Robin Hood Autograph Collection

I expect a lot of my regular readers, like myself, will look upon this collection of autographs and images from the Story of Robin Hood, with admiration and envy. The picture of this wonderful display was sent in by Laurence and shows his fondness for Disney's Technicolor masterpiece.

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.

Full Cast

In credits order:

Richard Todd :- Robin Hood

Joan Rice:- Maid Marian

Peter Finch:- Sheriff of Nottingham

James Hayter:- Friar Tuck

James Robertson Justice:- Little John

Martita Hunt:- Queen Eleanor

Hubert Gregg:- Prince John

Bill Owen:- Stutely

Reginald Tate:- Hugh Fitzooth

Elton Hayes:- Alan A Dale

Anthony Eustrel:- Archbishop of Canterbury

Patrick Barr:- King Richard

Anthony Forwood:- Will Scarlet

Hal Osmond:- Midge the Miller

Michael Hordern:- Scathelok

Clement McCallin:- Earl of Huntingdon

Louise Hampton:- Tyb

Archie Duncan:- Red Gill

Rest of cast in alphabetical order:

John Brooking:- Merrie Man

Ivan Craig:- Merrie Man

David Davies:- Forester

John French:- Merrie Man

Richard Graydon:- Merrie Man

Geoffrey Lumsden:- Merrie Man

John Martin:- Merrie Man

Larry Mooney:- Merrie Man

Nigel Neilson:- Merrie Man

Charles Perry:- Merrie Man

Ewen Solon:- Merrie Man

Julian Somers:- Posse Leader

John Stamp:- Merrie Man

Jack Taylor:- Merrie Man

Bill Travers:- Posse Man