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Miss Robin Hood is a 1952 British comedy film directed by John Guillermin,[1] and starring Margaret Rutherford and Richard Hearne. Other actors involved include Dora Bryan, James Robertson Justice, Peter Jones, Sid James, Reg Varney, Kenneth Connor and Michael Medwin. The film features a variety of unusual camera work such as unexpected extreme close-ups and fast motion sequences.
| Miss Robin Hood | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | John Guillermin |
| Written by | Val Valentine dialogue Patrick Campbell treatment Geoffrey Orme |
| Story by | Reed de Rouen |
| Produced by | Donald B. Wilson executive John Grierson |
| Starring | Margaret Rutherford Richard Hearne James Robertson Justice |
| Cinematography | Arthur Grant |
| Edited by | Manuel del Campo |
| Music by | Temple Abady |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Associated British Film Distributors |
Release date |
|
Running time | 76 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Plot
editA writer named Wrigley (Richard Hearne) creates a comic strip character named Miss Robin Hood for a children's story paper. It is a modernized retelling of the Robin Hood legend in which the heroine robs banks with the assistance of a gang of teenage girls and then redistributes the money.
Unfortunately the cartoon is dropped from the paper, and Wrigley leaves his job. However, Miss Honey (Margaret Rutherford), who is director of a home for the orphans of London in Hampstead, recruits Wrigley to carry out a little light safebreaking, believing that he has such skills because he created Miss Robin Hood. Difficulties arise when Scotland Yard becomes involved.
Cast
edit- Margaret Rutherford as Miss Honey
- Richard Hearne as Henry Wrigley
- Edward Lexy as Wilson
- Frances Rowe as Marion
- Michael Medwin as Ernest
- Eunice Gayson as Pam
- Sidney James as Sidney
- Dora Bryan as Pearl
- Eric Berry as Lord Otterbourne
- Peter Jones as Lidstone
- James Robertson Justice as Macalister
- Reg Varney as Henry Wrigley's assistant
- Ian Carmichael newspaper staff
Production
editDisney were making The Story of Robin Hood and were reportedly unhappy that the Group 3 Film could be confused with theirs.[2] Filming took place in June 1952.[3]
Critical reception
editThe Monthly Film Bulletin called it "a haphazard mixture of farce and fantasy... this slapdash and undergraduatish piece."[4]
Bosley Crowther of The New York Times wrote, "Even with stalwart Margaret Rutherford playing the principal role—that of a good-natured looney—in this utterly slap-happy film, and even with several cheering flashes of tomfoolery to light the way, the whole thing is just a bit too labored—too fatuous—to be continuous fun."[5]
Graeme Clark of the website The Spinning Image wrote, "It's all very fluffy and inconsequential, but with Patrick Campbell contributing to the script and this array of talent in front of the camera, vintage Brit comedy fans are well catered for."[6]
Filmink said "It has a decent enough central idea... but it doesn’t have enough faith in the idea, so all this other extraneous stuff is added."[7]
External links
editReferences
edit- ^ "Miss Robin Hood (1952) | BFI". Explore.bfi.org.uk. Archived from the original on 12 July 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ "Don't miss it". The Sun. No. 2556. New South Wales, Australia. 13 April 1952. p. 34. Retrieved 26 September 2020 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ Round the British Studios Nepean, Edith. Picture Show; London Vol. 58, Iss. 1524, (Jun 14, 1952): 11.
- ^ MISS ROBIN HOOD Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 20, Iss. 228, (Jan 1, 1953): 21.
- ^ Crowther, Bosley (27 June 1953). "Movie Review - Miss Robin Hood - British Film, 'Miss Robin Hood,' With Margaret Rutherford Bows at the Beekman". The New York Times. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ "Miss Robin Hood Review (1952)". Thespinningimage.co.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (17 November 2020). "John Guillermin: Action Man". Filmink.
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