Today I would like to commemorate the birthday of Errol's most valued adversary. I speak of none other than “Captain Levasseur”, “Sir Guy of Gisbourne” and the seemingly heartless commander of the “Dawn Patrol”. Someone who always gave Errol a good workout. So let's all raise a cask of ale to a fellow Gemini of Errol's (born June 13, 1892), Sir Basil Rathbone! [TCM is also paying tribute today to Sir Basil.]
— ILIKEFLYNN
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 12:40 am
He and Charlize Theron are my favorite African-American actors
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 12:42 am
Ah, so that's why I saw a Sherlock Holmes film on TCM today. :-) Yes indeed — Happy Birthday to Basil…or as Errol called him, “dear old Baz” (or something like that). :-)
Hmm, interesting that both he and Errol are Gemini and have birthdays so close together (the 13th and the 20th). Cool! :-)
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 2:25 am
I just got your reference and I must say, you need help my friend! But seriously I must admit, I am also a fan of Charlize Theron. Think she's a Flynn fan! Maybe that Aeon Flux movie she did might answer that. –A. R.
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 4:05 am
Why help? They are literally the African-American actors I most like.
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 5:41 am
You all think I'm joking
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 5:46 am
Like to add that (dis)Grace Jones is my all-time favourite Caucasian actor!
Kidding aside, Basil was the quinessential Brit in the Hollywood colony. Played masterful in Robin Hood and was the perfect Holmes.
Talking about Sherlock, he and his side kick Watson went on a camping holiday. There went to bed early after a long day of trekking in the countryside. They erected their tent and went straight to bed. In the middle of the night Sherlock nudged Watson in his ribs.
“Hey Watson, wake up, old boy”.
“Whazzup, Holmes? I am trying to get some decent sleep here”, said Watson.
“Never mind all that, what do you see?”
Watson needed an eternal 5 seconds to come to a conclusion. “Well, it is a clear night, you can see the Plough to your right, Orion to the left, and look over there, further South the Polar Star”.
“Conclusion, Watson. What is your conclusion?”, demanded Holmes.
“No idea, old bean”, said Watson.
“Well, I tell you, someone stole our tent!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 7:00 am
What's worse is that we all forgot Alexis Smith' 90th birthday some days ago. So a late happy birthday to her, too!
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 7:04 am
I am sorry, but Basil Rathbone cannot be referred to as an “African American”. Although he lived in the US for many years, he never became a US citizen; therefore he is not an American.
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 8:28 am
By the way, I am celebrating my ?? birthday on the 25th this month. A true Cancerian at that. Gifts etc. can be arranged to be sent to my address. Most unwanted gifts (especially the ones that tick!) will be quickly donated to animal charities.
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 8:37 am
Don't let it happen next year.
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 8:47 am
Sherlock Holmes dies and swiftly arrives at the Pearly Gates where St. Peter welcomes him.
“Ah, the great Sherlock holmes, you are right on time. I say, we are so proud that you are here, Do you mind if I ask you a question to test your intelligence, we all know that you are the “Rolls Royce” in you line of work.”
“Fire away,” says Holmes.
“Lovely, you see all these people here, actually there are millions of them. I bet you can't tell who are Adam and Eve!” grins St. Peter.
Holmes has a quick browse around in the enormous room, returns to St. Peter and says: “Over there, against the wall are standing Adam and Eve, very simple!!”
St. Peter says “By Jove, you are good and that was so quick, how do you know?”
Holmes answers: “They are the only ones that have no belly button!”
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 1:48 pm
I recently heard a young person (American) talking about “Bay-sal” Rathbone. Made me chuckle.
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 3:00 pm
Hi A. R.
Robert is just joking – he loves making jokes and we all have a great laugh!
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 3:11 pm
Happy Birthday to Alexis! She was wonderful!
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 3:15 pm
Hi Robert, yes you are!
Maybe a little explanation is due! Please give us some details about this “African American Basil” with whom nobody seams to be familiar!?!?
Take care,
Tina
Anonymous
June 14, 2011 at 5:32 pm
My mistake; I thought I remembered that he'd become a citizen. So, I guess that moves Cecil Kellaway into the position of my favorite African-American actor.
Anonymous
June 15, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Well I just celebrated another birthday on June 9th, so hey that makes me a Gemini, just like Rathbone, Errol and Sean Flynn, and Alexis! (Not a big deal. I just thought I would throw that in.)
Anonymous
June 15, 2011 at 11:58 pm
Hi A.R.;
Happy Birthday to you too and many happy returns!
Tina