ALYTHOUGH OUR LATER viewing would establish Errol Flynn as the one, true Robin Hood in our mind, it was Richard Greene who held that title for so many years in the mid to late 1950's. This is probably true in the case of most of us Post War (WWII) Baby Boomer generational members.THERE SHOULD BE small wonder about the whys of this statement; as it was quite familiar on this "side of the pond." As we recall, it was a staple on the weekly lineup of the Columbia Broadcasting System's television network. For short, "the Tiffany Network" was simply called CBS. And they did 144 episodes of the show, and the Ryans on Damen Avenue in Chicago tried their damnedest to make sure we never missed a one.AS WE RECALL, the series opened with Robin (Mr. Greene) perched up in a huge switch (branch) in one of the biggest trees in Sherwood and firing an arrow taken swiftly from his quiver set against a swiftly rendered seven bars of the series theme.* This was followed with a repeat of the same, only with the show's Yank sponsor. (We think it was either Vitalis or Brylcream-both hair tonic/creams and relics from the era of "that greasy kid's stuff." BEING THAST THIS was a series, there was very little continuity from one weekly episode to the next. Each story was basically independent and complete within itself; with the characters of Robin, Marian (hot!), Friar Tuck, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Prince John and Little John providing the connection to both the previous and subsequent installments.WHAT WE THINK as being a neat, little touch (and even thought then as a 9 year old) was the manner in which the ;production team used music. It was accomplished with the character of minstrel, Will Scarlet's giving a little preview of what was to come, always using the same, original, authentic medieval, monotonous madrigal. (or whatever you call it!) IT WAS THIS same period that a great deal of half hour series based on the Middle Ages and heir legendary heroes. In addition to THE ADVENTIRES OF ROBIN HOOD, we had SIR LANCELOT, IVNHOE. WILLIOAM TELL and THE BUCANEERS (with Robert Shaw as Dan Tempest).NOTE: * These 7 bars of music are about as well know as the opening of DRAGNET (by Walter Schumann) and that of THE UNTOUCHABLES (by Nelson Riddle). The ADVENTIRES OF ROBIN HOOD opening bars were reprised to comic effect in the Peter Sellers' satirical & comic romp, THE MOUSE THAT ROARED.

I love this series!! I have every episode. Yes it is very old school. No sex, just implied teasing. No gore like now days, yes men get killed but there is not the blood and guts that is seen currently, there are no visceral images or scenes. Personally I preferred the first Maid Marion, Bernadette O'Farrell over the second one but that is just because I thought she was very pretty. The plots were not super complex but every episode was entertaining and usually had a lesson in it. The acting was really basic but good, which is to be expected from the time this series was filmed. The actor playing the sheriff, Alan Wheatley, is excellent as the bad guy. He has the demeanor, the facial hair, and the face to play a nasty man. There are some discrepancies with the legends but hey it is a fantasy any way right? I just really enjoy watching this series. 10/1/14- I just finished the entire series and I was very disappointed. King Richard did not return, the outlaws were still outlaws, etc. It seems as if they ended the series before they thought it would end, no closure.

For thomas-467the film you are looking for is Fellow Traveller starring Ron Silver. As the blacklisted writer remembers his betrayal to HUAC, he rewrites the series and turns one of the Merrie Men into a traitor (though I won't reveal which one!). It's excellent though not, I think available on DVD.One of the most entertaining things about the Adventures of Robin Hood is seeing Paul Eddington in, seemingly, dozens of episodes (he seems to be in the whole of one season) as different characters though I'm not sure if anyone would have spotted it at the time since he seems to alternate from Saxon to Norman each week. It must have been like appearing in weekly rep for him!

along with "Long John Silver". This was one my sisters and I never missed when I was a kid. Robin was brave and dashing and Maid Marion was beautiful. The evil Sheriff of Nottingham was a real meany and was well played. I also have a good memory of Friar Tuck and Little John. Kevin Costner's portrayal of Robin in "Robin Hood Prince of Thieves" pales in comparison to Richard Greene's. The theme song is still firmly fixed in my memory, complete with those French horns. Lots of sword fights and daring escapes from the Sheriff's clutches made this a family favourite. I haven't seen any of the episodes since the early 60's but would dearly love to see them again.