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.'

Filmed in Britain

Richard Todd as Robin and Joan Rice as Marian

For this latest blog post, I thought I would delve into the newspaper archive and look at some reports on the release of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood in 1952.

This is from the Coatbridge Leader on April 19th 1952:

"For his filmed-inBritain all-live-action Technicolor production, 'The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men,' Walt Disney assembled a galaxy of British acting talent.

The cast include Richard Todd, Martitia Hunt, Peter Finch, james Robertson Justice, James Hayter, Hubert Gregg and Elton Hayes.

Richard Todd plays the role of the legendary greenwood he-man with a convincing mixture of calculated cunning and stern righteousness that is a refreshing change from Hollywood heroics.

Joan Rice

Lovely British discovery, Joan Rice, also brings fresh appeal to the screen in her first big role as Maid Marian.

Peter Finch, as the bold, bad Sheriff of Nottingham, is as ruthless as any hero could hope to thwart, and at the other end of the stave (wielding it with religious stoutheartedness), James Hayetr is a kindly, jovial Friar Tuck.

Kingly characters both, Hubert Gregg as Prince John, and Patrick Barr as King Richard, thunder realistically in their royal beards.

Strumming a tuneful six-stringed instrument, Elton Hayes was a natural choice for Allan-A-Dale, and a hoary, hefty Little John, James Robertson Justice excels. "

 

Anthony Forwood (1915-1988)

Anthony Forwood

Above is an image of Anthony Forwood in his role as Will Scarlet in Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). 

Tony was born in the seaside town of Weymouth in Dorset on 3rd October 1915 and in 1939 he started courting the husky-voiced Welsh actress Glynis Johns, whom he later married. Their only child, Gareth was born in London in 1945. (Gareth Forwood was later to appear in films such as Ghandi in 1982). But it was during the filming of Robin Hood in 1951 that their marriage began to break up. Glynis was to appear the following year as a young Mary Tudor, in the Walt Disney production of The Sword and the Rose.

Anthony Forwood’s early films included :

Man in Black (1949)
Traveller’s Joy (1949)
Meet Simon Cherry (1949)
The Black Widow (1951)
Colonel March Investigates (1952)
Appointment in London (1952)
The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952)

Knights of the Round Table (1953)

In 1939 Tony had met Dirk Bogarde who was later to become one of the biggest British matinee idols of the 1950’s. They struck up a relationship that would last over fifty years, but they both kept their personal lives very private. Tony died aged 72 in London in 1988.

Dirk Bogarde, Kathleen Tynan and Anthony Forwood

Below is another still taken of Tony to promote Robin Hood. But this one has been rarely seen.

'Tony' as Will Scarlet

To see more images and read more about Anthony Forwood please click on the label in the task bar.

Final Resting Places Continued

Two years ago Christian sent me images of the final resting places of some of the people responsible for creating our favourite film, 'The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men' (1952). To see that original post, please click here.

Recently Christian has kindly shared more information and pictures regarding the graves and tombs of those much-loved people.

Peter Finch as the Sheriff of Nottingham

Peter Finch is buried at the Hollywood Forever cemetery in Los Angeles, California in the U.S.A.

James Robertson Justice

James Robertson Justice (1907-1975) played an irascible Little John. He was cremated and his ashes were taken by a party of friends to Scotland. On a moor where Justice had often hawked, and along with the accompaniment of a lone piper, they created  a cairn and his ashes were interred there.

Ken Annakin

Ken Annakin, the director of 'The Story of Robin Hood' (1952) is buried in Westwood Memorial Park, Los Angeles in the U.S.A.

Walt Disney

Walt Disney (1901-1966) although uncredited, was the executive producer on his second live-action movie. He was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery (Glendale), Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, U.S.A.

Many thanks to Christian for getting in touch.

David Davies (1906-1974)

Many thanks to Christian Roy for recently contacting me with information about another actor who appeared in our favourite movie. Christian says:

Dear Clement,
David Davies has been credited in The Story of Robin Hood but not spoken about in your most interesting blog. The Forester’s part is being played by David Davies - we briefly see him at Nottingham Square heralding Robin’s outlawry.
We best remember him as the jailer in Ber-Hur who stares at BH’s mother and sisters (who have contacted leprosy in jail).

David Davies as the Forester

As Christian mentions, David Davies (1906-1974) appeared as the burly forester in Walt Disney's live-action movie The Story of Robin Hood (1952). Standing in Nottingham Square, this 6' 4'' actor declares in his deeply gruff voice that Robin Hood (Richard Todd) has been declared an outlaw by Prince John (Hubert Gregg).

Davies as the Forester

Born in Bryn Mawr, Wales, Davies appeared in many British films including productions set in his homeland. These include The Three Weird Sisters (1948), Tiger Bay (1959), Only Two Can Play (1962) and Under Milk Wood (1972). But his height and stature also led him to being cast in authoritarian roles such as a police officer in the classic Ealing comedy The Lavender Hill Mob (1951),  a sergeant in Miss Robin Hood (1952), a Welsh police constable in The Third Key (1956) and as a captain in The Heroes of Telemark (1965).

Before appearing as the forester in The Story of Robin Hood, Davies had also appeared in Walt Disney's first English live-action movie. This was Treasure Island (1950) in which he played Mr Arrow alongside Robert Newton as Long John Silver.

David Davies as Mr Arrow in Treasure Island

Apart from a whole whole host of productions for the silver screen, Davies, like many other actors often made the transition to television. The list of his work includes many much-loved series of the 1950's and 1960's. These include, The Adventures of Robin Hood, Sir Francis Drake, Z Cars, Richard The Lionheart, The Avengers, No Hiding Place, Doomwatch, Armchair Theatre and Coronation Street.

David Davies sadly passed away in Carmarthen, Wales in 1974 aged 68.

There is 41 pages about the wonderful array of actors and actresses that appeared in Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood. Please click here, then scroll down to read about their lives and careers.

Clement McCallin (1913-1977)

Clement McCallin in The Story of Robin Hood

Christian has been extremely busy researching another of the actors that had a short role in Walt Disney's live action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). This time he investigates the life and career of Clement McCallin:

Clement McCallin plays the Earl of Huntingdon in The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). A sadly underrated actor, his appearances could have been more developed in the film. As a matter of fact, he only appears in the first scenes before the departure for the Holy Land. I imagine the script writer Lawrence Watkin could have planned his return, together with his King. We only hear from him by Richard at the end of the movie when he tells Maid Marian that her father has returned and waits to greet her at Huntingdon. Happily, he sets the tone for the movie, being the first actor (with Louise Hampton) to appear in the first shot, as he prepares his horse before the departure. Clement does a very reliable, if too short, performance, both as Richard’s most trusted and noble knight and Marian’s father.

I have not found much about this distinguished-looking actor, except on IMDb, whose extracts appear below. It seems, according to his filmography, that he worked mostly for TV, with very few appearances in theatre and feature films.

Overview

Date of Birth 6 March 1913, London, England UK

Date of Death 7 August 1977, London, England UK

Mini Bio

Clement McCallin was born on March 6, 1913 in London, England.
He was an actor known for Good Friday (1950), The Rossiter Case (1951) and The Wooing of Anne Hathaway (1938).

Spouse 

Phillippa Anne Gurney (? - ?) Brenda Bruce (? - 7 August 1977) (his death). 

Trivia 

Studied at R.A.D.A. Educated at Stowe.

Clement McCallin in 'Edward My Son' (1949) with Spencer Tracey and Leueen McGrath

Filmography

1976

Sykes (TV Series)

Dr. Parker

- Bath (1976) ... Dr. Parker

1968

Happy Deathday

Prof. Esteban Zoltan

1967

The Revenue Men (TV Series)

Hardcastle

- A Sleeping Partner (1967) ... Hardcastle

1964-1966

Dr. Finlay's Casebook (TV Series)

Dr. Masters / Mr. MacFarlane / Dr. McCulloch / ...

- They Do It in Africa (1966) ... Dr. Masters

- The Vision (1965) ... Mr. MacFarlane

- Off the Hook (1965) ... Dr. McCulloch

- The Doctor Cried (1964) ... Magistrate

1965

ITV Play of the Week (TV Series)

Gen. Saint-Haye

- The Corsican Brothers (1965) ... Gen. Saint-Haye

1965

Front Page Story (TV Series)

Colonel Coteston

- Background Only: Not for Publication (1965) ... Colonel Coteston

1963-1964

The Plane Makers (TV Series)

Marlow / Mr. Bentley

- A Lesson for Corbett (1964) ... Marlow

- One of Those Days (1963) ... Mr. Bentley

1963

Kidnapped (TV Mini-Series)

- The Bass Rock (1963)

1963

Suspense (TV Series)

The Rev.

- The Men from the Bush (1963) ... The Rev.

1963

Ghost Squad (TV Series)

Police Inspector

- The Menacing Mazurka (1963) ... Police Inspector

1962-1963

The Old Curiosity Shop (TV Mini-Series)

Mr. Marton

- Episode #1.13 (1963) ... Mr. Marton

- Episode #1.12 (1963) ... Mr. Marton

- Episode #1.11 (1963) ... Mr. Marton

- Episode #1.4 (1962) ... Mr. Marton

1962

BBC Sunday-Night Play (TV Series)

John Cumnor

- The Aspern Papers (1962) ... John Cumnor

1954

Beau Brummel

Footman (uncredited)

1953

Rough Shot

1953

Folly to Be Wise

Colonel (uncredited)

Clement McCallin (second from left) as the Earl of Huntingdon in The Story of Robin Hood

1952

The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men
Earl of Huntingdon

1951

Cry, the Beloved Country

First reporter

1951

The Lady with a Lamp

Richard M. Milnes

1951

The Boy with a Cart (TV Movie)

Narrator (voice)

1950-1951

BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series)

Henry V / Cassius / The Captain / ...

- Henry V (I) (1951) ... Henry V

- Julius Caesar (1951) ... Cassius

- The Secret Sharer (1950) ... The Captain

- Men of Darkness (1950) ... Jean Cordeau

1951

The Rossiter Case

Peter Rossiter

1951

Meurtre dans la cathédrale

2nd Priest - prior

1950

The Tragedy of King Richard II (TV Movie)

Bolingbroke

1950

Good Friday (TV Movie)

Pontius Pilate

1949

The Queen of Spades

Officer in the gaming room

1949

Edward, My Son

Sergeant Kenyon

1939

The Swiss Family Robinson (TV Movie)

Fritz, their eldest son

1939

Stolen Life

Karal Anderson

1939

England's Shakespeare (Documentary short)

Henry V

1938

The Wooing of Anne Hathaway (TV Movie)

Will Shakespeare

1938

Laugh with Me (TV Movie)  

Martin Kerry

Special thanks to Christian for the images and all this information on Clement McCallin. I agree with Christian, it is a pity that Clement didn't appear at the end of the movie as the Earl of Huntingdon and accompany his king into Sherwood Forest. It did seem rather odd that the monarch traveled alone. What do you think?

To read more about the lives of the actors and actresses in Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood please click here.

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.

Hubert Gregg

Hubert Gregg (1914-2004) was an actor, songwriter, author, director and radio presenter - among other talents - as if that isn’t enough. His career spanned 70 years in theatre, film and radio.

The picture above was sent in by Mike and shows Gregg in his role as the evil Prince John in Walt Disney's live-action movie, the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). In my opinion, his performance as the 'sneering' brother of King Richard the Lionheart is very underrated and is up there with the likes of Claude Rains and Guy Rolfe.

This is a excerpt from his autobiography Maybe It's Because... :

'It was during a tour of Agatha Christie's The Hollow that I got a telephone call to say that I had been asked to test for the part of Prince John in the coming Walt Disney production The Story of Robin Hood. I was told that Ken Annakin was directing. He had directed me in a pot-boiler called Vote for Huggett and we got along well together.

I made my first film at Denham Studios - I hadn't set foot there since In Which We Serve - and the final choice seemed to be between Kenneth More, Geoffrey Keen and myself. I won by a short beard.

The Disney Robin Hood was a new screen experience and one I wouldn't have missed for seven whodunits in a row, director or play. Peter Finch was cast as the Sheriff of Nottingham and we shared a crack of dawn car to the studio each day. It was a colour movie with absolutely no expense spared. The costumes were beautiful, if unnecessarily weighty in their adherence to medieval reality. One cloak was heavily embroidered and lined with real fur: it cost more than a thousand pounds (a good deal of money in pre-inflationary days) and took all my strength to wear. In one scene I had to ride into the town square, leap off my horse and enter the treasury building in high dudgeon.

To add to the reality our saddles were fitted with medieval pommels at the back that had to be negotiated carefully when dismounting. In the first take, I lifted my leg as gracefully as I could the necessary six inches higher than usual and leaped beautifully off my steed. As my feet touched the ground the weight of my cloak carried me completely out of frame to the left.

One day on the set, a week or two after shooting had begun; I heard a quiet voice coming from a chair on my left."How are you, Mr. Gregg? My name is Disney." I looked surprised at this modest newcomer to the studio - he had arrived from Hollywood the day before. "I'd like to thank you...." he was saying, adding flattering things about my performance, which however he referred to as 'a portrayal'. The choice of word was typically American and the modesty typically Disney.


I enjoyed every moment of the filming but had to put my foot down over a suggestion from the publicity department. They wanted to send me by car, in costume and make-up, to Alexandra Palace where I would appear on television singing Maybe it’s Because I'm a Londoner!'

To read more about Hubert Gregg click here and scroll down.

Patrick Barr as Richard the Lionheart

Mike has recently sent in this great still of Patrick Barr (1908-1985) as King Richard I in Walt Disney's live-action movie the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

Like Hubert Gregg who played Prince John, Barr resurrected his role as Richard the Lionheart in two episodes of the classic TV series the Adventures of Robin Hood. In a unique cross-over between the silver screen and television  he appeared once again as King Richard, this time alongside Richard Greene in two episodes; Secret Mission (1956) and Richard the Lion-Heart (1956) .

Patrick (or Pat, as he was sometimes called) was born in Akola, India on 13th February 1908 and had his first brush with the legendary outlaw when he first appeared on the silver screen in 1932 as a torturer in the black and white short, The Merry Men of Sherwood.

During the 1930’s Patrick was very often cast as dependable, trustworthy characters and after six years of military service during WWII he continued to bring those qualities to his roles in a very long career in film and television. His early notable movies included The Case of the Frightened Lady (1940), The Blue Lagoon (1949), The Lavender Hill Mob (1951) and The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

In 1950 Patrick had appeared as the Earl of Northumberland in a television production of Richard II and it was in this medium that his popularity was mainly to grow, although he did continue to perform in some celebrated films. He appeared once again alongside Richard Todd in the classic war film, The Dambusters (1955), Saint Joan (1957), Next To Time (1960), The Longest Day (1962), Billy Liar (1963) The First Great Train Robbery (1979) and Octopussy in (1983).

His later television appearances included four episodes of Dr Who, three performances as Lord Boyne in The Secret of Boyne Castle for the Wonderful World of Disney in 1969 and three episodes of Telford’s Change in 1979.
Pat died aged 77 in Wandsworth, London on 29th August 1985.

To read more about Patrick Barr please click here. There are also 84 stills and images from Disney's Story of Robin Hood in the Picture Gallery and more information on the real Richard the Lionheart here.