Knights of the Round Table, 1953, is playing on Turner Classic Movies on Saturday, February 23 at 3:45 p.m. est. Closed captioned.
The film was highly successful costing $2,616,000.00 and making a profit of $1,641,000.00 or $14,536,985.95 in today’s money.
A Mel Ferrer, Ava Gardner, Stanley Baker, Anne Crawford, Felix Aylmer, Robert Taylor and Maureen Swanson.
This is a fine example of ’50’s style epics. Big name cast, colorful costumes,flashy swordplay, beautiful damsels and wild inaccuracies. The great Robert Taylor, who starred in several historical movies, is the honorable Sir Lancelot, a far more noble and pure portrayal than was recorded in all the legends, Ava Gardner is the stunningly beautiful Queen Guinevere, the ever dependable Felix Aylmer is the mysterious Merlin, Mel Ferer is a somewhat subdued and less than charismatic King Arthur. See it for the spectacle, costumes, word-play filled dialog and over the top Stanley Baker as Sir Mordred. Lancelot’s joust with Niall Mac Ginnis is very well done. 8 stars for pure eye filling entertainment value. Review by Wayner50 (United States) for the IMDB.
Some behind the scenes photos:
Left to right: phoning; photos; coffee; Mr. Taylor with Stanley Baker
Left to right: Mr. Taylor in armor (which he hated).
Left to right: Mr. Taylor with Mel Ferrer; Maureen Swanson; waiting for instructions.
Left to right: Robert Taylor and his co-star and friend and sometime lover Ava Gardner.
Left to right: Mr. Taylor with Richard Thorpe; taking a break; enjoying a ride on his huge horse.
Ivanhoe, 1952, is playing on Turner Classic Movies on Saturday, February 23. at 6 p.m. est. Closed Captioned.
Ivanhoe was one of the most successful films of the year and brought in over $10 million at the box office, about $89,823,018.87 in 2015.
Robert Taylor and Liz Taylor in Ivanhoe.
Wonderful movie! This film is an exciting adventure-romance which never once loses its pace or feel. Robert Taylor brings depth to a potentially dull lead character. Jean Fontaine is great as his love, the Lady Rowenna. Elizabeth Taylor, though, steals the show with her stunning portrayal of Rebecca of York! This film has aged very well and shows first-hand to a young generation just why Elizabeth Taylor was such a star.
Although this film is an extremely enjoyable adventure, it also has the guts to tackle some complicated issues and resolve them in a very non-Hollywood fashion. As Ivanhoe feels his love for the beautiful Rebecca grow will he defy convention and pursue the lovely Jewish girl or remain with the safe charms of the blond, Anglo-Saxon Rowena The answer is intelligently handled and surprising. This film is one of the greatest examples of the classic adventure. Review by David Arbury for the IMDB
Here are a few behind the scenes photos:
Left to right: Mr. Taylor and Peter Ustinov; waiting; with unknown person.
Left to right: with Joan Fontaine who played Rowena; with Ms. Fontaine and director Richard Thorpe.
Left to right: with Elizabeth Taylor; with Liz and Emlyn Williams
Left to right: with George Sanders and Liz Taylor; with Liz Taylor.
Robert Taylor Actor 
OMG thanks for this wonderful write-up on two great films…and most of all, thanks for the reminder that they’re on today!
I was dismayed by the lack of Robert Taylor films so this month, and ‘BOOM!’, I get this email. Haha!
I’ll be there, with popcorn in hand, along with other Robert Taylor fans. Thanks again!
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Martha, I really love these two films. When I was in high school, my best friend and I would skip school and go to Boston to watch them in a second run theatre on the big screen. It was great until we got caught. But I’ve never regreted it. BTW, there is Johnny Eager on the 27th and 5 Taylor films in March. Judith
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Hi Judith, did you notice Ava Gardner caress Robert Taylor’s hand in Knights of the Round Table?
They were both sitting on a bench prior to Robert Taylor shooting the arrow the apple on ? head.
Her hand was resting on Robert Taylor’s hand and her thumb was gently caressing his. The next camera shot was from a different angle and there was no further movement. Thought it was an interesting glimpse of their relationship during a time when they were rumoured to have a romantic affair. Have had to change my WordPress account because I changed my email account.
Have had a health issue so have not been active on Facebook of late. Hope all is well with you.
June
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June, I’m so sorry you’ve been having health problems. I’ll have to look for that gesture the next time I watch “Knights.” They did have an affair during “The Bribe.” She has written that she will always remember him as the wonderful, handsome lover or words to that effect. Ava was just the type of woman Mr. T. liked–a friend as well as a lover and he did prefer brunettes. Feel better soon. Judith
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