Showing posts with label Joan Rice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Joan Rice. Show all posts

The Death of Maid Marian

Maidenhead Advertiser

I made it into some newspapers back in 2009. It was after my research into an almost completely forgotten film star.


Dorothy Joan Mckenzie died in Maidenhead, Berkshire England on New Year’s Day 1997. She was the wife of former journalist Ken McKenzie and was just 66 years old. During the 1960s, she had various mundane office jobs, including working for the Inland Revenue in Slough. In between this, she trod the boards in stage productions. Then in 1970, she set up her own letting agency in Maidenhead.


Joan Rice

But, it was as Joan Rice that Dorothy was better known and had touched stardom, wooed Hollywood and been sprinkled with Disney magic. After winning a beauty contest, this former Lyons Tea House waitress was picked out by a film agent and sent to attend the Rank Charm School, a training institution for young actors. At 21 years old, she was given a two-year Rank Film contract. After appearing alongside Dirk Bogarde in ‘Blackmailed’ she was personally chosen by Walt Disney from six others to play the part of Maid Marian alongside Richard Todd in his live-action ‘The Story of Robin Hood’ (1952).


I saw Disney’s ‘Story of Robin Hood’ during my school summer holidays in the early 1970s, it not only triggered my interest in the legend but I instantly fell in love with Joan. Back in the days before the internet, although there were plenty of biographies about stars in the film like Peter Finch and Richard Todd, I could not find anything about Joan. Who was she, and what happened to her? Meanwhile, this wonderful film faded from memory as Disney released a second movie about Robin Hood - a cartoon.


Richard Todd (Robin Hood) and Joan Rice (Maid Marian)


So, in 2006, using the pseudonym Clement Glen, I started a blog about the film and began to inquire into her life. I dedicated the website to Joan. Gradually down the years, my readers and her friends and family contacted me with their memories and anecdotes about her. I soon realised what an amazing life she had led.


“It was nice to find something on the internet about my Aunt Joan. I miss her a lot… She and I wrote each other up until her death and I still have her letters. My Mum and I went to see her grave shortly after she died... it was a sad trip”.

(A relative of Joan Rice)



Joan Rice

In 2009, a reporter from the Maidenhead Advertiser emailed me asking about my research into the life of their ‘forgotten’ resident. The reporter had been reading my blog and was surprised to read about Joan Rice’s short but glittering film career and learn she had lived first in Windsor and then settled in Maidenhead, Berkshire in 1964. 


Joan Rice and Ken McKenzie in Cookham near Maidenhead 1983

Using details from my blog, including how Joan was personally chosen by the legendary Walt Disney to play Maid Marian, the reporter appealed for information on her and where her final resting was? By the following week, the reporter got back to me saying it was confirmed that Joan Rice was buried in Braywick Cemetery in Maidenhead. 



Many local people were surprised to learn how this former resident had spent 8 years in a children’s home, became a waitress, and then experienced a Cinderella-like rise to stardom in Hollywood. 



Walt Disney, Richard Todd and Joan Rice

So, it was rewarding to know I had helped keep Joan's memory alive

and that this beautiful English rose had not been forgotten. If you want to know more about Joan's life and career just click on the blog label.


Joan Rice in 1969

Joan Rice with her two labradors c.1969

 

This website is dedicated to the memory of Joan Rice (1930-1997) and down the years I have tried to piece together the life of this forgotten English actress. Joan was always quick to say that she was Walt Disney's first Maid Marian. And it is this role that has stayed in the hearts of myself and most of my readers.

I discovered this newspaper clipping about Joan quite recently, unfortunately, it has no date or name of the publication. But it must have been about 1969:

"At 40 Joan is still as attractive as she was in her heyday. Her green eyes shine brightly, her hair is tousled and she has a face which has lost its plumpness but retained its photogenic qualities... in fact, a perfect film face.

The last time she appeared in the cinema was in Payroll with Michael Craig and Stanley Baker.

'Also in the film was Billie Whitelaw who became a great chum of mine and has helped me an awful lot over the last few years,' says Joan.

Dissolved 

After she got out of show business she had a succession of office jobs. But her life of obscurity since then hasn't depressed her in the slightest. 

 Her marriage was dissolved in 1964 and now she lives alone. Asked if she would consider marrying again she gives a flat 'NO' in reply.

She has a 16-year-old son, Michael, at school in America who she hasn't seen for over two years. 'That's just one of the things you have to accept,' she told me sadly.

After this film at Elstree, there is nothing definite in the pipeline for Joan's second assault on the pinnacle of success. She knows it won't come as easily as it did last time, but she is now experienced and prepared to work hard.

'Life begins at 40 for some people,' she says. 'However, I believe it starts whenever you want it to. When you are old enough to take things as they come and accept that there have to be problems it is then that it really begins." 


If this press report was published in about 1969, a year later she would be filming at Hammer Studios where she played the grave robber's wife alongside Dennis Price in The Horror of Frankenstein.


Dennis Price and Joan Rice

I have been told by several people that Joan adored her two labradors (see photo at top of page). In fact, it was reported that the dogs often attended rehearsals with her. I wonder if they accompanied Joan to the Hammer Studios?

Robin Hood's Promotion


 

Above is a screenshot from the Daily News (London) on March 14th 1952 showing Joan Rice at the London Première of Walt Disney's "Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men":

'There's no mistaking Maid Marian (Joan Rice) as she arrives for last night's première. Robin Hood motifs trim her tulle skirt. Her velvet bodice is in Lincoln Green, of course.

The amount of advertising and promotion that went on before and during the release of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952) never ceases to amaze me. I have once again been delving in the newspaper archives and discovered another glimpse of the work that went on. This article appeared in Kinomatograph Weekly on March 5th 1952:

RKO’s Showmanship Link with CMA for ‘Robin Hood’ and ‘Saturday Island ' 

"The world premières of both ‘Robin Hood’ and ‘Saturday Island’ are to be presented by RKO-Radio, with the operation of CMA, in traditional showmanship fashion. They will be launched with publicity campaigns outstanding even in RKO showmanship.

A few days before the opening, on March 13, of Walt Disney’s ‘Robin Hood’ in Technicolor, at the Leicester Square Theatre, the Daily Graphic will start its picture serialisation and will be sponsoring a £200 competition on popular lines. It will be backed by widespread national campaigns by Kelsey Newspapers. The première, like that of the provincial opening later, in Manchester, will be in aid of the National Advertising Benevolent Society.

The BBC will serialise ‘Robin Hood’ on five successive evenings starting April 28 on the Light programme from 6.15-6.45 p.m., a time when the film will be at the height of its general release. The material will be from the sound track of the film with added matter recorded by stars Richard Todd and Joan Rice.


Joan Rice and Richard Todd

It will also be featured on the day of the première itself, in ‘Film Time’, while Joan Rice has a special ‘Robin Hood’ spot on television’s ‘Kaleidoscope.’ Many of Britain’s large circulation magazines are also devoting big spaces to the picture tying in with its première and general release.

In addition to this editorial coverage, national advertising started last Thursday with prominent spaces in leading journals and a widespread poster campaign both in the West End and in the provinces.

National tie-ins have also been arranged with a large number of commercial houses.

Elton Hayes, the BBC man with a small guitar, who makes a film debut in the picture, will tour key presentations in the provinces."

Kinomatograph Weekly March 5th 1952


I would love to hear those recordings that Richard Todd and Joan Rice made for the BBC! 

Does that episode of 'Kaleidoscope' with Joan Rice survive?


Joan's Premiere Skirt


70 years ago Walt Disney's live action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men had its premiere in London at the Leicester Square Theatre. Here is our lovely Joan Rice (1930-1997) wearing a specially designed skirt for the occasion. 




I wonder what happened to that skirt? 

It was possibly designed by Walt Disney's promotional team. The newspapers described Joan arriving in a limousine with Robin Hood motifs along the trim of her tulle skirt. Her velvet bodice was in Lincoln Green, of course! 




Joan Rice Sponsors Innoxa Fashion Cream

Joan Rice promoting Innoxa in1954


Above is an advert dated by the Innoxa company to 1954, featuring the beautiful English actress Joan Rice (1930-1997). 

Joan rose to fame as Maid Marian in Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). This site is dedicated to her memory.

Joan promoted Innoxa Fashion Cream, described by the company as:

 ... far more than ordinary cake make-up and ideal for all types of skin. Needs no water and keeps the skin soft and radiant.
Shades: Honey Blonde, Sun Glow, and Golden Sand.

The year that the Innoxa advert appeared witnessed a turning point in Joan's film career. During December 1953, Joan had given birth to a son Michael, then  January 1954 saw the release of the lavish Technicolor adventure His Majesty O'Keefe. Joan played the beautiful island girl Dalabo Aki Dali alongside Burt Lancaster. 


Joan Rice as Dalabo

But, after the release of The Crowded Day in October 1954, Rank Organisation did not renew her contract. There is a lot of speculation as to why this happened. Some claim it was her struggle with asthma that curtailed her career. But I am not so sure.


Joan as Peggy French in The Crowded Day


In January 1955, Joan appeared in Norman Wisdom's second movie One Good Turn. A month later, she was photographed by the press leaving London airport en route for Dublin to appear on stage in the play Welcome Stranger at the Gaiety Theatre. Sadly the magical whirlwind that had lifted her to the dizzy heights of Hollywood was waning.

To read more about the life of Joan Rice, please click on the label.

Walt Disney Visits the Robin Hood Set

Richard Todd, Walt Disney and Joan Rice

 
Here is a collection of publicity shots of Walt Disney with Richard Todd (Robin Hood) and Joan Rice (Maid Marian). In July 1951, just as his cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland was released in America, Disney visited Europe with his wife Lillian and their daughters to supervise his second live-action movie, The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952) which was financed again by the blocked monies of RKO and Disney. Apparently he was thoroughly pleased with the way things were going.


Walt Disney greets Joan Rice (Maid Marian)

Before leaving America, Walt had screened films at the studio, looking at prospective actors and directors and making what he himself called ‘merely suggestions’, while he left the final decisions to Perce Pearce, who was producing. For his part, Pearce had laid out every shot in the movie in thumbnail sketches, or storyboards, just as the studio had done with the animators, and sent them on along with photostats and the final script to Walt for his approval, which Walt freely gave, though not without a veiled threat that Pearce had better make the film as quickly as possible. “This is important not only to the organisation but to you as the producer,” he wrote.


Another publicity shot of Walt with Joan and Richard


In his biography Caught in the Act, Richard Todd described Perce Pearce as a jolly, rubicund Pickwickian figure. 


Perce Pearce with Richard Todd


Todd is vague in how he was chosen to play the part of Robin Hood for Disney. He didn't remember if it was through his agent or the legendary film maker himself.  But, after agreeing to play the part of the outlaw he met Perce Pearce and Maud Spector (the casting director) at the Dorchester Hotel in London and went through lists of candidates for parts in the film. Todd's only contribution was to suggest James Robertson Justice as Little John.


Walt Disney enjoys a picnic with Robin and Marian



What is certain is Disney personally chose Joan Rice to play the part of Maid Marian. Todd doesn't mention Joan in his biography but Ken Annakin, the director on The Story of Robin Hood, does. He depreciatingly describes Joan as Disney's, Achilles Heel and only fit to be somebody's house maid

Audiences around the world disagreed with Annakin.

Neil's fantastic website Films of the Fifties contains an extremely interesting article on how Joan was treated on the set of Disney's Story of Robin Hood: https://filmsofthefifties.com/the-bullying-of-joan-rice/
 


Joan Rice, Ivanhoe & Robin Hood's Chair

Joan Rice as Marcia

Over the past 16 years I have attempted to piece together the life of Joan Rice (1930-1997). This blog is dedicated to her memory.

Joan liked it to be known that she was Walt Disney's 'first' Maid Marian. She was personally chosen by the legendary film producer to appear alongside Richard Todd in the live-action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

I have known for many years that Joan Rice appeared in the TV series Ivanhoe (1958), but until recently I have never had an opportunity to watch it. But at last I have managed to see the particular episode on Youtube and it was good.



In an episode called The Night Raiders, Joan played the part of Marcia, a farmer's daughter who is abducted by a group of night riders terrorising a village. A young Roger Moore plays Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, son of Sir Cedric of Rotherwood. The TV series was based on the novel by Sir Walter Scott and set during the reign of King Richard the Lionheart. The Crusades have ended in disaster for the English king, who is believed dead - and the running plot of this series mostly concerns Prince John's various efforts to claim the English throne and Ivanhoe's attempts to secure justice for the populace despite John's illicit rule.




Joan would have been familiar with this particular time in history after her appearance as the girlfriend of Robin Hood, six years earlier and assisting the outlaw in his duels with the cold-blooded Sheriff of Nottingham and evil Prince John. 


Roger Moore as Ivanhoe


This swashbuckling TV series was typical of the period. Shows like The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel, The Adventures of Lancelot and later the Adventures of Richard the Lionheart were all aimed at the younger audiences of the late 1950's and early 1960's.

While watching this particular episode of Ivanhoe, I was surprised to catch a glimpse of one of 'Robin Hood's Chairs'!

My regular blog readers will know about the 'Robin Hood's Chairs'. They were created by Carmen Dillon's art department for Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men in 1951 and Joan Rice would have remembered them from her days filming on the sound stages at Denham Studio.


The chair in The Story of Robin Hood

And here it is again below, in the Ivanhoe episode in which Joan Rice appeared.


The chair in the episode of Ivanhoe


Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men was the last major production made at Denham Studios and this huge complex later merged with the Rank Organisation's Pinewood Studios. Laurence points out that The Black Knight was made at Pinewood, which probably explains the availability of the chairs as props. 

Because of our discoveries, I have compiled a list of some of the film and television productions that have used those Robin Hood Chairs:

The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (Film:1952)

The Men of Sherwood Forest (Film:1954)

The Black Knight (Film:1954)

The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV:1955-58)

The Dark Avenger (Film:1955)

Ivanhoe (TV:1958) Ep.The Night Raiders.

Sword of Sherwood Forest (Film:1960)

Robin of Sherwood (TV:1984-86)

Horrible Histories (TV: 2013-15)


To read more about Joan Rice (1930-1997) and much more click on the labels.



Joan Rice as Marian

Joan Rice as Maid Marian

 

This beautiful movie still of Joan Rice as Maid Marian has recently appeared on an auction site. I have never seen this before. Regular contributor John Nelson has also made me aware of this.

Joan appeared as Maid Marian in Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952).

Doesn't she look so beautiful and happy?

Recently I featured the design by Michael Whitaker for Joan's costume, which has also been up for auction. 

John has now purchased Whitaker's original drawing and displays it in a quality frame under fade-resistant glass. 


Michael Whitaker's design




Joan's Maid Marian Costume


 

This site is dedicated to the memory of Joan Rice (1930-1997), so I don't need much of an excuse to write another article about our beautiful Maid Marian. In my last blog post, I featured a costume design for her, created by Michael Whittaker, that has been auctioned recently.




As you can see, Whittaker even tried to capture Joan's features in his illustration. 



John Nelson, a regular contributor to this site, has sent me some images of Joan wearing the finished costume. And doesn't she look stunning!




Joan Rice's Maid Marian Costume

I am continually surprised by items appearing on auction sites connected to my favourite movie. There have been many, including the script from the film! And they have all been featured on this blog.

Here is another discovery:


These are images of the costume designed by Michael Whittaker (1918-1995) for Joan Rice in her role as Maid Marian. He has even attempted to paint her face. 

His artwork, depicting an outfit in violet and lime green with a white veil, was later created by the costume department for Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men- a live-action movie released in 1952. 





Joan wearing the costume designed by Whittaker

After a short-acting career, Michael Whittaker was nominated for an Academy Award for his costume design for the movie, The Black Rose in 1950. He later worked on Men of Sherwood Forest in 1954, but he is probably best remembered for designing the iconic black leather look for Honor Blackman in her role as Cathy in The Avengers TV series.



Joan Rice in Wonderland

 

Joan Rice at the premiere of Alice in Wonderland in 1951

On the evening of Thursday, July 26th 1951, Joan Rice (1930-1997) attended the premiere of Walt Disney's latest animated masterpiece, Alice in Wonderland at London's Leicester Square Theatre.

Joan was now a Disney princess. Her film career had been sprinkled with pixie dust. Walt had personally picked Joan himself to play the part Maid Marian in his live-action movie The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). Walt Disney had visited the film set at Denham Studios a month earlier and met some of the stars and crew. By now the film 'was in the can'. So Joan's film career was about to take off.

Later, Joan would tell her friends that she was Walt Disney's first Maid Marian.


Michael Medwin and Joan Rice in 'Curtain Up'


In the autumn of 1951, Joan began filming the comedy Curtain Up for an independent production company, Constellation Films. The following year she would fly off to Hollywood and then on to Fiji for the filming of His Majesty O'Keefe alongside Burt Lancaster. But, as we know, Joan's meteoric rise would sadly not last.


This site is dedicated to the memory of Joan Rice, there are now over 100 posts about her life and career. Just click on the label 'Joan Rice.'

Richard and Joan


This steamy shot is from a Disney film! It shows Richard Todd as Robin Hood and Joan Rice as Maid Marian in Walt Disney’s live action movie ‘The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men released in 1952. A very underrated film.

By this time, Richard Todd (1919-2009) was already a popular actor. He had received an Oscar nomination for his role as 'Lachie' in The Hasty Heart (1949) and recently finished Hitchcock's Stage Fright (1950) and King Vidor's Lightning Strikes Twice (1951).


But for Joan Rice, the former 'Nippy' from a Lyons Tea House, this was her first big break. Joan had spent her childhood in a convent in Nottingham and had often played amongst the oaks of Sherwood Forest...


Just click on the labels to learn more about Joan and Richard.

Elton Promotes Robin Hood


 

Neil Vessey has kindly sent in some more images of Elton Hayes (1915-2001) promoting Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood. Regular readers will know that Elton played Allan-a-Dale in the Disney live-action version of the legend. The picture above shows Elton playing songs from the film at Bingley Hall in Birmingham.

The magazine article that Neil has found, appeared in 'To-Days Cinema' on May 1st 1952.


Elton at a tailoring factory in Leeds


The magazine describes Elton's hectic schedule during this period:

Touring key provincial cities making personal appearances at theatres screening Walt Disney's British production in Technicolor, "The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men," Elton Hayes, who plays Allan-a-Dale, the roaming troubadour in the RKO Radio release, earned great added publicity for the film by visiting hospitals, children's homes, dance salons and big local functions. (1). Between times of his appearances at the Plaza, Woodford, Hayes attended the Delphian League match between Woodford Town and Rainham Town, "doing the honours" by kicking off.


Elton 'Kicks off'


His promotional tour continued:


Elton at Cardiff Castle


(2). Hayes relaxes during his strenuous tour by singing to attendants of the Empire, the Cardiff theatre at which he appeared, in the picturesque grounds of the Castle. (3). After appearing at the Gaumont, Liverpool, Hayes is cornered by young autograph hunters. (4). Prior to appearing at the Majestic and Scala theatres in Leeds, Hayes visited the tailoring factory of Price and tried his hand at cutting a suit. He is watched by (second from left) Mr. W. Finan, personnel manager of the firm, and (second from right) Mr. C. Willmott, manager of the Scala. (5). While in Birmingham, where he appeared at the Gaumont, Hayes paid a mid-day visit to the National Trades Fair at Bingley Hall, where he is pictured on the stage with Harry Roy and his band, entertaining a large audience with hit tunes from the Disney adventure.


We now know that after the 'official' premiere of The Story of Robin Hood in London at the Leicester Square Theatre on the 13th March 1952, there were 'provincial' premieres the following month. Elton then sailed off to America on a further promotional tour on May 8th 1952.

Back in 2017, Geoff Waite very kindly shared with us some images from his own private collection of some of these provincial premieres. 

Joan Rice (Maid Marian) and James Hayter (Friar Tuck) visited Portsmouth and Southsea on the 7th of April 1952.  On April 24th Joan also joined Elton Hayes at the Odeon in Manchester. Then Elton  visited the Gaumont Theatre in Liverpool on the 27th. The accompanying film on these occasions were Hammer, The Toff starring John Bentley and Patricia Dainton.  I discovered that the provincial premiere of Robin Hood in Manchester was during the midnight matinee on April 24th 1952 at the Odeon Theatre.  


Elton Hayes and Joan Rice at the Odeon Theatre Manchester 


I would have loved to have been sitting amongst the audience in Bingley Hall listening to Elton playing those tunes from Robin Hood!

Special thanks to Neil and Geoff for providing the information and making us aware of these provincial premieres. 


To read more about Elton Hayes, Joan Rice, the Film Premiere and a whole lot more, just click on the links in the side panel.


Promotional Spanish Magazine Article

A Spanish Magazine article about The Story of Robin Hood

I am sorry my postings have been few and far between. There are a number of reasons - including trying to move house which has been a rollercoaster of experiences! So a big thank you to Matt Crandall for helping me by sending this Spanish magazine article promoting the release of Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men in 1952. 


Joan Rice as Maid Marian

Those of you that have explored the hundreds of pages and images on this blog, will be familiar with the pictures used in that magazine. So I have shared a similar promotional photograph of the lovely Joan Rice above, which I have colourised. 


Richard Todd as Robin Hood

The photograph of Walt Disney with his wife and two daughters in that magazine, is interesting. From the photographs I have seen of him on the set at Denham during the making of The Story of Robin Hood, I am sure he looked older! What do you think?


Joan Rice as Maid Marian



I recently posted about Elton Hayes as the best Alan a Dale in films and television. Here is the beautiful Joan Rice (1930-1997) as Maid Marian on a cinema lobby card for Walt Disney’s Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952). She in my opinion was the best Maid Marian of all-time. 

There are now 97 pages on this blog covering every aspect of Joan's life and career. During the process of publishing those various articles, I have learnt so much about this now almost forgotten actress. How as a child she played amongst the glades of Sherwood Forest and later was personally chosen by Walt Disney to appear as Maid Marian in his live-action movie. She was always proud to say that she was Disney’s first Marian.

Alas, her film career was short but her memory is kept alive on this site.

Joan Rice at Burnham Beeches


These are a couple of my much-treasured pictures of the gorgeous Joan Rice (1930-1997) as Maid Marian. They were probably taken on location at Middle Pond at Burnham Beeches possibly during the filming of the Whistle My Love sequence for Walt Disney's Story of Robin Hood (1952), sometime between April/June 1951.
 


Below is the picture I took of approximately the same area on 30th April 2009. 

Literally hundreds of movies and TV shows have been filmed at Burnham Beeches and there is a list of them on this website. It is a truly beautiful place and well-worth a visit.


Middle Pond, Burnham Beeches