persuaders TV 1971 Roger Moore, Tony Curtis


Carry On Camping Film 1969 Sid James Kenneth Williams


Randall & Hopkirk-Deceased TV 1969 Mike Pratt, Kenneth Cope


Manhunt TV 1969 Cyd Hayman


The Siege of the Saxons Film 1963


Z Cars TV 1962 Colin Welland


The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner Film 1962 Michael Redgrave, Tom Courtenay


The Avengers TV 1961 Patrick Macknee, Diana Rigg


Dangerman TV 1960 Patrick McGoohan


(VARIOUS) Hammer Horror films FILM 1960’s -70’s


Goldfinger Film 1960 Sean Connery


A Town Called Alice Film 1956 Peter Finch, Virginia Mc Kenna


Lost Film 1955 Thora Hird

Men of Sherwood Forest Film 1954 Don Taylor, Reginald Beckwith

Perce Pearce the producer of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood

with Art Director Carmen Dillon and 2nd Unit Direcor Alex Bryce at Burnham Beeches

Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men Film 1952 Richard Todd, Joan Rice


London Belongs To Me FILM 1948: Richard Attenborough


Great Expectations FILM 1946 John Mills

If you know of any other TV of film productions not listed that used Burnham Beeches as a location, please get in touch.

Richard Todd and Burnham Beeches

Recently, Laurence thrilled us all, when he very kindly sent in a picture of his copy of the stunning original premier programme of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood from 1952. Well, I am sure you will all be amazed by this fantastic painting (above) by Laurence of Burnham Beeches in Buckinhamshire, which he created over thirty years ago.

Laurence told me:

“It is of one of my favourite places, Burnham Beeches (not least because of its connection with Robin Hood). In point of fact, it was Mr. Todd who told me that this was the location for Sherwood Forest. Up to that point I never knew. The spot depicted doesn't actually exist - it is a kind of composite of the place I know and how it is in the movie. I even painted my, then, two young sons into the scene, though they are quite well hidden.

Below is Laurence with the late great Richard Todd, backstage at the Theatre Royal in Brighton in 1980. Laurence and his wife had just seen the legendary star in the excellent stage version of ‘This Happy Breed.’

Laurence says:

“Richard Todd had always been my boyhood hero (Robin Hood, Sword and the Rose and Rob Roy etc.) and when I met him I told him so. He replied that he assumed Richard Greene was every ones idea of Robin Hood - I corrected him- "Oh no, Mr. Todd, you are!"


Many thanks Laurence; I am sure my blog readers will be keen to see some more of your wonderful artwork.

Elton Hayes at Burnham Beeches

I recently saw this unusual still on EBay of Elton Hayes (1915-2001). Elton played the spirited Alan-a-Dale in Walt Disney’s live-action Story of Robin Hood (1952). After recovering now from my second bout of Flu (thank you so much for your kind words- everyone), during this endless winter; seeing this immediately took me back to April of last year when my wife and I made an unforgettable visit to the areas used for the location filming in 1951.


We were extremely lucky with the weather and the forest was beautiful. In the picture above Elton is fishing from a bridge at Middle Pond during a break from filming. This was probably during the recording of the romantic scene in which he sings ‘Whistle My Love.’


Below are a couple of pictures of Middle Pond at Burnham Beeches that I took in April 2009.

To read more about Burnham Beeches and Elton Hayes please click on the Labels below.

Burnham Beeches - Disney's 'Sherwood Forest'

Above is a map of the beautiful Burnham Beeches. I have marked in red the areas that were used by Walt Disney’s film crew during the making of the Story of Robin Hood in 1951. Outlined is Mendelssohn’s Slope, where many scenes were filmed, including the death of Robin’s father. Also Middle Pond, where Robin (Richard Todd) and Marian (Joan Rice) took their romantic evening stroll, accompanied by Friar Tuck (James Hayter) and Allan a Dale (Elton Hayes) singing ‘Whistle My Love.’
Burnham Beeches was the location chosen to be ‘Sherwood Forest,’ not only because of its close proximity to Denham Studios (12 miles approx.), where two of the huge sound stages were used, but also because of its amazing ancient woodland that was ideal as a backdrop to this classic tale. I have noticed a number of film web sites state that Disney’s live-action movie was the only Robin Hood tale to be filmed in Sherwood Forest. This in incorrect, but shows what a good choice Burnham Beeches was.
My wife and I visited Burnham in April and were stunned by the breathtaking scenery, it is no wonder film and television crews have been queuing up to shoot scenes in various areas of the forest since 1946. I thoroughly recommend a visit, particularly to our band of Whistling Arrows. So if you do make the trip, please send in some photos from your visit and I will be pleased to post them on this site.

Joan Rice at Middle Pond

This is my first-and much treasured- picture of the gorgeous Joan Rice as Maid Marian, taken at Middle Pond at Burnham Beeches possibly during the filming of the Whistle My Love sequence for Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood (1952), sometime between April/June 1951. Below is the picture of the same area taken on my visit there on 30th April 2009.

Burnham Beeches Hotel & Forest

My wife and I have just got back from a fantastic week-end at Burnham Beeches Hotel in Buckinghamshire, where we have visited a couple of the locations used for filming Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood in 1951. The weather could not have been any better and I thoroughly recommend the Burnham Beeches Hotel, which was fabulous. The web site for the hotel is here: http://www.corushotels.co.uk/burnham/index.php

As we approached the outskirts of the forest early on the Sunday morning, after a hearty breakfast, we noticed many mobile homes and caravans parked in a field near-by, with signs marked WB everywhere. Later when I asked an elderly couple how to get to Middle Pond and Mendelssohn's Slope; they informed us that Warner Brothers were filming the latest Harry Potter movie at Mendelssohn’s Slope and some of it was sectioned off!

It didn’t bother us at all, there was plenty to see and the forest was beautiful. We walked along what is known as Lord Mayor’s Walk to Middle Pond where Joan Rice and Richard Todd walked, accompanied by James Hayter and Elton Hayes singing ‘Whistle My Love’. I have a picture of Joan leaning up against some trees next to this pond and very little seems to have changed in the past 58 years!

It was the hottest day of the year, so when we reached Victoria Cross, the cafe was a welcome sight. But I was keen to move on, to see if I could recognise any more parts of the forest that might have been used as locations by Walt Disney’s film crew. So after refreshments we set off for Mendelssohn’s Slope via Halse Drive and Victoria Drive.

Some of the ancient trees were absolutely stunning; I must have taken nearly a hundred pictures. The forest canopy shielded us from the fierce heat of the sun and the bird’s serenaded us, as we walked along the winding forest paths.

Soon we turned into a track known as Victoria Drive with Mendelssohn’s Slope on our left hand side. I was told, by Jeremy Young, a Keeper at Burnham, that this was a location used by Disney for Robin Hood. The path was far more narrow and the tree canopy far thicker. I wanted to try and find the old ancient tree that Archie Duncan (Red Gill) hid in, when he shot Robin’s father. There are a couple of contenders, including Druids Oak, but I am not sure. There are so many massive gnarled old trees; it is very hard to identify THE TREE in ‘real-life’. A lot of this part of the forest did seem familiar but I intend to re-play the movie tonight to take another look and go through my photographs to compare.

We went back this morning (Monday) for one last look around, trying to imagine Walt Disney with Richard Todd and Joan Rice walking these same paths, all those years ago. Ahead we saw the security men with their walkie-talkies and high-visibility tops keeping the public away from the filming of Harry Potter. In part of that particular area the forest path had been covered in large plastic matting with heavy cables and generators. As we turned up Mendelssohn’s Slope I peered through the trees and caught a sight of some of the film crew busily moving equipment around. We eventually reached the top, but as we sadly left the shade of the forest canopy for the last time, I was sure I heard the faint shrill of a whistling arrow flying through the air!

Joan Rice and the Rook

In January, I emailed Burnham Beeches for any information they might have on the filming of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood in 1951. I eventually received this response from Jeremy Young, one of the keepers at Burnham:

“Hi,

I work at Burnham Beeches and one of my responsibilities is to manage all the filming activity on the site. I have been here for over twenty years and seen many film units come and go but unfortunately 'Robin Hood and his Merrie men' was a little before my time! I do however have several stills from the film and can identify at least two of the locations for you as the middle pond and Mendelssohn's slope.

I also have a fantastic picture of a local boy standing watching the filming with his pet Rook (bird) on his arm, this attracted the attention of Walt Disney and his daughter who were on location this day and both are pictured leaning over stroking the bird.

Unfortunately I don't remember the Archie Duncan scene or the tree you actually refer to but if you have a still from the scene it may help me to identify it?

There have been many other films over the years that have featured our ancient pollards and other trees. They are to name but a few………..Great Expectations (1946), A Town Like Alice (1956), Goldfinger (1960), The Loneliness of a Long Distance Runner (1962), Agatha (1979), Company of Wolves (1984), The Princess Bride (1987), Robin Hood Prince of Thieves (1990), The Crying Game (1992), First Knight (1994), King Arthur (2004), I Could Never Be Your Woman (2005), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2006), Eden Lake (2007) and Creation (2008)I hope this may be of some help to you. When you are over visiting, and if I am available, I would be happy to give you a guided tour to these and some of the other locations used over the years.

Kind regards Jeremy”

I am waiting to hear back from Jeremy for some more information. Obviously I would like to see those pictures of Disney and his daughter with the Rook, but I do have a lovely picture of Joan Rice taken with what appears to be the same bird.

The Caged Oak at Burnham Beeches

Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire, was chosen by Walt Disney and his production crew for the out-door scenes of his live-action movie the Story of Robin Hood in 1951. This ancient woodland is one of the finest in England and was the perfect choice as the stand-in location for Sherwood Forest.

The wonderful ‘Caged Oak’ (pictured above) is remarkably similar to the gnarled tree used in a scene from the film, in which Red Gill shoots an arrow into the back of Robin Hood’s father. Could it be the same one? I am not sure. But I shall try and find out.