"The Sword of Villon" is a 1956 American TV episode of the Screen Directors Playhouse series. Errol Flynn played Francois Villon.A Debut on Wimpole St. The Washington Post and Times-Herald 1 Apr 1956: J3.Article 14 -- No Title Los Angeles Times 4 Apr 1956: B8.
Plot Francois Villon learns of a plot to assassinate the king, and gathers his followers to stop the plot and save the king's life.
Cast Errol Flynn as Francois Villon Hillary Brooke as Countess Pamela Duncan as Velvet Murvyn Vye as Bagot Lois Collier as Lady Elaine Mark Dana as Count Richard Avonde as 1st. Bully Sol Gorss as 2nd. Bully Nesdon Booth as Tavernkeeper
Production The show was a collaboration between the Screen Directors Guild, the Hal Roach Studios and the J Walter Thompson advertising agency. In January 1956 the Screen Directors Playhouse announced they had signed Errol Flynn to play Francois Villon and it would be directed by Don Weis. TV Survey of Love Offered to N.B.C. For a Spectacular Special to The New York Times. New York Times 3 Feb 1956: 47.
Flynn made it just prior to his own show The Errol Flynn Theatre.
Reception Filmink magazine later wrote the episode was "more of interest as a curiosity piece than anything else but it’s not awful by any means and Errol seems engaged. The concept was actually strong enough to support a feature film."
References
External links Sword of Villon at IMDb Sword of Villon at BFI