My dear fellow Flynnians,
I just finished the 1970 edition of Sheilah Grahams book “The Garden of Allah” (The story of Holywood`s most exotic playground featuring the famous & infamous superstars that created the legend). The well known Hollywod columnist and companion of F.Scott Fitzgerald lived next door to Errol`s villa in the appartement complex and secret hideaway to many stars like Garbo, Bogart and the Marx Brothers.
After a public fallout with Pat Wymore, Errol was served the divorce papers there, which resulted in a spontanous dance of joy around the pool by one hopeful future Mrs. Flynn, Beverly Aadland – barely covered by a towel.
In the years prior with Pat staying on in Spain, former Garden owner Frank Ehrhart recalled Errol going by a strict regimen: At 12.30 his sectretary would place a chaise lounge by the pool, alongside a table with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. At one o`clock the baron would appear in a blue blazer with white or grey pants and an ascot instead of a tie. He would ask one of the many beautiful girls, be it aspiring actress or starry eyed starlet, if she minded sitting next him. Then he would say: “My child, will you have a glass of champagne?” By then all eyes were on them wondering how long it would take Errol to get the girl into his bungalow.
After appearing on the $64.000 question show in New York, where he won $34.000 (one question short of the jackpot), Errol was asked by Ehrhart why he hadn`t gone all the way. Errol smiled broadly. “Frank, he explained, “they garanteed me $32.000 under the table. It was all fixed.” He concluded modestely, “Although I knew all the answers.” Indeed the show was canceled shortly afterward, but only when the cheating on “21” was exposed. When the garden of Allah compound was closed in 1959, a public auction was held and guess what of all the fixtures and furnishings went first? It was…
Errol`s bed!
— shangheinz
