The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

'The Adventures of Robin Hood' is a 1938 action adventure starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland with Claude Rains, Basil Rathbone, Alan Hale.

Olivia de Havilland & Errol Flynn
as Maid Marion & Robin Hood

'The Adventures of Robin Hood' is set in 1191, after King Richard the Lion-Heart gave the Regency of his kingdom to his friend Longchamps, instead of his treacherous brother, Prince John. Robin of Loxely and his merry band rob from the rich to feed the poor.


Despite the many different film versions of Robin Hood, this is still considered to be the definitive version, and the best, with the dashing Errol Flynn here to save the day in the ultimate swashbuckler, in possibly his greatest role.


'The Adventures of Robin Hood' was very fortunate to have been filmed in glorious Technicolor. This was because Technicolor was very expensive in the 1930s, with the major studios making one or two Technicolor films each year, with the smaller studios not making any. During this time there were only 11 Technicolor cameras in existence, which were shared among each studio.

The Story of 'The Adventures of Robin Hood'

In the early 1930s, Warner Bros. were renowned for producing gangster films. When the Hays Production Code came into effect in 1934, Warner Bros. sought to change this image by producing  swashbucklers. The film was almost cancelled due to 2 unforeseen issues...


The first issue... Screen legend James Cagney was initially intended to play Robin Hood, however Cagney walked away from Warner Bros. following a dispute, and was unable to appear in the film - Cagney returned to Warner Bros. 2 years later.


The second issue... MGM had secured the rights to a operetta version of 'Robin Hood', to star Jeannette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. The compromise made between Warner Bros. and MGM was that Warner would call their film 'The Adventures of Robin Hood', and MGM would not release their film of 'Robin Hood' until a year after.


Having successfully resolved the MGM issue, Warner began to search for a new leading man to play Robin Hood. Following their successful pairing in 'Captain Blood' and several other films, it was decided Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland would again be reunited as Robin Hood and Maid Marion.

Did you know...

The only scene where Olivia de Havilland appears
without wearing a headpiece

• David Niven had originally considered to play Will Scarlet
• Anita Louise was originally considered to play Maid Marion
• Guy Kibbee was originally considered to play Friar Tuck
• At the time of its release, 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' was the most expensive Warner Bros. film made
• Olivia de Havilland's horse (called Golden Cloud) was later play Trigger, the horse used by Roy Rogers in his many films
• The extras appearing in the film were paid a daily salary and received a boxed lunch
• King Richard's castle was partially built on the Warner Bros. film lot, with a matte painting above
• All actors who were hit with an arrows wore special body suits under their clothing to absorb the arrow and prevent it from impaling their bodies
• The earliest known film of 'Robin Hood' was made in 1908
• The word Sherwood derives from "Shire of Wood"
• Some scenes without principal actors were directed by William Dieterle
• The scene in Maid Marion's bedroom is the only scene in the film where Olivia de Havilland is shown without wearing a headpiece
• During World War 2, this was the most popular film shown to armed forces
• The film was re-released in 1948 with a new promotional campaign, and then again in the mid 1950s
• In 1977, 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' was the 5th most shown film on US TV, after 'Casablanca' (1942), 'King Kong' (1933), 'The Magnificent Seven' (1960) and 'The Maltese Falcon' (1941) 
• 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' was first shown on TV in colour during the late 1960s
• Alan Hale also played Little John in the 1928 film with Douglas Fairbanks, and in 'The Rogues of Sherwood Forrest'

Closing remarks

Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn are perfectly cast in this film, as are Claude Rains and Basil Rathbone, the two ultimate villain actors playing the two ultimate villain characters.


'The Adventures of Robin Hood' is a very special film, and I have seen it so many times, yet never get sick of it. Even after all these years, the film does not look dates and there is still something within this film with the ability to entertain virtually anyone. I challenge anyone to watch this film, and not enjoy it.

Dodge City - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

'Dodge City' is a 1939 western starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland and directed by Michael Curtiz. 

Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn
in their first Western

The supporting cast includes Ann Sheridan (who had just joined Warner Bros. from Paramount), Bruce Cabot, Victor Jory, Frank McHugh, William Lundigan and of course it wouldn't be an Errol Flynn film without Alan Hale.


This was Errol Flynn's first western, establishing him as a western star in addition to being a swashbuckler.






It is 1806 and the Civil War has just ended. Captain Dodge (played by Henry O'Neill) has arrived to open a new railroad line linking Doge City to the rest of the world. A few years later, Dodge City's crime rate is out of control and being taken over by villains, thieves and gunmen. The town need to worry, as of course Errol Flynn arrives to save the day.


Wade Hatton (played by Flynn) comes to town with Abbie Irving (played by de Havilland). Abbie does not like Wade, as she holds him responsible for her brother's death during a stampede. After being asked to clean up the town and make it safe, Wade initially declines. However after the death of a child he agrees to become Sheriff. 

Dodge City is the place for a premiere

Held in the real town of Dodge City, the premiere for 'Dodge City' was quite an event. Attracting a crowd of over 150,000, the premiere began with over 200 Warner Bros. cast and crew members arriving on an old fashioned steam train. The major Warner Bros. stars then disembarked the train, and mounted a horse for a celebrity rodeo. To cater for the crowds, the film premiered in three different cinemas at the same time.


Watch some footage from the premiere:

Did you know...

• This was the 1st of 8 Errol Flynn western films
• This was the 5th of 9 films co-starring Olivia de Havilland and Errol Flynn

Closing remarks

A highly enjoyable and entertaining western from the opening credits through to the fiery climax on the train. I think it may be because it contains all the traditional cliched western elements, though it wasn't cliched at the time. The western film genre began to surface and mature in the late 1930s. Prior to this westerns were often very low budget films. As great as this film is, the one thing out of place is Flynn's Australian accent in the wild west. I think the reason why this stood for out for me as I am also Australian, and it sounded a little odd to hear the Australian accent in the American west during 1800s. An outstanding performance by child actor Bobs Watson as the young boy, Harry Cole.

Dodge City: Go West, Errol Flynn (2005) - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

'Dodge City: Go West, Errol Flynn' is a 2005 short documentary featurette about the film 'Dodge City' (1939), starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland.

The documentary features appearances by:

• Professor of film, Lincoln D. Hurst
• film historian Robert Osbourne
• author Bob Thomas

The film starts with some background on the rise of the western, and the many elements of the traditional western, which appear in 'Dodge City'. We are then introduced to the supporting cast, Ann Sheridan, Bruce Cabot, Victor Jory and Alan Hale.

This is followed by a segment on the extravagant premiere of 'Dodge City', accompanied by colour footage from the event.

The Strawberry Blonde (1941) - Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

"Oh for Pete's sake Virginia, cut out the nonsense. This is a pre-arranged date and we all know it. I've got to get back on duty by eleven, so come on, let's shake our tootsies!" - Olivia de Havilland (as Amy Lind)

Olivia de Havilland as Amy shocks James Cagney
as Biff with her modern way of thinking

The Strawberry Blonde is a good old fashioned jolly folly from 1941 starring James Cagney, Olivia de Havilland and Rita Hayworth with Jack Carson, Alan Hale, George Tobias, Una O'Connor and George Reeves. The film is directed by Raoul Walsh and written by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein.


Biff Grimes (played by Cagney) is infatuated by "the strawberry blonde" Virginia Brush (played by Rita Hayworth). Society girl Virginia chooses to give her affections to Biff's best friend Hugo Barnstead (played by Carson). Biff eventually marries Virginia's best friend, nurse Amy Lind (played by de Havilland).

Cagney returns to Warner Bros.

This was James Cagney's return to Warner Bros. after his 18 months contractual dispute. A clause in Cagney's new contract allowed Cagney to choose his own films. After showing his versatility in musical films such as 'Footlight Parade' and his ability play Shakespeare in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', Cagney thought it fit to expand his repertoire with a nostalgic film set in the 1890s.

Musical program

As with all old fashioned jolly follies, 'The Strawberry Blonde' is jam packed with some great old fashioned jolly American songs from the 1890s such as "And the Band Played On", "Bill Bailey" and "Meet Me In St. Louis".


Watch a clip from the film:

Movie trailer
I really like the movie trailer for 'The Strawberry Blonde'. I wasn't able to find it on YouTube, so here are some images I managed to find online.

Did you know...

• James Cagney had wanted Brian Donlevy or Lloyd Nolan to play the role of as Hugo Barnstead, as he felt Jack Carson was too tall for him
• John Garfield was considered for the role of Biff Grimes
• Ann Sheridan was originally intended to play Virginia Brush, however she refused due to a contractual dispute
• Brenda Marshall screen tested for the role of Virginia Brush
• This film is believed to feature the only time Rita Hayworth is heard singing with her own voice - in her other films, her singing voice is dubbed

Award nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Musical Score

Closing remarks

'The Strawberry Blonde' features an iconic Olivia de Havilland image where she cheekily winks at the camera.  I like this film a lot, and there is only one thing I dislike about watching this film. Every time I finish watching it, I can never get the bloody song ("And the Band Played On") out of my head!!

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) Star of the month... Olivia de Havilland

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939)

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) is the historically inaccurate but very powerful and elaborate costume drama telling the story of Queen Elizabeth I and her complicated and furious love affair with Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. The title characters played by screen legends Bette Davis and Errol Flynn. 

Olivia de Havilland as Lady Penelope Gray

They are complimented with a first rate supporting cast including Olivia de Havilland, Vincent Price (in his breakthrough performance), Alan Hale, Donald Crisp and Nanette Fabray (credited as Nanette Fabares in her first adult film role).  As of June 2012, Olivia de Havilland and Nanette Fabray are the only two cast members in the film still alive at ages 95 and 91, respectively.

This was the first of two films where Bette Davis starred as Queen Elizabeth I - Davis later played the Elizabeth in the inferior film The Virgin Queen (1955), which tells of how the Queen met Sir. Walter Raleigh. Although not a sequel nor a prequel, it makes for an interesting parallel.

Bette vs. Errol

Bette & Errol did not like each other

This was the second time Bette Davis and Errol Flynn had starred together in a film, following their pairing in The Sisters (1938), a year prior. Davis and Flynn despised each other, and were both unhappy about working together for the second time. Bette Davis did not like Errol Flynn's drinking problem, and Errol did not like Bette's diva like attitude. Bette Davis had wanted Laurence Olivier for the role of Essex, who I feel would have been a more superior choice for this particular film.

Their off-screen antics were the result of the film's title. The original play the film is based on was called "Elizabeth the Queen". Flynn did not like this title, as he was a co-star, and felt his role should also appear in the title. The film was then going to be called "The Knight and the Lady". Bette Davis did not approve of this title, as she felt Elizabeth should be billed first, thus the eventual title of "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex".

Queen Elizabeth I

Queen Elizabeth stars at herself in a fragment of broken

mirror after smashing no less than 3 mirrors 

Queen Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VIII (the one who beheaded his 6 wives), and Anne Boleyn, who her father had beheaded when Elizabeth was just two years old. Elizabeth was known as The Virgin Queen, due to her never being married or having children. Despite her inability to bare children, I would question how virginal she really was considering the number of young men she had floating around her palace. She was one of the first powerful female leaders, and is even referred to in the film as "a king in petticoats".

The role of Queen Elizabeth is one of the most sought after roles for an actress to play, having also been played by actresses including Cate Blanchett, Dame Judi Dench, Glenda Jackson, Agnes Moorehead, Jean Simmons,  Helen Mirren and Vanessa Redgrave, just to name a few. Despite being played by such brilliant and celebrated actors, no one in my opinion has played her quite like Bette Davis.   

Bette Davis has a natural commanding presence, which presents an assertive, powerful and authentic portrayal. She plays a tough Queen, yet compassionate towards those showing her compassion. In this film, Bette smashes no less than 3 mirrors, which calculates to 21 years bad luck.

Olivia de Havilland as Lady Penelope Gray

Concluding Remarks

This was one of the first classic films I ever saw when I was about 14 years old.  I loved it from the first time I saw it, and having seen it a number of times over the past 14 years, I still love it. I would strongly recommend this to anyone who enjoys good drama or tragic love stories.

Private Lives of Elizabeth & Essex (1939) - Spotlight on... Royalty on FIlm

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex (1939) is the historically inaccurate but very powerful and elaborate costume drama telling the story of Queen Elizabeth I and her complicated and furious love affair with Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. The title characters played by screen legends Bette Davis and Errol Flynn. 

They are complimented with a first rate supporting cast including Olivia de Havilland, Vincent Price (in his breakthrough performance), Alan Hale, Donald Crisp and Nanette Fabray (credited as Nanette Fabares in her first adult film role).  As of June 2012, Olivia de Havilland and Nanette Fabray are the only two cast members in the film still alive at ages 95 and 91, respectively.

This was the first of two films where Bette Davis starred as Queen Elizabeth I - Davis later played the Elizabeth in the inferior film The Virgin Queen (1955), which tells of how the Queen met Sir. Walter Raleigh. Although not a sequel nor a prequel, it makes for an interesting parallel.

Bette vs. Errol

Bette & Errol did not like each other

This was the second time Bette Davis and Errol Flynn had starred together in a film, following their pairing in The Sisters (1938), a year prior. Davis and Flynn despised each other, and were both unhappy about working together for the second time. Bette Davis did not like Errol Flynn's drinking problem, and Errol did not like Bette's diva like attitude. Bette Davis had wanted Laurence Olivier for the role of Essex, who I feel would have been a more superior choice for this particular film.

Their off-screen antics were the result of the film's title. The original play the film is based on was called "Elizabeth the Queen". Flynn did not like this title, as he was a co-star, and felt his role should also appear in the title. The film was then going to be called "The Knight and the Lady". Bette Davis did not approve of this title, as she felt Elizabeth should be billed first, thus the eventual title of "The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex".

Queen Elizabeth I

Queen Elizabeth stars at herself in a fragment of broken
mirror after smashing no less than 3 mirrors 

Queen Elizabeth I was the daughter of King Henry VIII (the one who beheaded his 6 wives), and Anne Boleyn, who her father had beheaded when Elizabeth was just two years old. Elizabeth was known as The Virgin Queen, due to her never being married or having children. Despite her inability to bare children, I would question how virginal she really was considering the number of young men she had floating around her palace. She was one of the first powerful female leaders, and is even referred to in the film as "a king in petticoats".

The role of Queen Elizabeth is one of the most sought after roles for an actress to play, having also been played by actresses including Cate Blanchett, Dame Judi Dench, Glenda Jackson, Agnes Moorehead, Jean Simmons,  Helen Mirren and Vanessa Redgrave, just to name a few. Despite being played by such brilliant and celebrated actors, no one in my opinion has played her quite like Bette Davis.   

Olivia de Havilland as Lady Penelope Gray

Bette Davis has a natural commanding presence, which presents an assertive, powerful and authentic portrayal. She plays a tough Queen, yet compassionate towards those showing her compassion. In this film, Bette smashes no less than 3 mirrors, which calculates to 21 years bad luck.

Concluding Remarks

This was one of the first classic films I ever saw when I was about 14 years old.  I loved it from the first time I saw it, and having seen it a number of times over the past 14 years, I still love it. I would strongly recommend this to anyone who enjoys good drama or tragic love stories.