The Errol Flynn Blog

Derek, I would like to ask you a question!

David

Amin/TheErrolFlynnBlog

— David DeWitt

The brand new current issue of “Films Of The Golden Age” has a long article on the making of Errol Flynn's western “Rocky Mountain” (1950).   It contains many photographs taken on the set of the film and an extensive interview with actor Dick Jones who played the baby-faced Confederate soldier with the cute dog.

I found it to be fascinating and Dick Jones who also made “Virginia City” (1940) with Errol Flynn offers some rare insights on the star.

Best Wishes

Ralph Schiller

— Ralph Schiller

Almost too late hut here tis…the July Rockitt Magazine online!
www.therockittmagazine.com….au  

— David DeWitt

Hi, as an avid admirer of the Legendary film actor Errol Flynn I was surprised to find this most amazing blog, which is dedicated to him. I have spent the last six years researching and writing a screenplay based on Errol Flynn's life. a challenge that has been draining, frustrating and overall rewarding. The challenge was how to write a film that captures the true spirit of the man, and to somehow make him human so that audiences can connect. what i didn't want to do was make another art-house film about Flynn, there are a few stinkers out there that do that job well enough. This mythical man has had everything written about him except something justworthy to his legacy. I feel I have accomplished this by writing a screenplay that upholds his legacy as a great actor. I feel it's extremely important for Errol to finally get his props as an actor! Hopefully my script will prove to be successful and maybe even the academy will finally give him a posthumous honorary Oscar, which he no doubt deserves…I can think of only one actor who could play Flynn, Orlando Bloom…So Flynn fans you heard it here first and I'm very proud to share with you all some scenes from my original screenplay based on the life of Errol Flynn   'The Fables of Flynn'

SUPER: HOLLYWOOD 1935

EXT – HOLLYWOOD TENNIS COURTS. DAY

MEDIUM SHOT of the Art Deco bungalows and tennis courts.
Errol is practicing his swing as he hits balls to an empty court. The weather is perfect and the sky stretches crystal blue. Errol hits another ball that bounces to the feet of Lili Damita. Now in her late 30’s, the Former French beauty queen and sexpot of the silent era is dressed to play in a white mini skirt. She smacks the ball back to Errol. He walks up to greet her by the net.
LILI
With all the spare time you have, you should be an excellent tennis player by now.
ERROL
Tell me about it. Contracted to act, but they pay me to play tennis.
LILI
How about a match. What shall we play for?
ERROL
If you beat me I will be your humble slave…for as long as you wish.
LILI
That sounds too easy…besides I don’t need tennis to make you my slave.
ERROL
Please, no whips…had a bad experience once.
LILI
A bad boy, huh? Are those the kind of roles you’re looking for? Bad boy roles.
ERROL
No, I’d like to do some Shakespeare.
Lili laughs.
ERROL (cont’d)
At this point anything will do. I’m rather bored.
LILI
What have you done?
ERROL
Have you seen the case of the curious bride?
LILI
Yes.
ERROL
Remember the part when the detective has to identify the dead body?
LILI
You were the dead body?
ERROL
It’s perfect type casting really.
LILI
Why is that?
ERROL
Because, no one has been under more sheets than I.
They smile at each other.

CUT TO:

INT – JACK’S OFFICE.
Jack plods over pictures and contracts with his Brother HARRY. They need a lead for their film “Captain Blood”
So far no one is working out…
HARRY
Robert Donat is too ill, and Clark Gable too expensive.
JACK WARNER
There’s got to be somebody who can play Captain Blood.
The Secretary brings in some envelops and lays them on the table. Jack notices a paper half folded on her arm with a picture of Lili and Errol. Jack grabs the paper and examines it closely.
JACK WARNER (cont’d)
Isn’t this fella on our payroll?
HARRY
Who? Lili Damita’s boy toy?
JACK WARNER
We’re not paying him for nothing. Lets set up an audition.
HARRY
For Captain Blood? He hasn’t done anything…why?
JACK WARNER
Why not? Let him read…see how he does.
HARRY
Read with who? Bette Davis won’t work with an unknown.
JACK WARNER
So we get another unknown. You know who is an absolute doll.
At the same time they both blurt out…
HARRY
Olivia.
They look at each other like they just solved the puzzle.

FADE OUT.

INT – SCREEN TEST.
Errol dressed in 18th century English attire meets the lovely OLIVIA DeHAVILLAND For the first time. Olivia looks stunning in her dress. They are instantly attracted to each other. They nervously look over their lines together.
ERROL
I find myself speechless. I can’t imagine an 18th century young heiress looking any lovelier.
OLIVIA
Thank you, this from a man who’s the talk of the town. I’m honored. You don’t look bad yourself.
ERROL
Talk of the town for all the wrong reasons. All this about Lili being washed up, and me being her arm candy to attract the gossip rags. It’s really not fair. To her at least…personally I don’t care what they write about me, as long as they spell my name correctly. It isn’t what they say about you, it’s what they whisper. At least you have done a few films already, even Shakespeare! A Midsummer Night's Dream…I’ve seen at the Roxie.
OLIVIA
So you were the one!
They laugh.
ERROL
I’m very fond of Shakespeare. I too did Midsummer Night's Dream, in London. I played Lysander.
Olivia thinks he’s joking.
OLIVIA
Stop it, Errol. Did you?
ERROL
How now, my love! Why is your cheek so pale? How chance the roses there do fade so fast? Ay me! For aught that I could ever read, Could ever hear by tale or history, The course of true love never did run smooth; But, either it was different in blood, Or else misgraffed in respect of years.
Olivia is speechless.
OLIVIA
Wow…I would love to do Shakespeare with you some day.
ERROL
That would be a treat, but what do you make of this film?
I heard the Warners are already in over a million dollars so far. Have you seen the sets?
Olivia nods with astonishment.
ERROL (cont’d)
I thought I was reading for a bit part, and when they started to dress me they kindly told me…I was to play the lead.
Olivia grabs his hand.
OLIVIA
Me too! I don’t know what Jack Warner is thinking!
The STAGE HELP interrupts them, handing them their papers.
STAGE HELP
We’re ready.
Errol and Olivia look over their lines nervously, as they begin the dialogue.
OLIVIA
Captain Blood! I thought you had gone, You can’t be here…my uncle has just returned.
ERROL
Yes, I know.
OLIVIA
You know? What are you going to do?
ERROL
Just stay here.
Olivia with passion…
OLIVIA
You know that’s impossible, he swore he’d hang you.
ERROL
No he won’t, I have always been bad luck for your…
Errol breaks character smiling as he flubs a line. Olivia smiles as the ice is broken.
ERROL (cont’d)
It’s that dimple on your chin, sweet. It threw me off.
The stage help interrupts them.
That was good, are we ready to try again?

JUMP CUT TO:

INT – CAPTAIN BLOOD SET.
Olivia gets down from her horse drawn carriage, calling out for Captain Blood. Her white dress ruffles as she runs towards Errol. He is dressed in regal attire and wig.
OLIVIA
Captain Blood! I thought you had gone, You can’t be here…my uncles just returned.
ERROL
Yes, I know.
OLIVIA
You know? What are you going to do?
ERROL
Just stay here.
OLIVIA
You know that’s impossible, he swore he’d hang you.
ERROL
No he won’t, I have always been bad luck for your uncle.
OLIVIA
You don’t know the dreadful things he’s done, his whole life he’s been searching for you!
ERROL
Well, now he’s found me.
OLIVIA
You must leave, please save yourself…for my sake.
ERROL
For your sake! Why would I do that? Isn’t it true you hate me! Or do you love me?
OLIVIA
I’ll hide your bags…I’ll find a way…
Errol grabs her, holding her close.
ERROL
You love me don’t you? Don’t you?
OLIVIA
Who else would I love…

JUMP CUT TO:

INT – CAPTAIN BLOOD SET.
Errol with rope in hand swings from one boat to another. He does some sword fighting, but forgets his lines. The director MICHAEl CURTIZ, is in a rage.
MICHAEL
Cut! Errol, how many times must we go through this?
Errol jumps off the boat and confronts Michael.
ERROL
I need a break.
MICHAEL
This scene is taking too much time! A short break…go.
Errol hides from the crew and the cameras.
Taking a few swigs from his hidden bottle of brandy, he’s caught by a PRODUCTION ASSISTANT who approaches him with a note.
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT
It’s from Jack.
Errol looks at the note with discouragement.
INT – JACK’S OFFICE.
Errol enters the room where Jack is sitting with Harry and three other MEN.
Errol refuses a seat and prepares for the worst.
JACK WARNER
Listen, Flynn, there’s one thing I won’t have around this lot and that is drinking! I don’t drink, and my brothers don’t drink. Only a bum will drink when he’s working, and you can’t get the job done well if you do. So there will be none of it, will there Flynn? Good, now get back to work.
Errol begins to walk out as Jack stops him.
JACK WARNER (cont’d)
Just a minute now. There’s something I want you to see.
Jack leads him over to the window where they see the hundreds of people working on the film.
JACK WARNER (cont’d)
It’s okay to be nervous…hell kid you’re the lead, what pressure! But remember that I’m more nervous than you.
ERROL
How so?
JACK WARNER
Because I write the checks.
DISSOLVE TO:

EXT – OPENING OF CAPTAIN BLOOD. NIGHT
The lines stretch around the corner. Captain Blood is a huge success. Errol and Olivia ride together in the horse drawn carriage as they make their grand entrance to the premiere.

FADE OUT.

INT – BREAKFAST TABLE.
Errol and Lili sit at the breakfast table. Lili reads about the financial success of Errol’s film in the newspaper.
LILI
Looks like you’re finally a star. An overnight sensation. Good, now you can start supporting me for a change.
ERROL
It does feel good. Maybe now I can show them how Shakespeare is done.
LILI
Honey, they are going to make you do ten more films like the one you just made. It’s a recipe for making money, they don’t care if you fancy yourself an artist.
ERROL
If the films keep making money I will do whatever the public wants of me…but eventually they have to let me act.
LILI
I shouldn’t be telling you this, but I heard MGM is casting Romeo today.
ERROL
Romeo?
LILI
Yes, I know you would be perfect. But seriously, I heard that John Barrymore is involved.
ERROL
My hero.
LILI
I know you admire him, but if you go please don’t come home drunk or late. We have the birthday party tonight, remember?
ERROL
I won’t, thanks sweets…I have always wanted to meet the great John Barrymore.
He kisses Lili and grabs his coat and hat.
DISSOLVE TO:

EXT – THE BACKLOTS OF MGM. DAY
Errol is sneaking around the backlots of MGM STUDIOS.
Errol see’s a man sitting on a bench, dressed in Shakespearian costume. Errol walks towards the man who upon hearing the approach, straightens up.
The man opens his eyes slowly and cocks his left eyebrow as he stares at Errol.
It is the famous actor JOHN BARRYMORE.
JOHN BARRYMORE
Ah, a glorious day is it not?
ERROL
Magnificent.
John points to the space on the bench beside him, and invites Errol to sit with a hand gesture.
JOHN BARRYMORE
Have I seen you before, my friend? Perhaps in some other life? Wait! I know who you are! You’re the young bastard I’ve seen in the rushes the other day. Captain Blood, huh? The new cock of the walk. You remind me of Navarre. Do you mind if I call you Navarre?
Errol is all smiles.
ERROL
Not at all.
JOHN BARRYMORE
Glorious country, California. Too good for these cloddish bastards who inhabit it.
ERROL
I myself prefer the far East.
JOHN BARRYMORE
Ah, yes, Navarre, what you say reminds me of a place where I was once strangely content. Kualalumpur, Malaysia.
Never shall I forget that whorehouse. It was one of much integrity.
ERROL
Never been there, but I am fond of the ones in Marseilles.
JOHN BARRYMORE
When you go to a house of joy, Navarre, always take the madam. The quality is better, and the price more reasonable.
They finally explode in laughter, as a VOICE from behind says softly.
VOICE
Mr. Barrymore sir, they are waiting for you on the set.
John rises to his feet swaying with dignity.
Errol stands up as well, and extends his hand.
JOHN BARRYMORE
Navarre, our talk was most illuminating. We shall see more of each other, correct?
ERROL
I’m absolutely certain of that.
John enters the studio as the back door closes behind him.
FADE OUT.

— Xaviant Haze

Hello Everyone!
I wonder if anybody on this Blog knows if August 7th is a
special date in Errol's life or carrier for TCM to put on this 24 hour
marathon of his movies?

They will show 11 movies.

Gentleman Jim

Robin Hood

Virginia City

Uncertain Glory

Edge of Darkness

San Antonio

The Sea Hawk

Don Juan

The Prince and the Pauper

Object Burma

The Green Light

I just saw yesterday “Cry Wolf” and July 27th they will show “The Charge
of the Light Brigade” and “Essex”

TCM shows a lot of Errol's movies all year round, which is great!

— Tina

Received an email from Ken Roueche:

— David DeWitt

I am wondering if any of our members have any information about these documentaries made about Errol's movies and most important how to acquire copies of them?  These documentaries were made quite recently i.e 2005..
This is the website I found the attached information, but there are a lot more movie documentaries of Errol listed on the website:  www.imdb.com…
Looking forward to your replies!
Thank you,
Tina

— Tina