Robin Hood at School

We often revisit Disney's short promotional film The Riddle of Robin Hood, a rare gem that provides a fascinating look into the making of the live-action movie The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952). It highlights the efforts of Disney's research team in delving into the Robin Hood legend. While its primary purpose was to promote the upcoming film—an idea devised by Disney publicist Bill Crozier Walsh (1913–1975)—I was surprised to learn it was shown in nearly every school across the USA!

This article from "Walt Disney Studio Production News " again demonstrates something we have known for a long time—Disney was meticulous when promoting his films. Matt Crandall kindly sent me the pages shown above and below, which show the preparations for the future releases of Disney's animation Peter Pan (1953) and the live-action Story of Robin Hood (1952).

Here below is the text taken from the article:

"Probability that Walt Disney's live-action Technicolor romantic melodrama, THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD, will be one of the hit pictures of the year got a big added push through a precedential promotion device blanketing every important school district in the nation.

It bears the provocative title, THE RIDDLE OF ROBIN HOOD, and is a 15-minute documentary prelude to the theatrical feature. 

 

Stirring highlights in the legend of the celebrated outlaw patriot are combined with a behind-the-scenes revelation of how the Disney picture was made. This, as scores of prominent educators have acknowledged, has legitimate classroom value. At the same time, wherever THE RIDDLE has been loaned to schools, a new focal point of intense interest in THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD has been set up, with obvious reflection at the local theatre box office. 

Use and reception of the innovation by school authorities and students in scores of cities is the talk of the trade and portends further use of similar documentary shorts for other feature releases. 

It is also designed for television use and has already been importantly programmed in this medium as part of the enormous advertising, publicity and exploitation campaign in operation behind THE STORY OF ROBIN HOOD".

I have been told the Riddle of Robin Hood was also shown in Britain, both on television and in the cinema. Did you see it? 

 

 

The Nobleman of the Woods

We have seen hundreds of promotional items for Walt Disney's live-action film The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Many of them are on this blog and can be seen by clicking on the label  'Film Promotion' and 'Memorabilia.' 

When a new Disney film was released, every form of advertising was used. Toys, books, clothing, games, sweets, records etc. Above is unusual stationery from Portugal, which I presume you would describe as a letterheading.  Below Maid Marian (Joan Rice) and Robin Hood (Richard Todd) is O Fidalgo Dos Bosques, ' The Nobleman of the Woods'.

Robin Hood Fotobusta and Lobby Cards

Matt Crandall has recently made me aware of an Italian fotobusta (above) from an early release of Walt Disney's live-action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

The fotobusta/photobusta serves a similar purpose to the 'lobby card' found in other countries.

They are usually issued in a set, each showing a different image or scene from a film. They can be found in both portrait and landscape formats. 

We now have a huge collection of film posters on this blog, issued during the various release dates of The Story of Robin Hood. But I think these lobby cards are also worth looking at.

The style and quality of this selection make me think they were produced during the early release dates of the film.

After seeing this wonderful film all those years ago, I would have loved to have owned these!

Don't forget to visit my 'Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men' Facebook page.

Robin Hood Flour Poster

Matt Crandall has kindly sent me a copy of this 'Robin Hood Flour' poster. It was issued as part of the promotion for Walt Disney's live-action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

We have looked at this advertisement several times. Janet VanMeter, a Robin Hood fan and regular blog reader, shared pictures of her complete cookie-cutter collection.

Also included in the film promotion were three giveaway small comic books, 7.25 inches tall x 5 inches wide and printed by Western Publishing. The first free comic was ‘The Miller’s Ransom,’ followed by the ‘Ghosts of Waylea Castle', the third is sadly unknown. The comics were written by Don Christensen and illustrated by Tony Sgroi and Russ Manning.

 Robin Hood Flour was founded in 1900 by Donald Mclean in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, in western Canada. In 1909 the mill was taken over by Francis Atherton Bean of Minneapolis and within two years, it produced over 1,600 barrels of flour daily.

Using the green and red archer emblem as a sign of good value and respectability, Robin Hood Flour and its recipes have remained popular for over a century. In the late 50s and early 1960s, the company even used a jingle made from the theme tune of the classic TV series The Adventures of Robin Hood which starred Richard Greene.

Although the illustration on the poster is supposed to represent Richard Todd as Robin Hood, I don't think it's a very good likeness. What do you think?

If you want to see previous articles about Robin Hood Flour, just click on the label 'Film Promotion.'

Robin Hood's Promotion

 

Above is a screenshot from the Daily News (London) on March 14th 1952 showing Joan Rice at the London Première of Walt Disney's "Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men":

'There's no mistaking Maid Marian (Joan Rice) as she arrives for last night's première. Robin Hood motifs trim her tulle skirt. Her velvet bodice is in Lincoln Green, of course.

The amount of advertising and promotion that went on before and during the release of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952) never ceases to amaze me. I have once again been delving in the newspaper archives and discovered another glimpse of the work that went on. This article appeared in Kinomatograph Weekly on March 5th 1952:

RKO’s Showmanship Link with CMA for ‘Robin Hood’ and ‘Saturday Island ' 

"The world premières of both ‘Robin Hood’ and ‘Saturday Island’ are to be presented by RKO-Radio, with the operation of CMA, in traditional showmanship fashion. They will be launched with publicity campaigns outstanding even in RKO showmanship.

A few days before the opening, on March 13, of Walt Disney’s ‘Robin Hood’ in Technicolor, at the Leicester Square Theatre, the Daily Graphic will start its picture serialisation and will be sponsoring a £200 competition on popular lines. It will be backed by widespread national campaigns by Kelsey Newspapers. The première, like that of the provincial opening later, in Manchester, will be in aid of the National Advertising Benevolent Society.

The BBC will serialise ‘Robin Hood’ on five successive evenings starting April 28 on the Light programme from 6.15-6.45 p.m., a time when the film will be at the height of its general release. The material will be from the sound track of the film with added matter recorded by stars Richard Todd and Joan Rice.

Joan Rice and Richard Todd

It will also be featured on the day of the première itself, in ‘Film Time’, while Joan Rice has a special ‘Robin Hood’ spot on television’s ‘Kaleidoscope.’ Many of Britain’s large circulation magazines are also devoting big spaces to the picture tying in with its première and general release.

In addition to this editorial coverage, national advertising started last Thursday with prominent spaces in leading journals and a widespread poster campaign both in the West End and in the provinces.

National tie-ins have also been arranged with a large number of commercial houses.

Elton Hayes, the BBC man with a small guitar, who makes a film debut in the picture, will tour key presentations in the provinces."

Kinomatograph Weekly March 5th 1952

I would love to hear those recordings that Richard Todd and Joan Rice made for the BBC! 

Does that episode of 'Kaleidoscope' with Joan Rice survive?

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. "

 

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.

Promotional Spanish Magazine Article

A Spanish Magazine article about The Story of Robin Hood

I am sorry my postings have been few and far between. There are a number of reasons - including trying to move house which has been a rollercoaster of experiences! So a big thank you to Matt Crandall for helping me by sending this Spanish magazine article promoting the release of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men in 1952. 

Joan Rice as Maid Marian

Those of you that have explored the hundreds of pages and images on this blog, will be familiar with the pictures used in that magazine. So I have shared a similar promotional photograph of the lovely Joan Rice above, which I have colourised. 

Richard Todd as Robin Hood

The photograph of Walt Disney with his wife and two daughters in that magazine, is interesting. From the photographs I have seen of him on the set at Denham during the making of The Story of Robin Hood, I am sure he looked older! What do you think?

Advertising the Story of Robin Hood

 

One of the many things I have learned, since writing this blog about the Story of Robin Hood, is the huge amount of advertising and promotion that Disney used for his films. We have seen in previous articles the images of the shop displays in many of the major stores in London, completely decked-out with 'Robin Hood' toys and memorabilia in 1952. Click the link ‘Film Premiere’ to see more.

In my last blog post I showed, with the help of Janet VanMeter, how Walt Disney and Robin Hood Flour combined to promote his newly released live-action movie. Available with a purchase of Robin Hood Flour, were posters, cookie cutters and free comic books - all linked to the movie.

Above is another example of Disney's advertising campaign. This full page (above) was kindly sent in by Neil and shows Robin Hood Flour alongside an extraordinary collection of companies, all promoting the Story of Robin Hood.