Robin Hood : A Cinematic History of the English Outlaw and His Scottish Counterparts

by Nollen, Scott Allen

• ISBN13: 9780786406432
• ISBN10: 0786406437
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-05-01
• Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc Pub

Summary

From Errol Flynn to Kevin Costner to Daffy Duck, the bandit of Sherwood Forest has gone through a variety of incarnations on the way to becoming a cinematic staple. The historic Robin Hood-actually an amalgam of several outlaws of medieval England-was continually transformed by oral tradition to become the romantic and deadly archer-swordsman who "robbed from the rich to give to the poor." This image was reinforced by popular literature, song and, in the 20th century, cinema. This volume provides in-depth information on each film based on the immortal hero. In addition, other historical figures such as Scottish rebel-outlaws Rob Roy MacGregor and William Wallace are examined. Nollen also explores nontraditional representations of the legend, such as Frank Sinatra's Robin and the Seven Hoods and Westerns featuring the Robin Hood motif. A filmography is provided, including production information, and the text is highlighted by rare photographs, advertisements, and illustrations.

Table of Contents

Preface	1	(4)
Part I: Robin Hood in History	5	(46)
Sad Stories of the Death of Kings (1066--1276)	7	(15)
Early Outlaws of England	10	(3)
The End of Norman Rule	13	(1)
Richard the Lionheart	13	(5)
King John	18	(1)
Robert Hod, Outlaw, and Other Rebels	19	(3)
Was Robin Hood a Scot? (1066--1329)	22	(24)
The Hammer of the Scots	23	(3)
Sir William Wallace	26	(10)
Robert the Bruce, King of Scots	36	(5)
Wallace, Bruce and Robin Hood	41	(5)
English Rebels and Hoods (1322--1450)	46	(5)
Part II: Robin Hood in Story and Song	51	(34)
From Minstrel's Yeoman to Playwright's Aristocrat (1400--1700)	53	(6)
Robin Returns to Scotland (1671--1734)	59	(14)
The Making of an Outlaw	63	(10)
Storybook Outlaws (1771--1900)	73	(12)
Fascination with Tradition	74	(1)
The Scottish Chiefs	75	(1)
Rob Roy	76	(2)
Ivanhoe	78	(7)
Part III: Robin Hood on the Screen	85	(138)
Shadows of Sherwood: Early Silent Films (1908--1913)	87	(2)
No Heavy Footed Englishman: Robin Hood (1922)	89	(10)
Fluent Treason: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)	99	(22)
A Round of Robins: Variations on the Legend (1946--1954)	121	(17)
Ivanhoe	123	(5)
The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men	128	(5)
Rob Roy: The Highland Rogue	133	(5)
Low-Budget Brigands: The Hammer Hoods (1957--1973)	138	(9)
The Chairman of the Board as the Prince of Thieves: Robin and the Seven Hoods (1964)	147	(10)
The Revised Robin: Robin and Marian (1976)	157	(12)
Beverly Hills or Barnesdale? (1991)	169	(19)
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves	170	(10)
Robin Hood	180	(5)
Robin Hood: Men in Tights	185	(3)
Robin's Caledonian Renaissance (1995)	188	(31)
Rob Roy	188	(13)
Braveheart	201	(18)
Wither the Greenwood?	219	(4)
Appendix A: Films About the English Robin Hood	223	(12)
Appendix B: Films About the ``Scottish Robin Hoods''	235	(6)
Appendix C: Robin Hood Westerns	241	(2)
Chapter Notes	243	(6)
Bibliography	249	(4)
Index	253