REGENT THEATRE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 106, 28 January 1939, Page 13

REGENT THEATRE

“The Adventures Of Robin Hood”

“The Adventures of Robin Hood” is now in its third week at the Regent Theatre, and tjiis film version of the man who robbed the rich to bring relief to the poor is well knit. Errol Flynn plays Robin; Olivia de Haviiiand, Maid Marian. In complete contrast, Basil Rathbone and Claude Raines play respectively Sir Guy of Gisborne and Prince John. The pageantry and romance of the time sweep one away from the complexities of the modern age, back 800 years. Word comes to England that Richard,, on his way home from the Crusades, has been taken prisoner in Austria. This gives Prince John the chance to gain control, with the aid of Sir Guy, of the nation’s revenues. His overtaxed people find expression for their rebellion in the schemes of Robin Hood, who, in the secret fastnesses of Sherwood Forest, organizes his schemes to the benefit of the poor, High Sheriff of Nottingham is so ineffectual in his hunt for the outlaw band that Prince John himself hovers nearby to direct Robin’s capture. As the story progresses, Maid Marian realizes slowly that Robin the Outlaw is right in his practices, and, wishing to prove her love for him, becomes his spy within Prince John's entourage. Richard's return to England, and his security under Robin’s protection in the forest, sets the stage for Prince John’s deserved downfall on the very day he was to have been crowned King. Gathered round the Lord of Sherwood Forest is a bright and hearty band of good men: Patrie Knowles as the lithesome Will Scarlet (“brain over brawn”), Eugene Pallette as the roly-poly Friar Tuck, who turns out to be the most dangerous swordsman in the forest, Alan Hale as J-ittle John who wins a place in Robin’s band by besting Robin himself in a battle with quarter-staffs. Herbert Mundin as Much-the-Miller's Son, and lan Hunter as good King Richard the Lion Heart. The original story and the screen play were devised by Norman Reilly Raiue and Seton I. Miller, and has several of the well-authenticated incidents contained in most of the legends surrounding England’s greatest outlaw. The bulk of the story, however, is original in form.