Tales of Robin Hood

The usual gang is present in this failed TV series promoted by the Roach studio. Robert Clarke is Robin, Mary Hatcher is Maid Marian, and among the minor actors are roles for John Doucette, Whit Bissell, and Matt McHugh.

This having failed to get a television launch, it looks like three episodes -- presumably all that were shot -- were edited together and distributed through the Lippert organization. The acting is declamatory, the sword fighting is performed as though every one is afraid of getting hurt, and the other technical issues are atrocious. There's no reason for you to look at this one.

Sloppily writtten, badly directed, poorly acted stinker is an insult to its 1939 predecessor, which it pathetically tries to ape. Everything about it is thid-rate , from the cardboard sets to the lackluster "action" scenes to the zombie-like performances in some of the lesser roles., and pretty much everything in between. Robert Clarke is no Errol Flylnn, although there is a slight rsembulane, and none of the rest of the cast makes any im;ression at all. I saw it on YouTube, where it's colorized, and whoever did it didn't do a bad job, but everything else in this cheesefest isn't worth wasting your time on.

Robin : Robert Clarke has lived in the Sherwood Forest an an outlaw , while the evil rulers , Sir Guy : Paul Cavanagh , Sir Alan: Keith Richards and Sheriff of Nottingham impose heavy taxes , mistreat citizens and punish the villagers . The bowman Robin joins his Merry Men including Little John : Wade Crosby , Friar Tuck : Ben Welden, Will Scarlett : Robert Bice to vanquish the enemy, and Robin undercover participates at an arch contest in the castle . Along the way, Maid Marian : Mary Hatcher is obligated to marry a wealthy ruler , but Robin will save her this forced marriage , while he fall in love for the Lady.

In this B-movie there's vitality , adventure , romance , poke fun and results to be entertaining enough . This one was produced as a Television series , as it's short duration , cheap sets and a little of action. Some adventures accompany the slow action with limited recourses, it is not able to deliver amusement enough . However , there are some sympathetic scenes as the classic fight between Robin Hood and Little John as well as as the ordinary archery competition .Production design with poor sets , though looks acceptable at times . The cast is second-class , stars Robert Clarke who worked for RKO , he dropped his option three years later, he began freelancing. He starred various Sci-Fi and monster movies such as The Hideous Sun Demon , The Man from Planet X , Beyond the Time Barrier , The astounding She Monster . Clarke married Alyce King of the singing The King Sisters in 1956 and, a decade later, began appearing on TV and on tour with The King Family. There are also some familiar secondaries , such as: John Doucette , Paul Cavanagh, Whit Bissell , Robert Bice , Keith Richards and Lester Matthews . The picture keeps attention for the most part thanks to its short run and to its brief but decent action , including some attractive characters giving solid portrayals . This is a little seen television pilot effort that offers a so-so amusement . An interesting curio for completists and Robin Hood legend enthusiasts.

Other better versions about this famous personage are the following ones : ¨Robin Hood¨ (1922) an extravagant silent production by Allan Dawn with Douglas Fairbanks ; the classic rendition is ¨The adventures of Robin Hood¨ by Michael Curtiz with Errol Flynn and Olivia De Havilland. Furthermore , ¨Robin Hood price of thieves (1991)¨ by Kevin Reynolds with Kevin Costner , Alan Rickman , Michael Wincott and Morgan Freeman , the same year was exhibited this ¨Robin Hood¨ by John Irvin and thus did not receive a theatrical release in the United States . And a hilarious retelling : ¨Robin Hood , men in tights¨(1993) by Mel Brooks with Gary Elwes, Richard Lewis, Roger Rees Amy Yasbeck . Besides , ¨Robin of Locksley¨(1995) by Michael Kennedy with Devon Sawa , Joshua Jackson . Plus , ¨Princess of Thieves¨ by Peter Hewitt with Keira Knightley , Malcolm McDowell and Stuart Wilson . And TV series as ¨Robin Hood¨ produced by Hammer Films with Richard Greene , Peter Cushing , directed by Terence Fisher and ¨Robin Hood , the legend¨ (1995) with Jason Connery , Oliver Cotton , Nickolas Grace and directed by Ian Sharp and Robert M. Young .

The original Robin Hood Legend plus Lippert Pictures, Inc. equals watchable low budget adventure. It is the same old story, the rotten Sheriff of Nottingham chasing Robbie and his Merry Fellas thru what was left of the wooded area of Southern California. Cheap sets, stiff acting but enough action to keep us interested.