The Errol Flynn Blog

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1. shangheinz

   December 6, 2016 at 9:39 am

   [img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/brute-force.jpg[/img]

   Sometimes Leopold Wolfgang Avenarius von der Decken brought his drawing board to the morgue. This painting played a bit part in the film noir “Brute Force” and was owned by Hollywood producer Mark Hellinger. Not for long since he died of a sudden heart attack in 1947. Buy it here and hold on to it for your dear life: new.liveauctioneers.com…

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   • rswilltell

     December 6, 2016 at 1:38 pm

     John Decker’s art makes my blood run cold. Why all the fuss for this mediocre artist? Ralph Schiller

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     • shangheinz

       December 6, 2016 at 6:13 pm

       [img]http://www.theerrolflynnblog.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/scarlett-street.jpg[/img]

       Even though a much finer caricaturist than painter, Decker was a much sought after artist for in movie artworks, mostly sinister stuff. Here for example he depicted Joan Bennett in “Scarlett Street”. Ralphaello, it`s the man behind the canvas that merits our attention: articles.latimes.com…

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       • Gentleman Tim

         December 6, 2016 at 11:18 pm

         You are a true Gentleman of Vertu, connousieurheinz.

         Booty is in the eye of the beholder. And so it is with Double Decker. One thing for sure, he painted some very celebrated subjects, mostly from the Golden Age of the Silver Screen, suchbas the mural now in the National Gallery (I believe), but from rulers from earlier eras, as well. Heck, even Queen Victoria sat for him:

         s50.photobucket.com…

         [img]https://miraclemilela.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/wilshire-bowl-mural-study-by-john-decker-1941.jpg?w=848[/img]

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         • Gentleman Tim

           December 7, 2016 at 6:20 am

           Significant enough to be included at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery:

           

           npg.si.edu…

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     • Gentleman Tim

       December 6, 2016 at 6:31 pm

       The dispute over Decker’s talents and importance rages on, Ralph. Was he truly “Useless, Insignificant, Poetic”?

       Here’s a fascinating collage of his work and companions during his manic time with Flynn. Great rare shots of Flynn and Flynn-Decker Gallery, film of Bundy Drive, and what appears to be the Flynn-Decker Gallery Coat of Arms at ~ 7:42

       [img]https://groovecentralla.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/bundy454.jpg[/img]

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       • rswilltell

         December 7, 2016 at 1:36 pm

         Heinz and Tim; The portrait of Joan Bennett by Decker rests my case. There is something creepy and disturbing about his work. When I first saw the portrait I thought it was Hedy Lamarr but look again. Is that the Black Dahlia, Elizabeth Short? It sure resembles her. Ralph Schiller

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         • shangheinz

           December 8, 2016 at 6:20 pm

           I hear ya`, Ralphone, the eerie feeling is tangible.
           Also Decker`s painting of Errol looked like “The picture of Dorain Grey”.
           The Black Dahlia looms large, yet again in another film noir. Another sheerie coincidence- yesterday was Joan Bennett`s 26th anniversary of her death day: www.latimes.com…

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