Son of the Guardsman

Son of the Guardsman is an American film serial released in 1946 by Columbia Pictures. It was the 31st of the 57 serials produced by that studio.

Son of the Guardsman is a rare serial with a period setting, in this case 12th century England. The serial is largely based on the Robin Hood legends, to the extent of including outlaws from Sherwood Forest, but it does not include or reference Robin Hood himself.

The serial was produced by the notoriously cheap Sam Katzman and directed by Derwin Abrahams. Bob Shaw starred as the heroic noble-turned-outlaw David Trent with Charles King as his villainous uncle Sir Edgar Bullard.

Plot

Set in the High Middle Ages, Sir Edgar Bullard conspires to conquer England. In doing so, he kidnaps the daughter of his rival, Lord Markham. This causes his nephew, David Trent, to turn against him and join the outlaws in Sherwood Forest, who are led by Allan Hawk. Meanwhile, the outlaws of the forest support Prince Richard as the rightful ruler of England, who has been usurped by the regent Lord Hampton.

Cast

Bob Shaw as David Trent, nobleman turned outlaw
Daun Kennedy as Lady Louise Markham, daughter of Lord Markham
Robert 'Buzz' Henry as "Roger Mowbry", really Prince Richard in disguise
Jim Diehl as Allan Hawk, leader of the Sherwood Forest outlaws
Hugh Prosser as Red Robert
Leonard Penn as Mark Crowell
Jock Mahoney as Captain Kenley
Charles King as Sir Edgar Bullard, David Trent's evil uncle
John Merton as Lord Hampton, the evil regent

Production

Son of the Guardsman is based on the Robin Hood legends, although it does not include Robin Hood, just the period and Sherwood Forest setting. The serial was made to use costumes and sets left over from feature films, amortising the costs of all the productions involved. Costume drama serials were rare productions for any producer. The serial's subtle was "Gallant Fighter of the Greenwood."