I went to an old movie Palace a few years ago to see the orginal Robin Hood with Doug Fairbanks (silent, 1922) accompanied by pipe organist from a copy of the orginal score that was played during the film. It was an amazing experience!
More at the Douglas Fairbanks ROBIN HOOD Photo Album!
Coming Next… outtakes from Doug Fairbanks Robin Hood and a parody by Will Rogers of Doug playing RH!
— David DeWitt
Anonymous
July 2, 2007 at 1:25 pm
David,
Thanks for sharing so many wonderful stills! The Fairbanks Robin Hood is an amazing adventure and should definitely be viewed by anyone who has a chance to see it on the big screen.
Mr. Fairbanks had an amazing marketing promotion for Robin Hood. I give you the text of a Young's Hats advertisement from the 11/4/1922 New York Times:
“The *Robin Hood
*Registered Trade Mark
Here's another feather in the hat of Young's style designers! –A soft brown pheasant feather in the band of the Robin Hood is an added touch to a right brisk Autumn style by Young–$5.
Only authorized distributor of the DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS IN ROBIN HOOD feather,–The Mark of Chivalry. Come in and ge tone–NO CHARGE.”
What a great campaign! Seriously. How much could a feather have cost? I still have happy memories of my grandfather wearing a pheasant feather in his hat band. I wonder how much of that had to do with Douglas Fairbanks?
There's also a story in the Times about Mr. Fairbanks hitting a tailor with an arrow during a press junket for Robin Hood. The tailor was pressing pants, got hit in the bottom, and wound up making contact with Fairbanks only at the urging of his wife. (He was apparently embarassed. Wouldn't you be?) Mr. Fairbanks was apparently very apologetic and, rumor has it, settled with the man in the amount of $5,000. I'll try to find the link to that story and put it up on here.
In the meantime, I'm looking forward to your view on the Rogers parody. I thought it was hysterical. I also really enjoyed his send up of “Blood and Sand” with Valentino. Hilarious!
Anonymous
July 3, 2007 at 12:33 am
I couldn't agree more!
The Fairbanks version is a real gem. I have the Kino Video Co. boxed DVD set and I strongly recommend it.