LEGENDARY CHARACTERS SUCH as Robin Hood and his Merry Men have always had a special appeal in literature and hence, they are mainstays of the cinematic world. Having been in an eternally state of "Public Domain", versions could and have been nearly limitless.
GOING BACK TO the silents, there have been some very memorable tellings and re-tellings; with many less than spectacular attempts as well. Those that automatically come to our collective minds are: ROBIN HOOD (Douglas Fairbanks Pictures/United Artists, 1922), THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (Warner Brothers, 1938) and THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (TV Series) with Ruchard Greene (1955-).
FOLLOWING HIS GREAT successes with comedy feature films such as: THE PRODUCERS, BLAZING SADDLES and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Mel Brooks would eventually bring us ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS. But that was to be some years later. Television was his immediate objective; which had been the medium of his original successes, as writer or creator of YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS and GET SMART.
THE INTRODUCTION OF this series in 1975 had been much anticipated and hyped by ABC TV Network. The Mel Brooks name was a great selling point and a hot commodity. Perhaps this set of circumstances were the accidental conspiratorial reason that cut the series run off so abruptly.
WHEREAS SO MUCH of the humour in the Brooks' Theatrical Releases was or bordered on 'adult', blue or sexual innuendo, Television and the Federal Communications Commission (or FCC) would allow no such displays over the airwaves. The ascent of Cable Networks and Satellite Dishes as King was still an unknown and futuristic enterprise.
THE SERIES DID have its moments with some fine sight gags and almost Loony Tunes-type cartoon humor. Cast members Richard Gautier and Dick Van Patten lead a group of spirited performers on screen. The series had some other interesting elements; including some writing by Mr. Mel Brooks, himself, and allegedly some Director's chair time for Marty Feldman, a Brooks' favourite player.
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GOING BACK TO the silents, there have been some very memorable tellings and re-tellings; with many less than spectacular attempts as well. Those that automatically come to our collective minds are: ROBIN HOOD (Douglas Fairbanks Pictures/United Artists, 1922), THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (Warner Brothers, 1938) and THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (TV Series) with Ruchard Greene (1955-).
FOLLOWING HIS GREAT successes with comedy feature films such as: THE PRODUCERS, BLAZING SADDLES and YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, Mel Brooks would eventually bring us ROBIN HOOD: MEN IN TIGHTS. But that was to be some years later. Television was his immediate objective; which had been the medium of his original successes, as writer or creator of YOUR SHOW OF SHOWS and GET SMART.
THE INTRODUCTION OF this series in 1975 had been much anticipated and hyped by ABC TV Network. The Mel Brooks name was a great selling point and a hot commodity. Perhaps this set of circumstances were the accidental conspiratorial reason that cut the series run off so abruptly.
WHEREAS SO MUCH of the humour in the Brooks' Theatrical Releases was or bordered on 'adult', blue or sexual innuendo, Television and the Federal Communications Commission (or FCC) would allow no such displays over the airwaves. The ascent of Cable Networks and Satellite Dishes as King was still an unknown and futuristic enterprise.
THE SERIES DID have its moments with some fine sight gags and almost Loony Tunes-type cartoon humor. Cast members Richard Gautier and Dick Van Patten lead a group of spirited performers on screen. The series had some other interesting elements; including some writing by Mr. Mel Brooks, himself, and allegedly some Director's chair time for Marty Feldman, a Brooks' favourite player.
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