Errol Flynn/The Adventures of Robin Hood

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Errol Flynn/The Adventures of Robin Hood
The first assistant director's shooting script for Robin Hood, 1937 [later called The Adventures of Robin Hood], the original screen play by Norman Reilly Raine and Seton I.Miller, the mimeographed typescript in paper cover stamped with the original title Robin Hood and Second Rev. Final, dated inside September 21st, 1937 and containing twenty-six previously unpublished black and white snap-shots taken on location in Bidwell Park, Chico, California and Busch Gardens, Pasadena, California between October-November, 1937, by British actor Sydney Barron, subjects include: Errol Flynn [Sir Robin of Locksley/Robin Hood] and Olivia de Havilland [Maid Marian] in between takes, Olivia de Havilland and her make-up artist on set, Flynn and de Havilland's doubles in costume, Merry Men practising quarter staff, and archery, Herbert Mundin [Much the Miller's son] in costume, Basil Rathbone [Sir Guy of Gisbourne] talking to assistant director Lee Katz and dialogue director Colin Campbell on set, Errol Flynn & Eugene Pallette [Friar Tuck] preparing for the river sword fight, Sydney Barron in costume with other Merry Men and visitor to the set world heavy weight boxing champion Max Baer, majority -- 3½x2½in. (8.9x6.4cm.); accompanied by:
- A piece of vellum signed in blue ink by Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, Alan Hale [Little John], Patric Knowles [Will Scarlet], Herbert Mundin, Una O'Connor [Bess], Michael Curtiz [director], William Keighley [director], Tony Gaudio [camerawork], Lee Katz [first assistant director] and five other members of the cast and crew -- 12x9½in. (30.5x24.2cm.)
- An invitation from the City of Chico To All Members Of Warner Bros. Troupe On Location In Bidwell Park, to a Farewell Dance, at Chico High School Gymnasium, November 5th, 1937, signed on the cover by Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Patric Knowles, Herbert Mundin, William Keighley, G.T.Gaudio, Michael Curtiz, Una O'Connor, Alan Hale, Louis Van den Ecker [art director] and five others, the invitation with a bank receipt signed by Basil Rathbone attached inside -- 8½x6½in. (21.7x16.5cm.);
- A Southern Pacific Lines menu for the Warner Brothers Special En Route From Chico -- 9x6in. (22.9x15.3cm.)
- A Western Union cable to Errol Flynn from Hennessy telling him he'll be flying up to Oakland and will see him over the weekend;
- A production still featuring Sydney Barron amongst the merry men -- 7 1/8x9 1/8in. (18x23.2cm.);
- A programme for the first public screening in New York of The Adventures Of Robin Hood, Radio City Music Hall, New York, May 26th, 1938; and related material (9)

Lot Essay

Sydney Barron, compiler of this collection, was one of a group of British actors who played various 'bit' parts when required during the shooting of The Adventures of Robin Hood in California. In the film Barron as one of the Merry Men, also performed a ballad with a lute accompaniment. Unfortunately for him, this scene was withdrawn from the final version of the film due to a problem concerning the song's copyright.

At the time of its release in 1938 The Adventures of Robin Hood shot in Technicolour was Warner's most expensive film, costing more than two million dollars to make. It was the first film to be shown at the opening of The Warner Brothers' cinema in London's West End in 1938 and became the studio's biggest money spinner that year. The film received three Academy Awards and a nomination for Best Picture.

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