The Adventures of Robin Hood
Episode 4: Friar Tuck
Introductory minstrel song: “Mildred flees Sir William’s trope, ’tis Harold she would rather wed; she seeks the aid of Friar Tuck, and vows are safely said!”
Regular Cast
Sir Robin of Locksley – Richard Greene
Maid Marian – Bernadette O’Farrell
The Sheriff of Nottingham – Alan Wheatley
Little John – Archie Duncan
Friar Tuck – Alexander Gauge
Joan of the Blue Bull Inn – Simone Lovell
Original air date: 16 October 1955
Screenplay: Eric Heath (a pseudonym for Ring Lardner Jr.)
Director: Ralph Smart
Plot: Robin Hood and Friar Tuck play Cupid, assisting in the marriage of a young couple, Harold the Smith and Mildred, foiling Sir William of Malmesbury’s plans in the process. This story introduced Friar Tuck to the series.
Guest Actors
Harold the Smith – John Drake
Mildred – Faith Bailey
Lord Germaine – Douglas Wilmer
Sir William of Malmesbury – Leslie Phillips
Leslie Phillips will feature in future episodes, and I will profile him then.
Observation: even the peasants read messages – the literacy level was clearly high in medieval Nottingham.
Standout scene: another evergreen scene – Friar Tuck carrying Robin Hood across a river.
Sword fights – 2. Bow fights/bow skills – 0.
Running total: Sword fights – 4. Bow fights/bow skills – 3.
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Alexander Gauge
Alexander Gauge played Friar Tuck from 1955 until 1959. A fine character actor, he is best remembered for his role as the mischievous friar. In my dream cast list he would probably get the role.
Born in China, educated in California and a British soldier in India during the Second World War, Alexander Gauge took to the stage in 1945 and appeared in a number of Shakespearian roles. Along with his stage work, he also featured in over forty film and television productions. One of his roles was Brigadier Wellington-Bull in the series The Adventures of Brigadier Wellington-Bull, alongside Valerie Singleton.
Tragically, Alexander Gauge died aged 46 in 1960 from an overdose.
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Friar Tuck – Fact or Fiction?
Along with Maid Marian, Friar Tuck was associated in medieval ballads and plays with the May Games. In some of the legends he was a monk at Fountains Abbey and St Mary’s Abbey, York.
In many versions of the legends, Friar Tuck first encounters Robin Hood on a riverbank. There, a battle of wits ensues as first one then the other is forced to carry his tormentor across the river.
🖼️ Robin Hood and Friar Tuck by Louis Rhead
The common depiction of Friar Tuck is a man of cheerful character, obsessed with food and drink. In many of the tales he offers comic relief. However, in some he is a physically fit swordsman who is also adept with the longbow.
It’s possible that Tuck was a Franciscan Friar. Other scholars have argued that he belonged to an Augustinian, Benedictine or Carmelite order. Alternatively, and more likely in my opinion, he could have been a renegade monk or a hermit.
Two hundred years later than Marian and Robin’s time, in 1417, two royal writs referred to Robert Stafford, a Sussex chaplain who had assumed the alias of Frere Tuk. This Friar Tuck was still at large in 1429. It’s possible that this friar was incorporated into the legends by medieval playwrights and balladeers.
Numerous actors have portrayed Friar Tuck in films and on television. This list is far from exhaustive – it merely offers my personal highlights.
James Hayter in The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men, 1952
Alexander Gauge in the television series The Adventures of Robin Hood, 1955-59
Niall MacGinnis in Sword of Sherwood Forest, 1960
James Hayter (again) in A Challenge for Robin Hood, 1967
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