LEGEND OF ROBIN HOOD, THE (TV)
Summary
This musical adventure film tells the story of the legendary outlaw hero Robin Hood. The story begins as Robin Hood rescues a man from execution, and troubadour Alan-a-Dale sings of Robin's benevolent attempts to stop the cruelty of Prince John, who has taken over in England in his older brother Richard's absence. As Robin Hood's followers, the Merry Men, describe their exciting lives "Out in the Open Air," they receive word that Prince John has dispatched his sheriff to collect gold from the townsfolk in order to raise an army against Richard, and Robin Hood resolves to stop him. On their way to Nottingham, they encounter an imposing man who refuses to yield the right of way to Robin, and he ends up dueling the man and losing. Robin graciously praises the man's swordsmanship, and the man is shocked to realize that he is the famous nobleman-turned-rebel himself and explains that he too has a grudge against Prince John. The men are amused to learn that his name is John Little, and he and the diminutive Much describe living their lives as oddballs amongst "Average"-sized men. Friar Tuck rechristens him "Little John" when he agrees to join the Merry Men, though Robin instructs them to capture, not kill, the villainous sheriff.
The sheriff is captured after a brief fight, though Robin sticks to his word and invites the man to dine with his Merry Men. The sheriff argues bitterly with the outlaws about true justice, and they vent their frustration at being taxed and swindled "Every Time You Make the Ends Meet." Robin orders the sheriff to relay his message demanding peace to Prince John, and the Merry Men send him back to Nottingham in a silly costume, riding backwards on a donkey. In John's castle, Maid Marian sadly wonders if "A Happy Happenstance" will ever reunite her with her beloved Robin, and when Prince John introduces her to the lecherous Sir Guy of Gisbourne, she firmly states that she is pledged to another. The sheriff arrives and informs John that Robin has stolen his ill-gotten gold and suggests that Robin can be lured out of the safety of Sherwood Forest with the right "bait." Elsewhere, Friar Tuck returns from his spying mission and is relieved to sit down to a meal, admitting that "I Dearly Do Love to Eat." He tells Robin and the others that Prince John is setting a trap for him in the form of an archery contest, in which Maid Marian's hand is the "prize," and Robin resolves to attend the event despite the obvious danger.
As night falls, Robin and Marian dream of one another "Ever So Softly," and Marian recalls their last brief encounter, in which he warned her that their being together would be too dangerous until Richard's return and gave her a talisman with which to remember him. Later, everyone gathers excitedly at the "Nottingham Fair," and the Merry Men pose as various vendors as Robin dons a shepherd's cloak. Prince John announces the archery contest, and the sheriff urges him to let Robin reveal himself through his shooting skills. Unsurprisingly, the "shepherd" is soon deemed the winner, and Maid Marian presents him with a golden arrow and a coin-filled purse. Prince John immediately orders his men to capture Robin and execute him on the spot, but the Merry Men cause the main tent to collapse and escape with Robin in the ensuing melee.
Friar Tuck voices his disapproval of the others' reckless behavior, but Robin declares that they must continue fighting injustice and seeking "The Star Beyond the Star." Back at his castle, Prince John complains to Sir Guy that Robin is always interrupting his villainous deeds and causing trouble "Every Time You Make the Ends Meet (Reprise)". John then learns that Richard has landed in Dover and will soon arrive to take his kingdom back, and Sir Guy offers John his army – in exchange for Maid Marian's hand. Marian, naturally, is repulsed by the plan, but the sheriff lies to her and claims that they have captured Robin, showing her his talisman as "proof," and threatens to kill her beloved if she does not go through with the wedding. In the forest, Robin dispatches his men to get a message to Richard and vows to stop Marian's wedding at all costs, and a heartbroken Marian ponders the "Happy Happenstance (Reprise)" of her love for Robin. Robin arrives at the ceremony just in time, causing Sir Guy to retract his offer, but the sheriff accuses Robin of cowardice for using an ambush approach and Robin agrees to a "fair fight." He and the sheriff duel with swords and Robin gains the upper hand, but King Richard suddenly reveals himself in the crowd and orders Robin not to kill him, preferring to place him on trial instead. Prince John quickly agrees to his brother's demands for peace, and Richard declares that Robin and his Merry Men are free from any persecution. Marian happily agrees to go ahead with the wedding ceremony – but this time with Robin as her groom. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: February 18, 1968 7:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:18:53
- COLOR/B&W: B&W
- CATALOG ID: B:02270
- GENRE: Drama, action/adventure
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, action/adventure; Musicals; Legends
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV, 1968
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Promos - "Bonanza"
- TV - Promos - "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In"
- TV - Promos - "The Mothers-in-Law"
- TV - Promos - "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color"
CREDITS
- Ed Friendly … Executive Producer
- Bob Wynn … Producer
- Alan Handley … Producer, Director
- Hugh Lambert … Associate Producer
- Harry Kleiner … Writer
- James Van Heusen … Music by
- Sammy Cahn … Lyrics
- Noel Harrison … Cast, Alan-a-Dale
- Roddy McDowall … Cast, Prince John
- Steve Forrest … Cast, The Sheriff of Nottingham
- Walter Slezak … Cast, Friar Tuck
- Bruce Yarnell … Cast, Little John
- Victor Buono … Sir Guy of Gisbourne
- Douglas Fairbanks Jr. … Cast, King Richard I
- David Watson … Cast, Robin Hood
- Lee Beery … Cast, Maid Marian
- Arte Johnson … Cast, Much
- Harvey Jason … Cast, Will Scarlett
- Bill Egan … Cast, Will Stutley
- Gil Stuart … Cast, The Herald