AH YES, THIS is yet another obscure title from those early Paleozoic Days of 1950's television. It is a co-production of Columbia Pictures' television Subsidiary, Screen Gems of the U.S. and Sydney Box Productions of the U.K. Being filmed in "Merry Olde England" with this international economic partnership it represented a sort of Entertainment World's replication of the great Alliance of the 1940's.
THIS IS THE first recollection that we have of Mr. Roger Moore. Although the series certainly could not be considered to be anything but fodder for the bubble-gum crowd, and certainly not "Art", Roger has nothing to hang his head about; for it is a starting point, an entry vehicle for which any actor would be grateful. (That would include the future Simon Templar/THE SAINT, Beau Maverick/MAVERICK and 007 JAMES BOND.)
AS WE CAN remember, the origin episode had a young Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe winning his knightly spurs and pledging that he will be a sort of Knight Trouble Shooter for all in Prince John's oppressed England. He immediately frees Serf Gurth and his son, Bart; who become his Squire and Page, respectively.
AFTER ONLY A FEW episodes, young Bart was left with Friar Tuck (or someone like him) at a monastery for the lad's education. Ivanhoe and Gurth then take off, a la Lone Ranger, to fight injustice, throughout England. (There is an interesting similarity here; as the format and story lines could be those of typical "B" Western material.)
AS WITH MOST pilot episodes, there were more actors portraying knights, more horses, more action; all intended to sell the series, not only to the potential viewers; but also to pro$pective $ponsor$!
AFTER ALL, IT'S the Anglo-American way!
