Saturday, November 11, 2006

Robin Hood double take!

Above: Alan Hale was Little John to Douglas Fairbanks, Errol Flynn, and (here) John Derek.

A Robin Hood fans' favourite pub game is listing all the times certain actors (and even props) have appeared in a Robin Hood film. Once you get started on this it can go on forever! Here are a few of many. You might like to leave a comment suggesting others you'd like to see pictured in the future.
Above and below: James Hayter was one of the best Friar Tuck's of all time in Disney's Story of Robin Hood, and he reprised the role in Challenge for Robin Hood, seen above with Alfie Bass. Hayter also appeared in the Adventures of Robin Hood as a Miller. Of course Alfie Bass also appeared in the Adventures of Robin hood, in a variety of roles, the best of which saw him being rescued by Robin in the opening episode, having been caught for poaching.
Above: Paul Eddington is best known in the United Kingdom as a comedy actor of considerable merit. ("Yes Minister", "The Good Life"). As series 3 and 4 of the Adventures of Robin Hood progressed, Eddington seemed to appear every week as a different character, some of who were splendidly dark and villainous. Sadly, when given the permanent role of Will Scarlet, he wasn't directed to sustain this darker side. But his Will Scarlet was interesting if only for the jealousies it brought out in Little John.
Above and below: John Arnatt replaced Alan Wheatley as the Sheriff of Nottingham in the Adventures of Robin Hood. It was a role he would return to in 1967's Challenge for Robin Hood, and his performances in both deserve greater recognition. Interestingly, in both productions, the Sheriff's henchman was John Harvey.
Below: Herne the Hunter was a central figure in the mystical Robin of Sherwood. John Abineri played the Pagan forest god. A decade earlier he had been Maid Marian's father in the Legend of Robin Hood.

Labels: , , ,