The Adventures of Robin Hood – “The Borrowed Baby”

by Linda Kay

Original Air Date: April 8, 1957

Directed by: Don Chaffey

This review contains a slight Kitty Carnage Warning for scruffing!

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: The Count of Severne (Guy Verney) is certain that Maid Marian (Bernadette O’Farrell) is helping Robin Hood (Richard Greene) and convinces the Sheriff of Nottingham (Alan Wheatley) to set a trap to catch her in the act.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): The plan entails borrowing a baby to place in the forest with the idea that Robin or his men will find the child and summon Maid Marian to take charge of the infant. This is exactly what happens and it isn’t until Marian rides off with the baby that Robin Hood discovers the plot. Rushing to head off Marian, who has been arrested by the Sheriff’s men, at a local pub, Robin and his men arrive just as barmaid Alison (Sylvia Kay) is pouring some milk into a dish for a tabby kitten.

The Adventures of Robin Hood - The Borrowed Baby - tabby kitten being given milk by barmaid Alison Sylvia Kay

We don’t get to see how they resolve the situation at the pub, but once Marian is pulled in front of the Sheriff and the Count they insist on seeing what’s inside her basket. Lifting back the top they find the tabby kitten inside.

The Adventures of Robin Hood - The Borrowed Baby - tabby kitten inside basket
The Adventures of Robin Hood - The Borrowed Baby - tabby kitten being revealed inside basket to the shock of Count of Severne Guy Verney, Marian Bernadette O'Farrell and Sheriff Alan Wheatley animated gif

The Sheriff lifts the kitten from the basket by the scruff, angered at the Count for his accusation.

The Adventures of Robin Hood - The Borrowed Baby - tabby kitten held up by scruff by Sheriff Alan Wheatley in front of Marian Bernadette O'Farrell and Count of Severne Guy Verney

Marian points out that the Sheriff will be mocked for arresting a kitten. When she leaves, the kitten toddles out of the room.

The Adventures of Robin Hood - The Borrowed Baby - tabby kitten leaving room of castle

Back at the pub the kitten has somehow returned and Alison lifts the fuzzball from the floor.

The Adventures of Robin Hood - The Borrowed Baby - tabby kitten being lifted from floor and dish of milk
The Adventures of Robin Hood - The Borrowed Baby - tabby kitten being picked up by barmaid Alison Sylvia Kay

Robin and his men raise a toast to “the littlest outlaw” and Robin even offers the kitten a drink from his tankard.

The Adventures of Robin Hood - The Borrowed Baby - tabby kitten being toasted by Robin Hood Richard Greene and his men with Alison Sylvia Kay
The Adventures of Robin Hood - The Borrowed Baby - tabby kitten being toasted by Robin Hood Richard Greene and his men with Alison Sylvia Kay
The Adventures of Robin Hood - The Borrowed Baby - tabby kitten being toasted by Robin Hood Richard Greene and his men with Alison Sylvia Kay animated gif

Final Mewsings: Too bad the kitten couldn’t order an Uber from the castle back to the pub.

Many thanks to Laura for letting us know about the cat in this episode.

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