"The Bandit of Sherwood Forest" is a sequel of sorts to the highly successful "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938) which starred an athletic Errol Flynn. We fast forward a generation where Robin, now the Earl of Huntington (Russell Hicks) has found new tyrants to replace the Prince John of old.
William of Pembroke (Henry Daniell) has somehow become appointed as the Regent of England ruling on behalf of the young King (Maurice Tauzin). At his side are the villainous Fitz-Herbert (George Macready), Lord Mortimer (Ian Wolfe) and the spineless Sheriff of Nottingham (Lloyd Corrigan). Robin assembles his merry men now middle aged warriors: Friar Tuck (Edgar Buchanan), Little John (Ray Teal), Will Scarlett (John Abbott) and Alan- a - Dale (Leslie Denison), (no Maid Marian here) to rid the country once again of the tyrants.
The Earl send for his son Robert of Nottingham (Cornel Wilde) to lead the revolt. He too becomes known as Robin Hood. The Queen Mother (Jill Esmond) and her lady in Waiting Lady Catherine Maitland (Anita Louise) watch over the young King. When the Regent imprisons the King, his mother and Lady Catherine escape to Sherwood Forest in search of Robin Hood.
Robin Jr. meets the two in the forest and becomes enamored with Lady Catherine. He takes them to the safety of Mother Meg's (Eva Moore) cottage while he goes in search of his father. He finds the camp and after a sword fight with the portly friar is identified as the son of Robin Hood.
The men of Sherwood begin to plan their rescue of the King. Allan - a -Dale is sent to gain entrance to the Regent's castle and learn of the Regent's plans. He overhears the Regent's plan to murder the King and assume the throne himself. He reports back to the group. Robin Jr. formulates a plan whereby Lady Catherine will pose as a nun in distress along with her disguised entourage in order to gain entrance to the castle.
While Robin Jr. and Lady Catherine execute their plan and rescue the King, they are captured by the Regent and jailed. Robin Jr. challenges the Regent to a "Death by Combat" duel, a right to which he as a noble is entitled. Meanwhile Robin Sr. and his men wait outside the gates for a signal to attack. The duel commences and..............................................................
This isn't a bad movie. Mind you it doesn't have Errol Flynn but the cast nevertheless up to the task. Henry Daniell and George Macready, two of the most formidable villains of the 40s, are dandy bad guys here. Cornel Wilde, al in his early 30s at the time, makes you believe he is the robust younger Robin of the story.
There's a couple of questions left unanswered. First, What was the King's name? It is never mentioned. Second, How did the Regent get appointed and by whom? And lastly, What DID become of Lady Marian, presumably the mother of Robin Jr.?
Among the unbilled players that I spotted in minor roles were: Lane Chandler, Dick Curtis, Ross Hunter, Francis McDonald, Gene Roth and Philn Van Zandt.
Worth a look.
William of Pembroke (Henry Daniell) has somehow become appointed as the Regent of England ruling on behalf of the young King (Maurice Tauzin). At his side are the villainous Fitz-Herbert (George Macready), Lord Mortimer (Ian Wolfe) and the spineless Sheriff of Nottingham (Lloyd Corrigan). Robin assembles his merry men now middle aged warriors: Friar Tuck (Edgar Buchanan), Little John (Ray Teal), Will Scarlett (John Abbott) and Alan- a - Dale (Leslie Denison), (no Maid Marian here) to rid the country once again of the tyrants.
The Earl send for his son Robert of Nottingham (Cornel Wilde) to lead the revolt. He too becomes known as Robin Hood. The Queen Mother (Jill Esmond) and her lady in Waiting Lady Catherine Maitland (Anita Louise) watch over the young King. When the Regent imprisons the King, his mother and Lady Catherine escape to Sherwood Forest in search of Robin Hood.
Robin Jr. meets the two in the forest and becomes enamored with Lady Catherine. He takes them to the safety of Mother Meg's (Eva Moore) cottage while he goes in search of his father. He finds the camp and after a sword fight with the portly friar is identified as the son of Robin Hood.
The men of Sherwood begin to plan their rescue of the King. Allan - a -Dale is sent to gain entrance to the Regent's castle and learn of the Regent's plans. He overhears the Regent's plan to murder the King and assume the throne himself. He reports back to the group. Robin Jr. formulates a plan whereby Lady Catherine will pose as a nun in distress along with her disguised entourage in order to gain entrance to the castle.
While Robin Jr. and Lady Catherine execute their plan and rescue the King, they are captured by the Regent and jailed. Robin Jr. challenges the Regent to a "Death by Combat" duel, a right to which he as a noble is entitled. Meanwhile Robin Sr. and his men wait outside the gates for a signal to attack. The duel commences and..............................................................
This isn't a bad movie. Mind you it doesn't have Errol Flynn but the cast nevertheless up to the task. Henry Daniell and George Macready, two of the most formidable villains of the 40s, are dandy bad guys here. Cornel Wilde, al in his early 30s at the time, makes you believe he is the robust younger Robin of the story.
There's a couple of questions left unanswered. First, What was the King's name? It is never mentioned. Second, How did the Regent get appointed and by whom? And lastly, What DID become of Lady Marian, presumably the mother of Robin Jr.?
Among the unbilled players that I spotted in minor roles were: Lane Chandler, Dick Curtis, Ross Hunter, Francis McDonald, Gene Roth and Philn Van Zandt.
Worth a look.