Adventures of Robin Hood Volume 5

The legend of Robin Hood is given a grand retelling in this popular and long running series made for television (1955-58). Filmed in Great Britain with the handsome and dashing British actor Richard Greene as Robin, the "outlaws" of Sherwood Forest watch over the people of England and protect them from the cruelty and greed of the ruling aristocrats.

Episode 1 - Will Scarlet: Moments after an overdressed dandy in a red plumed hat appears at the Blue Boar Inn, he insults Little John, challenges Robin Hood to a duel and crosses swords with the Sheriff of Nottingham's armed guard. The poetic stranger quickly wins Robin Hood's respect for his swordsmanship and daring, and is invited to join Robin and his merry men in Sherwood Forest.

Episode 2 - The Rivals: The Sheriff of Nottingham tries to extort money from local merchants by having his own gang of outlaws stage robberies that look like the work of Robin Hood and his men.

Episode 3 - The Miser: Sir William threatens his tenant farmers with additional taxes and threatens to throw them off his land if they don't pay up. When Robin Hood hears about this he devises a plan to retrieve the villagers money. The clever plan requires that Friar Tuck keep the townsfolk in church by delivering the most longwinded sermon of his career.

Episode 4 - Tables Turned: Messengers who stop at the local inn boast about the "jewels" they are transporting. Derwent, one of Robin Hood's most loyal men successfully steals the shipment - only to discover that these jewels are actually two children from a titled family.

Richard Greene played Robin Hood in this British television series (1955-1960) as an upbeat and expansive fellow, and a superb small repertory troupe played different supporting roles. The interior backgrounds were mounted on wheels to facilitate fast shooting, and the studio was located near historic Runnymeade Meadow, the ideal locale for the outdoor scenes. Loosely based on the earlier Douglas Fairbanks and Errol Flynn classic films about a forest bandit with a gang that "steals from the rich and gives to the poor" (that were in turn based on poems and stories dating back 600 years), this children's show remains fondly remembered by those lucky enough to grow up with it.