Rogues of Sherwood Forest

Rogues of Sherwood Forest
Directed by Gordon Douglas
Starring John Derek
Diana Lynn
George Macready
Alan Hale, Sr.
Music by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
Heinz Roemheld
Arthur Morton
Cinematography Charles Lawton, Jr.
Edited by Gene Havlick
Distributed by Columbia Pictures
Release date
  • June 21, 1950 (1950-06-21)
Running time
 79 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Rogues of Sherwood Forest is a 1950 Technicolor Columbia Pictures film directed by Gordon Douglas and featuring John Derek as Robin the Earl of Huntingdon, the son of Robin Hood, Diana Lynn as Lady Marianne, and Alan Hale, Sr. in his third movie as Little John over a 28-year span; he'd played the part opposite Douglas Fairbanks in 1922 and Errol Flynn in 1938, one of the longest periods over which any film actor played the same major role. It was also Hale's final film. The film was written by Ralph Gilbert Bettison and George Bruce.

Plot

In its view on history, evil King John resumes his old ways after the death of Richard the Lionheart with the plan to keep his power by importing Continental mercenaries and paying them through oppressive taxation. King John first attempts to kill the son of his old nemesis Robin. His henchmen fix a faulty protective cap to the lance of a Flemish Knight who challenges Robin in a joust. When Robin survives the lance attack he challenges his opponent to a joust without protective devices, impaling the Flemish Knight.

Having returned from the Crusades, Robin and Little John re-recruit the aging Merrie Men who wage a guerilla type war throughout the realm with intelligence provided by Lady Marianne's carrier pigeons.

The film concludes with Robin and the Archbishop of Canterbury compelling the defeated King John to seal the Magna Carta.[1]

Cast

Production

The film was known as Swords of Sherwood Forrest.[2]

Gig Young was the first choice for the role of Prince John but was suspended by Columbia when he refused to play it.[3] The film was shot at the Corriganville Movie Ranch.[4]

Critical reception

Leonard Maltin wrote, "Despite good production and fair cast, pretty limp";[5] whereas DVD Talk found it "a good programmer that makes a decent family film for a rainy Sunday afternoon, or anytime for classic film fans. Highly Recommended."[6]

Notes

  1. ↑ p.56 Fraser, George MacDonald The Hollywood History of the World Penguin Book group, 1988
  2. ↑ By THOMAS F BRADY Special to The New York Times. (1949, Jul 15). PARAMOUNT SEEKS 'DETECTIVE STORY'. New York Times (1923-Current File) Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.sl.nsw.gov.au/docview/105617346?accountid=13902
  3. ↑ "Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950) - Notes - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
  4. ↑ p.356 Schneider, Jerry L. Corriganville Movie Ranch Lulu.com 2007
  5. ↑ "Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
  6. ↑ "Rogues of Sherwood Forest". DVD Talk.
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