Robin Hood

The small town in Washington where I grew up had only one television station in the late 1950's. It was a CBS-affiliated station but seemed to run more syndicated programming than network stuff. One of these syndicated shows that is remembered fondly by pretty much every baby boomer kid in Kennewick, WA. was "The Adventures of Robin Hood" with Richard Greene. All the bigger budgeted Robin Hoods pale in comparison--and I don't think this is just nostalgia talking. This version of Robin Hood was very British (as it should be) and great fun to watch.

Certainly the best loved show of my childhood.

The series was shown in its entirety on a UK cable station early 1990s.

As well as the regular cast there was a repertory company of 6 character actors including Paul Eddington who appeared as different people in different shows. Eddington for example was the regular Will Scarlett but would also turn up as goody or baddie. Victor Wolfe (derwent, one of Robins band) regularly turned up as usually an old man in various episodes. I don't think children in the year 2004 would be so easily convinced. Confusingly there were two Maid Marions and two Little Johns during the course of the series. The writers wrote under nom de plumes (they were blacklisted in Hollywood). Richard Greene retired to Ireland to breed champion horses. By a very strange coincidence his great-niece Hazel Greene became the first Irishwoman to represent Ireland in Olympic Archery (strange but true)

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.

Of all the shows that I watched when I was a child, this is the one I liked the most. I loved the show - and I loved Richard Greene. He was remarkably good looking and charming. The Sheriff of Nottingham was a dastardly villain with no sense of humor. Robin and his merry band not only defeated the Sheriff in every show, they did it with grace and humor. Unlike most shows of the 50's, Marian did not just sit around in a long dress waiting to be rescued. She put on her tights and fought. I don't remember her using a sword very much, but she was an excellent archer. Looking back after over 40 years, I realize that the relationship between Robin and Marian was more that of pals than lovers as befitted a Saturday morning show for kids. Part of me would like to see it again, but another part me is afraid that it would lose some of it's golden glow. I feel sorry for the kids today. They get endless violent cartoon shows that are only created to sell merchandise. They will never thrill to

"Robin Hood, Robin Hood Riding through the glen, Robin Hood, Robin Hood With his band of men, Feared by the Bad Loved by good Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Robin Hood."

If you like Robin Hood, this is one of the best if not the best ever Robin Hood creation ever. Richard Greene plays Robin Hood brilliantly. Growing up he was Robin Hood. If you have never seen this before, where have been, buy yourself a copy of this brilliant masterpiece.