Looking at a DVD cover of THE BANDIT OF SHERWOOD FOREST (1946), a friend asked me who played Robin Hood in that film. Silly question. I hadn’t seen the film but the cover showed Cornel Wilde and an older man whom I didn’t recognise.
So I immediately said Cornel Wilde.
Wrong answer…character actor Russell Hicks is Robin Hood in this film and Cornel is his son,Robert of Nottingham.
Russell Hicks
Russell Hicks,John Abbott
What a coup for Russell Hicks – adding his name to the many actors who have played the famous outlaw.
Russell Hicks
Anita Louise,Cornel Wilde
I’m sure Columbia would have preferred to have ‘Robin Hood’ in the film’s title. ( “The Son Of Robin Hood” was a proposed title.)
In this period of the late 1940s to the early 50s, none of the Robin Hood films had the character’s name in the title.
Surely Warner Brothers didn’t have some kind of copyright on the name?
The Bandit Of Sherwood Forest was in beautiful technicolor and had a great if unusual cast – Ray Teal as Little John,John Abbott as Will Scarlet and Edgar Buchanan as Friar Tuck.
The ideal bad guys are Henry Daniell and George MacCready.
Henry Daniell
There is no Lady Marian, but Anita Louise is Lady Catherine..
Cornel Wilde
Within in a four year period,1946 to 1950, there were three Robin Hood films.
The one Robin Hood film that rarely gets mentioned is PRINCE OF THIEVES(1948) which starred Jon Hall,Patricia Morison ( and Walter Sande as Little John.)
PRINCE OF THIEVES
Jon Hall
Jon Hall,Patricia Morison,Michael Duane,Adele Jergens
And in 1950,Columbia got busy again with THE ROGUES OF SHERWOOD FOREST, casting John Derek as the son of Robin Hood.
Alan Hale played Little John for an incredible third time (1922 and 1938 previously).
Alan Hale,John Derek
In the 1922 Douglas Fairbanks ROBIN HOOD, Wallace Beery played King Richard!
Wallace Beery
Other Robin Hoods in the classic era were Don Taylor,Richard Greene and Richard Todd.
The Robin Hood name didn’t appear in titles again until the TV series,THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD with Richard Greene.
I read earlier this year that a new film was planned and would be called HOOD. (That’s as bad as calling Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple,MARPLE for the TV series.)
Of course, there is only one Robin Hood.
Vienna's Classic Hollywood 
Lovely gallery here.
In George Sherman’s Swashbuckler parody
SON OF ROBIN HOOD (1959) the “son” turns out to be his
daughter-June Laverick!
Why not! The daughter of Robin Hood! Thanks for info.
Thanks for photoes of one of my favourite film stars in my youth Cornel Wilde. Did you know that in his youth he was a member of the USA Olympic fencing team? Very helpful in playing Robin Hood Junior!
Yes, Cornel had no problem in swashbuckling roles. Thanks for stopping by,Violet.
I had no idea there were SO many Robin Hood movies! And they all look beautifully filmed.
Maybe a person should have a Robin Hood movie marathon one stormy weekend…
Not as many as Sherlock Holmes but still a very popular character .
What a good idea – a Robin Hood marathon.
You’re right – Sherlock Holmes is definitely the king. Speaking of which, have you seen the BBC series “Sherlock”?
Yes, I enjoy the BBC SHERLOCK with Benedict Cumberbatch. Though I never watched the previous incarnation with Jeremy Brett.
Wonderful! I really enjoyed THE BANDIT OF SHERWOOD FOREST, and I recently bought PRINCE OF THIEVES as part of my quest to watch Patricia Morison’s movies. I also have the Richard Todd Disney version waiting for me to catch up with it.
But you’re so right…in the end, there is only one Robin Hood!
Best wishes,
Laura
Thanks.Laura.
Glad to hear you are searching out Patricia Morison’s films. Will be interested to hear about Prince of Thieves.