Richard Todd's Signed Robin Hood Video

Signed video by Richard Todd

It is always great to see the memorabilia that readers have of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). So when I saw this signed video of our favourite movie, I must admit to being slightly envious of the owner. 

The signature is of the British actor Richard Todd (1919-2009), who played the part of Robin Hood for Walt Disney in 1951. The movie was filmed at Denham Studios and Burnham Beeches in Buckinghamshire, England. 

Richard Todd as Robin Hood

The Story of Robin Hood was released on VHS video for the first time in 1987. It was then released again as part of 'Walt Disney's Studio Film Collection,' on September 13th 1991 along with a laser-disc version.

'Wonderful World of Disney' version

A DVD version of the movie was available exclusively through the Disney Movie Club in America on April 7th 2006. Three years later it was released again in the USA - this time as part of the 'Wonderful World of Disney.' But sadly the DVD was not for sale in the UK and only available in Region 1 through import. 

Disney's 'Story of Robin Hood' has been voted one of the best Technicolor films ever made in England. So perhaps one day, a special edition will be available here in the UK. We hope, this DVD will contain extras such as un-released scenes, behind the scenes footage and of course the promotional 'Riddle of Robin Hood!' 

The Sheriff Shoots an Arrow !

Peter Finch as the Sheriff shooting an Arrow

John Nelson has been in touch recently and sent this fascinating close-up image of Peter Finch in his role as the Sheriff of Nottingham shooting and arrow. A scene that doesn't appear in the movie, Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

It is a coincidence, because we have recently looked at some pages of the original script and seen how some scenes were altered or even cut completely.

Another version of that image of the Sheriff of Nottingham shooting an arrow, appeared in Vanessa and Christian's stamp books that were featured on this blog three years ago. So this gives me an excuse to re-post that article :

This is Christian's copy of Walt Disney's Robin Hood Stamp Book  (above and below) which was published in New York in 1955 by Simon and Schuster. The story inside was adapted from Lawrence E. Watkin's screenplay by Willis Lindquist with illustrations (that could be coloured) by Hamilton Greene.

But what makes this book a 'must have' for all fans of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952) is the four pages of coloured stamps that were each titled and numbered. The owner had to stick these sixty stamps in the correct places on each page of the book.

Christian's copy has the stamp's still intact and his book is nearly in mint condition.

Readers of the blog will be familiar with most of these images on the stamps, but seeing them in colour like this shows why this wonderful movie was described as the best Technicolor film ever made in England. 

It also is another example of Walt Disney's phenomenal amount of promotion and advertising behind his movie production. 

"BRING HIM DOWN," SHOUTS DE LACY

Included among the stamps is an image (shown above) of the Sheriff of Nottingham (Peter Finch) using a bow and arrow with a dead soldier in the foreground. It is stamp number '32' and has the title, "BRING HIM DOWN"  SHOUTS DE LACY." This is very interesting as the scene must have ended up on the cutting room floor, because it was never used in the movie.

Vanessa has also very kindly sent me a picture of the Spanish version of the stamp book that is in her collection.

I would like to thank John,Vanessa and Christian for sharing with us their memorabilia of this wonderful movie.

Disney's Robin Hood Script 2

Noland's Disney employee card

Those of you that have read my recent blog post, Disney's Robin Hood Script, will know of my excitement at seeing such a treasured item. Cindy has since, sent some more images, including the original employees identification card for Walt Disney Productions, once owned by her father-in-law, Noland Blackburn (above).

Reverse of Noland's employee card

Noland Philip Blackburn worked for Walt Disney during the 1950's and it is through the kindness of his daughter-in-law Cindy, that we are able to see pages from the original film script of The Story of Robin Hood (1952).

Robin (Richard Todd) looks for the assailant

Below is a page from the script describing the scene where Robin Hood's father is shot in the back by Red Gill, played by Archie Duncan.

Robin's father is shot by the assailant.

The original script describes the assailant and Robin both stalking each other and crawling 'in a circle through the brush.' These scenes were obviously later cut from the movie.

Robin kills that assailant - Red Gill.

Detail of the script 

Below is a couple of pages from Laurence's fabulous Picture Strip that show images of those scenes that were finally used in the movie. 





To see the whole of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men in this picture strip, please click here.

The final scene

I featured the page above in my last edition. This is the final scene where Robin Hood hugs Marian in front of King Richard and the outlaws. But this time the script is accompanied with a rare photograph taken in the studio at Denham as they filmed that exact same scene (below).

Marian (Joan Rice) hugs Robin (Richard Todd) in Denham Studios

Joan Rice as Marian and Richard Todd as Robin Hood

Once again many thanks to Cindy. 

Disney's Robin Hood Script

There have been many highlights compiling this blog over the last ten years. But I am sure my readers will agree, few can compare with seeing images of the script from our favourite movie!

Front cover of the Robin Hood script

I am extremely grateful to Cindy who has kindly emailed me these images from Canada. The script belonged to her father-in-law who worked for Walt Disney during the 1950's.

Detail of the cover

I have enlarged a few of Cindy's pictures, so that the pages can be read.

First page of the script

First page describing the opening scene

It is a pity Disney cut part of the beginning scene at Huntington Manor with Stephen the steward. In the final edit only the Earl's Page can be seen by the hall doorway holding the golden hunting horn.

Final page of the script

Joan Rice as Maid Marian and Richard Todd as Robin Hood

Detail of the final page

Cindy's father-in-law was Noland Philip Blackburn. She says he:

Went to the United States with his mother and wanted to pursue an acting career.  He got his job at Disney and was a mail clerk and told us he would deliver Walt's coffee and lunch to him.  His career there was cut short due to the draft.  He had to hop on a train to get back to Canada to avoid the draft.  He obtained a lot of his collection from items that were being thrown out when he worked there and kept them all these years.

I am sure you will agree that seeing the original screenplay by Lawrence Edward Watkin has been fascinating. So I want to send a huge thank you to Cindy.

The script will eventually be auctioned.

There will be more to see soon!

Posters and Lobby Cards

Below is a small sample of the fine artwork used to promote Walt Disney's live-action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men in 1952.

The first image is described by an online auction site, as an Australian Daybill (13'' x 30").

Australian Daybill

Also are two posters (below) that appeared in the media and cinemas. It is interesting to see the differences in design.

The 'Three Sheet' (41'' x 80.5")

I have also included a set of eight very colourful lobby cards, used during the release of the movie at various times. 

Lobby card set of eight (11'' x 14')

There were a vast array of posters used to advertise this film. Down the years I have managed to gain quite a collection on this blog, from all around the world. Including 24 pages of posters and 7 pages of lobby cards. To view them, just click on the links.

Joan Rice : One in Five Thousand

Joan Rice 

This web site is dedicated to the memory of Joan Rice (1930-1997). Down the years I have researched her life and film career. She was personally chosen by Walt Disney to play the part of Maid Marian in his live-action film The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men, which was filmed in England between April and July 1951. 

This interesting Daily Mirror article dated January 13th 1951 - right at the start of Joan Rice's career - reveals the confidence and expectation that Joan Rice would become the next 'Jean Simmons.' It was written by the renown British journalist Donald Zec:

Juggling with tea-trays gave Joan screen poise

'I say that Joan Rice, 20 ex waitress, will one day become the new Jean Simmons. We can't afford to lose her to Hollywood. 

And my judgement is based on the two performances I saw yesterday. The first was a film test made a year ago after she was "spotted" in a tea shop.

The second was an excerpt from Blackmailed a film she has completed with Dirk Bogarde.

Joan Rice in the Daily Mirror article

She has changed from a raw beginner to a near flawless, sensitive and intensely movie actress. There is a touch of Bergman in her brown eyes and gleaming smile.

Carrying heavily packed trays between cafe tables has giver her the poise and movement of a third-year drama school student.

But how did she become an actress?

Howard Huth the producer who gave her the part (he discovered Greer Garson) told me: "half of it was that she has the touch of magic possessed by perhaps one in five thousand-a vivid imagination, which projects her right into the part.

"For the rest, we bought her nice clothes and took her to smart restaurants. It was delightful to watch her pleasure as she was waited on-instead of being the waitress."'

 Daily Mirror January 13th 1951 

After this article was printed in the Daily Mirror, Joan's career did take-off and there are now 86 pages about her life and career on this blog. Just click here to read more.

If you have any memories of Joan Rice, or knew her personally, please get in touch.

The Sheriff of Nottingham pelted with vegetables!

Peter Finch as the Sheriff of Nottingham

After all these years, I still occasionally discover fabulous unseen stills from Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Above is a fine example. It shows Peter Finch as the Sheriff of Nottingham being pelted with vegetables by the townsfolk in the market square. This was after Scathelock is rescued by Robin Hood and his men.

Above and below are some enlarged sections from the same image, showing the detail of art director Carmen Dillon's fabulous set at Denham Studios in Buckinghamshire, England.

To see a lot more images and stills from this wonderful movie please click here.

Merrie Christmas and Happy New Year

I first started this blog over a decade ago. At that time I never dreamt that it was possible to learn so much about the making of my favourite movie and the stars that appeared in it. But together with my readers we have achieved that - and much more. In the new year I am sure our success will continue. This site has now evolved into a fitting tribute to a classic film.

I would like to wish all my readers a very Merrie Christmas and a Happy and Peaceful New Year.

Diana Dors and Joan Rice: His Majesty O'Keefe

Down the years Neil has sent me some fantastic information regarding the making of Disney's live-action Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). He has also shared some fascinating details about the lives of the stars and crew that created the masterpiece we all love so much.

Recently Neil contacted me again, this time regarding the making of His Majesty O'Keefe (1954). He gave me an intriguing nugget of information regarding the casting of Dalabo aki Dali, played by Joan Rice (1930-1999).

In May 1952, shortly after her success as Maid Marian in Disney's Robin Hood, Warner Brothers whisked Joan Rice off to Hollywood. After a series of interviews and publicity shots she was then flown to Fiji to begin filming His Majesty O'Keefe alongside the legendary actor Burt Lancaster. But Joan was not the first choice to play the part of Dalabo!

Neil says:

"I had not realised this - that Diana Dors had met Burt Lancaster in London - in his suite at Claridges - in the early  50s and he had offered her the part of Dalabo in his forthcoming film His Majesty O Keefe which was turned down by her then husband Dennis Hamilton - who was her business manager  - in favour of a Summer Season at Blackpool as it turned out.

I am a great  fan of Joan Rice who took the part - and she was very good in it, but I also am an admirer of Diana Dors who was a very good actress.

It appears that Burt Lancster asked to see Diana at his suite at Claridges in London and indeed she did have this meeting alone with Burt but with her husband lurking somewhere below. She later tested for the part by darkening her skin a little, donning  a sarong, and wearing a black wig but Dennis would not let her take this part. It wouldn't be much of a guess as to why!

Diana Dors (1931-1984)

I am pleased however that Joan Rice got the part - but can't help but wonder what the film would have been like with Diana in that role - but more than that the effect it would have had on her future because she may well have seized the opportunity of such a big film as this. Her husband thought better of her spending months in Fiji on a South Sea Island with Burt Lancaster." (Neil)

I wonder what Joan would have done had she not got the part of Dalabo?

Joan Rice as Dalabo

Would a different film have catapulted her career further?

It can be fascinating to imagine what if? Regular readers of this blog will know that James Cagney was first offered the part of the noble outlaw in Warner Brothers classic The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). But after a row with Jack Warner, Cagney stormed out of the studio and the role was given to the rising star, Errol Flynn. But 'what if ' Cagney had completed the movie? Would the movie still evolved into one of the greatest ever made?

Six actresses were auditioned for the role of Maid Marian in The Story of Robin Hood by Walt Disney's production crew. (It would be fascinating to learn their names). Joan Rice, of course was hand-picked by Disney himself to star alongside Richard Todd. But 'what if' Joan didn't get the part? Who else could have played Marian so well? I would be interested to know your thoughts.

A big thank you to Neil for sending in the story about Diana Dors. Don't forget to visit his website Films of the Fifties.

Also many thanks to Christian for the His Majesty O'Keefe lobby cards.