As anyone who reads these articles would know, I tend to write this same story each year on 30 April about a film I really like ‘The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men‘

It is 72 years ago today, on 30 April 1951 that Richard Todd opened the curtains at his home at Pinkneys Green Nr Maidenhead, before heading off to Denham for the first day of filming for Walt Disney’s ‘The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men’, only to see that the garden and countryside around was covered in a blanket of snow.

This event had caught the Walt Disney organisation out as they had not thought of such a possibility – however things were quickly re-adjusted to suit but from that moment on, they made sure that there was always an alternative scene to be shot if, again, the unexpected happened

The snow went within a few hours but the following cold days were spent at Burnham Beeches with outdoor scenes being shot.

ABOVE – Here we are at Burnham Beeches along with Perce Pearce, Carmen Dillon and Alex Bryce, the Second Unit Film Director on this production. In fact he did virtually all of the outside action scenes for the film at Burnham Beeches

I have to say that I do feel the filming there was a little early because although the trees were in leaf they were not in full leaf as later when they are even more attractive and photographed in Technicolor so well.

These Scenes being filmed – probably in Denham Film Studios where the site sloped down onto the River Colne – certainly filmed on that river.

BELOW – Filmed at the rear of Denham Film Studios as the ground slopes down to the River Colne – it looks good though !!

ABOVE – Two young fans – and competition winners – with Richard Todd at Denham Film Studios during the summer of 1951

It must be said that this film is one of – if not the best – Technicolor film ever