O.K. Time for a bit of self indulgence! My Favourite Robin Hood painting by Edmund George Warren in 1858, with my favourite Robin Hood poem by Alfred Noyes (1880-1959) and my favourite Robin Hood film stars! A SONG OF SHERWOODSherwood in the twilight, is Robin Hood awake?Grey and ghostly shadows are gliding through the brake,Shadows...
The recent article was a review in the New York Times of the movie in 1952.What I would like is a review of this Blog. Up until today there have been 260 visits from people all over the world. So what do you think of this Blog? Have you ever seen the movie? Would you like to see the DVD on worldwide release? Do you like reading...
New York Times, June 27, 1952 "In presenting his latest picture package at the Criterion—a trio including the feature, The Story of Robin Hood ; the newest entry in the True-Life Adventure series, "Water Birds," and the cartoon short, "The Little House"—Walt Disney is again proving that his organization can provide the variety...
Ex-Royal Marine Physical Training Instructor, Rupert Evans puts Peter Finch, as the Sheriff of Nottingham, through his paces. Evans was a member of ‘Mickey Wood’s Tough Guys’ and had been brought in to see that all the actors were trained in the use of swords and quarterstaffs, before using such weapons in Disney’s ‘Story of...
The Sheriff of Nottingham was played by Peter Finch, in one of his first major film roles. ‘Finchie’ was a protégé of Laurence Olivier and became a good friend of film producer Ken Annakin.Born in South Kensington, London, on 28th September 1916, Frederick George Peter Ingle Finch was the natural son of Major Jock Campbell,...
Every day for the following weeks and months, the Sheriff’s men were kept busy collecting the new crippling taxes. These were dreadful times as Prince John tried to invent more ingenious ways of raising money.William Scathelok was a poor farmer who had already paid one levy, when the Sheriff and his men were demanding more.“I...
In Disney’s ‘Story of Robin Hood’, Robin’s father is shot in the back by Red Gill, one of the Sheriff’s foresters, who had been hiding up in the fork of a tree in the forest. After waiting in the bushes for a while, Robin soon discovers the tree in which his fathers assassin is concealed. Robin quickly let fly a shaft that...
Alan A Dale wandered towards a group of townspeople in Nottingham Square and began singing: “Now Robin, who was called Fitzooth,Is dwelling in the wood;His coat is changed to Lincoln Green,His name to Robin Hood.”He stopped outside the Inn and the local people gathered around the merry minstrel and listened with interest. With...
In nearly every Robin Hood movie, the story is set during the reign of Richard I (1189-1199). Walt Disney’s ‘Story of Robin Hood’ is no different and the part of King Richard was played by British actor Patrick Barr, who later resurrected the role in the well loved TV series ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood’ four years later.The...
span style="font-size:130%;">One of the most memorable scenes in ‘The Story of Robin Hood’, is the fantastic view from the battlements of Nottingham Castle, as Richard the Lionheart’s Crusading knights ride off into the beautiful sunset, singing a Gregorian chant. Walt Disney and the scouting crew visited ‘Notting-ham’, as...
The picture shows Richard Todd, Lawrence Watkin (script writer), Perce Pearce (producer) and Dr Charles Beard (research advisor) during the planning stages of the film, ‘Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men,’ visiting Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem, in Nottingham. In March 1952 Walt Disney spent three days with Ken Annakin, visiting...
Close behind came Maid Marian on horseback waving the golden arrow given to her by Robin. Then she was gone and the forest fell silent. As they continued their journey they were soon following a narrow winding path beneath a thick canopy of Beech trees. Suddenly there was a ZIPP as an arrow hit Hugh Fitzooth in his back. The...
Reginald Tate played the part of Hugh Fitzooth, gamekeeper to the Earl of Huntingdon, in this movie. He was born on December 13th 1896 in Garforth near Leeds in Yorkshire, England. His grandfather had been manager at the local colliery in Garforth and his father worked on the North Eastern Railway. After attending various private...
What of the bow?The bow was made in England:Of true wood, of yew wood,The wood of English bows;So men who are freeLove the old yew treeAnd the land where the yew tree grows. What of the cord?The cord was made in England:A rough cord, a tough cord,A cord that bowmen love;So we'll drain our jacksTo the English flaxAnd the land...
“Hear me, good yeoman!” called De Lacy, the new Sheriff of Nottingham, as the archers began to leave the fair. “Would you eat and drink of the best? Then hear ye! Every man who hit the white at four score yards is free to take service with me.” A few independent archers stopped in their tracks, undecided and turned towards...
*Somtyme I was an archere good,A styffe and eke a stronge;I was compted the best archereThat was in mery Englonde.*A Gest of Robyn HodeIt was during the last quarter of the thirteenth century that the longbow man became recognised as an effective part of the English army. Richard I (1189-1199) preferred crossbowmen on foot...
