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Check out these Updates from Armchair Commentary for May 13, 2010.

Most Memorable Robin Hood Movies May 13, 2010 To quote the classic Bugs Bunny cartoon "Rabbit Hood": "Never worry, never fear, Robin Hood will soon be here." Ridley Scott's Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe, is one of the more anticipated films of the fledgling summer movie season, but Crowe, though strapping he may be, has a hard act to follow. Several, in fact. He joins the ranks of the many actors who have put their indelible stamp on the legendary folk hero, from Errol Flynn's impudent cheek to Sean Connery's iconic gravitas and even to Cary Elwes' facility with a British accent. While we eagerly await to see if Crowe and company do justice to this oft-told story, here is a Hood-apalooza of some of the more memorable incarnations of brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Robin. The Adventures of Robin Hood: Line for line, arrow for arrow, duel for duel, this is the greatest Robin Hood movie of them all. Errol Flynn is the Robin by which all others are judged, and none can hold a candle to this bold rascal who speaks treason…"fluently." The peerless ensemble of character actors adds to the fun, including Alan Hale as Little John, gravel-voiced Eugene Pallette as Friar Tuck, Claude Raines as traitorous usurper Prince John, Basil Rathbone as the sneering Guy of Gisbourne, and Olivia De Havilland as the lovely Maid Marian. And if that's not enough, you have the screen debut of the horse later to be known as Trigger! Sword of Sherwood Forest: It's Hammer time! The famed British studio turned from horror to high adventure with this big screen spinoff of the popular television series. Reprising his signature role, Richard Greene has lost a little spring in his step, but he still makes for a convincing Robin Hood. Peter Cushing is a suitably nasty Sheriff of Nottingham. Look quick for Desmond Llewelyn ("Q" in the James Bond films) before he makes an early exit and Oliver Reed in one of his earliest roles as an extremely nasty lord. This is one of four new-to-DVD Robin Hood films plucked from the vaults to coincide with the release of Robin Hood. Also of note is Rogues of Sherwood Forest. John Derek is more Robin Wooden as Robin Hood's son, but Diana Lynn is a fetching Lady Marianne, and best of all, Alan Hale returns as Little John, the role he portrayed opposite Douglas Fairbanks in the 1922 silent Robin Hood and Errol Flynn. Robin and the 7 Hoods: You've either got or you haven’t got style, and this Rat Pack retelling of the Robin Hood legend, set in 1920s Chicago has style to burn. Frank Sinatra is Robbo, a gangster engaged in a turf war with Peter Falk's Guy Gisbourne. Dean Martin is Little John, Sammy Davis Jr. does a blazing bang-up job as Will with Bing Crosby as gang spokesperson Alan A.Dale. The alluring Barbara Rush is a not entirely trustworthy Marian with her own agenda. This is the movie that introduced one of Frankie's signature songs, "My Kind of Town," not to mention the roof-raising "Mr. Booze." Robin Hood (Most Wanted Edition): This 1973 Disney animated feature is an anthropomorphic take on "what really happened in Sherwood Forest." As with Disney's The Jungle Book, the voice cast carries the day, with Brian Bedford as wily fox Robin, Peter Ustinov as a thumb-sucking lion Prince John, Terry Thomas as "silly serpent" Sir Hiss, and Phil Harris giving it the old Baloo as Robin's bear sidekick Little John. Andy Devine, Pat Buttram, George "Goober" Lindsey, Ken "Festus" Curtis and Roger Miller add some unaccountable drawl and twang to Sherwood Forest. Though not on par with Disney's animated classics, Robin Hood is an entertaining enough diversion for children that's not too taxing for adults. Robin and Marian: The name is Hood, Robin Hood. Sean Connery stars as a middle-aged weary Robin who returns to Sherwood following his 20-year stint with the Crusades to find the Sheriff of Nottingham (Robert Shaw) up to his old tyrannical tricks and his abandoned love Marian (the luminous Audrey Hepburn) has become a nun. Can Robin live up to the folklore that in his absence has enhanced his forest-cred? A box office failure in its day, Richard Lester's revisionist film is the most melancholy Robin Hood movie on this list, but the chemistry between these two ideally matched screen legends and the grace with which they comport themselves make it worthy of rediscovery. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Wanted: A credible British accent. In this origin story, Kevin Costner brings his all-American earnestness to a role that could have used the light touch he exhibited in Silverado. Thank heaven, then, for Alan Rickman's debauched Sheriff of Nottingham, who purloins the movie at every turn, whether calling off Christmas to punish the commoners who swear allegiance to outlaw Robin, or telling a saucy wench to be in his room at 10:45…"and bring a friend." For another alternate take, check out Patrick Bergin in Robin Hood, which was produced the same year, but was sent direct to cable rather than duel the Costner film at the box office. Robin Hood: Men in Tights: It's no Blazing Saddlesor Young Frankenstein. It's not even When Things Were Rotten, but Mel Brooks more often than not hits the bull's-eye with this spoof of the Robin Hood legend. Kevin Costner's straight-arrow version takes the most hits. "Unlike some other Robin Hoods," Cary Elwes' Robin proclaims, "I can speak with an English accent." A pre-Chappelle's Show Dave Chappelle gets the lion's share of the best lines. Robin Hood: Season One: Scruffily handsome Jonas Armstrong is a more vital and youthful Robin in this 2006 BBC that takes playful anachronistic liberties. The first and most fun season depicts how Robin becomes "the peasants' hero" and takes up arms against a thoroughly evil Sheriff (Keith Allen) and a more conflicted Guy of Gisbourne (Richard Armitage). Lucy Griffiths is a thoroughly modern Maid Marian, no damsel in distress she, with some formidable fighting skills of her own. Exuberant action, fierce fencing, and special effects-enhanced archery make this series grand escapist entertainment. What are your favorite Robin Hood movies? --Donald Liebenson "Top Gun" Day May 13, 2010 Apparently, someone somewhere has decided today is officially " Top Gun Day". I'm not sure how I feel about assigning random days to celebrate awesome 80's movies but if they all have a celebration to-do list as creative as the one below, then bring on Pretty in Pink Day . Courtesy of the official Top Gun... read more

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