Richard and Joan

This steamy shot is from a Disney film! It shows Richard Todd as Robin Hood and Joan Rice as Maid Marian in Walt Disney’s live action movie ‘The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men released in 1952. A very underrated film.

By this time, Richard Todd (1919-2009) was already a popular actor. He had received an Oscar nomination for his role as 'Lachie' in The Hasty Heart (1949) and recently finished Hitchcock's Stage Fright (1950) and King Vidor's Lightning Strikes Twice (1951).

But for Joan Rice, the former 'Nippy' from a Lyons Tea House, this was her first big break. Joan had spent her childhood in a convent in Nottingham and had often played amongst the oaks of Sherwood Forest...

Just click on the labels to learn more about Joan and Richard.

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?

Joan Rice as Maid Marian

I recently posted about Elton Hayes as the best Alan a Dale in films and television. Here is the beautiful Joan Rice (1930-1997) as Maid Marian on a cinema lobby card for Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). She in my opinion was the best Maid Marian of all-time. 

There are now 97 pages on this blog covering every aspect of Joan's life and career. During the process of publishing those various articles, I have learnt so much about this now almost forgotten actress. How as a child she played amongst the glades of Sherwood Forest and later was personally chosen by Walt Disney to appear as Maid Marian in his live-action movie. She was always proud to say that she was Disney’s first Marian.

Alas, her film career was short but her memory is kept alive on this site.

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.

                                                     

Joan Rice (1930-1997)

Joan Rice as Maid Marian

Joan Rice sadly passed away on New Years Day in 1997, she was 66. This blog site is dedicated to her memory and has over 95 pages about her life and career. 

It is always nice to hear from readers who knew Joan. So I thought I would share a few of their memories. Fred got in touch in December 2019 and said:

The first and only time I saw Joan's acting was in ‘Blind Bait’. I loved her innocence, despite she played a very charming bigamist. May God grant her peace.

Geoffrey Cunning recalled Joan finding him a flat:


I remember her well from her property letting agency in Maidenhead. I was do delighted to meet her, having not seen her since the Maid Marian days. Still beautiful with a husky voice (smoking!) She was delightful to talk to - and found me a flat in Bray.

Joan Rice as Maid Marian

It was during the days of C.B. Radio that John Poynter remembers Joan:

My memories of Joan, are from her use of a C.B. Radio. ‘Rice Pudding’ she called herself. I spent a few afternoons in her flat just talking. She was a great and wonderful lady, I still think of her often. Especially when I pass her flat in Maidenhead. Rest In Peace Joan.

Mike Halston left a message on Joan’s obituary page:

Just watched ‘Police Dog’ on Talking Pictures TV. Joan was certainly a bit of a stunner with not a little acting ability. Very similar in her appearance to her contemporary, Hazel Court. Fondly remembered now.

Thank you to everyone one who has got in touch with their memories of Joan Rice. If you have any memories of ‘our Maid Marian,’ please get in touch.

Joan Rice at the Golders Green Theatre

Joan Rice in 1973

It is always interesting to read your comments about my posts on this blog. Here is a message I received from Steve, regarding Joan Rice (1930-1997):

“ As a Grammar school boy I remember seeing her in Tea Sympathy at the Golders Green theatre which later became the BBC rehearsal theatre. We had seen her in Robin Hood the Disney film and were delighted to see a ‘ Hollywood Star’ on stage...from memory she was very sexy in a play which appealed to young men of a certain age. Just seen her in The Steel Key with Terence Morgan on Talking Pictures....always thought that they would have made a perfect Paul Temple and Steve”.
EAC3

Golders Green Hippodrome 

The Grade II listed Hippodrome Theatre building next to Golders Green Underground station was built as a 3,000-seat music hall by Bertie Crewe, and opened on Boxing Day 1913.

Its capacity was reduced by half with the construction of a full theatre stage, and it began to be used for pre- and post-London tours, and has been used as a receiving venue for West End transfers.  

It would be interesting to know the year Robert Anderson’s Tea and Sympathy was performed there? It must have been sometime between 1956 (because of a ban being lifted) and 1969 when the BBC took the theatre over as a television studio.

Joan Rice

Although Joan Rice’s acting ability was criticised by director Ken Annakin and actor Richard Todd, my research had shown that as her film stardom waned, she continued a successful stage career.

She had actually attended ‘The Company of Youth,’ often known as the ‘Rank Charm School,’ J. Arthur Rank's training institution for young film actors. It was established adjacent to Rank's experimental Highbury studio in a disused church hall, under the auspices of Olive Dodds, the Organisation's Director of Artistes. The school trained its pupils in everything from voice production to fencing and launched the careers of stars like: Christopher Lee, Dirk Bogarde, Patrick McGoohan, Donald Sinden, Honor Blackman, Michael Craig, Kay Kendal, Shirley Eaton, David McCallum, Joan Collins and Diana Dors.

The programme for A View From A Bridge 1959

Joan’s favourite stage-roll was Catherine in Arthur Miller’s A View From A Bridge. The theatre program (above) shows her ‘ topping the bill’ in this production at the Savoy Theatre in Kettering in 1959.

During the summer of 1954 Joan's contract with Rank was apparently not renewed. But we know that in February 1955 she was photographed flying out to Dublin to appear in the play Welcome Stranger at the Gaity Theatre. And, in August that same year, Joan flew to the Isle Of Man to star in the comedy For Better Or For Worse.

Another highlight of her stage career was in 1972, when she appeared alongside Davy Jones of 'The Monkees', James Hayter and Dave King in Forget Me Not at the Leeds Grand Theatre. This production was later voted 'play of the year' and went on tour. 

This web site is dedicated to the memory of Joan Rice and to read much more about her life and career just click here.

Robin and Marian

Richard Todd as Robin Hood and Joan Rice as Maid Marian

At this romantic time of year, I thought I would share one of my favourite stills from Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). It shows the young lovers Robin Hood (Richard Todd) and Maid Marian (Joan Rice) in one of the opening scenes of the film.

Several new versions of the legend are scheduled to reach the silver screen in the future, including another version by Disney called Nottingham & Hood. But I doubt it will match the sheer quality and magic of this Technicolor masterpiece.

Joan Rice at a Royal Premiere

Joan Rice meets Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret

This very rare image shows a nervous looking Joan Rice (1930-1997)  in a line-up of stars to meet Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret at the Royal Film Performance of Where No Vultures Fly (1951). 

The back of the press photograph does not mention Joan Rice, but says:

 'The Queen with Princess Margaret attended the Royal Film Performance of 'Where No Vultures Fly', in aid of the Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund at the Odeon Theatre, Leicester Square, London tonight (Monday) November 5th, 1951.
Photo shows:- Princess Margaret chatting to Jane Russell the American film star. Also seen on right is Mr R Bromhead.'

An Australian newspaper describes the premiere:

Joan's appearance as Maid Marian in Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men would be premiered in April the following year. Then, after the release of Curtain Up on 12th May, she left her Knightsbridge flat and spent 8 days in Hollywood where preparations had started for the filming of the blockbuster His Majesty O’Keefe for Warner Brothers. Sadly Joan’s big film career would be over as quickly as it started.

Maid Marian's Hats

Joan Rice in the Aberdeen Evening Express

As many of you know, I am a family historian and genealogist - my site is here. And, it was while doing some research for a client that I discovered this little nugget of information. In the Aberdeen Evening Express dated 17th April 1952 - a few weeks after the world premiere of Walt Disney's 'Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men,' in London. It says:

Pretty Joan Rice, British film actress, who plays Maid Marian in Walt Disney's new picture, "The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men," took a great fancy to the hats she wore in that film. And so she adapted two of them for her own use.

On the left is an exact replica of the hat she wore in the picture, and on the right, is another attractive adaption.

I do know that Joan had several keep-sakes from the movie, so I wonder if the hats are still around, somewhere? Please get in touch if you know!

One of my favourite stills of Joan Rice

And another of Joan Rice wearing 'that' hat.

This website is dedicated to the memory of Joan Rice (1930-1997), she will always be our Maid Marian. Down the years I have gradually pieced together her life story. If you click on the labels provided, you will find over 91 pages full of information about this beautiful British actress.

And if you are interested in finding out about your family history, please contact me via this blog or on my website here.

Behind the Scenes at Denham Studios

Filming the final scene at Denham Studios of Robin Hood

Many of us have often wished to be at Denham Studios during the filming of The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men in 1951. Well - at least this incredibly detailed photograph (above), goes somewhere to fulfilling our wishes. It has been sent in by our regular contributor -Neil.

We can see Joan Rice (Maid Marian) hugging Robin Hood (Richard Todd) shortly after he has been made the Earl of Locksley by the returning King Richard the Lionheart. To see our picture strip of this scene, please click here.

Detail - showing Joan Rice, Richard Todd, James Hayter and Ken Annakin

Many of the production crew are visible in this remarkable image, including director Ken Annakin, standing alongside James Hayter (Friar Tuck). Also several of the 'outlaws', including Ewen Solon. Notice also, the huge Technicolor camera, which is possibly being operated by the director of photography, Guy Green.

Neil says:

"That is the Studio scene at Denham showing the filming towards the end  in Robin Hood’s Camp – but this is the original photograph and absolutely crystal clear  whereas we will both have seen this one in a smaller less clear version – I think from the Old Monrovians visit there at the time.

I think this scene would be filmed at the end of July 1951  - and I have a feeling that we would be on our holidays in St.Albans at  that time - so as a small boy with my parents and brothers, would have been passing the Denham Studios at that very moment

The other picture with Walt Disney, Richard Todd and Elton Hayes, we have seen before – but again this is a bigger clearer one.

I am so happy with these. Please use them on your site if you wish."

Neil 

In the second picture that Neil has kindly sent, we can see Walt Disney on the Nottingham Castle set, during his visit to Denham Studios in June 1951. Alongside him is Elton Hayes (as the minstrel Allan-a-Dale) and Richard Todd (Robin Hood ‘disguised as a soldier of the Sheriff’). 

In his autobiography (Caught in the Act, Hutchinson 1986), Richard Todd describes the ‘solid’ dungeon walls as being constructed of pure wood and plaster.

Elton Hayes (Allan-a-Dale), Walt Disney and Richard Todd (Robin Hood)

Filming of Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men began on 30th April 1951. Ken Annakin, the director of the movie, in his autobiography (So You Wanna Be a Director, Tomahawk 2001) says that 10 weeks into shooting, Disney made a surprise visit to the set. Annakin describes how the great man had photos taken with the stars of the film in the Nottingham Square set on the lot. This also included ‘numerous’ pictures with Joan Rice (Maid Marian) on the archery field.

This fits with Richard Todd's (Robin Hood) memoirs where he describes Disney coming over from London to Denham near the end of June 1951 and how he was thoroughly pleased with the way things were going.

Coinciding with Walt’s stopover, the then Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) paid a visit to the Denham Studios, accompanied only by her lady-in-waiting and equerry. The future queen was shown by Walt Disney and the art director Carmen Dillon around the outside sets and the costume department. Perce Pearce, the producer of Walt Disney’s Robin Hood, insisted that filming should continue as normal as that is what the young princess wanted to see. So for about twenty minutes she stood quietly in a dark corner, while production carried on, then gave a friendly wave and slipped out of the stage. I wonder what scene it was she saw being filmed?

To read more about the production of the film, Walt Disney, or see the picture gallery please click on the labels in the side bar.

A huge thank you to Neil for sending these images.

Joan Rice in 1973

Joan Rice in 1973

This is a slide of Joan Rice taken in about 1973. It is not known  exactly where she was, but this image may have been taken outside the stage door of a theatre. 

I have dedicated this blog to the memory of Joan Rice (1930-1997). She was personally chosen by Walt Disney to play the part of Maid Marian in his wonderful live action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Today, Joan is almost completely forgotten, but down the years I have tried to piece her life together.

For a short period Joan's film career was very successful and she became one of the many British 'pin-up girls' of the 1950's. But sadly her career quickly waned and her last appearance on the silver screen was as a grave robbers wife in The Horror of Frankenstein (1970).

Joan's acting abilities were criticised by director Ken Annakin and film legend Richard Todd. But I have since discovered that after her work on the silver screen faded she continued a successful and distinguished stage career. 

Joan Rice in 'A View From The Bridge'

In September 1959, Joan played the part of Catherine, in Arthur Miller’s play A View From The Bridge at the Savoy Theatre in Kettering. Another highlight was in 1972, when she appeared alongside Davy Jones of 'The Monkees', James Hayter and Dave King in Forget Me Not at the Leeds Grand Theatre. This production was later voted 'play of the year' and went on tour. 

Joan also played the leading female roles in such plays as Rebecca, Tea and Sympathy, Dial M for Murder, Bell, Book and Candle and Gaslight.

The image of Joan Rice at the top of this page was taken in 1973. From the 20th February till the 10th March 1973 she appeared at the Theatre Royal Windsor in A Voyage Around My Father alongside Gay Hamilton. So, that could have been when she  The programme notes include a short bio about Joan:

"Joan was born in Derby and educated in a convent, and her hobbies are animals, she has two Labradors that attend rehearsals, music and bridge."

This blog now has 90 pages on the life and career of Joan Rice. To read more about Walt Disney's first Maid Marian click here.

Joan Rice in 1939

As some of you know, I am a genealogist and have recently started my own business. My website can be seen here. Family history has been a passion of mine for over 35 years. I have been fascinated with history all my life, particularly the medieval period and the legend of Robin Hood. 

Tony Wait Genealogist and Family Historian

As a youngster I first saw Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men in the 1970's. This film made a huge impression on me and I started this blog to raise awareness of this forgotten film and the lives of the actors and actresses that appeared in it.

One star of that film, has been the topic of many of my blog posts, Joan Rice (1930-1997). Combining my interest in family history and my love of the movie I have slowly pieced together her life story.

Joan Rice as Maid Marian

Joan was born Dorothy Joan Rice on the 3rd February 1930 at the City Hospital in Derby.  Her parents were Harold and Hilda Rice (née Watson). Harold and Hilda had married a year earlier.

Very little is known about Joan's early childhood and this is something I would like to work on. 

The 1939 Register

One avenue of research is the 1939 Register. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced over the airwaves that Britain was at war with Germany on September 3rd 1939. The 1939 Register was taken twenty six days later, over a single weekend and was created essentially for identity cards, evacuations and rationing. Sadly this survey is the only surviving record of the population between 1921 and 1951. The 1931 Census documents were completely destroyed in a fire and the 1941 Census was not taken because of war. So this is the closest to modern times that I will get because of the law protecting confidentiality.

Detail of the 1939 Register showing Dorothy J Rice

I found Joan, or Dorothy as she was known then, living in Burton-on-Trent in Staffordshire with the Watson family. George Watson the head of the household, was probably Joan's grandfather a brewery labourer aged 63. Her grandmother Rebecca was a year younger. Next we see Thomas G Watson aged 36 and John W Watson aged about 20. These men were possibly her uncles. Dorothy J. Rice is the fifth person living at 47 King Street. Her date of birth is given as 3rd February 1930 and she is at school. The last person to be recorded at the property is Gwendoline Bullock a domestic worker aged 29.

This is an example of how genealogy can help give a glimpse of the past. My research shows that Joan (Dorothy) and her sisters did not directly go to Nazareth House orphanage, after her father was imprisoned for child abuse.

If you would like me to investigate your family history, please contact me at tonywait@tonywaitgenealogist.com

Robin Hood Press Advertisement

Above is a newspaper advertisement for Walt Disney's live action movie The Story of Robin Hood at the Regent in Portsmouth and Gaumont in Southsea. 

The movie had its Premiere in London in March 1952. We can see from the newspaper that Joan Rice (Maid Marian) and James Hayter (Friar Tuck) were both making personal appearances at those cinemas on Monday 7th April 1952. The times shown were 7.25pm at the Gaumont and after a 4 mile car journey they arrived at the Regent at approximately 8.55pm.

In previous posts we have looked at those 'Provincial Premieres' and wondered how many there were? Geoff Waite made us aware of these, two years ago. He discovered that Elton Hayes and Joan Rice had made personal appearances in Manchester and Liverpool.

Elton Hayes and Joan Rice at the Provincial Premiere in Manchester

So 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. These were held in Portsmouth and Southsea on the 7th April with Joan Rice and James Hayter. 

On April 24th Joan also joined with Elton Hayes (Allan-a-Dale) at the Odeon in Manchester. Then Elton Hayes 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.

Were there any more of these 'Provincial Premieres?'

Disney's Robin Hood Script 3

Richard Todd as Robin and Joan Rice as Marian

Below is another page from the script of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men which was filmed at Denham Studios and Burnahm Beeches in Buckinghamshire in 1951. The script was originally owned by Noland Blackburn, who worked for Walt Disney Productions during the 1950's. 

Robin describes his 'fair maiden'

I have featured a few pages from this script recently. The page above, shows an early scene in the movie in which Robin Hood (Richard Todd) teases Maid Marian (Joan Rice). But we can see that some of Marian's dialogue was eventually changed. The original script had her saying:

"Chop off infidel heads enough, you'd come back a knight. Forthwith, you'd be scrimaging in a tournament - - to please a lady - - and have your own head chopped of."

But those who have seen the film will know that this was later changed, so that Marian said:

" Chop off enough heads; you will come back a knight. As a knight, you would go jousting in a tournament, to please a lady, and have you own head chopped off!"

Joan Rice as Marian going through the script with Director Ken Annakin

In his memo, Walt Disney describes Joan Rice's difficulties with the dialogue. The director, Ken Annakin went into great detail in his autobiography about the problems he had with her; how he had to slavishly go over the script with her word for word. But it is worth mentioning, that she had been rushed through the ‘Rank Charm School’ a year earlier and that she had no experience in acting beforehand.

Joan Rice (Marian) and Richard Todd Robin Hood) during a break from filming

That page also shows that the original script had Robin holding out his hand 'a foot above Marian's head', showing how much taller his imaginary 'fair maiden' was. This was also eventually cut from the movie.

Joan Rice's costume is adjusted before filming

Below is a section of a picture strip that shows that scene with Robin and Marian.

Joan Rice on set as Maid Marian

To see the whole movie in picture strip form, or read about the lives of Richard Todd and Joan Rice, just click on the relevant label in the task bar.

Special thanks to Cindy for sharing images of the script.