Bernadette O’Farrell found fame as Maid Marian in the 1950s television series The Adventures of Robin Hood. From the Midland Counties Advertiser, Tipperary, 27 June 1946, this is how she broke into acting.
Tracing the career of Bernadette “Maid Marian” O’Farrell
4 October 1946
The Daily Express on Bernadette’s film breakthrough
Midland Counties Advertiser, Tipperary, 26 June 1947 Bernadette’s career is progressing nicely with regular stage and film work.
12 November 1949
With her stage and film career developing well, Bernadette O’Farrell took time to model this hat.
21 November 1949
Bernadette O’Farrell takes time out to model another hat.
23 January 1950
Bernadette O’Farrell continues her climb to fame.
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The Adventures of Robin Hood
Episode 9: The Challenge
Introductory minstrel song: “Giles Black and Robin Hood, archers of undoubted skill; loose their shafts on target range, but one is champion still!”
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
Original air date: 20 November 1955
Screenplay: Eric Heath (pseudonym of Ring Lardner Jr.)
Director: Ralph Smart
Plot: Sir Richard of the Lea, the down on his luck knight from the previous episode, returns – still down on his luck. The Sheriff of Nottingham wagers him that his archer, Giles Black, can defeat Robin Hood in an archery contest, thus establishing a scene common to all Robin Hood stories.
This is a playful episode – Maid Marian even dances on a table. The cast are on top form, clearly enjoying themselves and they offer some great interplay all round. In a long-running series you need variety, and this episode provided that.
After the archery contest, the Sheriff of Nottingham besieges Sir Richard of the Lea’s castle. Robin is having such a great time with Marian, he doesn’t want to leave. Meanwhile, Little John and Friar Tuck are scoffing their way through Sir Richard’s larder. The domestic scenes with Sir Richard and his lady – it’s nice to have dinner guests, but when on earth will they leave – are timeless and amusing.
Standout scene: Robin Hood splitting an arrow in the archery contest, of course.
Sword fights – 0. Bow fights/bow skills – 5.
Running total: Sword fights – 6. Bow fights/bow skills – 11.
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Nettlefold Studios
From 1899 a film studios existed on a site in Walton-on-Thames. Archibald Nettlefold purchased the studios in 1926, and renamed them Nettlefold Studios, initially producing silent films, then sound films.
During the Second World War, the studio buildings were requisitioned by the government and used as a storage facility for the war effort. After the war, and under new ownership, the studios were made available for hire, a move that ensured their survival.
In 1955 Sapphire Films, owned by Hannah Weinstein, rented the studios to make The Adventures of Robin Hood. Hannah subsequently bought the studios and renamed them The Walton Studios producing The Adventures of Sir Lancelot, The Buccaneers, Sword of Freedom and The Four Just Men on the site.
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Coming soon, my Adventures of Maid Marian series
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