Dear fellow Flynn fans,
Errol had high hopes as a writer, but he was an avid reader in the first place. Books had a great influence on his aspirations of life. Travelogues for example led him to exotic far away places.
Shelley Winters admitted in her biography SHIRLEY to have borrowed (for life) a first edition of F. Scott Fitzgerald`s “The great Gatsby” off the bookshelf at Mullholland Farm.
Which other oeuvres do we know of that they were read by our Hollywood hero?
Please post them with the source of your knowledge down below.
Thanks,
— shangheinz
Gentleman Tim
July 20, 2016 at 8:17 pm
[img]http://www.eastonpress.com/secure/Content/ImagesProducts/b571eaeb-2d46-46d6-be4f-6fef90f3130c.jpg[/img]
[img]https://art-et-culture.ch/180/edmond-rostand-l-aiglon.jpg[/img]
Source: MWWW
Tina
September 10, 2017 at 6:43 pm
If anybody is interested, here is the complete script of the L’aiglon in English, a play in six acts.
archive.org…
Son of Napoleon Bonaparte
Nicknamed The Eaglet = L’aiglon
Napoléon François Charles Joseph Bonaparte, Prince Imperial, King of Rome, known in the Austrian court as Franz from 1814 onward, Duke of Reichstadt
was the son of Napoleon I,
Born: March 20, 1811, Tuileries Palace, Paris
Died: July 22, 1832, Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria
Buried: Les Invalides, Paris, France
House: House of Bonaparte
Parents: Napoleon Bonaparte, Marie Louise, Archduchess of Austria.
www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=https://upload…
His Mother:
Marie Louise, Archduchess of Austria and daughter of Franz II, Holy Roman Emperor of Austria
nenabunena
April 20, 2024 at 5:51 am
Thank you, I’ve been listing and looking for the books he has either mentioned or read from his autobiography. I even look into the music or songs he likes.
Gentleman Tim
July 20, 2016 at 8:33 pm
[img]http://f.tqn.com/y/christianity/1/W/m/Q/HolyBible1500x1356.jpg[/img]
Source: Flynn, in MWWW, inter alia
Gentleman Tim
July 25, 2016 at 12:14 am
[img]http://www.yesterdaysgallery.com/pictures/medium/27585.jpg?v=1465251454[/img]
[img]http://henryaltemus.com/images/NS_139-2.jpg[/img]
MWWW
Gentleman Tim
July 25, 2016 at 12:33 am
“The Phenomenon of the Ovaries of the Echidna” (No photo or confirming info found.)
[img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Three_Thing_by_Elinor_Glyn_-_book_cover.jpg/220px-Three_Thing_by_Elinor_Glyn_-_book_cover.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.paulfrasercollectibles.com/upload/public/docimages/Image/l/n/s/Darwin-book-cover-410.jpg[/img]
MWWW
– Darwin essentialy confirmed by MWWW.
David DeWitt
July 25, 2016 at 2:00 am
There was a book on his bookcase shelf about GOYA and four or five others. I can’t see the titles clearly in the photo I found tonight. Years ago, I had a hires image and could see them but memory is fleeting … I think one was about Gaugin.
Gentleman Tim
July 25, 2016 at 3:48 am
Great memory, David! I think there’s a volume on Van Gogh, too.
[img]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl0T_L-OKtQ/Vd9CyfUmwDI/AAAAAAAE21k/nVAujV3oc-c/s1600/hollywood_at_home_705278366_1200x958.jpg[/img]
P.S. One of these would look good on Jack’s new bookshelf, too!
Gentleman Tim
July 25, 2016 at 3:44 am
[img]http://www.littlestourbooks.com/covers/87487.jpg[/img]
Essentially confirmed by MWWW.
Gentleman Tim
July 26, 2016 at 7:37 am
[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/e4/e3/35/e4e3350253ca90076282bd18c1587851.jpg[/img]
Tina
September 10, 2017 at 7:02 pm
Does anybody know what book Errol an Ann are reading?
Errol looks rather puzzled?
Gentleman Tim
September 11, 2017 at 9:51 am
That’s The Edge of Darkness by William Woods, Tina.
[img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9f/Edgeofdarkness1943.jpg/220px-Edgeofdarkness1943.jpg[/img]
Tina
September 11, 2017 at 4:57 pm
Thanks Tim, much appreciated!
I googled William Woods but nothing came up and I could not quite read the title. I know that Ann’s and Errol’s image is from the Edge of Darkness.
Did you see my post of the script book of L’aiglon?
Gentleman Tim
September 12, 2017 at 1:15 am
I saw your L’aiglon post pop up momentarily, Tina. Irksome Irma has kepy me so busy though, never had a chance to open the link and read..
[img]http://i.ebayimg.com/images/i/142267260868-0-1/s-l1000.jpg[/img]
Tina
September 12, 2017 at 2:56 am
Hi Tim;
I hope you are not in Florida with IRMA? That would be terrible. I am so sorry for all those people suffering what Irma is doing to them. Please let us know you are not in Florida!
Take care!
Gentleman Tim
September 12, 2017 at 12:15 pm
Thanks so much for your kind concern, Tina. Yes, I am in F.L.A., but I’m A-OK. We dodged the bullet in Boca, only minor impact, though power is out in some locations.
Here’s a photo from down near where Errol used to hide fro JW and Lili:
[img]https://cdn20.patch.com/users/714975/20170911/124106/styles/T600x450/public/processed_images/hurricane_file_art-1505146594-2412.jpg[/img]
Tina
September 12, 2017 at 3:44 pm
Hi Tim;
I am glad you are ok!
I have seen these pictures on TV. As per news reports I hear that IRMA has now subsided to a tropical storm and has lost her wrath and also reports say that Canadian electricians are on their way to help to restore the electricity. I just hope that Jose doesn’t cause havoc too.
It is frightening what weather patterns we have. I just hope that Al Gore’s predictions are not the ultimate truth. A very depressive and frightening thought!
Take care!
shangheinz
July 26, 2016 at 8:25 am
[img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/image.jpg[/img]
Who can Tell?
Gentleman Tim
August 13, 2016 at 9:25 pm
“PETER AND THE WOLF”
Source: Oral Account given at Coronado Film Festival, January 2016. Spoken to Rory, in the presence of Sean, Leonard Maltin, and Richard Rush, among others (including my elder son and I, and dozens of other Flynn Fans.)
[img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e0/PeterandtheWolfColoringBook.png[/img]
shangheinz
September 15, 2016 at 11:37 am
[img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/IMG_6175.png[/img]
Henry David Thoreau`s “Walden”.
See: “Thoreau and Errol Flynn” by Robert H. Woodward/ Thoreau Society Bulletin from Fall 1982
shangheinz
September 22, 2016 at 9:11 am
[img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/read-6.jpg[/img]
Lecturing a German crowd on the skinsey report.
Gentleman Tim
September 25, 2016 at 2:36 am
bonsoir, biblioheinz
In 1950’s Paris, I suspect Errol may have studied the beatifully stacked books (and it’s very attractive cover) featured in the video clip below, commencing at 1:55.
[img]https://dollbacktheclock.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/brack-montmartre-61.jpg[/img]
Gentleman Tim
September 9, 2017 at 11:47 pm
Here’s a topical tropical one, shantiquarianheinz:
www.ashtonrarebooks.com…
Gentleman Tim
September 11, 2017 at 9:53 am
The Journals of Paul Gauguin
[img]https://pictures.abebooks.com/HARPBOOK/md/md18821974467.jpg[/img]
goo.gl/images/3znCeW…
Gentleman Tim
September 12, 2017 at 1:22 am
The Works of Australian Legend, Banjo Peterson.
[img]http://www.australianculture.org/wp-content/uploads/PatersonTheManFromSnowyRiver1966ed900h.jpg[/img]
Gentleman Tim
September 12, 2017 at 12:17 pm
[img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7b/Lostweekend.jpg/220px-Lostweekend.jpg[/img]
Gentleman Tim
September 12, 2017 at 12:27 pm
My source for the last three books – The Journals of Paul Gauguin, The Man from Snowy River, and Lost Weekend – is the following masterwork by Tom McNulty. Thank you Tom!
[img]https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51xTWb%2BCujL._SX336_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg[/img]
[
Gentleman Tim
September 14, 2017 at 8:40 pm
[img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e2/The_Magic_Mountain_%28novel%29_coverart.jpg[/img]
shangheinz
December 5, 2017 at 7:51 am
[img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/gaza.jpg[/img]
Aldous Huxley opened doors of perception to enter a brave new world. In 1936 Errol followed his footsteps and engaged himself in an eyeless trip to Gaza.
shangheinz
April 16, 2018 at 8:08 pm
[img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/movie-lot-beach.jpg[/img]
If not read, it was at least signed by Errol and a bunch of other movie stars.
Gentleman Tim
June 4, 2018 at 12:24 pm
Errol read The Good Companions by J.B.Priestley in Papua New Guinea. He considered it “wonderful” and was greatly impressed by Priestley’s “gift of expression” , including his ability to describe the book’s various characters.
[img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7c/TheGoodCompanions.jpg/220px-TheGoodCompanions.jpg[/img]
shangheinz
March 4, 2019 at 10:06 am
[img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/doubloons.jpg[/img]
Treasure alert: www.invaluable.com…
shangheinz
December 15, 2022 at 2:22 pm
[img]https://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/5F1D4AB5-60F7-4BD6-93C5-DEDFDF7BD47E.jpeg[/img]
Errol probably read this, it may have put him on the course to Beams End, or even on The cruise of the Zaca.
nenabunena
April 20, 2024 at 7:29 am
1.) Flynn also read New Guinea – What I Did and What I Saw by L.M. D’Albertis, it was sent to him by his father. He read it while he was in PNG, I think he mentions this in MWWW.
QUOTE:
[DEAR SPORT, Thanks very much for D’Albertis’ New Guinea. Of course I’ve never been in any of the parts that he writes of, but his description of the Fly River natives corresponds exactly with these bastards of the Sepik River in this territory……]
You can get it here: archive.org…
2.) In Showdown he also mentions and quotes from: The Golden Book of Marcus Aurelius.
QUOTE:
[on one of his favorite sentences-a sentence which he had under lined with pencil long ago: Fret not thyself at things, for they care naught about it. He must remember that, for circumstances -time, place, condition of being, plans and vows-these were all “things” in the sense that the wise Roman had used the word. To accept them, that was the trick; not to fight against them, to live out your life in the way that cosmic forces make possible. And to let others follow their chosen paths without putting foot spears in them, or raising clouds of , dust to make progress more difficult. • • •]
You can get it here:
archive.org…
3.) He also mentions in Showdown that he is a fan of Richard Hakluyt’s books, many are available online as well.
4.) In MWWW he mentions re-reading The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, a 3 volume book series from A.D. 180 – A.D. 1453 by Edward Gibbon. He re-read this after the trial and was depressed.
QUOTE:
[AFTER the trial I found myself relatively ostracized locally. I was thrown on my own resources again. I slid back to where I was years before at Laloki. I pulled out the books. I closed the doors at night. I brightened the reading lamp and I plunged into history again. I reread Gibbon’s Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. 1 decided the Roman Empire had stood for a long while. Maybe I would too, after all this died down.]
5.) Flynn seems to enjoy varied books but history, the sea and books on travel and survival seem to interest him the most. Another book on history is The Conquest of Mexico by William H. Prescott. This too is available on Internet Archive, this is from Showdown as well:
archive.org…
6.) Las but not least, Shamus (Flynn’s protagonist in Showdown) is heavily influenced by Otto Weininger’s work ‘Sex And Character – An Investigation Of Fundamental Principles.’
This too is available on Internet Archive:
archive.org…