In 1951 Walt Disney cast Richard Todd in the title role in his British made classic ‘The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men’ a film that was shot in England at Denham Film Studios  and Burnham Beeches.

This film followed Treasure Island – another British made movie of his – and in fact his very first all live action film. It was a success but Robin Hood was destined to be a bigger box office hit –  it certainly was the most expensive film made in England up to that time – and it showed.

I have a feeling that this picture was taken before the film was made and it was taken in the USA.

I think this photograph was taken at Coney Island and I seem to have read that Richard Todd thought he was in at the very first idea Walt Disney had for Disneyland which was opened in Florida in 1956. He may well have been right.

This  is the letter sent by Richard Todd to the Daily Mail – as above picture.    It shows the friendship between Walt Disney and the British actor that lasted long after he had completed his films for the him in the early fifties. I did read somewhere that Walt Disney was happy to take advantage of Richard Todd’s connections in Britain. He does seem to have been very popular and well  connected. He had by this time become a friend of Ronald Reagan and many years later he and his wife dined with the President at No 10 as the guests on Mrs. Thatcher who coincidentally came from Grantham where Richard lived – and died.

The Letter as follows:-