The Stage, 8 September 1955
The Adventures of Robin Hood
Episode 8: The Knight Who Came to Dinner
Introductory minstrel song: “In days of old when Knights were bold, and practised arts of chivalry; there lived no sadder sight I’m told, than Sir Richard of the Lea!”
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
*Didn’t feature in this episode
Original air date: 13 November 1955
Screenplay: Eric Heath (pseudonym of Ring Lardner Jr.)
Director: Ralph Smart
Plot: Robin Hood assists Sir Richard of the Lea, a knight down on his luck.
Suspension of disbelief time – Marian pretends to be “Donald of Tewkesbury” for a few scenes, to avoid association with Robin Hood.
Although Friar Tuck is under suspicion, he is not yet outlawed. This episode strongly features his obsession with food. Another episode where Friar Tuck has more screen time than Robin Hood, the writers clearly warming to his character. Greed a theme of this story – Friar Tuck with food, and the corrupt Abbot Franklyn with money.
Robin closes a dice game when Marian is winning. Nice character insight.
Standout scene: Sir Richard of the Lea’s gratitude when Robin Hood gives him a large sum of money, thus saving his castle and honour. Ian Hunter conveyed this in a truly touching manner.
Sword fights – 0. Bow fights/bow skills – 0.
Running total: Sword fights – 6. Bow fights/bow skills – 6.
Ian Hunter played Sir Richard of the Lea in this episode and future episodes. His film career began with Not For Sale in 1924 and ended with The Mystery of the Indian Temple in 1963. In the intervening years he appeared in numerous films, 1934 – 1943 being his most productive period.
Between 1935 and 1938 Ian Hunter was paired in seven films with Kay Francis. One of his standout roles was as King Richard the Lionheart in the 1938 film The Adventures of Robin Hood.
A promotion for Ilford Film, May 1956
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Coming soon, my Adventures of Maid Marian series
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