Elton Hayes

Elton Hayes as Alan a Dale

 Above is a rare publicity still of Elton Hayes (1915-2001) as Alan a Dale in Walt Disney’s live-action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Elton said Robin Hood was his second association with Walt Disney.

Elton Hayes was also hired by Disney to prepare original sea chanties for Treasure Island because his collection of old English ballads was unrivalled in all of England. At the time he was described as Britain's counterpart to America's Burl Ives, a ballad and folk singer.

So, Hayes was ‘made for the part’ of Alan a Dale, the legendary wandering minstrel. He carried the story uniquely from scene to scene, imitating the link the legend has with the balladeers that first spread the legend in medieval England.

James Hayter as Friar Tuck and Elton Hayes as Alan a Dale

Over 73 years ago, Elton together with a rich array of talented actors and actresses filmed the Story of Robin Hood at Denham Studios and Burnam Beeches in Buckinghamshire, England. Although this wonderful version of the legend has held up remarkably well down the decades and many critics rate it highly in the long list of Robin Hood productions, today, it is generally forgotten.

There are a couple of CDs available of the music of Elton Hayes. But for fans of the Story of Robin Hood, I recommend the remastered compilation by Windyridge (WINDYVAR90), which includes 'Whistle My Love,' and 'Riddle de Diddle De Day.’

Special thanks to John Nelson for sending this image.

Elton Hayes Comic Strip

 

Occasionally a rare item will appear that has connections to Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood (1952). This is a comic strip featuring Elton Hayes ' telling a story.' The item is not dated and only one page survives, it seems to have been printed c.1940's.

How many actors that played the role of Alan-a-Dale in a Robin Hood production were real minstrels? I can only think of one. Elton Hayes (1915-2001).

Elton was a  fascinating person and one of many people involved in The Story of Robin Hood that I would have loved to have met. One person that did meet him was Sallie Walrond and in her book, 'Trot on: Sixty Years of Horses' she says:

When Elton Hayes came to live at Thorne Lodge I was delighted to meet him. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word, incredibly wise and with a kind but quick sense of humour and bright as a button right up until his death. I remember as a child listening to him on the radio singing The Owl and the Pussycat and seeing him as the minstrel Allan-a-Dale in a favourite Robin Hood starring Richard Todd.

(Trot On: Sixty Years of Horses by Sallie Walrond and Anne Grimshaw, Kenilworth Press, 2004) 

Elton Hayes

Below is an article about Elton from 1954:

Elton Hayes has been singing to a small guitar ever since he bought a sixpenny ukulele as a school boy. The smooth easy manner in which he sings those old English ballads and folk songs has come with many years of training in the theatre.

Elton was born in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, but spent most of his school days in Leicester. His parents were both in the entertainment business - his father was in the circus and his mother was a singer.

It was natural that Elton should want to follow in his parents footsteps. He toured the country with them, and while they performed on stage, he would sit in the wings watching, and learning how show business worked.

He soon mastered the sixpenny ukulele which he bought with his pocket money, and by the time he was ten years old he could play nearly every stringed instrument.

But Elton wanted to be a straight actor. However fate turned his career in other directions. He became interested in old English folk songs and ballads.

When the war started in 1939 Elton joined the army and became a gunner in the Royal Artillery. He was posted overseas in India and decided to take his guitar with him. He was also given a commission.

While in India he became seriously ill with rheumatic fever. This was a tragedy for Elton. for his fingers began to stiffen.

One day he remembered his guitar. He took it from its case and began strumming it. And soon, after  many hours of painful effort his fingers grew more supple. He could play again. His courage had brought him through.

In 1946 Elton returned to Britain and appeared on In Town Tonight. This was a beginning. For, like thousands of other ex-serviceman, he found that he had to begin building a career again.

Just how successful he has been can be judged from the number of programmes he has appeared in on radio and television.

He has had a record spot on nearly every major radio station on the Continent and the BBC. He has appeared in his own show on television and was a permanent member of Eric Barker's Just Fancy. And of course he makes gramophone records.

When the film Robin Hood  was made in this country, the producers did not have to search far for the man to play the strolling minstrel - Elton Hayes was a  natural choice."

After suffering a stroke in 1995, Hayes had to give up the farm he owned and moved to live with friends, who cared for him until his death. He married in 1942, Betty Inman, who died in 1982. There is much more on the life of Elton Hayes on this site including his discography. Just click on the label for Elton Hayes.

Super Rare Robin Hood Record & Discography

Thanks to the regular input of many of my readers, this blog continues to reveal rare memorabilia from Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood (1952). Matt Crandall has sent me what he describes as a 'super-rare' disc containing songs from the motion picture sung by the Sandpiper Singers with additional lyrics by Marshall Barer. 

I have never seen this disc before. It is a Big Golden Unbreakable Record (DBR 5) and the songs include, The Robin Hood Ballad, Riddle-De-Diddle-De-Day and Sing High, Sing Low.

It can now be added to our list of music and records by Elton Hayes and from The Story of Robin Hood.

Elton Hayes (1915-2001) played the part of the minstrel Allan-a-Dale in Walt Disney’s live action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

Today he is sadly almost forgotten, but Hayes was very well-known to radio and television audiences of the 1950’s as ‘the man with the small guitar’ and Paul McCartney recollects that it was his song Whistle My Love from Robin Hood that influenced the Beatles composition Little Child in 1963. 

Recently I posted a list of Elton Hayes’s songs that have been released on record down the years. I knew it was incomplete and asked for help. Luckily I was contacted by our regular visitor Geoff Waite. He kindly helped me update my list of Elton’s recordings and sent some interesting facts to go with it.

ELTON HAYES SONGLIST

THE TABLE AND THE CHAIR / THE JUMBLIES

78 RPM Parlophone UK Released 1950 

THE WILD COLONIAL BOY/ BACK TO HILO

78 RPM Melodisc Records 1950/51

JUST A WEARYIN’ FOR YOU/ THE PHANTOM

STAGE-COACH

78 RPM Melodisc Records 1950/51

‘Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood’

78 RPM 2LP Capitol US Released 1952

(Included 20 page colour story book)

(Included songs by Elton Hayes)

WHISTLE MY LOVE / RIDDLE DE DIDDLE DE-DAY

78 RPM Parlophone UK Released 1952 

THE MILLER'S DAUGHTER / SPINNING WHEEL

78 RPM Parlophone UK Released 1952 

I PASS ALL MY HOURS / COURTIN' IN THE KITCHEN

78 RPM Parlophone UK Released 1952 

THE BROOM, THE SHOVEL, THE POKER AND THE TONGS / THE QUANGLE WANGLE'S HAT

78 RPM Parlophone UK Released 1952 

THE LITTLE BLACK HORSE / NOT THE MARRYING KIND

78 RPM Parlophone UK Released 1953 

LITTLE MOHEE / THE PHANTOM STAGE-COACH

78 RPM Parlophone UK Released 1953 

THE DUCK AND THE KANGAROO / THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT

78 RPM Parlophone UK Released 1953

ALL AROUND MY HAT/ THE UNQUIET GRAVE

78 RPM HMV B1052 Released 1953

(Recorded under the auspices of the English Folk Dance and Song Society)

A FROG HE WOULD A WOOING GO/OH THE CUCKOO SHE’S A PRETTY BIRD

78 RPM HMV B1053 Released 1953

GREENSLEEVES / JOE THE CARRIER LAD

78 RPM Parlophone UK Released 1953 

I HAD A HIPPOPOTAMUS / ADELPHI ARCHES

78 RPM Parlophone UK Released 1954

MY HEART IS LIKE A NIGHTINGALE / BOLD BLACK KNIGHT

78 RPM Parlophone UK Released 1954 

‘FOR THE CHILDREN’

EP Parlophone UK Released 1955

The Table and the Chair/ The Jumblies/The Broom, the Shovel, the Poker and the Tongs/ The Quangle Wangles Hat / The Duck and the Kangaroo / The Owl and the Pussycat.

JAQUELINE / LITTLE BRIDGET FLYNN

78 RPM Parlophone UK Released 1956 

‘Folk Songs’

EP 45 World Record Club 1956/57

SWEET MAID IF YOU MARRY / OH GOOD ALE / I PASS ALL MY HOURS/ THE LONDON BEAU/

’TISS TRUE I NEVER WAS IN LOVE/ THE VAIN DREAMER

‘Songs for Children’

EP 45 World Record Club 1956/57

THE CUCKOO CLOCK / THE SOLDIER /THE HOUSEWIFE AND THE HIGHWAYMAN / TWO PIRATES

‘Elton Hayes Sings to his Small Guitar’

EP 45 Parlophone UK Released 1959

JOE THE CARRIER LAD / THE MILLER’S DAUGHTER

THE PHANTOM STAGE-COACH / RIDDLE DE DIDDLE DE DAY

 

‘The Story of Robin Hood’

LP 33 RPM EMI Music for Pleasure MFP 1285 

UK Released 1963

(Movie Soundtrack)

RIDDLE-DE-DIDDLE-DE-DAY

COME SING LOW, COME SING HIGH

‘The Story of Robin Hood’

LP 33 RPM Disneyland DQ-1249 USA Released 1963

(Alternative Cover)

(Movie Soundtrack)

RIDDLE-DE-DIDDLE-DE-DAY

COME SING LOW, COME SING HIGH

‘Disneyland Doubles’

45 RPM Disneyland Doubles UK Released 1971

THE BALLAD OF ROBIN HOOD

(Reverse side was the Ballad of Davy Crocket)

‘Hello Children Everywhere Volume 4’

(Various Artists)

CD Disc EMI Released 1991

WHISTLE MY LOVE

‘Hello Children Everywhere’

(Various Artists)

CD 3 Discs EMI 6999605 Released 2005

THE OWL AND THE PUSSYCAT

The Elton Hayes double CD, that we have been patiently waiting for, is now available on the  Retrospective label, from Amazon UK. The 64 recordings display a unique mix of various traditional English ballads performed by Elton. Unfortunately his songs from Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952) are not featured. 

The sleeve notes are written by Geoff Waite, who is not only an authority on the life and career of Elton Hayes, but a regular contributor to this web site.  Geoff kindly kept me regularly informed during the albums production.

Elton Hayes as Alan-a-Dale

It is wonderful to finally own this rare collection of music by Elton. Some of the tracks have been skilfully restored from acetate discs. And, one track I particularly enjoyed and recommend, is The Girl in the Wood track 11 on CD2. It is both beautiful and haunting.

The new CD

John Nelson was in touch to inform me that this Elton Hayes CD has been released. And this one does include the two main songs sung by Elton as Alan-a-Dale, Whistle My Love and Riddle de Diddle De Day. 

Tracks on the new CD

This CD has been produced on the Windyridge label as part of their "Variety" series (WINDYVAR90) and is available here.

Whistle My Love by Elton Hayes

James Hayter as Friar Tuck and Elton Hayes as Alan-a-Dale

If you see any errors or have any more information that can be added to the discography please get in touch. 

Please click on the Label Elton Hayes to read more about his life.

Elton Promotes Robin Hood

 

Neil Vessey has kindly sent in some more images of Elton Hayes (1915-2001) promoting Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood. Regular readers will know that Elton played Allan-a-Dale in the Disney live-action version of the legend. The picture above shows Elton playing songs from the film at Bingley Hall in Birmingham.

The magazine article that Neil has found, appeared in 'To-Days Cinema' on May 1st 1952.

Elton at a tailoring factory in Leeds

The magazine describes Elton's hectic schedule during this period:

Touring key provincial cities making personal appearances at theatres screening Walt Disney's British production in Technicolor, "The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men," Elton Hayes, who plays Allan-a-Dale, the roaming troubadour in the RKO Radio release, earned great added publicity for the film by visiting hospitals, children's homes, dance salons and big local functions. (1). Between times of his appearances at the Plaza, Woodford, Hayes attended the Delphian League match between Woodford Town and Rainham Town, "doing the honours" by kicking off.

Elton 'Kicks off'

His promotional tour continued:

Elton at Cardiff Castle

(2). Hayes relaxes during his strenuous tour by singing to attendants of the Empire, the Cardiff theatre at which he appeared, in the picturesque grounds of the Castle. (3). After appearing at the Gaumont, Liverpool, Hayes is cornered by young autograph hunters. (4). Prior to appearing at the Majestic and Scala theatres in Leeds, Hayes visited the tailoring factory of Price and tried his hand at cutting a suit. He is watched by (second from left) Mr. W. Finan, personnel manager of the firm, and (second from right) Mr. C. Willmott, manager of the Scala. (5). While in Birmingham, where he appeared at the Gaumont, Hayes paid a mid-day visit to the National Trades Fair at Bingley Hall, where he is pictured on the stage with Harry Roy and his band, entertaining a large audience with hit tunes from the Disney adventure.

We now know that after the 'official' premiere of The Story of Robin Hood in London at the Leicester Square Theatre on the 13th March 1952, there were 'provincial' premieres the following month. Elton then sailed off to America on a further promotional tour on May 8th 1952.

Back in 2017, Geoff Waite very kindly shared with us some images from his own private collection of some of these provincial premieres. 

Joan Rice (Maid Marian) and James Hayter (Friar Tuck) visited Portsmouth and Southsea on the 7th of April 1952.  On April 24th Joan also joined Elton Hayes at the Odeon in Manchester. Then Elton  visited the Gaumont Theatre in Liverpool on the 27th. The accompanying film on these occasions were Hammer, The Toff starring John Bentley and Patricia Dainton.  I discovered that the provincial premiere of Robin Hood in Manchester was during the midnight matinee on April 24th 1952 at the Odeon Theatre.  

Elton Hayes and Joan Rice at the Odeon Theatre Manchester 

I would have loved to have been sitting amongst the audience in Bingley Hall listening to Elton playing those tunes from Robin Hood!

Special thanks to Neil and Geoff for providing the information and making us aware of these provincial premieres. 

To read more about Elton Hayes, Joan Rice, the Film Premiere and a whole lot more, just click on the links in the side panel.

Elton Hayes the Minstrel

 

The unidentified article (shown above) reads:

This modern-day minstrel is a transatlantic troubadour, having sought and won the patronage of the B.B.C. Films, recordings for Parlophone and H.M.V. and the Stage.

Elton Hayes compiles his program with great care - 'The trouble is that you may know hundreds of songs, but if they're all the same type only a few may be suitable for a Recital Programme; to overcome that trouble I often have to write my own'.

But in writing them Elton Hayes is doing just as his medieval predecessors did, bring up to date a medieval art, the only difference being, that none of them played to such a vast audience as the modern- day minstrel.

Elton Hayes (1915-2001) was ‘made for the part’ of Alan a Dale the legendary wandering minstrel. He carried the story uniquely from scene to scene, imitating the link the legend has with the balladeers that first spread the legend in medieval England. 

70 years ago, Elton together with a rich array of talented actors and actresses was busy filming the Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men at Denham Studios and Burnam Beeches in Buckinghamshire, England. Although this wonderful version of the legend has held up remarkably well down the decades and many critics rate it highly in the long list of Robin Hood productions, today it is generally forgotten. One of the reasons is probably due to the DVD not being released by Disney in Europe and also their cartoon version of the legend overshadowing the earlier live-action production.

Others in the film's cast were Richard Todd, who played the title role; James Robertson Justice, Little John; Martitia Hunt as Queen Eleanor, and James Hayter as Friar Tuck.

James Hayter as Friar Tuck and Elton Hayes as Alan a Dale

Hayes said Robin Hood was his second association with Walt Disney. He was hired by Disney to prepare original sea chanties for Treasure Island, due to the fact that Hayes collection of old English ballads were unrivalled in all of England.

At the time he was described as Britain's counterpart to America's Burl Ives, ballad and folk singer.

There are a couple of C.D's available of the music of Elton Hayes. But for fans of the Story of Robin Hood, I recommend the remastered compilation by Windyridge (WINDYVAR90), which includes 'Whistle My Love,' and 'Riddle de Diddle De Day.'

Elton Hayes as Alan-a-Dale

Elton Hayes as Alan-a-Dale

 

In my opinion the best portrayal of the minstrel Alan-a-Dale in both film and television was by Elton Hayes (1915-2001). He appeared as the legendary character in Walt Disney’s live-action film The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Above is a rare still of him on set during the filming of this underrated movie.

A magazine article from 1954 describes Elton's early life:

“ Elton Hayes has been singing to a small guitar ever since he bought a sixpenny ukulele as a school boy. The smooth easy manner in which he sings those old English ballads and folk songs has come with many years of training in the theatre.

Elton was born in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, but spent most of his school days in Leicester. His parents were both in the entertainment business - his father was in the circus and his mother was a singer.

It was natural that Elton should want to follow in his parents footsteps. He toured the country with them, and while they performed on stage, he would sit in the wings watching, and learning how show business worked.

He soon mastered the sixpenny ukulele which he bought with his pocket money, and by the time he was ten years old he could play nearly every stringed instrument.

But Elton wanted to be a straight actor. However fate turned his career in other directions. He became interested in old English folk songs and ballads.

When the war started in 1939 Elton joined the army and became a gunner in the Royal Artillery. He was posted overseas in India and decided to take his guitar with him. He was also given a commission.

While in India he became seriously ill with rheumatic fever. This was a tragedy for Elton, for his fingers began to stiffen.

One day he remembered his guitar. He took it from its case and began strumming it. And soon, after  many hours of painful effort his fingers grew more supple. He could play again. His courage had brought him through.

In 1946 Elton returned to Britain and appeared on ‘In Town Tonight’. This was a beginning. For, like thousands of other ex-serviceman, he found that he had to begin building a career again.

Just how successful he has been can be judged from the number of programmes he has appeared in on radio and television.

He has had a record spot on nearly every major radio station on the Continent and the BBC. He has appeared in his own show on television and was a permanent member of Eric Barker's ‘Just Fancy’. And of course he makes gramophone records.

When the film ‘ Robin Hood’ was made in this country, the producers did not have to search far for the man to play the strolling minstrel - Elton Hayes was a  natural choice”.

Elton fishing during a break from filming Robin Hood

If you want to read more about the life and career of Elton Hayes just click on the label below.

Elton Hayes Interview

John Nelson has recently sent me a link to a fascinating interview with Elton Hayes. I have posted about this video clip before, but its worth mentioning again.

Elton Hayes in 1984

Back in 2012, Neil also made me aware of this, but unfortunately, due to the strict copyright laws by the owners, East Anglian Film Archive, I can not post the interview on here. But, for fans and admirers of the talented Elton Hayes, this is a must-see. Not only does he describe his work for Walt Disney on Treasure Island and Robin Hood, but Elton also sings a verse from the song ‘Wanderin' Star’, from the movie Paint Your Wagon.


Here is the link:  Elton Hayes Interview


The video clip is referenced as ‘Spectrun-Out of Town-Squeezbox: Elton Hayes’ and was filmed at Elton's farm in Suffolk in 1984.

Elton Hayes as Allan-a-Dale

In my opinion, Elton Hayes’s portrayal of Alan-a-Dale in Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood (1952), has never been surpassed. He was ‘made for the part’ and as the wandering minstrel, he carried the story uniquely from scene to scene, imitating the link the legend has with the balladeers that first spread the legend in medieval England.


There are over 34 pages on this blog, dedicated to Elton Hayes.  Much of the information has come to us via Geoff Waite, who has not only researched the life of Elton, but recently written a short bio in a CD compilation of his work. This is now available on the Retrospective label, from Amazon UK. 

The 64 recordings display a unique mix of various traditional English ballads performed by Elton. But, unfortunately his songs from Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952) are not featured. 

Whistle My Love by Elton Hayes

But a CD  produced on the Windyridge label as part of their ‘Variety’  series (WINDYVAR90) does include ‘ Whistle My Love ' and ‘ Riddle Dee Diddle Dee Day,’ and is available here.

Elton Hayes attends the Cardiff Empire Provincial Premiere

Elton Hayes at the Cardiff Empire promoting Robin Hood

Down the years I have been able to publish a great deal about the making of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men. Some of this information has come from my regular readers, including Geoff Waite. Geoff is a well respected authority on the life and recording career of Elton Hayes (1915-2001), who played the part of the minstrel ‘Alan-A-Dale’ in this Technicolor classic. 

Elton Hayes as Alan-A-Dale with James Hayer as Friar Tuck

Geoff contacted me recently regarding the ‘provincial premieres’ of Disney’s Robin Hood, something which, up until a few years ago, I did not realise had happened. 

Elton entertaining patients at the Cardiff Royal General Infirmary in 1952

Geoff says:

“ Going back to the question of the provincial premiere, or premiere’s, of Disney’s  The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men, we know that members of the cast such as Joan Rice, James Hayter and Elton Hayes made personal appearances when the film opened at selected theatres around the country.  I am aware that Elton Hayes attended openings at the Manchester Odeon, the Cardiff Empire, and the Gaumont theatres in Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester before he sailed for America on 6 May 1952 to promote the film for Disney.

Here are some photos from my private collection relating to the opening at the Cardiff Empire. As you will see, Elton was accompanied by two Maid Marian’s and one of the ‘Merrie Men’!!  The first has Elton demonstrating his prowess as a bowman (without an arrow). And earlier in the day, we find him serenading the two Maid Marian’s at Cardiff Castle. I think this is a splendid picture. He also entertained patients at the Cardiff Royal General Infirmary, and I will send these on to you.

Unfortunately, I do not know the Cardiff date, but it must have been around the time of the Manchester and Liverpool openings in April 1952. I hope you like the photos”.
(Geoff Waite)

Elton signs for a fan at the Cardiff Royal General Infirmary in 1952

I am sure my readers will agree that these are amazing images. Thank you Geoff for sharing them with us.

Elton with two Maid Marians at Cardiff Castle in 1952

This blog has 34 pages on the life of Elton Hayes (1915-2001). Included are details of his recording career, performances and a complete discography. Just click here to read a great deal more. 

Robin and Hugh Fitzooth

Yet another rare image from our favourite movie! I am always surprised how many of these stills survive. And it is always a thrill to see them. From left to right we can see Robin’s father Hugh Fitzooth played by Reginald Tate, Richard Todd as Robin Hood (Robin Fitzooth) and Alan-a-Dale portrayed wonderfuly by Elton Hayes.

This site has hundreds of images that can be accessed via the ‘Picture Gallery’ label and across the 800 posts on this site. But, if you have any rare images from the movie that you would like to share, please get in touch.

Elton Hayes's Robin Hood Tracks

The new CD

Back in February of this year, I was pleased to announce the release of a compilation of songs by Elton Hayes (1915-2001). This double CD is a collection on the Retrospective  label (RTS4320) of 64 tracks, that include some very rare tunes by our Alan-a-Dale. Included in this collection are detailed sleeve notes by Geoff Waite, a regular contributor to this site. 

Unfortunately, many of us were disappointed to discover that songs from Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952), were not included amongst his hits. But this week, John Nelson was in touch to inform me that a new Elton Hayes CD has been released. And this one does include the two main songs sung by Elton as Alan-a-Dale, Whistle My Love and Riddle de Diddle De Day. 

Tracks on the new CD

This CD has been produced on the Windyridge label as part of their "Variety" series (WINDYVAR90) and is available here.

For myself and many of my readers, Elton Hayes will always be Alan-a-Dale, the legendary minstrel that eventually joined Robin Hood's outlaw band. 

Whistle My Love by Elton Hayes

The London premiere of Walt Disney's second live-action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men was on March 13th 1952. Elton's ballads as Allan-a-Dale, created a traditional link throughout the film and its success provided him with global popularity. The success of the film, led to him completing a nineteen-city tour of the USA and Canada, making 113 radio and TV appearances in eight hectic weeks.

James Hayter as Friar Tuck and Elton Hayes as Alan-a-Dale

There are now over 32 pages on this blog, about the life and career of Elton Hayes. They include a concise discography of his music. Please click here to see a lot more.