The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men **** (1952, Richard Todd, Joan Rice, Peter Finch, James Hayter, Martita Hunt, James Robertson Justice) – Classic Movie Review 3474

Director Ken Annakin’s lusty, richly enjoyable 1952 British Disney live-action version of the classic tale highlights reliably engaging turns from a splendid ensemble headed by Richard Todd as the outlaw Robin Hood, Joan Rice as the Maid Marian, Peter Finch as the Sheriff of Nottingham and James Hayter as Friar Tuck. It was only Disney’s second live action feature, using British funds frozen during World War Two.

It also stars James Robertson Justice as Little John, Martita Hunt as Queen Eleanor, Elton Hayes as Alan-a-Dale, Bill Owen as Stutely, Patrick Barr as King Richard and Hubert Gregg as Prince John.

There are also notable turns from Reginald Tate, Anthony Eustrel, Hal Osmond, Michael Hordern, Clement McCallin, Louise Hampton, Ewen Solon, Bill Travers, Geoffrey Lumsden, John Brooking and Julian Somers. Anthony Forwood, Dirk Bogarde’s lifelong partner, plays Will Scarlet. Archie Duncan plays Red Gill but later became TV’s Little John in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955),

In Laurence Edward Watkin’s screenplay, it’s the familiar story  we get yet again – the meeting of the friends, the archery contest, the defeat of the Sheriff of Nottingham – and it is played with great verve and charm by the amiable cast, and directed with style, pace and class by Annakin.

With cinematography by Guy Green and designs by Carmen Dillon, there is a glowing Technicolor production from the UK company that the Disney organisation set up at England’s Denham Film Studios, Buckinghamshire, after the success of their Treasure Island (1950). However, some scenes were actually filmed in the real Sherwood Forest – a rare thing for a Robin Hood movie.

England’s Denham Film Studios.

Sadly, A Challenge for Robin Hood proved to be the last film ever made at Denham. From then till the 1970s the studio was known for recording film scores, including Vertigo, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Star Wars. The studio buildings were demolished in 1981, the site became a business park and now houses luxury flats.

Disney revisited the story in animation form in Robin Hood (1973).

Marian wears a dress with a zipper, which weren’t invented for another 13 centuries! Hayter played Tuck again 15 years later in A Challenge for Robin Hood (1967). Walt Disney personally chose Joan Rice to play Maid Marian, though Todd thought a more experienced actress would have been better.

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3474

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