The Errol Flynn Blog

From our dear friend Karl Holmberg:

This subject has been mentioned before on the blog, but I just received an email from the source (U of Ulster) as a general announcement of their doings and have “teased out” what would especially be of interest. Further, I provide an edited view of those specifics.

What is the REALLY BIG DEAL here, aside from the fact that the series exists now in its ENTIRETY, is that the QUALITY level for all concerned is that of 35mm!

I attach a NYT announcement (6/3/57) of the series premier in the states.

I also attach what appears to be a photo of Flynn being filmed introducing a “Theatre” episode, and to his left one of the players: Christopher Lee? They DID appear together in an episode called Fortunes of War.

And a curious incident related to the filming of that episode was reported by Lee in speaking of work related injuries in his autobio (excerpt from IMDB):

“(Lee) almost having the little finger of his right hand severed by an inebriated Errol Flynn during a sword fight in The Dark Avenger. Lee played numerous roles in four episodes of The Errol Flynn Theatre and the two had a rematch in the episode Fortunes of War. Lee accidentally took Flynn’s wig off with his rapier and had to convince Flynn that he hadn’t done it on purpose.

And here now, the COMPLETE list of found programs:

Archive treasures: lost television programmes found

www.academia.edu…Lost TV Material Found During University of Ulster Research

The Errol Flynn Theatre (1956-8)

Early anthology series presented by Hollywood legend Errol Flynn. Flynn also acted in some installments. It was shot on 35mm film but, despite its legendary star, some episodes were lost while the remainder only survived as inferior and edited 16mm copies. The prints found at UTV are all 35mm. The transmission dates below refer to their initial UK broadcast.

Tx Date Title

16/09/56 Wife for The Czar

22/09/56 The Girl In The Blue Jeans

29/09/56 The Model

06/10/56 The Duel

13/10/56 The Mirror

20/10/56 The Red Geranium

03/11/56 Farewell Performance [Previously lost]

10/11/56 The Fortunes of War

17/11/56 Mademoiselle Fifi

18/11/56 The Transfer

24/11/56 The Ordeal of Carol Kennedy

01/12/56 The Sealed Room

06/12/56 The Kinsman [Previously lost]

16/02/57 Love Token

23/02/57 My Infallible Uncle

02/03/57 Strange Auction

09/03/57 The Rustle of Silk [Previously lost]

23/03/57 Take The High Road

06/04/57 The Cellini Cup [Previously lost]

13/04/57 Rescued

20/04/57 First Come, First Loved [Previously lost]

04/05/57 Declassé [Previously lost]

11/05/57 Out of The Blue [Previously lost]

01/02/58 The 1000th Night of Don Juan

 

Karl, we tip our hat to you!

— David DeWitt