Joe Robinson (1927-)

biography

Born Joseph William Robinson Harle in England on May 31, 1927, actor and stuntman Joe Robinson appeared in a number of low-budget crime dramas in the early part of his career, and later acted in a few sword and sandal films in the early 1960s. Prior to entering films, in the early 1950s the 6'2" Robinson professionally wrestled using the name Tiger Joe Robinson. He was also quite accomplished at judo; along with his brother, Doug Robinson, he taught Goldfinger actress Honor Blackman this self-defense tactic during her tenure on The Avengers. All three were featured in the 1964 publication Honor Blackman's Book of Self-Defence. Robinson has another connection to the James Bond films, as he portrays Peter Franks in Diamonds Are Forever (1971; with Sean Connery and Lana Wood).

Robinson's first credited film appearance was in the comedy A Kid for Two Farthings (1955; with Diana Dors). Robinson portrayed Sam, a wrestler who must defeat Python Macklin, played by Primo Carnera. For the next fifteen years, Robinson acted in films and sometimes worked as a stuntman. His first starring role came in Taur the Mighty (1960; with Bella Cortez and Harry Baird). Originally, this film was to be released as an unauthorized Tarzan film, but the estate of Edgar Rice Burroughs threatened to halt its release, citing copyright infringement. Writer/director Antonio Leonviola then renamed Robinson's character Taur to ensure the film's release. Thor and the Amazon Women (1963), was a follow-up to Taur the Mighty.

the films of joe robinson

A Kid for Two Farthings (1955)

The Flesh Is Weak (1957)

Taur the Mighty (1960)

Barabbas (1961)

Ursus and the Tartar Princess (1961)

Thor and the Amazon Women (1963)

Doctor in Distress (1963)

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

joe robinson today

Following his appearance in Diamonds Are Forever (1971; with Sean Connery and Lana Wood), Robinson quit acting to concentrate on his business interests and his gymnasium in Britain. Now in his 80s, Robinson is retired.

joe robinson films available from movies unlimited

A Kid For Two Farthings [DVD](1956) DVD
Delightful comedy, set in the Jewish section of London's Petticoat Lane, about a boy who buys a one-horned goat he believes is a unicorn with magical powers. When fantastic things begin to happen to people around him, the neighborhood begins to believe the boy's story. Celia Johnson, Diana Dors, Lou Jacobi and Jonathan Ashmore star; Carol Reed directs. 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
The Strange Awakening (Female Fiends) [DVD](1958) DVD
After losing his memory in an auto accident, a man is taken home by his wife to recuperate, and soon begins to doubt he's who his "loving spouse" says he is. But what is his true identity, and what sinister plans does the increasingly bizarre woman have in store for him? Suspenseful tale stars Lex Barker, Nora Swinburne, Carole Mathews. AKA: "Operation Red Head," "Requiem for a Red Head." Soundtrack: English.
Taur The Mighty [DVD](1960) DVD
The mighty Taur is out to free a group of young men who have been turned into slaves by an evil emperor. There's some nifty sword-and-sandal action here with battles, brawls, and swords. No one's gonna mess with Taur, baby. Joe Robinson, Bella Cortez star. Standard; Soundtrack: English (dubbed). Dubbed in English.
The Bulldog Breed [DVD](1960) DVD
Trying to change his life by joining the Navy, Norman Wisdom is chosen to be the first test subject for a planned rocket launch. The cockney comic has to go through all sorts of tests, and people begin to wonder if he has the "right stuff" for the job. With Ian Hunter, David Lodge. 94 min. Soundtrack: English; theatrical trailer.
Carry On Regardless [DVD](1961) DVD
The "Carry On" crew creates more havoc when Sid James runs an employment agency that will supply workers for any job under the sun. That includes chimp walker, underwear model, and babysitter of a married woman--we said "every job"! Kenneth Connor, Joan Sims and Kenneth Williams also star. 87 min. Soundtrack: English.
Hammer Films: Icons Of Horror Collection [DVD] DVD
First, "The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll" (1960) is Hammer Films' switcheroo on the Robert Louis Stevenson story, featuring Dr. Jekyll as a bearded, not-too handsome fellow and Mr. Hyde as a slick, good-looking charmer with a murderous way with the ladies. Paul Massie, Dawn Addams, Christopher Lee star. Then, "Scream of Fear" (1961) is a spine-tingling tale of suspense and murder starring Susan Strasberg as a wheelchair-bound young woman who travels to her father's Riviera estate only to be told he's away on business. That night, she sees his dead body, and fears she may be next! With Lee, Ronald Lewis, Ann Todd. AKA: "Taste of Fear." "The Gorgon" (1964) is a mythological monster with snakes in its hair and the ability to turn people to stone who haunts the residents of a German village. Lee, Peter Cushing, Barbara Shelley star. And, the unearthed remains of an ancient Egyptian prince become the main attraction in a sleazy touring sideshow, only to be resurrected for a murderous and vengeful rampage, in "The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb" (1964). Terence Morgan, Ronald Howard, Fred Clark star. Two-disc set.
Barabbas [DVD](1962) DVD
Fanciful, yet moving, Biblical-based epic about the thief and murderer whose life was spared by Pilate instead of Jesus'. Anthony Quinn plays Barabbas, with support from Silvana Mangano, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Palance. 137 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby stereo; Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish.
Doctor In Distress [DVD](1963) DVD
More British hospital hijinks ensue as Dr. Simon Sparrow (Dirk Bogarde) must deal with an amorous actress in his care and two Scandinavian nurses with an eye on his bedside manner. As if that wasn't enough on the good doctor's chart, Sparrow's got to cope with a formerly cantankerous mentor who's gone strangely docile and charming because he's fallen in love! Samantha Eggar, James Robertson Justice co-star. 103 min. Standard and Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; photo gallery.
The Complete Doctor Collection [DVD] DVD
Seven-disc set includes "Doctor in the House," "Doctor at Sea," "Doctor at Large," "Doctor in Love," "Doctor in Distress," "Doctor in Clover," and "Doctor in Trouble."
Erik The Conqueror [DVD](1963) DVD
Two brothers, separated at birth, find themselves as adults fighting on opposite sides in a deadly struggle between English and Viking forces for control of the seas. Rousing costume actioner from horror director Mario Bava stars Cameron Mitchell, Giorgio Ardisson, Alice Kessler. AKA: "Fury of the Vikings," "The Invaders." 90 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Italian Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; interview; biography; photo gallery; theatrical trailers.
Thor And The Amazon Women [DVD](1963) DVD
In this follow-up to "Taur the Mighty," Queen Nera and her warrior women have enslaved a country's men, and how she's setting her sights on the mighty Taur (called Thor here). Joe Robinson, Susy Andersen, Maria Fiore star. AKA: "Women Gladiators." 85 min. Soundtrack: English (dubbed).
Diamonds Are Forever [DVD](1971) DVD
Sean Connery returns as James Bond and hits Las Vegas in order to fold the criminal genius Blofeld's diamond-powered extortion scheme. Amazing action scenes include a wild car chase down the Vegas Strip. Co-stars Jill St. John, Charles Gray. 120 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; featurette; audio commentary.
Sean Connery 007 Collection, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
Six-disc set includes the two-disc ultimate editions of "Thunderball," "You Only Live Twice," and "Diamonds Are Forever."
James Bond: Ultimate Edition, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
Ten-disc set includes two-disc special editions of "Goldfinger," "Diamonds Are Forever," "The Man with the Golden Gun," "The Living Daylights," and "The World Is Not Enough."

joe robinson films available from amazon.com

filmography

FILM
Diamonds Are Forever (1971) with Sean Connery, Charles Gray, Jill St. John, and Lana Wood
Doctor in Distress (1963) with Dirk Bogarde, Samantha Eggar, and Mylene Demongeot
Erik the Conqueror (1963) with Cameron Mitchell and Raf Baldassarre
Thor and the Amazon Women (1963) with Harry Baird and Suzy Anderson
Barabbas (1962) with Anthony Quinn, Silvana Mangano, Katy Jurado, Vittorio Gassman, Jack Palance, and Ernest Borgnine
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) with Michael Redgrave
Ursus and the Tartar Princess (1962) with Yoko Tani
Carry On Regardless (1961)
The Bulldog Breed (1960)
Taur the Mighty (1960) with Harry Baird and Bella Cortez
The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll (1960)
Strange Awakening (1958) with Lex Barker
Murder Reported (1958) with with Paul Carpenter, Georgia Brown, and Yvonne Romain
Sea Fury (1958) with Luciana Paluzzi
Fighting Mad (1957)
The Flesh is Weak (1957) with John Derek
Action Stations (1956)
A Kid for Two Farthings (1955) with Diana Dors and Lou Jacobi

TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
The Avengers, episode November Five, originally aired 1963
The Saint, episode The Saint Plays with Fire, originally aired November 28, 1963

joe robinson film now showing

Watch Joe Robinson's 1963 film Thor and the Amazon Women