Rocket Robin Hood
Encyclopedia
Rocket Robin Hood is a Canadian animated
television series, placing the characters and conflicts of the classic Robin Hood
legend
in a futuristic, outer space setting, produced by Krantz Films, Inc.
from 1966 to 1969.
Rocket Robin Hood
leads his "Merry Men
", including the strong, dimwitted, and likeable Little John
, consummate overeater Friar Tuck
(who designs all the Merry Men's weaponry), Robin's two-fisted, red-headed cousin Will Scarlet
, Robin's plucky girlfriend Maid Marian
, his sharp-witted right-hand man Alan-a-Dale
, the scrawny, feisty camp cook Giles (a reformed crook and Gabby Hayes type), and other characters from the classic story of Robin Hood. They live in "the astonishing year 3000" on New Sherwood Forest Asteroid, and are determined to foil the despotic plans of Prince John and his bumbling lackey, the Sheriff of N.O.T.T. (National Outer-space Terrestrial Territories), and other villains such as Dr. Medulla, Manta, Nocturne, and the Warlord of Saturn
. Rocket Robin Hood and his people fly in spaceships and use weapons such as “electro-quarterstaffs.”
All episodes also feature short vignettes of the various characters.
The drawing and movement styles resembles so much the first action series from the early Filmation
production.
. One of the key animators was Jean Mathieson
, one of the first female animators, who later formed Rainbow Animation in Canada and Magic Shadows Inc in the U.S. with Al Guest, where they continued to produce animated TV programming.
Background designer Richard H. Thomas joined the group late in the second season and brought a dark, almost psychedelic
feel to the production under director Ralph Bakshi
, who would later become a well known animation producer and would be responsible for, among other things, the animated versions of Fritz the Cat
and The Lord of the Rings
. Third-season episodes were animated at Ralph’s Spot in New York City
, although voices continued to be recorded in Toronto.
Bernard Cowan
was the narrator of the show and Paul Kligman
, who played J. Jonah Jameson in the animated version of Spider-Man
, was the voice of Friar Tuck. Ed McNamara, who appeared in the movies Silver Streak (1976) and Bayo (1985), was the voice of Rocket Robin Hood. Len Carlson
subbed in place of Ed McNamara for Rocket Robin Hood in some of the third season episodes. Carl Banas
provided the voice of Little John. Chris Wiggins
was the voice of Will Scarlet.
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
television series, placing the characters and conflicts of the classic Robin Hood
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
in a futuristic, outer space setting, produced by Krantz Films, Inc.
Krantz Films, Inc.
Krantz Films, Inc. was a production company headed by Steve Krantz. From 1966 to 1974, it produced animated cartoon shows such as The Marvel Superheroes, Spider-Man, Rocket Robin Hood, Professor Kitzel, and Max, the 2000-Year-Old Mouse.It also produced two live-action television shows in Canada:...
from 1966 to 1969.
Summary
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
leads his "Merry Men
Merry Men
The Merry Men are the group of outlaws who followed Robin Hood, according to English folklore. An early use of the phrase "merry men" occurs in the oldest known Robin Hood ballad, "Robin Hood and the Monk", which survives in a manuscript completed around 1450. The word "merry" in this and other...
", including the strong, dimwitted, and likeable Little John
Little John
Little John was a legendary fellow outlaw of Robin Hood, and was said to be Robin's chief lieutenant and second-in-command of the Merry Men.-Folklore:He appears in the earliest recorded Robin Hood ballads and stories...
, consummate overeater Friar Tuck
Friar Tuck
Friar Tuck is a companion to Robin Hood in the legends about that character. He is a common character in modern Robin Hood stories, which depict him as a jovial friar and one of Robin's Merry Men. The figure of Tuck was common in the May Games festivals of England and Scotland during the 15th...
(who designs all the Merry Men's weaponry), Robin's two-fisted, red-headed cousin Will Scarlet
Will Scarlet
Will Scarlet was a prominent member of Robin Hood's Merry Men. He was present in the earliest ballads along with Little John and Much the Miller's Son....
, Robin's plucky girlfriend Maid Marian
Maid Marian
Maid Marian is the wife of the legendary English outlaw Robin Hood. Stemming from another, older tradition, she became associated with Robin Hood only in the 16th century.-History:The earliest medieval Robin Hood stories gave him no female companion...
, his sharp-witted right-hand man Alan-a-Dale
Alan-a-Dale
Alan-a-Dale is a figure in the Robin Hood legend...
, the scrawny, feisty camp cook Giles (a reformed crook and Gabby Hayes type), and other characters from the classic story of Robin Hood. They live in "the astonishing year 3000" on New Sherwood Forest Asteroid, and are determined to foil the despotic plans of Prince John and his bumbling lackey, the Sheriff of N.O.T.T. (National Outer-space Terrestrial Territories), and other villains such as Dr. Medulla, Manta, Nocturne, and the Warlord of Saturn
Saturn
Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second largest planet in the Solar System, after Jupiter. Saturn is named after the Roman god Saturn, equated to the Greek Cronus , the Babylonian Ninurta and the Hindu Shani. Saturn's astronomical symbol represents the Roman god's sickle.Saturn,...
. Rocket Robin Hood and his people fly in spaceships and use weapons such as “electro-quarterstaffs.”
All episodes also feature short vignettes of the various characters.
The drawing and movement styles resembles so much the first action series from the early Filmation
Filmation
Filmation Associates was an American production company that produced animation and live action programming for television during the latter half of the 20th century. Located in Reseda, California, the animation studio was founded in 1963...
production.
Background
Rocket Robin Hood was animated and voiced by Trillium Productions, an animation studio which was part of the Guest Group—a creative group of companies owned by producer Al GuestAl Guest
Al Guest is a Canadian animation producer.He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and started his career there when he dropped out of the University of Manitoba to pursue a career in films. A writer and fine artist, he has exhibited his paintings at many galleries in Winnipeg and Toronto...
. One of the key animators was Jean Mathieson
Jean Mathieson
Jean Mathieson is listed in Colombo's Canadian References as Canada’s first independent, commercial, non National Film Board, woman animator. She switched from the University of Toronto to The Ontario College of Art where in four years she earned her A.O.C.A. After graduation she trained as an...
, one of the first female animators, who later formed Rainbow Animation in Canada and Magic Shadows Inc in the U.S. with Al Guest, where they continued to produce animated TV programming.
Background designer Richard H. Thomas joined the group late in the second season and brought a dark, almost psychedelic
Psychedelic
The term psychedelic is derived from the Greek words ψυχή and δηλοῦν , translating to "soul-manifesting". A psychedelic experience is characterized by the striking perception of aspects of one's mind previously unknown, or by the creative exuberance of the mind liberated from its ostensibly...
feel to the production under director Ralph Bakshi
Ralph Bakshi
Ralph Bakshi is an Israeli-American director of animated and live-action films. In the 1970s, he established an alternative to mainstream animation through independent and adult-oriented productions. Between 1972 and 1992, he directed nine theatrically released feature films, five of which he wrote...
, who would later become a well known animation producer and would be responsible for, among other things, the animated versions of Fritz the Cat
Fritz the Cat (film)
Fritz the Cat is a 1972 American animated comedy film written and directed by Ralph Bakshi as his feature film debut. Based on the comic strip of the same name by Robert Crumb, the film was the first animated feature film to receive an X rating in the United States...
and The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)
J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is a 1978 American fantasy film directed by Ralph Bakshi. It contains both animation and live action footage which is rotoscoped to give it a more consistent look throughout the length of the movie. It is an adaptation of the first half of the high fantasy...
. Third-season episodes were animated at Ralph’s Spot in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, although voices continued to be recorded in Toronto.
Bernard Cowan
Bernard Cowan
Bernard Cowan was a Canadian actor, announcer and writer. He was born in Toronto, Ontario. He was occasionally credited under his nickname, Bunny Cowan, such as on the production Willy McBean and his Magic Machine....
was the narrator of the show and Paul Kligman
Paul Kligman
Paul Kligman was a Canadian actor.Born in Romania, he emigrated to Canada where he spent his youth in Winnipeg and studied at the University of Manitoba. He moved to Toronto in 1950 and established his career there...
, who played J. Jonah Jameson in the animated version of Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, was the voice of Friar Tuck. Ed McNamara, who appeared in the movies Silver Streak (1976) and Bayo (1985), was the voice of Rocket Robin Hood. Len Carlson
Len Carlson
Len Carlson was a Canadian voice actor on many animated television series from the 1960s onward, an occasional live-action TV actor, and a Kraft Canada TV pitchman during the 1970s and 1980s...
subbed in place of Ed McNamara for Rocket Robin Hood in some of the third season episodes. Carl Banas
Carl Banas
Carl Banas is a Toronto born radio personality and actor. As a TV actor he appeared in the series Wojeck as police detective Byron James, and provided voices for numerous TV series and features. He was also known as a radio personality on Toronto radio station CKFM-FM, later and more famouly known...
provided the voice of Little John. Chris Wiggins
Chris Wiggins
Chris Wiggins is an English actor.He started out as a banker in his home country before he began his acting career in Canada, where he moved in 1952....
was the voice of Will Scarlet.
Voice cast
- Carl BanasCarl BanasCarl Banas is a Toronto born radio personality and actor. As a TV actor he appeared in the series Wojeck as police detective Byron James, and provided voices for numerous TV series and features. He was also known as a radio personality on Toronto radio station CKFM-FM, later and more famouly known...
... Titanor / Dr. Manta - Ed McNamara ... Rocket Robin Hood
- Chris WigginsChris WigginsChris Wiggins is an English actor.He started out as a banker in his home country before he began his acting career in Canada, where he moved in 1952....
... Will Scarlet / Infinata / Baron Blank - Bernard CowanBernard CowanBernard Cowan was a Canadian actor, announcer and writer. He was born in Toronto, Ontario. He was occasionally credited under his nickname, Bunny Cowan, such as on the production Willy McBean and his Magic Machine....
... Narrator - Len Birman
- Paul KligmanPaul KligmanPaul Kligman was a Canadian actor.Born in Romania, he emigrated to Canada where he spent his youth in Winnipeg and studied at the University of Manitoba. He moved to Toronto in 1950 and established his career there...
... Friar Tuck - Gillie Fenwick ... Sheriff of N.O.T.T
- John Scott
Season 1
| Episode |
|---|
| Pilot |
| Prince of Plotters |
| The Time Machine |
| Robin versus the Robot Knight |
| The Mystery of the Crown Jewels |
| The Warlord of Saturn |
| Safari |
| Wily Giles |
| Jesse James Rides Again |
| Giles the Great |
| City Beneath the Seas |
| Don Cayote McPherson |
| Michael Shawn the Leprechaun |
| Little Little John |
| The Marmaduke Caper |
| Follow the Leader |
| Cleopatra Meets Little John |
| Little George |
| The Magic Medallion of Morse |
| The Awful Truce |
| The Sad, Sad Sheriff of N.O.T.T. |
| Don't Make a Sound |
| Goritang |
| The Orbital Salesman |
| Marlin the Magician |
Season 2
| Episode |
|---|
| Dr. Mortula |
| The Space Wolf |
| Dr. Magnet |
| The Manta Menace |
| Young Mr. Ulysses |
| The Incredible Gem of Cosmo Khan |
| Who'll Kill Rocket Robin? |
| Genius in a Bottle |
| The Tree Kingdom of Caldomar |
| Catch a Comet By the Tail |
| The Emperor Jimmy |
| The Eternal Planet of Romarama |
Season 3
| Episode |
|---|
| The Dark Galaxy |
| Space Giant |
| The Haunted Asteroid |
| The Plot to Destroy N.O.T.T. |
| The Solar Sphinx |
| Lord of the Underworld |
| The Ghost Pirates |
| Dementia Five |
| Lord of the Shadows |
| The Living Planet |
| From Menace to Menace |
| Planet of Dreams |
| Slaves of Medulla |
| Jaws of Steel |
| The Storm Makers |
| Return Trip |
Broadcast
Stations in the United States which broadcast Rocket Robin Hood in the late 1960s and/or in the 1970s. Alphabetized by city:- WATL-TV / Channel 36• Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
- WXNE-TVWFXTWFXT is a television station owned and operated by the News Corporation-owned Fox Broadcasting Company, located in Boston, Massachusetts. The station's studio and office facility is in Dedham, Massachusetts, and its transmitter is located in Needham, Massachusetts...
/ Channel 25• Boston, Massachusetts (1978–1980) - WSBK-TVWSBK-TVWSBK-TV is a MyNetworkTV television station for eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire that is licensed to Boston. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 39 from a transmitter along the Needham and Wellesley town line southwest of the MA 9 and I-95 / MA 128...
/ Channel 38• Boston, Massachusetts (1967–1970) - WRET-TVWCNC-TVWCNC-TV is the NBC affiliate in Charlotte, North Carolina. It broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 22 and is carried on cable channel 6 on most area cable systems. It is owned by the Belo Corporation...
/ Channel 36• Charlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte, North CarolinaCharlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009... - WSNS-TVWSNS-TVWSNS-TV, channel 44, is an owned-and-operated station of the Spanish-language Telemundo network, located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. This station is owned by NBCUniversal, which is also the parent company of Telemundo...
/ Channel 44* Chicago, Illinois - WXIX-TVWXIX-TVWXIX-TV channel 19 is the Fox Broadcasting Company affiliate in Cincinnati, Ohio. The station's city of license is Newport, Kentucky, across the Ohio River...
/ Channel 19* Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, OhioCincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's... - WKBF-TVWKBF-TVWKBF-TV channel 61 was an Independent television station serving the Cleveland, Ohio market owned by a joint venture between Kaiser Broadcasting and Field Communications...
/ Channel 61• Cleveland, OhioCleveland, OhioCleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border... - WXON-TVWMYDWMYD is the MyNetworkTV-affiliated television station for Southeast Michigan licensed to Detroit. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 21 from a transmitter on Eight Mile Road in Oak Park along the Oakland and Wayne County line. The station can also be seen on Comcast...
/ Channel 20• Detroit, MichiganDetroit, MichiganDetroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River... - WDRB-TV / Channel 41* Louisville, KentuckyLouisville, KentuckyLouisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
- WCCO-TVWCCO-TVWCCO-TV, is the CBS owned and operated television station that serves the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. Its transmitter is at the Telefarm complex in Shoreview, Minnesota.- History :...
/ Channel 04. Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
(Late 60's) - KCOP-TVKCOP-TVKCOP-TV, channel 13, is a television station in Los Angeles, California. Owned by Fox Television Stations, a division of the News Corporation, KCOP is a sister station to Fox network outlet KTTV , and is affiliated with the MyNetworkTV programming service...
/ Channel 13* Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California... - WPIX-TV / Channel 11• New York, New York
- WPHL-TVWPHL-TVWPHL-TV, channel 17, is a television station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, owned by the Tribune Company and currently affiliated with the News Corporation-owned MyNetworkTV television network. This makes it the largest non-O&O station of the network...
/ Channel 17• Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,... - WPGH-TVWPGH-TVWPGH-TV is the Fox-affiliated television station for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 43 from a transmitter at its studios on Ivory Avenue in the city's Summer Hill section. The station can also be seen on Verizon FiOS and Comcast channel 7...
/ Channel 53• Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States... - WDCA-TV / Channel 20* Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....